It was the taste of fresh tomatoes, corn and figs delivered from her father that persuaded Nahoko Niwa to wind up her eventful urban life and become a farmer.

The freshness and taste of local produce is also what led the 34-year-old professional model and writer to try and make farming more appealing to younger generations, while growing vegetables in her hometown in central Japan.

"Because of my profession and as an amateur triathlete, I have long been careful about health and beauty, and aware of the impact of daily diet on the body," Niwa said. "My father often sent me vegetables just after the day of harvest and their taste attracted me so much to a lifestyle in farming."