About Daio Wasabi Farm
The Daio Wasabi Farm is one of the largest wasabi farms in Japan, located in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, and is a tourist attraction that blends the beauty of the natural environment with the tradition of wasabi cultivation on its vast grounds. The wasabi grown in Azumino, where clear spring water is abundant, has an exceptional aroma and flavor, and is a place where visitors can experience the process of wasabi cultivation and the beauty of the farm itself. Visitors can not only learn how wasabi is cultivated, but also spend time relaxing and interacting with nature.
The most distinctive feature of the Daio Wasabi Farm is its vast and beautiful landscape. The property is lined with streams and waterways fed by clear spring water, which is used to cultivate the wasabi. Especially in spring and summer, the beautiful scenery of water and greenery in harmony is breathtaking, with wasabi fields spreading out all over the area. A walking trail has been established, allowing visitors to walk slowly through the farm and enjoy the scenery of wasabi fields nurtured by clear streams and streams with clear water flowing through them. This rich natural environment in harmony with the surrounding mountains and river is a beauty unique to the wasabi farm.
Another major attraction is the hands-on experience and gourmet food using wasabi. Visitors to the farm can experience harvesting wasabi and enjoy a variety of dishes and products made from wasabi. In particular, wasabi soft serve ice cream and wasabi croquettes are must-try specialties when you visit. The unique spiciness and aroma of wasabi matches perfectly with the soft serve ice cream and dishes, making them popular as one-of-a-kind items that can only be enjoyed here. Wasabi pickles made from the farm's fresh wasabi and prepared dishes using wasabi leaves are also available for purchase and make great souvenirs.
In addition, historical spots and cultural elements on the farm are also highlights. Near the wasabi fields is a “water mill house,” which is also known as the filming location for Akira Kurosawa's movie “Dreams. The water mill blends in with the clear water and wasabi fields, further enhancing the farm's landscape. The clear stream “Hotaka River” running through the farm and “Daio Wasabi Shrine” are also included in the walking route, allowing visitors to experience not only wasabi cultivation, but also its history and traditional culture.
The Daio Wasabi Farm also focuses on ecotourism, where visitors can learn about sustainable farming practices in harmony with the natural environment. Through guided tours and exhibits, the educational aspect of the farm focuses on preserving water resources, which are essential for wasabi cultivation, and on coexistence with nature. This allows visitors to go beyond mere sightseeing and gain valuable experience in realizing the importance of environmental conservation.
Another attraction of the Daio Wasabi Farm is that visitors can enjoy nature in each of the four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery, cool clear streams and lush wasabi fields in summer, beautifully colored autumn leaves in fall, and quiet snowy landscapes envelop the farm in winter. The Wasabi Farm, with its different seasonal appearances, offers a fresh experience no matter how many times you visit.
All in all, the Daio Wasabi Farm is a tourist attraction that combines the beauty of nature and the tradition of wasabi cultivation. The vast farm landscape, gourmet food made from wasabi, historical attractions, and many other attractions make it a place where visitors can enjoy nature and culture to the fullest.