The Complete Sightseeing Guide to Enjoying Daio Wasabi Farm! Be Healed by the Water and Greenery of Azumino

Daio Wasabi Farm," located in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, is a popular sightseeing spot boasting Japan’s largest wasabi fields. Not only can you enjoy the majestic scenery with the Alps as a backdrop, but you can also savor gourmet wasabi dishes nurtured by the clear snowmelt waters, along with unique leisure activities that Azumino has to offer. The picturesque landscape woven with Shinshu’s water and greenery is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax. In this guide, we’ve put together recommendations on Daio Wasabi Farm’s gourmet delights, must-see spots, and how to get there!

1. Walk Through the Vast Wasabi Fields

Shinshu Azumino, located in central Nagano Prefecture, is rich in spring water. Daio Wasabi Farm, which spreads out at the confluence of the Sai River and the Hotaka River, is known as Japan’s largest wasabi production area. The snowmelt water from the Northern Alps stays cold and pure even in the summer and has been selected by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the "100 Exquisite Waters of Japan." These high-quality, cold spring waters are what nurture the delicious wasabi grown here.

The wasabi fields stretch about 1 kilometer from north to south and are open to tourists for free exploration. Inside the farm, surrounded by many streams, you’ll find charming water wheels and bridges overlooking babbling brooks—perfect for capturing refreshing and pastoral scenes wherever you go.

The clear boats on the gently flowing Tade River, which runs along the side of the farm, are another popular attraction (available annually from late April to the end of October). As you row along the clear stream, you can see the aquatic plants on the riverbed—a superb nature experience you won’t find in the city! Along the way, you’ll also spot the triple water wheel, a famous filming location featured in Akira Kurosawa’s movie “Dreams.”

By the way, the name "Daio" comes from the "Daio Shrine" located on the grounds. It is believed that the guardian deity "Yahata Daio" has been enshrined on this land since ancient times. Be sure to visit the shrine’s sacred spring water, selected as one of the "100 Exquisite Waters of Japan," and the "Bridge of Happiness" further inside. It’s said that crossing this bridge brings happiness, making it especially popular with couples.

2. Taste Wasabi Gourmet Delicacies

If you visit the wasabi farm, you absolutely can’t miss trying the fresh wasabi gourmet dishes available only here. Inside the facility, you’ll find restaurants and shops offering luxurious dishes made with freshly harvested wasabi.

One of the most popular places among visitors is “Restaurant Daio.” Its signature dish is the “Hon Wasabi Don”—a rice bowl topped with pickled wasabi stems, tuna, seaweed, and more! You can grate your own fresh wasabi and add as much as you like. It’s a simple dish, but highly popular because it lets you fully enjoy the authentic flavor of wasabi.

There’s also a soba noodle shop where you can savor Shinshu soba enhanced with freshly harvested wasabi from the farm—highly recommended! And for those who love drinks, they even offer a unique wasabi beer.

If you prefer to snack while walking around, why not try wasabi soft-serve ice cream or wasabi sausages from the shop stands? There are plenty of surprising and exclusive wasabi-based foods you won’t find anywhere else.

3. Be Healed by the Murmuring Streams and the Greenery of the Waterwheel Huts

Within the grounds of the wasabi farm runs the Tade River (Tadegawa), fed by the spring waters of the Northern Alps. Along its banks, a nostalgic scene remains untouched, where three old-fashioned waterwheels gently turn by the water's edge.

These waterwheels became famous as a filming location for Akira Kurosawa's 1990 movie "Dreams." Since then, they’ve become a well-known sightseeing and photography spot. In the clear river, you can see aquatic plants swaying gently, and the lush greenery of the surrounding trees is reflected on the water’s surface. This enchanting view, one of Azumino’s most iconic landscapes, will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty.

The best time to visit is especially from May to June, when the aquatic plants and trees are at their fullest and most vibrant, creating the perfect scene. A walking path runs along the riverbank, so why not take a peaceful stroll and be soothed by the gentle sounds of the flowing water?

4. Learn About the History of Development at the “Daio Wasabi Farm Centennial Memorial Hall”

Azumino, where Daio Wasabi Farm is located, is one of Japan’s leading wasabi production areas. Thanks to its abundant water sources and cool climate, wasabi has been cultivated here for nearly 100 years. In 2015, to mark the 100th anniversary of the farm’s development, the “Daio Wasabi Farm Centennial Memorial Hall” opened on-site.

This memorial hall showcases the history of the wasabi farms in Azumino and provides information and knowledge about wasabi. Inside, you’ll find exhibits such as a video theater explaining the development history of the farm, wasabi plant specimens, cultivation tools, and other rare items that you won’t easily see elsewhere.

It’s an easy-going place where you can casually enjoy learning interesting facts you might not have known about wasabi. And above all, this is the very first museum in Japan dedicated solely to wasabi!

5. Challenge Yourself with a Wasabi Pickling Experience

One of the highlights of this farm is the original “Wasabi Pickling Experience”! Using the same recipe that Daio Wasabi Farm follows to make their own pickled wasabi, you can enjoy an authentic and easy hands-on experience. The process is very simple—cutting and kneading the wasabi—so even those who aren’t confident in cooking can join with ease. Skilled staff will carefully guide you through the traditional methods, making it fun and approachable.

The wasabi pickles you make can be packaged in a special container to take home. Once home, you can use them in different dishes, adding your personal touch! Depending on how you cut and knead the wasabi, the flavor and spiciness will vary. Why not create your very own unique wasabi pickles and take them home as a special souvenir?

The fresh wasabi grown from mineral-rich spring water boasts exceptional flavor and freshness. It has a perfect balance of sharp spiciness and subtle sweetness, making it a great companion for rice or as a snack with drinks. Please note that reservations are required at least two days in advance, so be sure to check the details!

◎ Access and Basic Information

Getting to Daio Wasabi Farm is convenient by either car or train. Since business hours vary depending on the season, be sure to check the official website in advance.

■ Access

・By Car
Exit at "Azumino IC" on the Nagano Expressway and drive straight for about 10 minutes. The farm has free parking available for approximately 25 large vehicles and about 350 standard cars.

・By Train
Get off at "Hotaka Station" on the JR Oito Line. From there, it’s about 10 minutes by taxi or roughly a 30-minute walk to reach the farm.