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The Daio Wasabi Farm (‘剤‚킳‚Ñ”_ê, Daiō Wasabi Nōjō) in rural Azumino City near Matsumoto is one of Japan's largest wasabi farms and a popular tourist destination. The farm has multiple large fields with a meticulously maintained network of small streams that constantly provides each wasabi plant with clear, flowing water from the Northern Alps. Only under such pristine conditions is wasabi cultivation possible. From May to October, the fields are protected from the sun by black tarp sheets.

The farm has been attractively developed for tourists with walking trails between the fields. Within the farm stands the Daio Shrine, which enshrines the spirit of an ancient local hero, Hachimen Daio, after which the farm has been named and who is considered the farm's protector. Nearby the shrine is also a small cave related to the local hero's legend.

An idyllic scene of old-fashioned, wooden water wheels alongside the river can also be enjoyed from the walking trails. The water wheels were constructed here for the filming of Kurosawa Akira's "Dreams" in 1989 and have been left standing. From late April to late October the scenery can also be enjoyed from short tours on inflatable boats (about 20 minutes, 1200 yen).

Last but not least, the farm features multiple shops and a restaurant. On sale is a wide variety of wasabi related products, including fresh wasabi, wasabi paste, wasabi flavored pickles and crackers, wasabi soba noodles, wasabi curry, wasabi sausages, wasabi dressing, wasabi beer, wasabi juice, wasabi soft cream and wasabi chocolate.

Getting there and around

Take the JR Oito Line from Matsumoto to Hotaka Station (30 minutes, 330 yen one way, 1-2 trains/hour), from where the wasabi farm can be reached in a ten minute taxi ride (approx. 2000 yen one way). On selected days from late April to early November, the Azumino Loop Bus for tourists connects Hotaka Station with the farm (10 minutes, 600 yen per ride or 1000 yen for a 1-day pass). Outside of winter, rental bicycles are another alternative to consider.

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Hotels around Matsumoto

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    • cafe&stay CASTANA
      Mid-range
      Located in Matsumoto, within 3.4 km of Matsumoto Station and 6.1 km of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, cafe&stay CASTANA provides accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 3-star inn offers free shuttle service. The property is non-smoking and is situated 25 km from Canora Hall. The inn will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At cafe&stay CASTANA each room comes with bed linen and towels. Matsumoto Castle is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Suwa-Lake is 28 km away. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 11 km from cafe&stay CASTANA.
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    • tabi-shiro
      Budget-friendly
      Tabi-shiro is located in Matsumoto, 2.7 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. The rooms have a shared bathroom. Tabi-shiro features free WiFi . There is a shared kitchen at the property. Shirahone Hot Spring is 32 km from tabi-shiro, while Matsumoto Castle is 400 metres from the property.
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    • Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
      Luxury
      Located within 600 metres of Matsumoto Station and 3.9 km of The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring provides rooms in Matsumoto. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, all rooms have a desk. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring have a mountain view. At the accommodation each room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests at Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and spa centre. Canora Hall is 27 km from Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring, while Matsumoto Castle is 1.6 km away. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 11 km from the accommodation.
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    • Raicho Onsen Inn
      Budget-friendly
      Guest House Raicho offers accommodation in Norikura Kogen in Chubu Sangaku National Park. Mt. Norikura Ski Resort is a 3-minute drive away, and pick-up service to and from the resort is provided every morning. Free WiFi and free parking is available on site. Guests can also enjoy bathing in the sulfur hot-spring, which makes use of pure spring water. Towels and toothbrush are provided at a fee. Kamikochi Sawando Car Park is a 20-minute drive away from the property. Kamikochi Bus Terminal is a 30-minute bus ride from Kamikochi Sawando Car Park, and a 60-minute direct bus ride from Norikura Kogen. Guests can have breakfast at an extra cost upon request. Guests can make their own meals at the shared kitchen on site. Activities available around the area include out-of-area skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing near a waterfall, hiking, cycling and fishing. Guests can also visit the Northern Alps or Matsumoto City, both tourist destinations that can be accessed from the property.
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    • Kamikochi Nishi-itoya Mountain lodge
      Mid-range
      Located 47 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Kamikochi Nishi-itoya Mountain lodge offers accommodation with a balcony, as well as a garden and a shared lounge. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, full-day security and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. At the ryokan, every unit has a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a shared bathroom, bed linen and towels. The units are fitted with a safety deposit box and certain rooms include river views. The units include a tatami. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a coffee shop, and packed lunches are also available. Guests at Kamikochi Nishi-itoya Mountain lodge will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsumoto, like hiking. The ryokan has a picnic area where you can spend a day out in the open. Takayama Station is 47 km from the accommodation, while Matsumoto Station is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 52 km from Kamikochi Nishi-itoya Mountain lodge.
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    • Ryokan Seifuso
      Budget-friendly
      A 5-minute drive from National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, Ryokan Seifuso is next to Shinshu University and boasts a view of the Northern Alps and the freshness of the Metoba River. It is ideal for sightseeing such as Kamikochi, a mountainous scenic spot, Norikura Kogen, which has abundant trekking courses, Azumino, an original landscape of Japan blessed with Dosojin and spring water, and Utsukushigahara Kogen, which was praised by Kihachi Ozaki, a mountain poet. There are many overseas visitors from over 30 countries every year (English available) for sports camps, and university seminars. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, TV and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Ryokan Seifuso is entirely non-smoking. Free parking (2 locations, 12 spaces, on-site), free rental bicycles and chargeable electric bicycles for sightseeing in the city. For meals, freshly prepared seasonal Japanese dishes are served. Western breakfast is available upon request (reservation made at reception), and vegetarian options are also available. The mellow honey yogurt from the eldest son of a beekeeper is extremely popular.
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    • Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto
      Luxury
      Set in Matsumoto, 500 metres from Matsumoto Station, Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto offers air-conditioned accommodation and a restaurant. The property is around 3.5 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, 27 km from Canora Hall and 1.4 km from Matsumoto Castle. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space for guests. All guest rooms at the hotel come with a seating area and a flat-screen TV. The rooms come with a kettle and a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, while selected rooms also feature a kitchenette fitted with a microwave. At Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto rooms have bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Suwa-Lake is 30 km from Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto, while Kamisuwa Station is 33 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 11 km from the hotel.
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    • Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso
      Mid-range
      Amid stunning nature in the heart of Kamikochi located within Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso offers Japanese-style rooms with free wired internet and a restaurant. It features a public bath. Rooms offer a traditional Japanese d?cor of tatami-mat (woven straw) floors, futon bedding, and paper sliding doors at the seating area. They are fitted with an LCD TV, a fridge and en suite toilet. Western rooms come with bathing facilities. Shirakabaso Hotel serves a dinner prepared with local produce in its dining room, while Restaurant Le Blanc offers a buffet of Japanese and Western dishes. Guests at the Shirakabaso can marvel in the beauty of the Japanese Alps on a hike, or browse in the hotel shop. The hotel is located in front of the Kappa Bridge, and it offers easy access to scenic spots. It is a 30-minute walk from Taisho Pond.
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    • Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae
      Luxury
      Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae is located in Matsumoto, 3 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and 29 km from Canora Hall. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is set 400 metres from Matsumoto Station. The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with a city view. At Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae every room has bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Matsumoto Castle is 1.1 km from Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae, while Suwa-Lake is 32 km away. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 12 km from the hotel.
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    • Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel
      Mid-range
      Set 3.1 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel offers rooms with air conditioning in Matsumoto. Popular points of interest nearby include Matsumoto Castle, Yohashira Shrine and Matsumoto City Museum of Art. Kamikochi is 30 km from the hotel. Guest rooms are equipped with a TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a bath, free toiletries and a desk. The rooms include a wardrobe. A buffet breakfast is served each morning at the property. Staff at the hotel are always available to provide advice at the reception. Complimentary motorbikes can be borrowed at the reception, upon request. Kappa Bridge is 30 km from Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel, while Mt.Norikura Ski Resort is 32 km away. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 9 km from the property.
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Experiences around Matsumoto

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