Daio Wasabi Farm 大王わさび農場
A culinary treasure
Nagano prefecture is home to Daio Wasabi Farm, the largest wasabi farm in Japan! Open all year round, you can learn all the secrets of this key ingredient of Japanese cuisine with a guided tour.
Do you know what fresh wasabi looks like? If the answer is no, a visit to Japan's largest wasabi farm is a must! Located in the heart of the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture, Daio Wasabi Farm is a family farm that has been growing wasabi since 1915. It's also Japan's largest wasabi farm.
To read: Wasabi
Rows of wasabi plants (the name meaning "mountain hollyhock") extend over more than 15 hectares of fields that are possible to wander for free. The only downside: all the signs are in Japanese, which makes understanding rather difficult, however beautiful illustrations come to the rescue of those who can't read kanji.
Unlock the wasabi secret
Wandering among the many small paths that snake through the cultures, you'll learn that wasabi is a green and white tuber, of which every part can be consumed: the leaves as a garnish, the stems like green vegetables, and the root, which is grated to make wasabi paste.
But to be able to properly cultivate wasabi takes some special care, as it's notoriously difficult to grow: first of all, a lot of water, since each line of plants is sandwiched between two small streams of water which constantly irrigate the roots. Then, gravel in which it's planted, and plenty of shade, as wasabi hates the sun. In fine weather, crops are protected from the sun and heat by shade cloths.
Discover amazing products
After a stroll around the fields, don't hesitate to try some amazing wasabi-infused products such as ice cream, cakes or beer. And why not bring back a pot of this powerful green condiment as a souvenir? The wasabi usually sold abroad often comes from China rather than Japan.
The farm is accessible by car, but there is a hiking trail from Hotaka station, which takes you on a 40-minute walk through beautiful green landscapes. If you prefer a bicycle, there are rentals available at the station. Finally, it's best to visit the farm in fall or from the end of April, the winter months are nice enough but the fields aren't as green as they are after spring.
And if you have time, take a walk along the adjoining river once you leave the farm. You'll discover a charming wooden water mill.
