Daio Wasabi Farm

Attractive wasabi farm outside Matsumoto

3.8 (46)

#3 of 6 most visited in Matsumoto

The Daio Wasabi Farm (�剤�킳�є_��, 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.

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.

How to get to and around Matsumoto

Hours

8:00 to 17:00 (March to November)
9:00 to 16:00 (December to February)

Closed

No closing days

Admission

Free

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Daio Wasabi Farm

Official website.

Japanese

Daio Wasabi Farm

Official website.

Azumino Kisen

Operator of the boat tours.

- Soba House Azumino: private, luxe Japanese accommodation
  Located in the forest at the foot of the Northern Alps. 20min by car from Wasabi farm. Our hotel offers a private hot spring and sauna, as well as soba-making classes.
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Budget:

- Matsumoto Jujo
  Luxury
  
  Matsumoto Jujo provides a hot spring bath and spa facilities, as well as air-conditioned accommodation in Matsumoto, 6.1 km from Matsumoto Station. The accommodation features a hot tub and a private open-air bath. There is a restaurant serving Italian cuisine, free private parking and an electric vehicle charging station. All units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while some rooms here will provide you with a terrace and some have mountain views. At the ryokan, all units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Continental and vegetarian breakfast options with local specialities, champagne and juice are available daily at the ryokan. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. The area is popular for walking tours, and free use of bicycles is available at Matsumoto Jujo. An indoor play area is also available at the accommodation, while guests can also relax in the garden. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 8.5 km from Matsumoto Jujo, while Canora Hall is 34 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 16 km from the property.
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- tabi-shiro
  Budget-friendly
  
  Tabi-shiro, a property with a shared lounge, is located in Matsumoto, less than 1 km from Matsumoto Station, 3.7 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, as well as 29 km from Canora Hall. With a bar, the 2-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Guests can have wine or champagne delivered to their room. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. A bicycle rental service is available at the guest house. Matsumoto Castle is less than 1 km from tabi-shiro, while Suwa-Lake is 33 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 13 km from the property.
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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 offering 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 29 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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- Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
  Luxury
  
  Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring provides rooms in Matsumoto near Matsumoto Station and Matsumoto Castle. 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. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 3.9 km from Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring, while Canora Hall is 29 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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- Raicho Onsen Inn
  Budget-friendly
  
  39 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, Raicho Onsen Inn is a recently renovated property located in Matsumoto and provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. Each accommodation at the 2-star guest house has garden views, and guests can enjoy access to a hot spring bath and spa facilities. The guest house features parking on-site, a fitness room and a shared kitchen. At the guest house, units have a desk. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the guest house, all units include bed linen and towels. There is a snack bar, and packed lunches are also available. The guest house is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests at the guest house will be able to enjoy activities in and around Matsumoto, like hiking. Skiing and cycling can be enjoyed nearby, while a bicycle rental service, ski-to-door access and a ski pass sales point are also available on-site. Matsumoto Station is 42 km from Raicho Onsen Inn, while Mt.Norikura Ski Resort is 1.5 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 44 km from the property.
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- Fukashiso
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located 3.8 km from Matsumoto Station, Fukashiso offers 2-star accommodation in Matsumoto and features a garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a lift and free shuttle service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available and the ryokan also provides bike hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area. All units at the ryokan are equipped with a seating area. The units at the ryokan include air conditioning and a tatami. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. There is a snack bar, and a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum is 6.3 km from Fukashiso, while Canora Hall is 25 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km from the property.
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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, 29 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. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Suwa-Lake is 33 km from Tabino Hotel lit Matsumoto, while Kamisuwa Station is 36 km from the property. Matsumoto Airport is 11 km away.
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- Shoho
  Luxury
  
  Located in the Utsukushigahara hot-spring area, Hotel Shoho offers Japanese and Western accommodation with mountain views. Guests can relax in the indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths and request massages for an extra cost. A free shuttle is available from JR Matsumoto Train Station, which is a 20-minute drive away and runs on a fixed schedule. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge and a safety deposit box. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush set are provided, and the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can choose to stay in rooms with tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding or in rooms with Western-style beds. For an extra cost, guests can use the private reservable hot-spring baths and sing at the karaoke rooms. Bicycles can be rented to travel around the area, while sauna rooms are on-site as well. Local products can be purchased at the souvenir shop and free Wi-Fi is available at the public areas. Traditional multi-course meals are served for dinner and a Japanese/Western buffet for breakfast. Shoho Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Matsumoto Castle and a 5-minute drive from Matsumoto Folkcraft Museum. Utsukushigahara Highlands are a 1-hour drive and Matsumoto Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
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- Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae
  Luxury
  
  Featuring 4-star accommodation, Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae is located in Matsumoto, 3 km from The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum and 28 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. With a private bathroom equipped 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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Matsumoto Castle is 1.1 km from Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto Eki-Mae, while Suwa-Lake is 32 km away. Matsumoto Airport is 12 km from the property.
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