One shot from December 19, 2024 Jōnen-dake, one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains This photo was taken near the Jōnen Dōsojin The winter blue sky and snow-capped ridgeline make a beautiful scene The cold, dry air has settled over Azumino for the season.

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival Friday–Sunday, December 6–8, 2024 About 10,000 bamboo lanterns will be lit one by one, warming and brightening the cold winter nights The gentle glow of candles will warm your heart as well Lighting hours: 16:00–around 20:00 Venue: Hotaka Shrine Open lighting ceremony for everyone (Participants are asked to bring a lighter for lighting by 16:00.) *Lighters for lighting will be sold on site.* ● Kagura Hall Live Performance A lively live show will be held to energize the event ● Special Hotaka Ningyo Kamiakari Display A special stage unique to this year’s kamiakari will be exhibited in the Kita Shrine Garden ● Kamiakari Goshuin (Kamiakari commemorative seal) During the kamiakari event, from 16:00 to around 20:00, a special goshuin will be available only at this time. A customary offering of 500 yen is required. Concurrent Event / Azumino Terrace Dec 6–8 “Rice and Sake MARKET” 15:00–20:00 Food trucks and delicious-treat tents gather in one place! A warm rest tent with a stove will also be available.

Around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the summit of Mount Nagamine A sea of clouds and the Northern Alps rising to around 3,000 meters We enjoyed another clear view of the Northern Alps today In November the sunrise comes later, and from the summit you can also see the alpenglow of the Northern Alps as they turn red in the morning light Please take in the breathtaking, ever-changing views of the Northern Alps [Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour] The Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour, where you stay in Azumino and enjoy the summit vistas, runs through December 8, 2024! Stay in Azumino and join us! <Information about the Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour> This panoramic view of the Northern Alps from Mount Nagamine at 933 meters is a sight only early risers can see! Below you spreads the Azumidaira plain, and the 3,000-meter peaks of the Northern Alps towering before you create a view you can see nowhere else. You can also take in MtJonen, Azumino’s symbol, and, in the distance, the Hakuba Mountain Range. At the summit of Mount Nagamine, enjoy coffee time as you watch the spectacular morning view in the crisp early air. Each cup is carefully hand-dripped. Alongside the majestic scenery, the fresh morning air and a freshly brewed, delicious coffee will slowly awaken your body and satisfy your heart. Please enjoy this blissful moment. [Price] Per person / JPY 3,500 (same price for adults and children) * Tour reservations are limited to guests staying at designated accommodations. Please check the accommodation’s stay plans or inquire at check-in. * The tour requires advance reservation. Reservations can be made at the designated accommodation up to 8:00 p.m. the day before use. * Please pay the participation fee at the front desk by the day before use. [Price includes] Bus fare, coffee and snacks [Minimum number of participants] 2 people [Notes] * The tour will be canceled in case of rain or bad weather. (Decision will be made around 4:00 p.m. on the day before the tour) ・Because it is early morning, you may feel cold. Please bring something warm to wear as a layer. For details and a list of participating accommodations, please search for "Mount Nagamine Spectacular View Tour"

Saturday, November 23, 2024 — One-day-only tour “A Winter Tradition: Nozawana Pickling Experience — From Harvest to Brine” Meeting place: Public lodging facility Village Azumino Time: Gather at 1:00 PM, dismiss at 3:30 PM (planned) Fee: ¥5,000 per person (tax included) Fee includes: the Nozawana pickling experience; delivery fee for 5 kg of Nozawana per person; light refreshments and tea; insurance; and a complimentary day‑use bath on the day of the experience only Who can join: Open to everyone; reservations accepted from one person (children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian) *Reservations will close once capacity is reached The complimentary day‑use bath is valid only on the day of the experience. Please speak to a staff member. For details, visit the Azumino City Tourism Association website under “Experience Tour Reservations”

The 13th Azumino Kamiakari Bamboo Lantern Festival 2024 — Held over 6 days Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1 Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8 Around 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day Hotaka Shrine (about a 5-minute walk from Hotaka Station on the JR Oito Line) Enjoy the gentle atmosphere of Hotaka Shrine, illuminated by about 10,000 bamboo lanterns Anyone may join the 4:00 p.m. lighting. Those who will light lanterns should bring a long-handled lighter Live performances take place at the Kagura Hall, and Azumino Terrace in the South Garden features food trucks and booths. In the North Garden, a special stage presents the traditional Hotaka dolls * Admission is free * Parking is limited; please use public transportation when possible

On October 1, 2024, the cosmos at the National Alps Azumino Park Horikiné-Hotaka Area are at their best. A field of 180,000 cosmos plants featuring 12 varieties. You can enjoy the colorful blooms of cosmos through mid-October.

A refreshing morning in Azumino Most of the rice has already been harvested, but some paddies still bear ears of rice, perhaps because of the variety In the distance, Mt. Jii-ga-take and Mt. Kashimayari rise tall

The National Alps Azumino Park is a national park spreading at the foot of the Northern Alps in central Nagano Prefecture. The park has two areas: Omachi-Matsukawa in the north and Horikane-Hotaka in the south. The Horikane-Hotaka area lies about a 20-minute drive from Azumino Interchange on the Nagano Expressway. In the Horikane-Hotaka area, the yellow cosmos are now in full bloom. Eight hundred thousand yellow cosmos flowers cover 2.5 hectares of terraced rice fields in a spectacular display. The National Alps Azumino Park is broadly divided into two zones, and the yellow cosmos appear in the Satoyama Culture Zone, so please be careful not to use the wrong entrance. They should be enjoyable through late September. After that, in the Rural Culture Zone, you can see 180,000 cosmos of 12 different varieties. These are expected to peak from late September through mid-October. There are photo spots, and on clear days you can see Mt. Jonen. *Two pink cosmos photos are from last year.*

Limited to October and November “A Taste of Autumn in Azumino! Harvest Seasonal Apples, Enjoy an Exciting Bike Ride, and Try Making Apple Pie in the Orchard” [AM 3-hour Course] When the bright red apples hang heavy on the trees, spend a special time in the vast apple orchards A limited-time tour lets you savor apples at their peak♪ We look forward to your participation♪ For details and reservations, visit the Azumino City Tourism Association website

Limited to this summer! “Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry” An original curry made with fresh, delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 13 local restaurants This project aims to introduce the summer vegetables grown locally to many people from both inside and outside the city Each restaurant adds its own twist—lightly frying or simmering pumpkins, eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, and more You’ll find a wide variety of dishes, from curry rice to pasta and curry ramen A rich lineup of menu options awaits! Serving period: Until Monday, September 30, 2024 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant’s circumstances

The name for the summer–autumn strawberry born in Azumino has been decided! And the name is... “amaazumi”!! We received 1,255 entries from across the country, and this name was chosen from among them. Thank you very much to everyone who submitted name suggestions. Amaazumi is a variety that changes the image of summer–autumn strawberries as sweet-and-sour; it is characterized by its sweetness and rich aroma. Please give it a try!

Azumino, spreading out at the foot of the Northern Alps Mountain Range with peaks around 3,000 meters, has long been enriched by abundant water that sustains the land and people. Meltwater from the Northern Alps becomes underground flow and eventually nourishes the villages of Azumino. Its clarity moves all who see it.

Mt. Tsubakuro in the Northern Alps is ablaze with the beautiful blooms of komakusa, the queen of alpine flowers.

Would you like to join a white corn harvesting experience in Azumino this summer? The kernels gleam pure white like pearls and are so tender they can be eaten raw! Their juice bursts with sweetness over 15 degrees Brix, and the plump texture is addictive. The farm owner will give a full lesson on harvesting tips. While interacting with local farmers, you can see vegetables being grown firsthand, enjoy the pleasure of harvesting yourself, and savor the taste of freshly picked produce! For details, please see the Azumino City Tourism Association website!

The Azumino City Tourism Association, a public interest incorporated association, shares the present charm of Azumino, a garden city spreading at the foot of the Northern Alps. Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture sits near the center of Nagano, nestled between Matsumoto to the south and Hakubamura to the north. Home to Japan’s largest wasabi fields and blessed with clear water and air, Azumino promotes its appeal through Cool Japan videos. [What is Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture?] Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture is a city surrounded by the mountains of the Northern Alps and blessed with beautiful nature. Its population is about 92,000 (April 2024), and it is a place where history and culture live alongside a rich natural environment. The city’s seasonal scenery enchants visitors, especially cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter. Since around the Meiji era, wasabi cultivation has flourished here. That tradition continues today, and Azumino is known as one of Japan’s leading wasabi-producing regions. [Notable sightseeing spots in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Daio Wasabi Farm Daio Wasabi Farm is one of Azumino’s signature tourist attractions. Spanning an area equivalent to more than ten Tokyo Domes, it is one of Japan’s largest wasabi farms, and its picturesque waterways are spectacular. Visitors can tour the wasabi fields and enjoy a variety of wasabi-based gourmet offerings. ・Hotaka Shrine Hotaka Shrine is said to be a power spot in Azumino. Historically worshipped as a guardian of the Japanese Alps, it is widely revered for traffic safety and industrial safety. ・National Alps Azumino Park (Horikane Hotaka area) This park is one of six national parks in the Kanto Koshinetsu region. It is a vast natural park popular with families and couples. The park features seasonal flower beds, playground equipment for children, barbecue areas, and day-camping zones. ・Azumino Chihiro Art Museum The Azumino Chihiro Art Museum exhibits the works of picture book artist Chihiro Iwasaki. Set in a quiet environment surrounded by beautiful nature, it offers a warm and comforting picture-book world. It is a soothing destination for families and art lovers. ・Roadside Station Alps Azumino Horigane no Sato Located at the foot of the Northern Alps, this roadside station offers a wide selection of fresh, safe, and carefully made farm products. Local Azumino souvenirs focused on fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended. ・Outdoor activities To fully enjoy Azumino, try activities such as clear stream boat rides, rafting, and clear-bottom boats. There are mountain-biking courses where you can ride while gazing up at the Northern Alps. Other options include horseback riding and F1, offering a variety of ways to have fun. ・Hands-on and indoor experiences A rich variety of hands-on programs is available, including soba noodle making, glassblowing, glass stamp making, pottery, and traditional chopstick crafting. Choose according to your interests and give them a try. ・Northern Alps mountaineering The Northern Alps comprise some of Japan’s premier mountain ranges, with peaks around 3,000 meters. Azumino City, located at the foothills of the Northern Alps, also serves as a recommended base for alpine climbing. It is known as a gateway to popular peaks featured among Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains such as MtJonen, Mt. Tsubakuro, MtYarigatake, and as a viewing point for the Hotaka Mountain Range from Mount Chō. [Specialties of Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Wasabi Azumino City is renowned as one of Japan’s top wasabi-producing areas. Clear water and a cool climate suit wasabi cultivation, and its quality is highly regarded both domestically and internationally. Enjoy wasabi-based dishes and processed products when you visit. ・Rainbow trout Rainbow trout farmed in Azumino’s pristine waters is another local specialty. In recent years, “Shinshu Salmon,” bred from rainbow trout and brown trout, has become popular. [Festivals and events in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture] ・Ofune Festival The Ofune Festival, held every September, is a traditional event centered at Hotaka Shrine. Boat-shaped floats parade through the town as locals unite to enliven the festival. [Azumino City sightseeing recap] Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture is a region full of charm, surrounded by beautiful nature and rich history. Please visit Azumino City and experience its attractions for yourself. We will continue to share recommended sightseeing information and the latest updates so that Azumino can become a memorable page in your travel diary.

Azumino Alps Park, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture About 300,000 tulips are in Best time to visit ♪ Tulips blooming without gaps in the forest in the park! Masterpiece! I am excited by the lively colors. I was satisfied with the scenery unique to Spring.

April 28, 2024 in Azumino City on a trip to Shinshu, I went to see the tulips in full bloom in the Hori Kanehotaka area of the national Alps Park. The tulip field of 290,000 balls of 127 varieties is a masterpiece! I was immersed in a strange sense of the world. No matter where you look, the tulip 🌷 view is superb, and ♪ I was ♪ very satisfied to have the best time

Damn, I thought it was getting warmer.

Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. March 4th. The snow is still going on. Thanks to you, the Shinto ceremony has a fantastic atmosphere.

I took this photo in Mt. Tsubame in early autumn. The round ball water droplets were cute and I took a close-up picture. I also like the fact that only one leaf is red. The color is Fujifilm's ClassicNega.

The national Alps Azumi Park Horikane and Hotaka districts are worth seeing, with 270,000 tulip fields of 117 varieties.