On April 13th the cherry blossom trees along the Hotaka River, where the early spring song monument is located, have started to shed their petals... You can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Azumino, featuring cherry blossoms, wasabi fields, and the Northern Alps.

Cherry blossoms can be seen all over the country, but... wasabi flowers can be enjoyed in Azumino! You can encounter the delicate white flowers in the wasabi fields of Azumino!

April 6th Spring has arrived in Azumino, and plants are bursting into new growth all at once!! Wasabi flowers, cherry blossoms, and even the ridges… After a long winter, Azumino is at its most radiant right now♪

February 8th Snowy landscape at Daio Wasabi Farm Japan’s largest wasabi field is also wrapped in snow Perhaps because the snow absorbs sound, a quiet world spreads out

Daio Wasabi Farm’s wasabi fields, a pride of Azumino One of Japan’s largest wasabi farms using spring water from the Northern Alps Open every day year-round with free admission♪

From Soto Recipes! As a special return to everyone who supported us through crowdfunding of the luxury retort "Izu no Gokumeshi" that fully uses high-quality ingredients from the three towns of Shizuoka and Izu, we Held in a social gathering to eat "Izu no Gokumeshi" together in Izu with our ambassador Izu no Nushi Fishing. Izu Southwest Coast Tourism Promotion Council Three towns: Nishi-Izu Town, Matsuzaki Town, and Minami-Izu Town We received full cooperation in recipe development, etc. Chiaki, Representative of Soto Recipe Co., Ltd. Ambassador "Izu no Nushi Fishing" With everyone who supported us We enjoyed camping food unique to the southwestern Coast of Izu, such as "Dogashima barley wine", "Hon Wasabi and local fish", "Ghibier yakiniku", "natural eel kabayaki", "deep-fried ginaga shrimp", and "tide soup". Souvenirs include "Hot Spring Melon", "Bonito Dashi Salt", and "Matsuzaki Rice". There is a very much to everyone who participated.

Wasabi Harvesting Experience "Traditional Cultivation of Shizuoka Water Wasabi" certified as a World Agricultural Heritage Site You can experience harvesting in the wasabi stream, which is usually difficult to enter. Kawazu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with the famous water of Mt. Izu Amagi and is suitable for cultivating delicious Wasabi cultivation. You can hear stories about the history of wasabi and how to eat it deliciously from a local guide, and experience the harvest firsthand. You can take home one whole wasabi with its leaves and stems attached. ●Implementation period January 15, 2025 ~ March 31, 2025 9:00～ *Please contact us for the start time. * Implementation period It is subject to change depending on the situation. ●Number of Receptionists 1 group (up to 10 people) Minimum number of participants: 3 ●Meeting point Kawazu cherry blossoms Tourism Exchange Center or Sagano Promenade Car parking lot ●Location of Experience Kawazu Town Kawazu Raft Area What's Included Boots, agricultural tools for wasabi harvesting Precautions Please wear clothes that are easy to move around. It gets quite cold in winter, so please take measures to protect yourself from the cold. Use rental boots, please wear socks. What you'll need Please wear clothes that are easy to move around. Bring your own if you do not need to rent boots

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.

WASABI VILLAGE - Adult's Secret Base It is a glamping facility where you can enjoy the four seasons and the starry sky in Nature with the theme of "Secret Base for Adults". Accommodating up to 6 people, the mobile House has a wooden deck, BBQ grill and Swedish wood-burning open-air bath. ■Address Ukusu, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 2745-1 Sagano ■ Phone 0558-36-3773

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Wasabi Garden Kadoya". ・Fresh wasabi is a tradition that has lasted for more than 100 years A restaurant where you can taste the delicacies of Mt. Amagi. We sell a variety of fresh wasabi and wasabi delicacies freshly freshed from the wasabi garden by hand. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Wasabi Garden Kadoya 【Address】Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 371-1 Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-35-7290 【Business hours】9:30~14:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Wednesdays 【Parking lot】Yes

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.

Hello to all COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers! This is the Nishiizu Tourism Association. Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture is a town of about 6,300 people located on the west coast of the Izu Peninsula. We will send out recommended information of Nishi-Izu Town! Best regards!! ■Features of Nishi-Izu Town■ Tourist spots created by Nature such as the national natural monument "Tensodo" along the Nishi-Izu Coast, and the "Tombolo of Dogashima" and "Koganezaki" leading to Dogashima Landmark and Sanshiro Island are popular. There are many valuable spots that make up the Izu Peninsula Global Geopark, such as the "One color pillow lava" where you can see the oldest geological formation on the Izu Peninsula about 20 million years ago. In addition, tourist facilities such as trick art and glass museums, and accommodations such as hotels and inns where you can enjoy the scenery of Izu, the Sunset and the beautiful Sea Field are lined up along the Coast, and in Nishi-Izu Town, you can enjoy plenty of Nature and modern culture. ■ Japan's largest sunset town "Nishi-Izu Town" ■ From Izu Nishi Coast, you can Appreciation beautiful Sunset throughout the year, and Otago Coast and Dogashima Coast have been selected as one of the "100 Best Sunset in Japan". In order to enjoy the best Sunset in Japan, those who stay inn in a Accommodations in the town will be guided by a "Sunset volunteer local photography enthusiast" who will guide you to the Sunset points of the day. ■Recommended gourmet and specialty products of Nishi-Izu Town■ Seafood such as ground fish, Japanese flying squid, Ise shrimp, Haliotis, Turbo sazae, and Amakusa landed in Suruga Bay, as well as "Hon Wasabi" grown in the Fine spring water and Clear streams of Mt. Amagi are popular specialty products, and can be tasted at Accommodations and restaurants in Nishi-Izu Town. Salted bonito, a preserved food made by pickling bonito with salt, which is also served at events such as the local gourmet festival "B-1 Grand Prix", is a traditional preserved food handed down in the Tago District and is used as Ochazuke and Udon Noodles with Shio Katsuo. It is also recommended as a souvenir of Nishi-Izu Town. ■Popular sightseeing spots in Nishi-Izu Town■ Since this will be a First Post of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, we will briefly introduce some of the most popular tourist destinations in Nishi-Izu Town. ◇Dogashima Tensodo It is a cave designated as a national natural monument with a hole in the ceiling with a diameter of more than 10 meters. You can explore the inside of the cave by sightseeing boat. You can also go to the upper side of the cave from the promenade. ◇Koganezaki The entire cape is a park, and the promenade, Lawn square, Observatory, and the Mt. Fuji view spot "Fujimi Hill" are Maintenance. You can also watch the beautiful Sunset. ◇Sanshiro Island It consists of four islands consisting of Denbei Island, Nakanoshima, Okinose Island, and Takashima Island located 200 meters off the coast of the Coast, and at low tide a road appears and can be visited on foot. ◇ Mt. Shiraiwa Mural The Honzon Konrin Butsudenson is depicted on the Quay wall of a rock-cut cave on a small hill in the village of Nishina Sawada, Nishi-Izu Town. It is said to have been made in the Kamakura period, but the author is unknown. ◇Hanbata Market In addition to fresh seafood from Nishi-Izu, Specialty products such as Dried fish, Hon Wasabi, and Shio Bonito are lined up. It is also recommended for purchasing Souvenirs of Nishi-Izu sightseeing. ■Introducing Information about Nishi-Izu Town■ In Japan's best sunset town, you can watch the beautiful Sunset that dyes the Sea Field of Nishi-Izu in a beautiful madder red color. There are many recommended sunset appreciation spots on the Coast of Nishi-Izu Town, and you can see a different sunset at each spot. In the COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Nishi-Izu Town, so please follow us.

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Daruma Chaya". ・Exquisite wasabi Soba noodles made with local wasabi Slope of the municipal free parking lot. Tororo soba noodles, wasabi soba noodles, and wild vegetable soba are exquisite! ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot name】Daruma Tea House 【Address】Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 380-11 Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-36-8937 【Business hours】11:45~15:00 【Regular holiday】Not opens 【Parking lot】Yes

The 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival starts today! It is the earliest event in Honshu where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing. Please enjoy the arrival of spring one step ahead. Here are some sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Kawazu's specialty wasabi". Wasabi paddies are built in places with clean spring water. There are many wasabi fields in Kawazu, which has been blessed by the nature of Amagi, and it is one of the representative landscapes of Kawazu. Wasabi flowers are small, neat white flowers that bloom all over the rice fields in March. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Wasabida 【Address】Nashimoto, Kawazu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture 【Parking】None ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4 ~ 13 parking lot about 700 ~ 800m to the station front venue, about 700 ~ 800m to the mine hot spring venue [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Heavy-duty vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots: about 700 ~ 800 m to the front of the station, about 700 ~ 800 m to the mine hot spring venue [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen