Azumino’s appeal lies less in any single landmark than in the landscape itself: water, rice fields and a wall of mountains behind them.
Daio Wasabi Farm and the springs
Daio Wasabi Farm (大王わさび農場) in Hotaka dates from 1917 and is one of the largest wasabi farms in Japan. Admission is free. The watermills beside the river that runs through it are known from Kurosawa Akira’s film “Dreams” (1990).
The farm depends on the Azumino Wasabi Field Springs (安曇野わさび田湧水群), where snowmelt from the Northern Alps wells up from the ground. They were chosen as one of Japan’s 100 Exceptional Waters (名水百選) in 1985, and are said to yield about 700,000 tonnes of water a day.
Hotaka Shrine
Hotaka Shrine (穂高神社), close to JR Hotaka Station, is bound up with Azumino’s history. On 26 and 27 September each year it holds the Ofune Matsuri, in which boat-shaped floats are driven against one another. Its rear shrine (Okumiya) stands beside Myojin Pond in Kamikochi.
Looking for dosojin
Along Azumino’s lanes stand many dosojin (道祖神), stone guardians often carved as a couple side by side. There are more than 400, said to be the most of any single municipality in Japan. Looking for them as you walk through the fields is a very Azumino pleasure.
Mountains, a park and winter swans
The triangular peak you can see from almost anywhere is Mt. Jonen (常念岳), 2,857 m. It is one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains and a much-loved symbol of Azumino.
Alps Azumino National Government Park (国営アルプスあづみの公園) is a large park in two parts, the Horigane–Hotaka area and the Omachi–Matsukawa area, with room for a full family day.
In winter, swans arrive at Saigawa Swan Lake (犀川白鳥湖) and Gohoden Pond (御宝田遊水池). They first came in 1984 and can be seen from around mid-October to late March. For more on timing, see Azumino through the seasons.
A half-day route
- Morning, Hotaka: walk from Hotaka Station to Hotaka Shrine and on to the Rokuzan Art Museum, then cycle or drive to Daio Wasabi Farm.
- Early afternoon, to Toyoshina: drive to Azumino-no-Sato and look in at the Tabuchi Yukio Memorial Museum and the Azumino Glass Studio.
- Afternoon, a pause at Tirol: after walking, come to Tirol, our café and gallery. We are open 10:00–17:00 and closed on Tuesdays.
If museums are your main interest, see Azumino art museums & galleries. For travel, see Getting to Azumino.
Azumino and Matsumoto were also the setting of “Ohisama”, NHK’s morning drama series of 2011.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an admission fee at Daio Wasabi Farm?
No, admission is free. Check the farm’s official information for opening hours and activities.
Is half a day enough for Azumino?
Yes. The Hotaka area alone (Hotaka Shrine, the Rokuzan Art Museum and Daio Wasabi Farm) takes two to three hours; with a car you can continue to Azumino-no-Sato in Toyoshina.
When can I see the swans?
Usually from around mid-October to late March, at Saigawa Swan Lake and Gohoden Pond. Numbers peak from mid-January to early February.
Text: Azumino Commune Tirol. Opening days, fees and timetables can change. Please check each facility’s own official information before you travel.