I’ll start this post with: I didn’t expect a wasabi farm to become one of my favorite parts of our Japan trip.

It was one of those slightly random ideas I added because it sounded different from our usual itinerary. We already had plenty of restaurants and cafés saved, so spending a day cycling through the countryside to see how wasabi actually grows felt like a nice change.

We took the train from Matsumoto to Hotaka Station, rented bicycles near the station, and cycled past rice fields with snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Once we arrived, we walked around the farm, saw fresh wasabi in its original form, tried wasabi ice cream, and had soba with a whole wasabi root that we grated ourselves.

Nothing about the day was particularly complicated. Maybe that was exactly why I enjoyed it so much.

Here’s what our trip to Daio Wasabi Farm was actually like, how we got there, and whether I think it is worth adding to your Japan itinerary.

Why did we decide to visit a wasabi farm?

To be fair, visiting a wasabi farm wasn’t exactly at the top of my Japan bucket list.

We mostly chose it because it sounded unusual, and because the idea of cycling through Azumino in May looked lovely. We wanted something slower than our usual days filled with food stops, shops, and cafés.

It also gave us a reason to see more of the area around Matsumoto, especially the countrysides.

Before this visit, wasabi was simply something I associated with sushi or soba. I like wasabi. I really enjoy eating wasabi with sushi or zaru soba. However, I had never really thought about what the plant looked like or where it grew.

That small curiosity ended up turning into a fun day out 😀

How to get to Daio Wasabi Farm?

We travelled from Matsumoto to Hotaka Station, then rented bicycles near Hotaka station. I’ll compile all useful links, including the bike rental at the bottom of this post.

To get to the wasabi farm, you can easily follow Google Maps. However, the bike rental place also kindly gave us a map with their recommended route. We followed the map together with Google Maps, and it was easy enough to navigate.

The beginning of the route took us through the town around Hotaka Station. For approximately the first ten minutes, we shared the road with cars and the occasional truck. The traffic wasn’t particularly heavy, but I’m not very used to cycling on the road. I cycled whenever I felt comfortable, then got off and walked my bicycle when I needed to cross a larger road.

After that, you’ll pass through a residential neighbourhood where the roads were much quieter. And soon after you will reach the open rice fields with snow-capped blue mountains behind them.

This ride itself became one of the best parts of the experience for me. And because the scenery felt so open, it never felt like we were simply commuting to an attraction.

We cycled together at a relaxed pace, stopped for photos, and enjoyed the views along the way. In total, the time we needed to get there was around half an hour (including 8 minute-ish photo session).

Daio Wasabi Farm also had a spacious bicycle parking area, so finding somewhere to leave our bikes was not a problem during our visit.

The route overall was manageable for us, but I would only recommend cycling if you are reasonably comfortable riding a bicycle and the weather is good.

We were lucky to have clear weather that day because it rained the following day. Since much of the journey and the farm itself are outdoors, I would check the hourly forecast before deciding to cycle.

Taking a taxi from Hotaka Station is another option if you would rather skip the ride.

What is Daio Wasabi Farm actually like?

Daio Wasabi Farm is located in Azumino, near Matsumoto.

Before this visit, I mostly associated wasabi with the small packets served with sushi or soba. I had tasted fresh wasabi before, but I had never properly thought about what the plant looked like or how it was grown.

At the farm, we could see rows of wasabi growing in shallow streams of clear water. Many of the growing areas were covered with black shade cloth to prevent prolonged exposure of sun. It somehow reminded me of the tea farm I visited in Wazuka, where tea plants are grown in shades to produce a better quality matcha.

We spent most of our time walking around without a guide. There was no pressure to follow a strict route or complete a long list of activities. We could simply explore, stop whenever something caught our attention, and try a few wasabi-based foods along the way.

Here are some of the main areas we visited.

1. Watermill

The traditional watermills are probably the most recognizable part of Daio Wasabi Farm.

I had already seen them in TikTok videos and other Japan travel content, but the area still felt peaceful in person. The flowing water and greenery made it a nice place to pause before continuing the walk around the farm.

2. Wasabi Fields

Seeing how wasabi was grown was the most interesting part of the visit for me.

The growing areas looked very different from the agricultural fields I was familiar with. Clear water flowed through long, shallow sections beneath large pieces of shade cloth.

It was nice to finally connect an ingredient I had eaten countless times with the place and conditions in which it actually grows.

3. Highest point of the Farm

We also walked up to a higher viewing area, where we could see more of the farm at once.

This was when we realized how spacious the entire property was.

From above, we could also get a better sense of the crowd. There was a student group visiting that day, along with mostly local visitors and a smaller number of international tourists.

Despite the groups, the farm never felt overwhelmingly crowded during our visit.

4. Souvenir shop

The souvenir shop had plenty of wasabi-related products, including snacks, condiments, and fresh wasabi roots.

Fresh wasabi would have been tempting to bring home if we had lived nearby, but it was still fun to browse through all the products and see how many different things could be made with wasabi.

What to eat at Daio Wasabi Farm?

Food was naturally an important part of visiting a wasabi farm.

We started with wasabi soft serve shortly after arriving, then later had a Japanese lunch featuring soba and fresh wasabi.

1. Wasabi Soft Serve

Wasabi ice cream sounded unusual enough that we knew we had to try it.

The soft serve was sweet and creamy, with the recognizable sharp aroma of wasabi. Ours was also topped with freshly grated wasabi, which made the flavor more noticeable.

It was definitely different from eating wasabi with sushi or soba, but interestingly, the combination worked.

The ice cream made the visit feel a little more playful, and I would happily order it again.

2. Soba with Fresh Wasabi

For lunch, we chose the Japanese dining option because we wanted to try fresh wasabi with soba, a regional specialty in this part of Japan.

The soba was served with an entire wasabi root, which we grated ourselves at the table.

The process was simple, but it made the meal much more memorable. Instead of receiving a small portion of prepared wasabi, we could see the root in its original form and decide how much we wanted to add.

Freshly grated wasabi tasted noticeably different from the bright green paste commonly served in packets. The flavor felt fresher and less aggressively pungent, with a heat that paired well with the cold zaru soba.

The meal gave the visit more context. We weren’t only looking at wasabi growing in the farm; we could also prepare and eat it in a way that felt connected to the place.

How much time should you allow?

I would set aside at least half a day for the complete experience.

That includes:

• travelling from Matsumoto to Hotaka Station;
• renting bicycles;
• cycling to the farm;
• walking around the farm;
• trying wasabi snacks;
• having lunch;
• browsing at the souvenir shop
• cycling back;
• returning the bicycles
• browsing another souvenir shop just outside Hotaka Station

In the morning, we arrived at Hotaka Station around 10am. We returned to Matsumoto at around 3:45pm. That gave us enough time for us to stop by our hotel to drop off our shopping bags and grab a matcha soft serve before dinner.

The farm itself may not require an entire day, especially if you take a taxi. However, if you plan to cycle and have lunch, I wouldn’t schedule another major activity immediately afterward.

Is May a good time to visit Daio Wasabi Farm?

May worked well for our visit. The temperature was around 20°C. The morning felt slightly cold, while the afternoon became much warmer. I wore a crop top with white jeans and felt comfortable throughout most of the day.

The scenery was also especially beautiful because we could see snow remaining on the mountains behind the rice fields.

However, spring weather can still be unpredictable. It rained the day after our visit, and the experience would have felt very different in wet weather.

Because the bicycle ride was such an important part of the day for us, I would check the hourly forecast rather than relying only on the general weather icon.

If rain is expected but you still want to visit, taking a taxi from Hotaka Station may be more practical. Just remember that much of the farm is outdoors as well.

Who would enjoy this day trip?

Daio Wasabi Farm makes the most sense for travelers who have enough time around Matsumoto and want to see something beyond the main city attractions.

You may enjoy it if you like:

• cycling;
• rural scenery;
• regional food experiences;
• slow and relaxed itineraries;
• slightly unusual attractions;
• and activities that feel different from shopping or café-hopping.

I probably wouldn’t make it the highest priority for someone with only a few hours in Matsumoto, especially on a first visit.

The cycling option may also be less suitable if you are uncomfortable sharing the road with cars, have limited mobility, or are visiting during poor weather.

However, you can still take a taxi and enjoy the farm at a slower pace. If you like fresh wasabi, regional food, and leisurely outdoor walks, the destination itself is still worth considering without the bicycle ride.

Is Daio Wasabi Farm worth visiting from Matsumoto?

For us, yes.

However, I think the experience worked particularly well because we treated the journey and the farm as one complete outing.

Cycling through Azumino, seeing the countryside, walking around the farm, trying wasabi ice cream, and grating fresh wasabi over soba all contributed to the day.

If we had simply taken a taxi, walked around quickly, and left, I’m not sure it would have felt quite as memorable.

Daio Wasabi Farm may not be the first place everyone thinks of when planning a Japan trip. That was also part of its appeal.

It gave us a day that felt simple, relaxed, and completely different from our usual itinerary.

I would recommend it as a half-day trip from Matsumoto for travelers who enjoy outdoor scenery, regional food, and experiences that feel a little unexpected.

To sum it all up: What Should You Know Before Visiting Daio Wasabi Farm?

Where is Daio Wasabi Farm?

Daio Wasabi Farm is located in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture, near Matsumoto.

Nearest train station to get to the farm is Hotaka Station.

How do you get to Daio Wasabi Farm from Matsumoto?

We travelled by train from Matsumoto Station to Hotaka Station, rented bicycles near the station, and cycled to the farm.

Bike Rental Place: Shinano-an

Rental Price (as of May 2026)
Regular bike: 200 JPY per hour
Electric bike: 400 JPY per hour

The bike rental owner asked if we were going to the wasabi farm, proceeded to give us a map and showed us a more scenic route for our way back. He also asked if we’re taking the train back to Matsumoto & gave us a printed timetable for the train.

It was so sunny and I did not bring a hat. They lent me a beautiful straw hat at no extra cost. I am one satisfied customer 🙂

You can also take a taxi from Hotaka Station.

Can you cycle from Hotaka Station to Daio Wasabi Farm?

Yes. We cycled from Hotaka Station to the farm in around half an hour, including a short stop for photos.

The beginning of the route involved sharing the road with cars, while the later sections became quieter and more scenic.

what are the road Rules that i need to know?

This is the cycling rules in Nagano, which I found at the Tourist Information right across Hotaka Station after time at the farm.

How much time should you spend at Daio Wasabi Farm?

I would allow at least half a day for the full experience from Matsumoto, especially if you want to cycle, walk around, try snacks, and have a meal.

What can you eat at Daio Wasabi Farm?

During our visit, we tried wasabi soft serve and ate cold soba served with a fresh wasabi root that we grated ourselves.

There were both Japanese and Western-style dining options available.

Is May a good time to visit?

May was comfortable for cycling during our visit, with temperatures of around 20°C and views of snow-capped mountains behind the rice fields.

However, rain can significantly affect the experience, so check the hourly forecast before going.

Is it worth visiting if you don’t like wasabi?

The countryside, watermill, and bicycle ride may still be enjoyable even if wasabi is not your favorite food.

However, wasabi is naturally central to many of the snacks, meals, and souvenirs available at the farm.

Is Daio Wasabi Farm free to visit?

There was no admission fee when we visited. You will still need to budget for transportation, bicycle rental, food, and anything you purchase from the souvenir shops.

What else can you do near the area?

We found a cute little neighbourhood bakeshop on our way back from the farm, which was nice. The surrounding area was nice, highly recommend to just cycle around leisurely.

There’s also a souvenir shop right across Hotaka Station that you can visit while waiting for the return train.

How often is the train schedule from Hotaka to matsumoto?

This is the train schedule at Hotaka Station as of May 2026:

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A wasabi farm sounded like a slightly random addition to our trip.

But it gave us exactly the kind of day I often wish we included more often: one unusual destination, a beautiful journey there, good food, and enough time to enjoy everything without rushing.

Sometimes, the most memorable days aren’t built around the biggest attraction.

Would you like to visit a wasabi farm? Let me know in the comments below 🙂

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