Over 10 million rapeseed flowers bloom along the Atsumi Peninsula from mid-January to late March, forming a field of flowers that resembles a yellow carpet. The blossoming field that surrounds the main venue, Irago Nanohana Garden, is a beautiful sight.
The Zaoyama Observation Deck is the eastern entrance to the Atsumi Peninsula, offering a 360-degree panoramic view. On clear days, one can view not only the entire Atsumi Peninsula, but also the mountains of the Japanese Alps and Mt. Fuji. The Hoshizora Terrace on the second level is illuminated at night, and you can enjoy a wonderful environment that creates the “four seasons of Mt. Zao” with lighting that changes according to the season.
Irago Ocean Resort is a resort hotel with spectacular views from a hill 100 meters above sea level. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the sea, blue sky, and shining stars while relaxing and relaxing in the open-air bath, which is designed to flow into the sea, using local Irago hot spring water.
Strawberries grow in greenhouses that are bathed in sunlight in the warm climate of Tahara City on the Atsumi Peninsula. From January to mid-May, you can pick juicy and sweet strawberries at Nikken Farm.
The scenery from the promenade along the valley is a spectacular spot where you can see the clear stream flowing and weaving through the huge rocks of the green valley. Here, you can feel the mystery of nature.
Himaga Island is known as the “octopus (tako) island,” and visitors can enjoy looking for octopus characters on manholes and sundials throughout the town. The island is surrounded by reefs and is known for its abundance of seafood, especially octopus, which is delicious all year round. The taste of octopus is said to be sweet and does not become hard even after boiling, and many octopus dishes are available, including boiled octopus, sashimi, deep-fried octopus, octopus shabu, and octopus with vinegar.
Located between Ise Bay and Mikawa Bay, the fishing grounds Minamichita is blessed with boast one of the largest catches of whitebait in Japan. Spring and fall are the two delicious times of year, when the small but plump spring whitebait and the fatty fall whitebait have different tastes. Minamichita, with its many fishing grounds, continues to maintain high quality of Minamichita whitebait as exemplified by its fresh raw whitebait and processed products.
At 700 meters above sea level, Hakuba’s high elevation, cold climate, and clear, alpine streams together form a setting which imparts superior flavor to the locally grown buckwheat known as “Hakuba soba.” Flour ground from the soba is used in several regional specialties, and a soba festival is held every autumn. Soba noodles (often simply called “soba”) are served by numerous shops in town and may be eaten hot or cold. Hakuba locals will insist, however, that the crisp air of winter brings out the noodles’ best flavor.
Fruit trees growing apples, grapes, peaches, and other fruits are grown under favorable conditions, such as sloping terrain with good sunlight and drainage, as well as a large difference in temperature between day and night. In addition, the mineral-rich melt water from the Shiga Kogen Highlands, which is registered as a UNESCO Eco Park, nurtures these trees and produces sweet and delicious fruit. Enjoy the exquisite fruit produced by the land of the Shiga Kogen Highlands.
Sukagawa, Yamanouchi is located near the entrance to the Kita-Shiga Kogen Highlands, where buckwheat has long been grown and handmade soba noodles are served at celebrations and other occasions. Sukagawa soba, made from 100% local buckwheat flour and using the fibers of oyamabokuchi leaves as a thickener, has a strong texture and is served at soba restaurants and guest houses.Hard-boiled shredded daikon radish is mixed with buckwheat flour dissolved in water. It is called “Hayasoba” (fast buckwheat noodles) because the amount of daikon (radish) is larger than that of buckwheat flour, making it look as if it is cut into buckwheat noodles, and because it can be made in a short period of time. Sakae Village and Sukagawa in Yamanouchi Town are the only places in Nagano where it is made, and it cannot be found outside of the prefecture.
![Atsumi Peninsula [Nanohana Festival]](https://savorjp.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/f69e17da9a37fdaa98269b7f32fbd64d-350x230.jpg)
![Enjoy early spring in Atsumi by picking strawberries! [Nikken Farm]](https://savorjp.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/aichi_tahara_0810_6-350x230.jpeg)
