Culinary - SAVOR JAPAN

Enjoy seasonal fresh fish [Ichiba Shokudo]

Delicious ‘Ichiba-don (seafood bowl),’ their signature dish, is made with seasonal, fresh fish that is sent straight from the market. You can take a tour of the fish market and have fun witnessing the live auctions.

Atsumi Peninsula [Nanohana Festival]

Tahara Aichi

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.

Enjoy a 360 degree panorama! Zaoyama Observation Deck

Tahara Aichi

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 Onsen: Relax in the spectacular infinity hot springs

Tahara Aichi

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.

Enjoy early spring in Atsumi by picking strawberries! [Nikken Farm]

Tahara Aichi

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.

Aso takana pickles and mustard greens rice

Aso Kumamoto

Takana is a traditional vegetable grown in the cold climate and volcanic ash soil of Aso, and it is unique in that it is harvested by hand rather than machine. Pickling Aso Takana with salt and red chili peppers results in Aso Takana pickles. The lush new pickles are also popular, but “takanameshi” is made by fermenting old pickles with lactic acid for half a year. It is then finely chopped, stir-fried in oil, and mixed with rice, and is widely enjoyed at home and in local restaurants.

Charcoal-grilled Akagyu Beef, Akadozuke & Tsukemono pickles

Aso Kumamoto

Specializing in Aso grassland-raised and grass-fed red meat, Akagyu beef is served over a hearth along with seasonal vegetables from the area like taro and tofu that has been fried in rich spring water. It is grilled over charcoal before served. To fully experience the life and food of Aso’s farmers, finish your meal with mustard greens rice, traditional pickles like red pickled vegetables, and a soup called “dagojiru” filled with plenty of local vegetables.

Uchinomaki Onsen’s popular specialty “Akagyu Don”

Aso Kumamoto

Imakin Shokudo is a popular restaurant in Aso City, Uchinomaki’s hot spring town, where people queue every day. The ”Akagyu Don” is a popular menu item there. Beef thighs are grilled in a sweet and spicy soy sauce and served in a rice bowl with a hot spring egg in the center. You can combine it with eggs or make your own flavor by mixing it with the popular, special red beef miso and wasabi.

Mount Aso

Aso Kumamoto

– Nakadake crater Generally speaking, Mt. Aso is well-known for its own Nakadake crater. This is where you can experience the force of nature’s breath as the earth trembles and plumes of smoke violently spew out. The crater wall’s stunning striped pattern is complemented by the exposed lava rock surface. – Kusasenri Kusasenri, a representation of a lovely grassland, is the remnants of Senrigahama Volcano, an active side volcano of Mount Eboshi. Unlike Sunasenri, which is located south of the Nakadake crater, this crater is known as Kusasenri or Kusasenrigahama because of its lovely green grass. – Yonezuka It is said to have been formed by an eruption about 3,300 years ago, and it is about 80m high, shaped like an upside-down bowl, and offers a beautiful grassy landscape.

Daikanbo

Aso Kumamoto

A popular scenic spot in Aso, along with Aso Gogaku (crater tour). Tokutomi Soho, a Meiji period literary giant, was its godfather. It provides the best view of the Five Aso Mountains, whose shape has been compared to a reclining Buddha statue, and provides a panoramic view of the Aso Valley, which stretches out over the countryside and from the caldera’s east wall to the west wall. When you look at the Five Mountains of Aso from here, it looks like a reclining Buddha, so it is called the “Reclining Buddha Statue”. It is also famous as a sea of clouds spot from early summer, and from autumn to winter. Because it is situated along the well-known “Milk Road” driving route, it is a well-loved rest area for both drivers and cyclists. You can see the grassland scenery unfold in front of your eyes and gain an understanding of the Aso people’s distinctive way of life and culture.