During peasant rule, a cuisine known as hoonko was developed. Another specialty to sample is Komatsu udon, made from thin, soft noodles and a broth incorporating dried fish. Komatsu has many wonderful flavors to explore.
At Yaizu Port facing Suruga Bay, where the Oi-River flows, you can enjoy various things such as Yaizu Southern Bluefin Tuna, which is called “red diamond” because of its elegant fat and sweetness, bonito flakes which are royal gifts, as well as sashimi and tataki. The bonito fishes used to make these delicious dishes are caught here.
Containing 48 different kinds of moss, Hiyo Moss Garden is one of the most famous moss gardens in Japan. Hiyo Village is a beautiful hamlet with shrines, old traditional homes, and of course the mosses and cedar trees of the Moss Garden.
The landscape of Hakuba is dominated by three majestic summits: Shirouma, Shakushi, and Hakuba-yari. At elevations of 2,933; 2,820; and 2,909 meters respectively, the three peaks form a striking backdrop to the Hakuba valley. Through the valley runs the Himekawa River, flowing down from its source on Mount Shirouma. The Oide suspension bridge crosses the Himekawa and leads to an area of thatch-roofed private homes. While beautiful in all seasons, the river view is particularly lovely in spring, when blooming cherry trees are framed against the towering mountains.
In the middle basin of the Oi-River, the Oi-River Railway, a steam locomotive, runs between the fresh green tea garden and the magnificent Oi-River. At Kawanehon Town there is a tea garden located over 500m above sea level and is called the “tea-producing area in the sky”, here you can see a magical landscape filled with fog.
Take part in any of more than 50 traditional crafts workshops, such as Wajima lacquerware and Kutani porcelain at Yunokuni-no-Mori Handicraft Village, a center for Kaga handicrafts. One of the most famous cultural traditions is the yearly Hikiyama Children’s Kabuki, in which children perform kabuki on the Hikiyama festival floats. You can also put on the kabuki makeup yourself. Afterwards, try a sumptuous cha-kaiseki meal at a traditional restaurant. You can also tour a sake brewery (and taste the sake!) and take part in a tea ceremony in a teahouse. Hit all the attractions and experience the historical town life of Komatsu.
Hakuba is famous for its winter ski season, but there is plenty to do after the snow melts. Active experiences such as trekking in Hakuba Daisekkei, one of Japan’s three largest snow gorges, rafting on the Himekawa River, and paragliding to see Hakuba from the sky are very popular.
The mountain village of Maze has a bountiful food culture that can be experienced through innumerable dishes, including salt-grilled sweetfish and hobazushi, sushi ingredients wrapped in a magnolia leaf. A local take on miso incorporates barley koji, a fermentation known for its gentle, sweet flavor, and dishes are often accompanied by a rich variety of pickled vegetables.
Tea experience unique to the Oi-River basin With the “Tea room” experience (tea in tea garden space with a superb view), you can enjoy taste testing various teas, a high quality green tea / matcha tea room experience in a Japanese garden, tea farm visit, hand massage experience, tea girl experience, and tea factory tour.
Shiga Kogen is the largest snow resort in Japan and located in the centre of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park. ‘Yudanaka Shibu Onsen Resort’ has a large source of hot spring water and a history of 1,300 years. ‘Kitashiga Kogen’ is one of the prominent heavy snowfall areas, where traditional food culture such as haya-soba remains. Experience the attractions that coexist with nature, like globally popular the “Snow Monkey Park.”
