The Izu Wasabi Visitor Center is a facility established to disseminate various information about Izu wasabi and to facilitate interaction with the local community. The center clearly communicates the history of wasabi cultivation in Izu, the reasons for producing high-quality wasabi, and the key points of the “Traditional Cultivation of Shizuoka Water Wasabi” recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System, using videos and graphic panels. It also provides information on the rules and precautions for visiting the wasabi fields. Since the wasabi fields do not have toilets or waste disposal facilities and are not fully equipped for tourism, visitors are asked to be considerate. Additionally, the center is considering offering taste comparison experiences for those who have never tried fresh wasabi or who want to experience the difference between it and the wasabi paste commonly used. Please come and experience the authentic aroma, color, and refreshing spiciness of real fresh wasabi.
Located in Tagata County, Kannami Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, at an altitude of 250 meters in the Tanadani Basin, Oratche is easily identified by its red roof, sitting nearly at the center of the area. There are no traffic lights, just an abundance of lush greenery and rich nature. Admission and parking are free. At the weekly farmers’ market held every Saturday and Sunday, you can meet dairy farmers’ mothers and find fresh, affordable, and lovingly-grown vegetables. At Oratche, you can engage in food production, interact with animals, touch the soil, and move your body. Surrounded by bountiful nature, this dairy farming village with a history of over 140 years invites you to relax and enjoy various experiences.
Twenty million years ago, the Izu Peninsula was an active submarine volcano at the bottom of the distant southern sea. Riding on the Philippine Sea Plate, it collided with Honshu about one million years ago, and subsequent volcanic activity formed several land volcanoes, including Mount Amagi and Daruma Mountain. The volcanic activity that created the land of Izu and the movement of the plate that transported this land from the south have brought various blessings to the peninsula, not only in the form of beautiful landscapes but also in the form of spring water, hot springs, rich fishing grounds, fertile soil, and the agricultural, forestry, and fishery products produced there. “Geo-ria” is here to help you interpret and enjoy the Izu Peninsula even more.
Kakuda Seicha, nestled in the forests of Oku-Yame, is a tea producer that manages the entire process from cultivation to manufacturing and sales. In this program, you can learn about Oku-Yame tea using all five senses. Initially, you’ll learn about the tea leaf processing steps through a video. Then, you’ll taste seven unique single-origin teas and create your own original blend of green tea. While green tea is usually blended to ensure consistent taste and quality, single-origin tea allows you to experience the unique taste (terroir) of a single farm and variety. Enjoy the wide range of aromas, flavors, and tastes.
This half-day program allows you to easily enjoy and experience the food culture of the satoyama (rural forested area). It includes a “Satoyama Lunch” where you can taste the seasonal harvests such as bamboo shoots in spring, tomatoes and bitter gourd in summer, and taro, mandarins, kiwi, and strawberries from autumn to winter. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to make “handmade konnyaku,” a hospitality dish representative of Oku-Yame, using traditional methods that are gradually being lost. Through this konnyaku-making experience, you can immerse yourself in the richness of Oku-Yame.
At “Pooh-san’s Strawberry Farm,” you can enjoy a variety of strawberries, including the popular and sweet “Amaou” brand known for its large size. The farm uses multi-tiered elevated cultivation, making it accessible and enjoyable even for small children. Additionally, the pathways are covered with sheets, allowing for wheelchair access and ensuring that footwear remains clean. The farm is open annually from January to early May.
Join a guided electric kick scooter tour! Starting from the Michi-no-Eki in Abashiri, pedal towards the Ryuhyo Glass Museum, and head to Abashiri Port! Visit the Popo 260 breakwater where you can overlook the Clione Lighthouse and Abashiri Port! From there, you can ride around while looking at the port compliant with European HACCP standards, observe fishermen unloading salmon and scallops, and see the columnar joints of Ponmoi! Take a commemorative photo at the landing site of the Tondenhei in Abashiri. This is a convenient course that takes you around the port town.
Starting from the experiential interaction facility Connectrip, located on the shores of Lake Abashiri in Abashiri Quasi-National Park, head to Oshoku Lakeside Park to enjoy the full bloom of sunflowers and cosmos. Then, pedal through the forest on a cycling road, a former railroad track repurposed for bicycles. Along the way, take a right turn to enjoy the grand rural landscape towards Notoro Cape Lighthouse. At the free Abashiri City Fisheries Center, you can observe creatures from the Okhotsk Sea such as salmon and crabs. Enjoy the breathtaking view as you cycle to Notoro Cape! You might even encounter some wildlife! On your way back, enjoy Abashiri’s famous fried tempura, visit the correctional exhibition at Abashiri Prison, and return to Connectrip on this 40 km cycling course. With a guide and electric assistance, even beginners can feel at ease!
Enjoy a leisurely kayak tour on Lake Abashiri in Abashiri Quasi-National Park. You can observe birds by the water, and if you’re lucky, you might spot White-tailed Eagles or Kingfishers. Additionally, you can land on the Yobito Peninsula, enjoy a drink, and take a walk on the promenade. This tour allows you to fully enjoy Lake Abashiri. A special feature in September is the chance to see many salmon that have swum upstream in the Abashiri River! A dedicated guide will provide information about the local industries and the nature of the national park.
Aitoen” is a farm that has won awards in a number of competitions, including the “World Famous Tea Award”. Why not enjoy the relaxing hospitality while listening to the stories of the owner and his wife on the veranda of the old folk house “Kotori” or on the terrace of the deck overlooking the Oi River?
