Daio Wasabi Farm

The Daio Wasabi Farm (大王わさび農場), located in Azumino City near Matsumoto, is one of Japan’s largest and most famous wasabi farms. Renowned for its pristine water sourced from the Northern Alps, the farm is a prime example of how clean, natural water is essential for cultivating high-quality wasabi. Visitors can enjoy scenic walking trails that wind through lush, vibrant fields. From May to October, the farm’s fields are shaded by black tarps to protect the delicate wasabi plants from the intense sun, offering a unique view of the crop growing in this carefully managed environment.

In addition to its agricultural beauty, the Daio Wasabi Farm is home to cultural and historical sites, such as the Daio Shrine, dedicated to Hachimen Daio, the legendary protector of the farm. The shrine also features a small cave connected to his legend. The farm is further enhanced by its picturesque water wheels, which were constructed for the filming of Akira Kurosawa’s film Dreams. Visitors can take seasonal boat tours around the area and explore the farm’s shops, where they can sample and purchase a variety of unique wasabi products, including wasabi ice cream, wasabi beer, wasabi noodles, and even wasabi chocolate.