Location: Azumino
Top Things to do in Azumino
The 10 Best Things to Do in Azumino, Japan
Discover the best top things to do in Azumino, Japan including Daio Wasabi Farm, Alps Azumino National Government Park - Horigane/Hotaka, Hotaka Shrine, Rokuzan Art Museum, Azumino Arthills Museum, Mt. Nagamine, Mt. Hikarujo, Azumino Wasabida Springs Park, Azumino Winery, Dosojin.
Restaurants in Azumino
1. Daio Wasabi Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 562 reviews
Reviewed By Phil M - Bangkok, Thailand
We really enjoyed our visit here. The train journey out of Matsumoto in the morning past the snow-clad hills was a treat in itself. It was very interesting to see the plants at different stages of development in the cold streams, in which we also spotted some beautiful trout. Lovely scenery, even on a cold and drizzly morning, and plenty of different wasabi products to try and buy. The beer was a little disappointing as it didn't have a strong wasabi flavour. The staff were very helpful and called a taxi for us when we wanted to go back to the station.
2. Alps Azumino National Government Park - Horigane/Hotaka
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Alps Azumino National Government Park is a green park that makes good use of the rich natural environment of Alumina in Shinshu. Its theme is the realization of fruitful free time activities in nature and culture.
Reviewed By Tyler-KameseiRyokan - Nagano
Great illumination show in winter. We played at the Alps Nat'l Gov't Park in Omachi first, then saw the lights here.
3. Hotaka Shrine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By Masahiro_12 - Ichinomiya, Japan
We encountered the Autumn Festival in Hotaka-Shrine in Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano when we visited this shrine to send my most sincere thanks to her guardian deity for my granddaughter's sound growth. Don't your think that the things that is hanged from the fringe of the float very similar to the Polish flag?
4. Rokuzan Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By Tomoko S
This art museum is not a big one but the building is so beautiful. You can walk from Hotaka station and there's a good soba shop nearby.
5. Azumino Arthills Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Asterix135 - Toronto, Canada
This place isn't so much a museum as a huge gift shop of various pieces of glass. There is a museum tucked away at the back, with an admission price of ¥800, we skipped that.
What is fun though, is the "Workshop" area where you can try your hand at glassblowing and some other glass crafts that are more appropriate for younger kids. It's not particularly cheap (¥3500-4500 per piece), but if you've ever been interested in trying your hand at this it's probably worth the price.
You're more of a helper than an artisan, as the workers do all the more dangerous and difficult work, but you get to blow, and to help the glass. It takes about 20 minutes per piece, and gives you a good first-hand idea of the artistry involved in glass working.
The staff doesn't speak English, so you need to be able to take instruction in Japanese.
Definitely worth the trip.
6. Mt. Nagamine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Hiroki Y
The overlook from its top is quite beautiful and has been loved by the locals including myself in Azumino for a long time. Many famous people including Yasunari Kawabata,an Nobel awarded writer, also have praised its beautiful scenery.
Although you can enjoy the view regardless of the season, early morning during the winter is highly recommended because you could see the Japan's Northern Alps with its top snowfield colored pink by morning sunrise. In summer, early morning is also recommended because otherwise the mountain is covered with clouds.
Maybe the best way to enjoy this view in the early morning is to stay in Azumino city for a night and use a shuttle bus to go to the top. Please note that not every hotel/pension has this service.
As of July 2017, there is no public transportation to go to the top. So if you wanna go there by yourself,renting a car would be the most reasonable choice. (But be careful when driving in winter. The road can be so slippy due to cold temparature!!)
For further information, you can visit Azumino tourist information centre in front of JR Hotaka Station and ask the staff.
7. Mt. Hikarujo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Takao E
清流に広大なわさび園 春には白いわさびの花が美しい、黒澤明監督の「夢」に出てくる水車小屋は「花まつり」の曲で送る賑やかな葬列が思い出されます。NHKドラマ「おひさま」のロケ地でもありました。高い並木は白鷺の巣の聖域です、静かに驚かさないように。
9. Azumino Winery
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By ゆみお - Tokyo, Japan
無料ワイナリー見学ツアー（10分）は事前予約。当日でもOK。…と、公式サイトに出ていたので、当日に電話をしてみました。日曜の午後、ちょうど団体さんの見学が終わったタイミングとのことで、9月中旬で赤いバラのアクセントが美しい青々としたブドウ畑を見学しながら、スタッフのお話を伺えました。丹精してブドウを育てられている説明が楽しく、いろいろと質問をさせていただいたので、10分をオーバーしてしまったかも。ブドウ畑は、収穫したばかりという品種もありましたが、もうすぐ収穫できるメルローなどが瑞々しく実っていました。 見学の後、有料試飲カウンターへ行きワインや軽食などをオーダー。静かなテラス席で実ったブドウを見ながらのんびり味わえました。ドライバーの家族は、コーヒーを。 有料試飲のワインの一つが特に気に入ったので売店で見ましたが、残念ながら予算オーバーで諦めました。 売店内にある無料試飲コーナーでもワインとヨーグルトドリンクを試飲させていただきました。スタッフの方々が朗らかでした。
10. Dosojin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Hiroki Y
Dosojin, loosely translated into the roadside Gods, is derived from Shintoism and mainly worshiped in Kanto area in Japan. It has been believed by locals that Dosojin protects villages and travelers from dangers and natural disasters.
Azumio city has the biggest concentration of Dosojin in Japan and there are more than 400 Dosojin scattered around the city. It is also interesting to see a variety type of Dosojin. (You can see some Dosojin actually hugging and kissing each other in the sculpture!!)
If you take a walk or cycle in Azumino, you will definitely see them at random on the street.
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