Nature

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, or “Washoku,” one of the most exciting experiences for foreign tourists is indulging in the country’s exquisite food. Japan, home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, offers a culinary adventure like no other. In 2013, Washoku was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrated for its seasonal harmony, diverse and fresh ingredients, healthy eating habits, and deep social connections.

Among the many delights of Washoku—sashimi, sushi, tempura, beef, and wild vegetables—wasabi stands out as an essential spice that elevates these dishes to new heights. Known internationally as “Japanese Wasabi,” wasabi is a pesticide-free vegetable native to Japan. In 2018, the traditional cultivation of Shizuoka water wasabi was honored as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage.

This time, I would like to introduce the history, benefit, production areas, and types of wasabis, which is native to Japan.

History of Wasabi
Wasabi, often called Japanese Wasabi or Hon-Wasabi, has a rich history dating back to ancient Japan. Initially used as a medicinal herb during the Nara period (710-794 AD), it gained recognition as a valuable spice by the Heian period (794-1185 AD). The cultivation of wasabi began in the early Edo period (1603-1868 AD) in Shizuoka Prefecture and was highly praised by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a prominent shogun.

Benefits of Wasabi
Wasabi is renowned for its sharp, pungent taste, making it a perfect condiment for sushi and sashimi. Beyond its flavor-enhancing properties, wasabi also boasts antibacterial benefits, making it a practical addition to raw fish dishes.

Production Areas
Today, wasabi is cultivated in several regions of Japan, including Nagano, Shizuoka, Shimane, and Okutama in Tokyo. Its cultivation requires clean, cold water and a specific climate, making it a challenging crop to grow. The Daio Wasabi Farm in Nagano Prefecture is a popular destination for visitors, while　Shizuoka is known as the birthplace of wasabi cultivation and the second-largest producer after Nagano. Untouched nature of Wasabi fields in Izu in Shizuoka are terraced, creating a picturesque landscape.

Types of Wasabi
As of 2021, there are 21 registered varieties of wasabi, each with its unique flavor profile. From fresh spiciness to lingering heat, different varieties are chosen to complement dishes like sushi and soba noodle. The most famous variety is “Mazuma,” widely used in sushi and other traditional dishes.

Visit a Wasabi Field
For those intrigued by wasabi’s deep connection to Japanese cuisine, visiting a wasabi field is an exciting activity to better understand. It’s not only Daio Wasabi Farm, and also explore wasabi fields in Izu, Shizuoka, and Okutama in Tokyo. These visits offer a unique glimpse into the delicate cultivation process of this prized plant.

Embark on a culinary journey and discover the fascinating world of wasabi, a true gem of Japanese gastronomy!

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Japan has rainy season around middle June to Middle July. The weather has changed every day.
In rainy season has also enjoyable season of hydrangea and Japanese iris anywhere.
You may spend a lot of time in your room during the rainy season, but there is a place to visit during this season when the hydrangea and Japanese iris are in full bloom. Kamakura and imperial palace is the one of those options.

Kamakura

Kamakura has many places to see the beautiful temple with hydrangea such a Meigetuin, Hase temple and Kenchoji.

Meigetsu-in is famous for the garden that can be seen from the round window, but there is a large garden behind it, where hydrangeas and irises are in full bloom, so we recommend you enter there.

Hase temple is famous for the Hydrangea temple in Hase area at Kamakura. The seaside view and hydrangea contrast and backside of temple garden is nice to see.

It not only famous temple, but also small size of temple is calm and quiet atmosphere. If you wanted to avoid crowd, please visit small size temples.

Tokeiji placed near Meigetuin in Kita-Kamakura. The Kita-Kamakura area is good to strolling the many historical temples and beautiful gardens. The ancient city of Kamakura is a place where you can enjoy a stroll while thinking about history.

Jochiji Garden has beautiful and calm atmosphere.

Tokyo Imperial palace and Hamarikyu garden

Of course, there are many hydrangea spots in Tokyo, but I recommend the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Hamarikyu Gardens. Imperial palace east garden has beautiful Ninomaru garden inside. The garden made for entertainment or strolling at Edo era such a tea ceremony.

Hamarikyu made in Tokugawa era for brother’s house of fourth shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. In　Meiji　era,　the garden became a detached place for the imperial family. In 1952, it was designated as a national special scenic spot include the surrounding water surface and historic site.

These two places are historically very old and have existed since the Tokugawa period. It is a place where you can enjoy the contrast between beautiful gardens and historic buildings.

Please enjoy to find your favorite place to see the beautiful flower in rainy season in Japan.

I visited Mt. Nokogiri in May to experience the amazing scenery. This mountain is about two hours away from Tokyo by train, but it’s definitely worth a visit. I share the Mt. Nokogiriyama hiking story.

What is the Mt. Nokogiriyama?

Nokogiriyama is a low mountain with an altitude of 329m at the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, which is selected as one of the 100 low mountains, and is about the height of Tokyo Tower. Because there is nothing to block the surroundings, the scenery is a mountain that has been selected as one of the 100 views of Mt. Fuji in Kanto.

At the Nihon-ji Temple near the summit, there are photo spots overlooking the sheer cliffs called “Japan’s Biggest Great Buddha”, “Hyakushaku Kannon” and “Jigoku Nozoki”.

On the course, you can see the remains of a stone quarry that has been in operation since the late Edo period. These industrial heritages have been left as they were, and you can not only feel what it was like back then, but the moss-covered forest makes you feel as if you have wandered into the world of Studio Ghibli.

How to visit

From Tokyo, you can go by train, ferry, car, highway bus, etc.

In the case of trains, the “Limited Express Sazanami” runs from Shinjuku to Hamakanaya, so you can arrive in about two hours without changing trains.

If you take a ferry, it takes about 40 minutes from Kumihama in Tokyo to Hamakanaya Port, and after a short walk beyond Hamakanaya Station, you will find the trailhead.

See here for directions to Mt. Nokogiri.

This time, we took the train to Hamakanaya Station, followed by the Sharikido to the top of the mountain via an observatory where you can see the round earth. From the stone quarry, I selected the course that goes through Iwabutai, peeks into hell at Nihon-ji Temple, sees Japan’s largest Buddha statue, and descends to Hota.

You can also climb Mt. Nokogiri by ropeway, but it may stop depending on the weather, so be sure to check the website on the day.

Hiking Course

When you arrive at the trailhead junction from Hamakanaya Station, you will be divided into the Fureai-no-michi course and the Shariki-michi course. The course is divided into three.

　1.For beginners, the “Quick Jigoku Peeping Sightseeing Course 1.9 km, 60 minutes.”

2.For beginners and intermediate level “Industrial Heritage Tour Course 2.6 km, 90 minutes”

3.For intermediate and advanced climbers “Mt. Nokogiri Climber Course 3.9 km, 150 minutes”

Course 1 involves climbing about 500 steps first, so please do your best.
Click here for details of each course.

We selected course No.3.

In the olden days, women carried quarried stones back and forth three times a day.
You can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The stairs are different here and there, so I’m a little out of breath, but I’m going while resting.

At the next fork, the trail splits into Nihon-ji Temple and the summit.
This time, we will aim for the “observation deck where the earth looks round” and the “mountain summit”. To get to the observatory, you have to go up the stairs made on a fairly steep slope. Hold on to the handrails so you don’t fall down.

When you finally reach the top, you will reach the observatory where you can see the earth in a round shape. The scenery is indeed wonderful!

From the top of the mountain, we will head to Nihon-ji Temple. Along the way, you will pass through quarries and rock stages. It is exciting to see industrial heritage here.

From the Edo period to the Meiji era, it is deeply moving to think that the stones were really carried by human hands from here.

From here, cross the wall of Laputa and head to the Japanese temple.

After climbing the stone steps, you will arrive at the north exit of Nihon-ji Temple. When you pay the entrance fee and go inside, the first thing that surprises you is Hyakushaku Kannon. My height is 156 cm, so can you tell the difference in size?

There was a little line for “Jigoku Nozoki”, but soon it was my turn and I looked down. It’s quite high, but if you climb all the way up here, please try going to the tip. It’s safe because there is a fence.

Well, all in all, enjoy Mt. Nokogiri and descend. I would like to get off the ropeway and walk to Hamakanaya in 8 minutes, but since the ropeway is stopped, I will head to Hota Station through the approach to the temple.

The approach was well maintained, so it was very easy to go down the mountain.

When you go down the mountain, you will reach a place where you can see the railroad tracks by the road, so it will take 20 minutes to walk to Hota Station from here.

Summary

2 hours by train to Hamakanaya Station. It took about 4 hours on the “Mountaineer Course”, slowly going around the car power road, the summit, Nihonji Temple, and the roadside station. Overall, there are many things to see, and the mountain has a relaxing atmosphere, so it was a fun course to take a lunch and take a rest.

If you wanted to see the video, please click here.