1-Day Tour from Hakuba: Your Choice of Azumino Wasabi & Shrine or Sake, Wine & Wellness

Highlights

• Tour A: Hotaka Shrine, Daio Wasabi Farm, and Shopping at MUJI & Local Supermarket
  • Ancient Spirits at Hotaka Shrine Explore the peaceful grounds of one of Nagano’s most significant shrines, dedicated to the guardians of the Japanese Alps.
  • Wasabi Farm & Gourmet Lunch Visit the world-famous Daio Wasabi Farm to see pristine spring waters and enjoy a unique, fresh wasabi-themed local lunch.
  • Modern Japanese Lifestyle Shopping Experience daily life like a local with curated shopping time at MUJI and a regional supermarket for authentic souvenirs.
• Tour B: Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting, Casual Winery Lunch, and Herbal Retreat
  • Sake Brewery Tradition & Tasting Tour the historic Daisekkei Sake Brewery to learn traditional craft and sample premium brews (non-alcoholic options available for everyone).
  • Relaxed Lunch at a Local Winery Enjoy a casual outdoor or indoor lunch at a prized local winery, surrounded by beautiful vineyard scenery and mountain views.
  • Japanese 'Wa' Herbal Retreat Rejuvenate your senses with a unique wellness experience using traditional Japanese 'Wa' herbs in a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere.

Description

Tour A: Wasabi Farm and Shrine, and shopping time at local supermarket and MUJI

This tour is designed to immerse you in the deep history, spiritual roots, and vibrant local life of the region, led by our expert guide who tailors the experience to your interests.

Hotaka Shrine: A Maritime Mystery in the Alps Discover the fascinating history of a shrine dedicated to seafaring gods, nestled deep within the Japanese Alps. Your guide will introduce you to Japan’s unique spiritual perspectives and lead you to the Koyosugi Cedar, a powerful "spiritual spot" within the grounds. We will also visit the Minemiya Prayer Point, offering a spiritual connection to the sacred peaks of Kamikochi. (Note: We will assist those wishing to receive a Goshuin temple stamp first.)

Daio Wasabi Farm: Nature’s Pristine Gift Walk through the iconic watermills and lush fields of the world’s largest wasabi farm. Learn about the history and health benefits of Japanese wasabi, made possible by the crystal-clear alpine springs of Azumino. You’ll have the chance to touch and taste the pure spring water while exploring the legends of Hachimen Daio and the charming Dosojin stone statues.

Local Lifestyle & Curated Shopping Go beyond the typical tourist paths and experience modern Japanese life. Your guide will accompany you to Tsuruya, a beloved local supermarket, to introduce regional food culture and hidden culinary gems. You will also have free time to explore MUJI for its refined lifestyle goods, or visit Seria and Matsukiyo for unique local finds.

A Personalized Experience Your guide provides a flexible and engaging narrative. Whether you are curious about deep history or local food trends, the stories shared will be tailored to your curiosity, ensuring a truly personal connection to Azumino.

Tour B: Sake tasting and casual lunch at local winery, herbal retreat experience

Indulge in the finest liquid traditions of Nagano. This tour invites you to taste the pure alpine waters and rich soil of Azumino through its celebrated sake, award-winning wines, and soothing herbal traditions.

Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting at Daisekkei Nagano boasts the second-highest number of breweries in Japan, each a cornerstone of its local community. At the historic Daisekkei Brewery, you will witness the art of sake-making during its peak winter season. Learn how pristine snowmelt from the Northern Alps and locally grown rice are transformed into premium sake. After the guided tour of the fermentation tanks, enjoy a curated tasting session. Non-alcoholic options like sweet amazake are also available, making this experience welcoming for everyone.

Casual Winery Lunch at Domaine Hiroki The Ikeda district is a rising star in the world of Japanese wine, sharing a similar climate to the famous Yamanashi region. Domaine Hiroki, a boutique winery that began estate-bottling in 2020, has already made waves by winning gold medals at the Japan Wine Competition. Experience the local terroir with a relaxed lunch featuring freshly made pizza from a local Italian restaurant. Your lunch includes two glasses of wine or juice—choose your favorite to pair with your meal as you take in the vineyard views.

Japanese 'Wa' Herbal Retreat Azumino is renowned for its herbal cultivation, particularly traditional Japanese "Wa" herbs like Yomogi (mugwort). In a tranquil facility overlooking the majestic Northern Alps, you will engage in a self-care retreat, such as crafting your own herbal steam balls. It is the perfect way to soothe your body and mind after a week on the slopes. (Please note: The specific activity may change to herbal oil making or similar workshops depending on the day. Refer to the schedule below for details.)

Meetup Points

This tour operates to and from Hakuba using a comfortable micro-bus or jumbo taxi (as shown in the photos). Unlike our larger group tours, these smaller vehicles allow for a more personalized atmosphere and a smoother journey.

Pick-up is available from the following locations in Hakuba Happo and Echoland—please see below for specific details and times:

HAKUBA HAPPO BUS TERMINAL, HAPPO AREA @ 9:45

Please wait inside the bus terminal and stay warm. Several tours operate from the bus terminal be sure to look for the guide carrying a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign or badge and confirm that you're joining the correct tour. Please ensure you are at the terminal before the meeting time. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time.

BUS LOT NEXT TO HOTEL LA VIGNE, ECHOLAND AREA @ 9:50

Please wait at the bus lot directly next to La Vigne Hakuba, not at the hotel entrance. This is a group tour with multiple pickup points to follow. Make sure you arrive before 9:50 and look for the guide carrying a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign or badge. The tour cannot wait and will need to depart on-time, so please be punctual to ensure a smooth departure.

Notes

Included

• Transportation fee from Hakuba to Azumino and between activities / attractions
• Lunch
• Guided tour at Hotaka, or Ikeda area
• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Additional food, snacks & drinks
• Shinkansen / 'Bullet Train', Limited Express tickets
• Accommodation

Tour Availability Disclaimer

All listed events, activities, and experiences are subject to availability. Please note that while certain tour options may appear bookable through our platforms, this does not guarantee that every experience can be carried out as scheduled in the tour itinerary. Many activities require direct confirmation with our partner venues, and availability may vary based on the date and other factors. Should any part of your ordered itinerary require adjustment or deviation from the original schedule, or if a specific experience is unavailable, we will contact you promptly to discuss suitable alternatives or amendments.

Other Information

• Meal & Dietary Requirements
  • We aim to accommodate dietary needs where possible, but please note the following:
    • Tour A (Wasabi Lunch): A vegetarian-friendly main dish can be arranged. However, some side dishes (such as tonjiru soup) use dashi or ingredients that cannot be fully customized.
    • Tour B (Winery Lunch): Our main menu features pizza with cheese. We are unable to offer dairy-free or vegan options for this lunch.
  • Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions at the time of booking. While we will do our best to assist, we appreciate your understanding that we may not be able to meet all requirements due to the nature of the local menus.
• This tour uses different forms of transport. Tours can be conducted by microbus, taxi depending on the size of the group.
• Much warmer than Hakuba, but Azumino area also be likely to be affected by snow and ice. Please ensure that you are wearing suitable shoes/boots and warm clothing.
• The restaurant location and menu are subject to differ based on the season. Please note that the lunch may be different than images shown on this page.
• Tour B includes 'sake' tasting at Daisekkei Sake Brewery. You must be a minimum of 20 years of age to consume alcohol in Japan.
• Infants (0-5) without seat are free of charge. An infant lunch is not included. We also cannot guarantee that a seat on the tour transport will be available for infants and they may be required to sit in the lap of an adult.
• Bookings close at 15:00 the day before the tour.
• Please note, there may be possible changes in the itinerary/included experiences due to local events, weather, restaurant availability, or other unforeseeable factors.
• Please note that it is the responsibility of each guest to secure their own way back to their specific hotel after being dropped off at one of the four possible drop off points in Hakuba during the winter period, as our large bus cannot drop off at individual accommodations.