More About

Your host, David, will guide you on the 20-minute walk to the site, explaining local flora and fauna along the way. Then he will explain the structure of a wasabi patch, as well as why the water of these mountains is particularly good for producing tasty and pungent wasabi.

You will meet the wasabi plant itself and be treated to the rare experience of newly harvested, fresh-ground wasabi (usually with sliced beef).

There will be time to chat and ask questions, for wasabi has its historical, cultural and environmental context.

You may like to hear about how your host came to be in the somewhat unique position of operating several wasabi patches, and what life is like in a mountain village. Perhaps you are more interested in the plant itself and how it is propagated, planted, cared for and harvested. Your curiosity is encouraged. Who were the first people to build wasabi patches in this area? How and why did they do it? Or maybe you are the hands-on type and would like to use the “kazusa” hand-plow – discover what it really takes to be a wasabi grower.

Sturdy boots are recommended in all seasons. In the coldest months there is a fire for comfort, but dress for temperatures several degrees cooler than in the city.

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Your Host

David, from Australia, is a former journalist and magazine editor who moved to Okutama in 2014. Local friends introduced him to wasabi-growing. He now has wasabi projects in four locations, plus a joint wasabi seedling development project with a group of other growers. Other interests include vegetable cultivation, part-time work at a facility for the mentally handicapped (also raising shiitake mushrooms), Japanese language, hiking and exploration, native plants and animals and local history. He is working on a book about the folklore and history of Okutama.

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Departure Point & Time

  - JR Kawai Station at 1:00pm on weekdays

                                           at 1:15pm  on weekends or public holidays

    ⇒Check the meeting point on a map

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Return Point & Time

  - JR Kawai Station at 4:00pm(approx.)

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Cancellation Policy

  - If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.

  - If you cancel within 6 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

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Important Information

  - If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know when you book.

  - Please note that the tour itinerary and order may change.

  - Due to weather conditions, natural disasters or any other special conditions, we could cancel tours.

    When we cancel the tour, we will refund all the tour cost you paid.

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Price (/person)

  - JPY ¥ 7,000 (2 or more participants)

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Tour Code : A1001