なぜ外国人はここに集まるのか──長野・大王わさび農場を歩く
Intro
Many foreign visitors arrive here by bus tours.
At first glance, it looks like a quiet rural area.
So why has this place become such a popular destination?
A Farm Unlike Any Other
Wasabi is not grown in soil like most crops.
Here, it grows in cold, crystal-clear spring water flowing constantly.
Pure Water from the Japanese Alps
The farm depends entirely on natural spring water from the Northern Alps.
The temperature stays around 13°C all year.
Do Foreigners Really Eat Wasabi?
Many visitors know wasabi from sushi abroad,
but few have tasted real wasabi, freshly grated.
Some try wasabi ice cream, wasabi snacks,
and learn that real wasabi is aromatic—not just spicy.
A Living Landscape, Not Just a Tourist Spot
The old waterwheel and traditional buildings show
that this place is still a working farm, not a theme park.
Closing
This is why people from all over the world come here.
Not just to see wasabi—but to understand Japan’s relationship with nature and water.
