Explore Azumino! tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1 2010-03-11T11:03:48+09:00 XOOPS WhatsNew 2.02 Copyright (c) 2010, http://www.azumino-e-tabi.net/en/ The Wasabi Farm and the Seasons tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1.20.1 2009-12-02T00:12:42+09:00 2009-12-02T00:12:42+09:00 whitney The last time I visited the wasabi farm was in the lush glow of Nagano’s green summer. So I was slightly hesitant that the landscape would not be quite as enthralling, nor the wasabi ice cream quite as appealing, in the cooler transition into ... \"\" The last time I visited the wasabi farm was in the lush glow of Nagano’s green summer. So I was slightly hesitant that the landscape would not be quite as enthralling, nor the wasabi ice cream quite as appealing, in the cooler transition into winter. However, I was pleased to find the blues and greens of the wasabi farm as bright as ever. As far as the wasabi ice cream… who was I kidding…of course I was going to eat it. Though I don’t think it has the kick anticipated from the unique Wasabi flavor, Nagano soft serve is always delicious. Azumino’s wasabi farm is best known for it size. But being in the four seasoned Nagano, I love the wasabi farm for its reflection of seasonal, changing landscape. The blue water and green wasabi plants are surrounded by redish yellow Japanese maple leaves in fall, spiny branches in winter, pink cherry blossoms in spring, and green everything in summer. On my trip, I was extremely happy to catch the tail end of fall. \"\"\"\" ]]> Soba Making tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1.20.2 2009-12-02T00:00:15+09:00 2009-12-02T00:00:15+09:00 whitney I’ve been told that local soba (buckwheat noodles) and rice are the most delicious during fall in Nagano, just after harvest. Also after a year of touting soba as my favorite noodle, due to its delicious taste and buckwheat health benefits, I f ... I’ve been told that local soba (buckwheat noodles) and rice are the most delicious during fall in Nagano, just after harvest. Also after a year of touting soba as my favorite noodle, due to its delicious taste and buckwheat health benefits, I figured it was time to learn. So I grabbed a friend and headed to Hotaka’s soba house, KoneKone.
\"\"Restaurants and shops throughout Nagano often have viewing areas or offer soba making opportunities, but KoneKone is the only soba house I have found designed to be half restaurant and half instructional school open to the public. During my Sunday morning visit, I was delighted to find families, couples, and children learning as well. Reservations are recommended, but it seemed as though many Japanese families put their name in as they came and were accommodated as instructors and/or tables opened up. Though there was a wonderful local family feeling, each class is individual and you or your group receives private instruction. It is nice to speak some Japanese, but I found you don’t really need it. All of the instructors are extremely warm and will show you how to do every step as you go.
\"\"The best part…eating your soba after! Kone Kone will cook your soba for you and serve it with their dipping sauce, local pickles, and tea. You can of course order their delicious tempura or oyaki from their restaurant menu as well. Or if you are in a time crunch or can’t eat all of your soba, they will pack your noodles with ice for you to take home and stay fresh.
]]> Hiking and Biking in Azumino tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1.20.3 2009-11-01T10:40:30+09:00 2009-11-01T10:40:30+09:00 matadm This October, I enjoyed hiking and biking in Azumino. One sunny day, I walked along an old railroad track. It was discontinued 20 years ago. The rails were taken away and an unpaved flat, straight route remains. So, it\'s a perfect walking route ... One sunny day, I walked along an old railroad track. It was discontinued 20 years ago. The rails were taken away and an unpaved flat, straight route remains. So, it\'s a perfect walking route without any traffic. I enjoyed a 15 km hike through the beautiful and peaceful woods.
\"\"There is a cool unused brick tunnel that was built 100 years ago. The course it getting popular among Japanese this year. I think it\'s attractive also for foreign travelers since you can walk from JR Akashina Station.
\"\"The other day, I rented a bike from a bike shop near Hotaka Station and enjoyed biking along a really beautiful river near the wasabi farm with foreigners members of this site. Azumino is one of the most fascinating places for hiking and biking in Japan! ]]> Azumino Fireworks Show tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1.20.4 2009-09-01T23:12:36+09:00 2009-09-01T23:12:36+09:00 marilyn I went to see Azumino Fireworks Show on August 14. I was very surprised because so many people came to see the show. I parked my car near Tazawa Station and took a shuttle bus to the park. It was the third year for the fireworks show. The news an ... I went to see Azumino Fireworks Show on August 14. I was very surprised because so many people came to see the show. I parked my car near Tazawa Station and took a shuttle bus to the park. It was the third year for the fireworks show. The news announced that the Azumino Fireworks Show is the second biggest in Nagano. Compared to the Suwako Fireworks Show, which is considered to be the biggest one in Nagano, it\'s much easier to get a good seat. Fireworks are a summer staple in Japan. The sound of fireworks reminds me of summer. Large flower-like fireworks burst into the night sky. I can\'t forget it. I went there with my foreign friend. She was also impressed! We saw fireworks imitating the four seasons of Azumino. There were also cartoon characters and special messages to precious friends and relatives. I would like to see the show next year as well. ]]> Azumino Bus Excursion tag:www.azumino-e-tabi.net,2010://1.20.5 2009-07-26T17:41:08+09:00 2009-07-26T17:41:08+09:00 marilyn Wasabi FarmI participated in an Azumino bus tour with international students from Shinshu University. At first, we visited the Wasabi Farm. After we got off the bus, a splendid scene unfolded before our eyes. The spread of the wasabi field surpr ... \"\"
Wasabi FarmI participated in an Azumino bus tour with international students from Shinshu University. At first, we visited the Wasabi Farm. After we got off the bus, a splendid scene unfolded before our eyes. The spread of the wasabi field surprised us. Personalized key chains fixed the female students\' attention. They are so cute! The weather was so good that we could see the water in the field clearly. Azumino is known as the location for the movie \"Dreams\" directed by Kurosawa Akira. The scene with a watermill is espacially famous. We took a saunter in the park for a while.
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Rose Garden of Art Hills
Then we visited a large shop and museum called Art Hills which sells glassware. They sell very cute and quite beautiful items, but it\'s expensive. There is a rose garden at Art Hills. It was the middle of June when we visited there. The roses were at their best. Arthills has an expensive and tasty restaurant.
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Azumino Winery
The third place we stopped at was Azumino Winery. A new owner is looking after the winery. I was surprised because the winery has changed a lot. The large expanse is impressive. Roses are planted next to the vineyard because roses and grape vines get the same disease. Roses are weaker, so they get the disease earlier. They make not only wine, but also yogurt. We could see the process used in making yogurt. In the shop, they sell grape ice-cream. A Chinese lady said to me, \"Azumino is very beautiful, but there are only rice fields in Azumino. You could hardly see any houses. Maybe people live in the mountains.\" I told her that Azumino is a city, but not so many people live there. Azumino had not only these tourist spots, but also more. I wish Azumino could be famous worldwide! ]]>