Azumino, Mountain city at Northern Alps foothills in Nagano, Japan
Azumino is a city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, stretching across a plateau between the Hida Mountains to the west and the Chikuma River to the east. Several rivers run through the flat terrain, fed by meltwater from the mountain peaks and forming clear streams through the valleys.
The region was settled in ancient times by a group from Kyushu who established themselves in what was then Shinano Province. The present city took shape in the 21st century through the merger of several smaller municipalities.
The name comes from the Azumi, who once settled in this region and whose legacy appears in hundreds of small stone shrines meant to protect travelers from harm. These deities still line the pathways and show the deep connection between people and the land.
The best months to visit are spring and autumn, when temperatures are comfortable and the landscape shifts in color. Having your own vehicle makes it easier to move between individual sites and the wide fields.
The wasabi fields are irrigated solely with spring water that holds a constant temperature, allowing the delicate plants to thrive year-round. The amount of water flowing daily from the mountains would fill several Olympic swimming pools.
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