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HOTAKA |
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Thirty minutes by local train north of Matsumoto lies the quiet
country town of HOTAKA , a base for hiking in the Alps to the west and
well-known for its production of wasabi , the fiery green horseradish
that, in a paste, accompanies sushi and sashimi. The best way to explore
this tranquil area is to pick up a map from the tourist information
office (daily: May-Oct 9am-5pm; Jan-April, Nov & Dec 10am-3pm; tel
0263/82-9363), to the right of the station exit, rent a bicycle from one
of the many outlets around here (¥300 an hour, ¥1500 a day) and head
east out of town through the paddy fields. Keep an eye open along the
country roads for the charming dosojin , small stones on which guardian
deity couples have been carved.
Some 2km east of Hotaka is the enjoyably touristy Dai-o Wasabi Farm
(9am-5pm; free). This is one of the largest such farms in Japan and the
vast fields of wasabi growing in wide, waterlogged gravel trenches make
an impressive sight. Within the landscaped grounds you can sample wasabi
in all manner of foods, including ice cream, which is surprisingly tasty.
Back in Hotaka, a ten-minute walk north of the station along a red-stone
paved footpath will bring you to the serene Rokuzan Art Museum (Tues-Sun
9am-5pm; ¥500), an ivy-covered, church-like building and a couple of
modern galleries. The museum houses the sculptures of Rokuzan Ogiwara,
known in Japan as the "Rodin of the Orient". The artist, whose talent
was cut short with his death at 32, was clearly influenced by the French
master, but he also turned his hand to painting and sketches, some of
which are also on display.
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