Although Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, its western area is rich in nature and home to a diverse range of local histories and cultures full of regional charm.
However, on the other hand, the region also faces various challenges that need to be addressed.
In Okutama, for instance, traditional wasabi cultivation has continued since the Edo period (1603-1868). Yet, as a mountainous area, it struggles with issues such as frequent natural disasters and a rapidly aging population.
Against this background, we strive to create and offer high-value travel experiences by utilizing Tokyo’s regional resources nurtured by its forests and waters, aiming to preserve and promote traditional craftsmanship while enhancing the appeal of local communities.
Our Vision
The Value and Tradition of Okutama Wasab
Okutama has maintained traditional wasabi cultivation practices that date back to the Edo period. Wasabi, one of the few cultivated plants native to Japan, has established a unique position as an essential spice vegetable in Japanese culinary culture.
Wasabi cultivation ingeniously utilizes clear mountain streams, and due to the challenging terrain of steep slopes, mechanization remains difficult. Even today, most cultivation is carefully managed by hand. This traditional farming method uses virtually no pesticides, resulting in extremely low environmental impact and continuing to protect the rich natural environment of the streams and forests surrounding the wasabi fields.
Escalating Challenges
However, Okutama wasabi cultivation faces numerous challenges that need to be addressed. In addition to the harsh natural conditions characteristic of mountainous regions, a combination of factors including repeated natural disasters, declining market prices, aging farmers, lack of successors, and damage from wild animals has led to an annual increase in abandoned wasabi fields. To address these challenges, Okutama Town has established the "Okutama Wasabi Academy" to foster new cultivators and pass down cultivation techniques. Wasabi cultivation is difficult and requires more than a year until harvest, growers cannot generate income for an extended period when starting cultivation.
A New Approach Toward Sustainable Develo
To achieve sustainable growth of Okutama wasabi cultivation, it is essential to create an environment where producers can earn stable income and where successors and new cultivators can continue farming long-term. One effective method gaining attention is utilizing wasabi fields as tourism resources.
The Need for Environmentally Conscious T
However, given the characteristics of wasabi cultivation that uses virtually no pesticides, visits by large numbers of unspecified visitors to wasabi fields increase the risk of pest and disease introduction. Therefore, utilizing these fields as tourism resources requires an approach that gives full consideration to the cultivation environment, including strict visitor limits and thorough pest and disease control measures.
Our Initiatives
Leveraging the specialized knowledge we have accumulated through research and investigation, we develop our business based on the following principles:
- Providing Limited, High-Quality Tourism Experiences
- We strictly manage the number of participants in wasabi field tourism to minimize impact on wasabi cultivation.
- Comprehensive Environmental Protection Measures
- We implement comprehensive environmental considerations, including pest and disease control measures.
- Building a Revenue Return System
- We donate a portion of our revenue to support the maintenance and development of Okutama wasabi.
Our Vision
By sustainably utilizing the precious regional resources nurtured by Okutama's forests and clear streams, we create high-value travel experiences that support the maintenance and development of traditional wasabi cultivation, contributing to the overall enhancement of the region's appeal. Through this, we work to pass down Japan's precious culinary cultural heritage to future generations while contributing to Okutama's sustainable regional development.
- Japan Wasabi Association (General Incorporated Association)
- Representative Director: Mie Kaneko
Company Profile
| Organization Name | Japan Wasabi Association General Incorporated Association |
|---|---|
| Established | May 19, 2021 |
| Representative Director | Mie Kaneko |
| Address | 2-17-15 Koishikaw, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo |
| Our Mission | Dedicated to the research, promotion, and education of authentic Japanese wasabi through comprehensive studies, educational programs, and the management of the Okutama Wasabi Tourism Platform. |
Travel Agency Information
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| Operating Hours | Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Japan Standard Time) |
| Inquiries | [ Contact Us ] |