This immersive culinary journey through the mountain regions of Nagano and Yamanashi celebrates the traditions of Japan’s alpine food culture. Surrounded by forests, volcanic soil, and pristine mountain water, the region is known for its seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, soba, wild game meat, Akagi wagyu, and deeply rooted fermentation traditions. Guests will meet local farmers and producers, gaining insight into sustainable agriculture and the ingredients that define Nagano’s distinctive mountain cuisine.
Meals throughout the journey highlight open-fire and wood-fired cooking, emphasizing the natural flavors of the region’s produce. Special dining experiences include Vase Karuizawa, Song Restaurant beside Gio Hills winery, and Shola at Shishi-Iwa House, where ingredients from nearby farms shape each seasonal menu. Guests will also enjoy an elegant kaiseki dinner at Kuroiwa Muni, experience the craft of yakitori at Toritaka.
Along the way, guests will visit an incredible mushroom farm cultivating more than 20 varieties, a wagyu cattle farm known for the renowned lean Akagi beef, and join mountain foraging with Duca Farm, discovering wild ingredients and traditional agricultural practices rooted in the landscape. Culinary highlights also include a traditional soba tasting and a visit to a historic miso brewery, where miso is aged for more than three years—offering a rare look at the depth and complexity of Japan’s fermentation culture.
Beyond the table, guests will enjoy forest walks through Nagano’s mountain landscapes, restorative onsen baths, and traditional shiatsu massage, creating a journey of slow wellness and discovery that nourishes both the body and the mind.
Organized and guided by the professional team of Shola Karuizawa and Shishi-Iwa House, who are based in the region and deeply connected to its producers, this tour offers insight and access beyond that of a conventional visit.
Cost: ¥420,000 per person (all-inclusive for double occupancy)*
Number of Participants: 10 persons
*Inclusive of all programs and meals, accommodations, tastings, events and roundtrip transfer from the Karuizawa train station.
