Terraced wasabi fields in Shizuoka revel in colorful contrast

The Yomiuri Shimbun

December 2, 2021

Lush green wasabi leaves in the Ikadaba wasabi fields and the colorful autumn foliage on the trees surrounding them present a striking contrast in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The fields cover an area of about 15 hectares — equivalent to three times the size of Tokyo Dome — and are considered one of the 10 best terraced fields in the prefecture. Farmers grow wasabi in the stone-lined fields using abundant spring water, and the trees provide shade, protecting the plants. The leaves on the trees began to turn red and yellow in mid-November and will remain vivid until early December. The aroma, spiciness and color of wasabi are said to increase as the mercury goes down.