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Discover Japan’s newest harvest festival in the charming resort town of Nasu.
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Intro
The harvest is an annual cause of celebration in Japan. The country has a proud history of honouring its agricultural heritage as well as thanking the deities for a bountiful harvest and many festivities take place across the autumn months, from national events to local celebrations. While tsukimi, Japan’s harvest moon festival, may be the oldest and biggest, new events have also emerged. The latest is D’harvest Walk Fest in Nasu in northern Tochigi prefecture. Let’s take a look..jpg)
Introducing: Nasu’s D’harvest Walk Fest
The resort town of Nasu in the Kanto region, which sits within Nikko National Park, has made national headlines after launching a new harvest festival, which will launch this November. Traditionally, Nasu has been known for its hiking, hot springs, artisanal cheese producing, and micro breweries, and it is now keen to showcase what it can offer to the rest of Japan and the world. The new festival will be focussed around the region’s local produce, food and drink, allowing visitors to explore the area using their taste buds. Day one of D’harvest Walk Fest will also see travelling chef Nao Mikami host a unique and exclusive dining experience. The dinner will feature regional produce and locally-sourced vegetables cooked over an open fire. Guests will be inveited to share the dining table with the producers themselves, as well as local residents from the agricultural economy to create a special communal gathering designed to celebrate people and food in equal measure. There will also be a farmers market with more than 70 stalls, each run by local artisan producers, with workshops for visitors to get involved and learn. This will take place on day two on the town’s main street outside Nasushiobara Station. Regional specialities will include toteyaki, a crepe-style dessert that’s a favourite at the local Shiobara onsen. Finally, on the last day of the festival, there will be a series of tourism-focussed talks and events on the subject of what Nasu has to offer, from the the urban development of Nasushiobara to the unique lifestyles and heritage that the town provides. Nasu is easily accessible from Tokyo with the JR Pass and there’s a lot to see and do in the area besides the festival, from the town’s famed volcanic hot springs to walking and hiking trails in the nearby hills and mountains. .jpg)
Visit Mt. Nasu-Dake
As well as the new harvest festival, Nasu is also known as a beautiful place to visit during the autumn months for its gold and red foliage, particularly if you prefer a less frequently visited spot to enjoy the seasonal scenery. Mt. Nasu-Dake is well known as a fantastic hiking and fall foliage viewing spot to Japanese tourists, but it is much less known among foreign visitors. The area features a suspension bridge and cable car that goes part-way up the mountain, making it a further 45 minutes hike to the top. There are also several onsen hot springs on the slopes of the mountain, making it a good place to relax and enjoy the views. To get there, take the direct train from Tokyo Station to Nasushiobara Station, the station on the edge of the national park Mt. Nasu-Dake is located in. Several local buses depart from here to Nasu Onsen or further to the cable car station (only from April-November)..jpg)
Other Sights in Tochigi Prefecture
Tochigi is also home to one of Japan’s most historic destinations - Nikko. An excellent day trip from Tokyo, Nikko is well worth a visit if you’re planning a trip to the D’harvest Walk Festival in Nasu. In the middle of its own national park, the small city of Nikko combines nature and spirituality. Nikko is found in the mountains of the Tochigi Prefecture and is an ideal destination for travellers seeking a break from big cities and some astounding natural sights. .jpg)
The star attraction of Nikko is Toshogu Shrine, a mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu located inside a lavish complex of shrines within the forest. You’ll also find Futarasan Shrine in Nikko. Dating back to 782, this historic shrine is dedicated to the gods of nearby mountains. Close to the shrine lies the scenic Shinkyo Bridge that is also not to be missed. Nikko National Park itself is also highly recommended. Setting out from Nikko, you have a wonderful national park to explore. Thanks to its cedar forest and waterfalls, it’s one of the best places for hiking in Japan. You can reach Nikko in around two hours from Tokyo, which makes it the perfect day trip. Better still, the entire route is covered with the Japan Rail Pass. Simply take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya station, where you then transfer to the local JR Nikko line. For more on Nikko, read our full guide to Nikko, the Perfect Balance of Nature and Spirituality. A Brief History of Harvest Festivals
As we mentioned above, the new D’harvest Walk Fest is far from the only celebration taking place at this time of year to honour the harvest. In Japan, ‘Minori no Aki’ (the autumn of harvest), is a season of gratitude and giving. Arguably the most famous of the harvest festivals is Tsukimi: Japan’s Autumn Moon Festival. Tsukimi dates back to the Nara period (710-794 AD), but it didn’t become a formal celebration until the Heian period (794-1185). Legend has it tsukimi was inspired by the custom of jugoya moon viewing in Tang Dynasty China (618-907), and was taken up by Japan’s aristocrats who would play music and compose poetry at parties in the moonlight. They would also take boats out at night to view the moon reflected in the water. The ‘moon viewing’ tradition gathered momentum throughout the centuries, and by the Edo period (1603-1868) it was popular amongst all classes, including farmers. By this time, the festival had become more closely associated with other autumn traditions, in particular thanking the gods for a bountiful harvest and praying for a successful year to come. Originally, tsukimi was celebrated on the 13th day of the month, but in 1683 the calendar changed and the timing of the full moon moved to the 15th. Since then, the exact date of the festival varies depending on the lunar calendar. For more, read our guide to Tsukimi: Japan’s Harvest Moon Festival.
Bonus Recommendations
- Autumn is a great time of year to visit Japan, particularly as it’s usually a lot quieter than spring, when Cherry Blossom season takes place, and it’s cooler and drier than summer. In essence, you get the best of both worlds. For much more on this season in Japan, read our comprehensive guide to Autumn in Japan.
- If you enjoyed reading about the harvest festival you might be interested in visiting Japan’s beautiful rice paddies and terraces for an insight into the country’s agricultural history. Read our guide to Japan’s Most Beautiful Rice Terraces here.
- Similarly, if Japan’s traditional festivals, known as ‘matsuri’, intrigue you, check our list of the Top 12 Festivals in Japan.
