Izu Wasabi-Don, A Bowl Celebrating Fresh Wasabi

Wasabi-don is a simple dish of warm rice topped with shaved bonito flakes and freshly grated wasabi, finished with a drizzle of soy sauce. Izu, blessed with pure spring water, has thriving wasabi cultivation and is known as a source of fragrant fresh wasabi. Though humble, it lets you fully enjoy the bright heat and natural sweetness of true wasabi.

Highlights

Freshly grated wasabi has a sharp heat with a faint sweetness and aroma behind it. The minimal combination of bonito flakes, rice, and soy sauce highlights the charm of the wasabi. Some shops let you dine while overlooking the wasabi fields, an experience unique to the growing region. Wasabi cultivation in Izu has been handed down as a traditional farming method with a long history, and a plate drawing on the gifts of clear streams is a feast unique to this land.

Enjoying the Seasons

Wasabi can be enjoyed all year, but when the clear streams run cold and pure the aroma stands out even more. In summer the cool heat of wasabi stirs the appetite, fitting for Izu as a summer retreat. In the seasons of fresh greenery or autumn colors, pairing it with a nature walk along the valleys is also a treat.

Access and Basic Information

You can taste it near the wasabi fields scattered in the mountains of the Izu Peninsula or at shops run directly by wasabi farmers. The area around Amagi and Joren Falls in central Izu is known as a noted growing region where wasabi fields spread out. Access by car is convenient and pairs well with a drive along the valleys. Many shops serve a bowl from around a thousand yen, a humble yet satisfying dish. Many sit in quiet spots away from the main tourist areas, so confirming the location in advance is reassuring.

Practical Travel Notes

Many wasabi-don shops sit in the mountains and along the valleys of the Izu Peninsula, and quite a few are hard to reach by public transport alone. Basing your travel on a car and combining the route with sightseeing spots such as Amagi and Joren Falls lets you get around without strain. Freshly grated wasabi loses its aroma as time passes, so the trick to enjoying the fragrance is to grate the wasabi served with the bowl just before eating, or to eat it as soon as it is served. At some shops, roadside stations and areas around the falls also offer wasabi-themed tastes such as wasabi soft serve and wasabi pickles, broadening the range of eating around. Izu is also known as a hot spring region, so combining a drive aimed at wasabi-don with hot springs and a nature walk makes a day that fully savors the gifts of the mountains. A bowl enjoyed in a quiet setting along a clear stream is an experience hard to find in the city.

A Quick Tip

At some shops you can grate the wasabi yourself and enjoy the just-made aroma to the fullest. To soften the heat grate the stem side, and to enjoy the aroma grate the base near the root. If you visit by car, combining it with sightseeing at Amagi and Joren Falls lets you savor the charm of the Izu mountains all together.