The wildly popular event "Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival," which welcomed a total of 3,500 visitors at its inaugural edition last year, will be held again this year!
At this gastronomy festival, "Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024," many popular ingredient producers and gourmet shops from Shinshu will participate, allowing you to enjoy exclusive matsutake dishes available only at this event alongside pairings with about 80 varieties of wines from the Chikuma River Wine Valley.
On the same day, a premium event titled "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Shinshu Ueda" will also be held for the first time, where you can "explore" the Japan Heritage Ley Line, "taste" Shinshu gourmet cuisine such as matsutake dishes and wine, and "soak" in Bessho Onsen, renowned for its skin-beautifying waters.
Below are the detailed contents and specifics of each event!
Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024
This event was born out of a desire to create and share with everyone a "new Japanese food culture" centered on enjoying wine and Shinshu gourmet food like matsutake dishes in Ueda City—one of Japan's leading matsutake-producing regions and home to the Chikuma River Wine Valley, one of the nation's premier wine regions!
This year's venue is the lawn plaza at Bessho Onsen "Aisome no Yu," the oldest hot spring in Shinshu, located along the Japan Heritage site "'Sacred Land of the Sun and the Earth' Connected by the Ley Line ~ Shinshu Ueda and Shiodadaira, Towns Living with Dragons ~."
You can also enjoy exclusive menus available only here, featuring dishes made with matsutake paired with premium Shinshu-produced beef, pork, chicken, prosciutto, cheese, and more.
Premium Wines from Chikuma River Wine Valley
Wineries from the Chikuma River Wine Valley, which have been attracting attention for their high quality, along with wine bars specializing in Nagano wine, will participate, offering about 80 types of premium wines from the Chikuma River Wine Valley.
Discounted Early-Bird Tickets Now on Sale at Peatix
Food and drink purchase tickets can be purchased at an early-bird discount on Peatix.
- Tickets: Early Bird! 10% OFF
Festival food and drink tickets worth 3,000 yen (a booklet of 10 tickets x 300 yen)
- Sales period: Until sold out
- Price: 2,700 yen including tax
- Peatix: https://matsutakewinefes2024.peatix.com/
＜Overview of Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024＞
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 12, 2024, 10:00–18:00
*Rain or shine; cancelled in case of stormy weather
- Venue: Bessho Onsen Aisome no Yu Lawn Plaza (58 Bessho Onsen, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture)
https://www.bessho-spa.jp/aisome/
- Admission: Free
*For food and drinks, please purchase a 3,000 yen (tax included) food and drink ticket booklet (10 tickets x 300 yen) at the venue reception
and use them
at each tent or food truck.
*Wine glasses can be purchased at the venue reception as a set containing an unbreakable wine glass,
an original neck-hanging wine holder, and 300 yen worth of food and drink purchase tickets
for 1,000 yen.
You may also bring your own wine glass.
*Seating is limited, but the lawn area is available.
Bringing picnic sheets or mats is recommended.
- Vendors: Approximately 20 stalls (planned)
*Dishes and foods using matsutake and Shinshu gourmet ingredients,
Chikuma River Wine Valley wines, sake, etc.
- Organizer: Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024 Executive Committee
Inaugural Event! "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Shinshu Ueda"
This is a premium event where, while tracing the Japan Heritage site "'Sacred Land of the Sun and the Earth' Connected by the Ley Line ~ Shinshu Ueda and Shiodadaira, Towns Living with Dragons ~," you can tour satoyama landscapes and cultural properties, savor pairings of Shinshu delicacies like matsutake dishes, cheese, meat, and fermented foods with high-profile wines and sake from the Chikuma River Wine Valley, and relax in Bessho Onsen, the oldest hot spring in Shinshu.
Trace the "Sacred Land of the Sun and the Earth" Connected by the Japan Heritage Ley Line
A route following the Japan Heritage "'Sacred Land of the Sun and the Earth' Connected by the Ley Line (the line of light illuminated by the morning sun) ~ Shinshu Ueda and Shiodadaira, Towns Living with Dragons ~," from the starting point of Ikushima Tarushima Shrine, whose deity is the nation and earth itself, to the finish line at Bessho Onsen, said to be Shinshu's oldest hot spring. The scenic views and cultural properties are power spots that ancestors sought to pass down as a special land to future generations. Furthermore, the surrounding area is a premium wine-producing district often called "Japan's Grand Cru," and the course visits vineyards along the way.
Pairings of Shinshu Gourmet Cuisine like Matsutake Dishes and Fermented Foods with Premium Wine & Sake
Shiodadaira is known as one of Japan's premier matsutake mushroom regions, an area where "Matsutake Huts" serving matsutake course meals open seasonally from September to November. You can fully savor Shinshu delicacies such as matsutake dishes, premium meat, and fermented foods—hugely popular at last year's "Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival"—paired with wines and sake from the Chikuma River Wine Valley.
Soak in Bessho Onsen "Aisome no Yu," the Oldest Hot Spring in Shinshu
Bessho Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Shinshu, with its name recorded even in Heian-period waka anthologies. In addition to the day-use hot spring facility Bessho Onsen "Aisome no Yu" at the finish line, you can enjoy high-quality hot spring waters. A free admission ticket to "Aisome no Yu" will be provided.
ONSEN Gastronomy Walking: Approx. 10.5 km
- Start: Ikushima Tarushima Shrine (701 Shimonogo Nakaike Nishi, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture 386-1211)
- Finish: Bessho Onsen Aisomekaku "Aisome no Yu" (58 Bessho Onsen, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture 386-1431)
Start Time Slot (1) 9:30 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (2) 9:45 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (3) 10:00 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (4) 10:15 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (5) 10:30 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (6) 10:45 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (7) 11:00 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (8) 11:15 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (9) 11:30 - 30 people
Start Time Slot (10) 11:45 - 30 people
*Reception is located in front of Shimonogo Station on the Ueda Dentetsu Bessho Line. Please finish registration at least 10 minutes prior to your start time and gather at the starting point.
*Please walk at your own pace, but aim to reach the finish line by 16:30.
*Pace varies by individual, but it takes roughly 3 to 4 hours. (Hot spring bathing time is not included.)
*The participation fee includes food and beverages at the gastronomy points, 1 "unbreakable wine glass," 1 "neck-hanging glass holder," and 1 free bathing pass for "Aisome no Yu" (valid on the day of the event only).
- "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Shinshu Ueda" Ticket Sales Website
https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02zy4jtf6ax31.html
or
https://peatix.com/event/4103361/
- Matsutake rice ball
- Matsutake oyaki
- Matsutake cheese
- Minemura Beef
- Shinshu Taro Pork
- Ouma-dare yakitori
- Shinshu buckwheat flour galette
and more
*Dishes served are subject to change.
- Those who have purchased a ticket (6,000 yen) in advance
- Those capable of walking a distance of approximately 10 km.
- Nationality, age, and gender do not matter. Participants must be able to follow event rules, etiquette, and traffic regulations. However, children of elementary school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian, and those with difficulty walking must be accompanied by an aide.
*Infants (under 3 years old) and preschoolers may walk together, but meals are not provided. (Not eligible for entry.)
- Please note when applying that this event serves meals and drinks containing alcohol.
- As this event involves alcohol, please use public transportation if you plan to drink.
- Please arrive in easy-to-move-in clothes and comfortable walking shoes. (Please bring your own rainwear, raincoats, etc.)
- Luggage storage: None
- Drinks will be provided at each point, but you are also welcome to prepare your own preferred beverages.
- Hot spring bath tickets will be provided, so please bring towels, etc.
O Train
Ueda Dentetsu Bessho Line, Shimonogo Station (15 minutes from Ueda Station)
*Ueda Station is 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo via the Nagano Shinkansen
O Car
From Tokyo : Nerima IC -> (3 hours) Ueda Sugadaira IC -> (20 minutes) Shimonogo Station
From Nagoya : Komaki IC -> Chuo Expressway -> Okaya JCT -> Nagano Expressway -> Koshoku JCT -> Joshin-etsu Expressway -> Ueda Sugadaira IC -> Shimonogo Station
From Osaka : Suita IC -> Suita JCT -> Meishin Expressway -> Komaki JCT -> Chuo Expressway -> Okaya JCT -> Nagano Expressway -> Koshoku JCT -> Joshin-etsu Expressway -> Ueda Sugadaira IC -> Shimonogo Station
O Parking
- Around Ueda Station, the Ueda Castle Ruins Park Parking Lot (12-minute walk from the station) is free of charge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yf25LoqCSSNofGVy9
- Near the finish point "Aisome no Yu," the following parking lots are available:
- Former Aisome no Yu Parking Lot: 1823 Bessho Onsen, Ueda City
Located east of Bessho Post Office. Capacity for 50 regular cars. Free parking.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/p5QBJRRwH69Kp8Pc6
- Bessho Onsen Tourism Association 2nd Parking Lot: 183 Bessho Onsen, Ueda City
Capacity for 40 regular cars. Paid parking (500 yen per 1 day for regular cars).
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QoH4YRwbSTHpD6Cn8
*Both the start and finish are in front of stations on the Bessho Line. Although train departures are infrequent, you can sightsee at Ikushima Tarushima Shrine near the start, and at the finish line inside the grounds of the day-use hot spring "Aisome no Yu," you can soak in the hot spring or enjoy the "Matsutake & Wine Festival" market. Please adjust your schedule and make use of the Bessho Line as much as possible.
In Closing
Why not enjoy the tastes of autumn and wine on a holiday in October?
For inquiries, please check each respective website.
- "Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024" Official Website
- "Shinshu Ueda Matsutake & Wine Festival 2024" Ticket Sales Website
https://matsutakewinefes2024.peatix.com/
- Event Information on the "ONSEN Gastronomy Tourism" Website
https://onsen-gastronomy.com/eventinfo/shinshu-ueda-241012/
- "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Shinshu Ueda" Ticket Sales Website
https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02zy4jtf6ax31.html
or