Mt. Gassan Vegetable Foraging Experience with Cooking Lesson

Whether you want to brush up on your survival skills, discover edible plants, or learn to make a truly local meal in Japan, this Mountain Vegetable Foraging Experience is for you. This food tour on Mt. Gassan is the definition of a deep, local experience. Does strolling through lush plains studded with edible plants sound like a fun activity to you? Explore the luscious, fertile grounds with an experienced local guide to show you the way, pointing out the tastiest wild mushrooms, herbs, and mountain vegetables.

First, you’ll go on a light hike, led by a mountain guide, around a still-water lake reflecting the blue sky. You’ll venture into the forest of Mt. Gassan, one of the Dewa Sanzan (three sacred mountains of Dewa). Stick to the safety rules set out by your guides and respect their guidelines for an environmentally-friendly foraging activity that will safeguard the pristine nature of the area.

You’ll learn how to recognize edible plants that are native to the area, with expert tips from your guide. Once you have are familiar with the local vegetation, you can start building your own nest egg of vividly-colored, fresh, and crunchy edible plants. Challenge yourself to gather as much as you can to beef up the raw materials for the upcoming cooking lesson.

Return to the lodge and learn a variety of methods to cook your wild harvest, with a local cooking instructor. A bounty of vegetables with ruffled edges, tender leaves, and extraordinarily bright colors, turn into healthy boiled delicacies or airy and crunchy tempura, or else they can be eaten raw.

Enjoy a well-deserved lunch in the second-floor dining room. The stars of the set menu are your freshly-harvested fragrant herbs, bitter or sweet vegetables, and flavorful mushrooms, in true mountain-to-table fashion! Join us for a day packed with good memories and unforgettable goodies in the Japanese countryside.