Yamagata Prefecture
Gather mountain vegetables, then learn how to prepare and cook them. Finish off by eating your creation!
Forage for delicious mountain vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms in the pristine nature of Mt. Gassan. These tours are led by veteran mountain guides who will help you identify and forage in a safe and environmentally friendly manner during a hike from the Kita-Gassanso Lodge.
After gathering these vegetables, you will then return to the lodge for a lesson on how to prepare and cook them. Lastly, you will of course be able to enjoy your harvest with your fellow members with a delicious set meal!
See below for more information about the various harvesting tours available.
Experience Mountain Vegetable Foraging
What's Included
Harvesting in the mountains with a mountain guide.
Cooking class with Kita-Gassano Lodge.
Eat your harvested vegetables.
Cost
from 7,000 yen per person
Experience Availability
Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Note that the dates for this event vary by year due to the weather. This experience is usually available starting in June and can be done until mid-July.
Average Duration
Approximately 4 hours
Meeting Location
Kita Gassanso Lodge 月の沢温泉北月山荘
Important notes
We ask that guests make their bookings at least 2 weeks in advance.
Experience availability may vary. Reserve to confirm availability.
Please notify us at least 3 days before if you must cancel or modify your reservation.
Hiking and Foraging for Mountain Vegetables
The event will begin at Kita-Gassanso Lodge with a lecture by your mountain guide describing the schedule for the hike and the rules to follow. They will also show examples of the types of vegetation you will be looking out for.
Then you will begin a light hike along one of the many trails from the lodge, and into the beautiful forests of Mt. Gassan.
Along the way, your guide will stop to show you how to identify the edible plants of the forest, and you can begin to gather your haul for the delicious meal ahead!
This is a casual 1.5-hour hike on maintained trails, and will turn around at the beautiful lake at the Cabin Campground.
Preparation and Cooking (Kita-Gassanso Lodge)
After returning from your hike, locals who work at the Kita-Gassanso Lodge will help you prepare your harvest and teach you how to cook it.
The mountain vegetation can be eaten raw, boiled, or even lightly fried in tempura!
Enjoying Your Harvest (Kita-Gassanso Lodge 2F)
And now for the best part!
After preparing and cooking the vegetables, you can now enjoy them for lunch in a dining room on the second floor. The flavors of these vegetables are unlike any commercial vegetables available. Bitter, sweet, succulent, impeccably crisp, and all fresh!
The flavors of these mountain vegetables are one of the must-have dining experiences here in the Japanese countryside.
Reserve your Mountian Vegetable Foraging today!
You can send a booking inquiry for your experience below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm the booking with our partners and send you a booking confirmation email at least 3 days before your desired date.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of an experience or reserves an experience straightaway.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of an experience or reserves an experience straightaway.
Cancelation policy
Our general cancelation policy for our experiences is below. Cancelation fees may vary according to exceptional circumstances.
3 days before
Free
2 days before
30% of experience cost
Day before
50% of experience cost
Day of
100% of experience cost
