Overview
Discover the historic town of Yuasa, the birthplace of Japanese soy sauce, on this engaging guided tour. Wander through the town's wooden streets, breathe in the aromas of fermenting soy mash, and witness the traditional craftsmanship that defines this culinary heritage. Visit the Kuyogura Brewery to learn about the natural fermentation process and enjoy a unique soy sauce-flavored soft serve ice cream at Kura CafƩ. Explore the preserved historic district and conclude your journey at the oldest operating brewery, Kadocho, where centuries-old methods are still in practice. - Explore the birthplace of soy sauce in Yuasa, Japan - Visit Kuyogura and Kadocho Breweries for authentic insights - Savor a unique soy sauce-flavored soft serve ice cream - Experience the charm of the preserved historic district
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Visit to Kuyogura Brewery
- Soy sauce-flavored soft serve ice cream at Kura CafƩ
- Guided tour of Yuasa
- Visit to Kadocho Soy Sauce Brewery
What's Not Included
- Public transportation
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Yuasa Soy Sauce, produced by Marushin Honke at the Kuyogura Brewery, represents the living heart of Japanās soy sauce heritage. Using time-honored natural fermentation methods, this brewery continues to make soy sauce just as it was in the Edo periodāslowly, patiently, and without mechanical shortcuts. Inside the wooden brewery, visitors can sense the warmth of fermenting moromi and learn how soybeans, wheat, salt, and kÅji mold come together through months of transformation. Each wooden vat, aged for decades, tells the story of generations of brewers who mastered the art of time and taste. Yuasa Soy Sauce is more than a condimentāit is the origin of Japanās culinary identity.
Stop 2
Jinburo, a preserved public bathhouse in Yuasaās historic district, offers a glimpse into the daily life of the Edo period. Once a place where brewers and merchants gathered after long days of work, it now serves as a small museum showcasing the social culture of Japanās traditional towns. The wooden tubs, tiled walls, and nostalgic atmosphere evoke a time when bathing was not just for cleansing but for community and relaxation. Visiting Jinburo reveals another side of Yuasaās heritageāhow a town built on craftsmanship also valued the warmth of shared human connection.
Stop 3
Founded over 170 years ago, Kadocho Soy Sauce Brewery is the oldest operating soy sauce brewery in Yuasaāand the only one in Japan that still produces soy sauce exactly as it was made centuries ago. Every step of the process remains unchanged: natural fermentation in wooden barrels, hand mixing of moromi, and aging over many months under the care of skilled craftsmen. No machinery is used; instead, time, temperature, and intuition guide the process. Kadocho is not simply a historical siteāit is a living testament to Japanās fermentation culture, where the balance of nature and craftsmanship continues to create flavor the world has never forgotten.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels