Kadocho - Soy Sauce Factory — Local services in Yuasa

Visiting Kadocho Soy Sauce Factory in Yuasa, Wakayama, was like stepping back in time. This historic brewery, established during the Edo period, is one of the oldest surviving soy sauce makers in Japan. The moment I entered, I was greeted by the rich aroma of fermented soybeans that filled the air — a scent that instantly told stories of centuries-old craftsmanship.

The staff were kind and welcoming, offering insights into the traditional brewing process that Kadocho has carefully preserved for generations. Massive wooden barrels lined the old storehouse, each one used to ferment the soy sauce naturally. It was fascinating to see how everything is still done the old-fashioned way, without relying on modern shortcuts.

I also visited the small Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum, where tools, documents, and photos illustrate how soy sauce production has evolved over time. It made me appreciate the patience and skill required to make something so simple yet so essential in...

This is Japan's oldest soy sauce factory, nearly 200 years old. The owner was welcoming and enthusiastic about the factory and its products. This is one of the few factories that still uses traditional brewing methods. One of the cedar barrels has been in constant contact with soy sauce for 200 years! So every bottle of this soy sauce is a taste of Japan's cultural history. The soy sauce ice cream was surprisingly delicious; not too sweet, with a subtle...

An interesting visit to a quaint old town with lots of history and ancient manufacturing practices like producing soy sauce and miso. There is even a small soy sauce museum where the lady boss is enthusiastic about showing you the history, apparatus and process of making the sauce. It can take up to 2 1/2 years to process a batch, and it is all...