Make Your Own Soy Sauce in Japan’s Old Capital (Asuka, Nara)
Step into a brewery with over 100 years of history and make your own soy sauce in this private tour of Asuka, Nara, Japan’s ancient capital. Make your own soy sauce and enjoy delicious local cuisine.
Highlights
Explore the centuries-old soy sauce heritage of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan’s ancient capital
Visit Tokuboshi soy sauce brewery, which has been in operation for over 100 years
Learn about soy sauce history and manufacturing from a third-generation craftsman and bottle your own soy sauce
Enjoy local soy sauce-based cuisine: savor silky tofu with soy sauce, and enjoy skewered dumplings with a sweet soy sauce glaze and tea in a traditional townhouse repurposed into a cafe
10 meals
Experience Details
While some regions in Japan pride themselves on their technological innovations, others find their source of pride to be in the traditions they preserve. Asuka in central Nara Prefecture belongs to the latter group. Once Japan's first capital, this historical area painstakingly guards its many ancient treasures, including a unique soy sauce heritage that continues to this day.
In this exploration of Asuka's soy sauce heritage led by friendly locals, you'll step into a brewery that has been in operation for over ten decades, learn unique insights about soy sauce production from a third-generation craftsman, make bottle your own soy sauce to take home and enjoy delicious dishes that highlight the uniques flavors of the area's artisanal soy sauce.
Experience flow:
- Meet your host at ASUKA STAND, a modern cafe in Asuka.
- Visit the historical Tokuboshi soy sauce brewery, which has a history of over 100 years. Here, you'll meet a third-generation soy sauce brewer who will teach you insights about the craft, including its history and manufacturing methods. Change into soy sauce brewing attire and squeeze soy sauce into a bottle you can customize.
- Savor a delicious dish of locally-made silky tofu with artisanal soy sauce.
- Relax at a modern cafe in a repurposed townhouse, where you'll enjoy mitarashi dango skewered dumplings glazed with Tokuboshi soy sauce served with tea.
Inclusions
Guide and English interpreter
Lecture about soy sauce and soy sauce bottling experience, including traditional brewing attire and materials (bottles, decoration stickers, etc.)
Tofu served with soy sauce
Mitarashi dango glazed with soy sauce and tea
Exclusions
Additional food and drinks
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host at ASUKA STAND cafe in Asuka, Nara Prefecture. More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please specify so at the time of booking.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
The historic seat of power and faith in Japan, Nara has some of the most authentic and breathtaking culture in the entire country.
We had such a good time on our tour, it was truly a unique experience! We purchased a few extra bottles, but I wish we could have brought home even more of this incredible sauce!
Absolutely incredible! The guides were so friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The soy sauce itself tastes amazing and so does the dango! This is a MUST do during a trip to Japan.
Thank you for coming on our tour. We look forward to seeing you at Asuka.
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10 meals
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