The town of Kakunodate is one of Akita’s most picturesque towns and the home to historic architecture reminiscent of the samurai and merchant influence of the past. Back in the day, the town used to be divided between the samurai area on one end and the merchant neighbourhood on the other. A stroll around the quaint streets and pass several historical buildings will take you back in time and give you a taste of life centuries ago. A must stop during that stroll and on the merchant side of the town is Ando Jyozo, one of the most iconic miso and soy sauce breweries not only of Akita but of all of Japan.
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![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
The history of the Ando Family in Kakunodate can be traced back as far as the mid 1700s, a time when as a landlord, Ando-san began making miso and soy sauce in small quantities with the rice paid to him as rent. After years of research, practices, and other business pursuits, Ando Jyozo was established in 1853 and since then has been producing some of the most delicious miso, soy sauce, and japanese pickles.
![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
When visiting Ando Jyozo, the first thing to do is to taste and pick up several of their products to take back home as omiyage. As you walk through the store, you’ll get the chance to dip the homemade tsukemono (pickles) in a variety of tasty, naturally brewed additive free miso at the back of the store.
![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
You cannot go wrong in choosing the products here as everything is delicious but one recommendation is Ando’s own iburi gakko (smoked pickled radish), a pack of miso, and then head to the end of the long corridor following the store and get a bottle of the aged soy sauce on display. If you want to take your time while trying out the goods, there’s a special room where you can take a break from the sightseeing while enjoying the memorable treats.
![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
Beyond tasting and purchasing the high-end food products, you can go a little deeper and get a closer look at the traditional methods still employed at Ando Jyozo to produce their famous miso and soy sauce. Through their tour, the Ando family gives customers the chance to enter the brewing factory and the miso fermentation house. Walking through the factory you come across the old wooden fermentation barrels of which only few have survived the passage of time. Then at the fermentation house you’ll learn about the miso brewing process and if lucky, might even witness the “kaitsuki” stirring process, still practiced at Ando Jyozo to this date.
![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
But this is not all, with the rich history housed within the walls of this over 100-year-old red brick warehouse, you’ll feel like visiting a museum of Kakunodate’s merchants history, and all things related to miso production. Look carefully during the tour and you’ll see old artifacts, historical paintings, and of course the beautifully kept architectural details all throughout the building. Ando Jyozo is still a family run business and the cherry-on-top of this experience is getting a glimpse of the family life, especially of a family with such rich traditions. During Kakunodate’s festival, don’t be surprised if you catch the family getting a blessing out on the street to get the festivities started. Through the store and factory, the Ando family not only offers customer their centuries old recipe but also window into their life.
![Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery]()
Ando Jyozo Miso and Soy Sauce Brewery
- Ando Miso Soy Sauce Brewery
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4.5
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- Akita Pref. Sembokushi Kakunodatemachishimoshinmachi 27
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