Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum (角長醤油資料館) is a local history museum about the history of
Yuasa soy sauce. It is located at 50 Yuasa, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture,
Japan.
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| Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum |
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum Details
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum features a newly constructed
building open to the public, showcasing tools used in traditional soy sauce
production, including foot-operated wheat mills and preparation tubs. Dioramas
and informative panels provide a detailed look at the soy sauce-making process,
making it a popular destination for visitors eager to experience Yuasa’s rich
culinary heritage.
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| Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum - Yuasa town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Discover Yuasa: The Birthplace of Soy Sauce
Yuasa Town in Wakayama Prefecture is celebrated as one of
the possible birthplaces of soy sauce in Japan. Its centuries-old brewing
culture received recognition as a Japan Heritage Site by the Agency for
Cultural Affairs in 2017.
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| The museum is located inside the Yuasa Denken District |
The town’s soy sauce history dates back to the
Kamakura period, when Kokoro Kakushin, a monk at Kokokuji Temple, introduced the
villagers to Keizanji miso (Kinzanji miso) after his studies in Song China. A
twist of fate during preparation led to the creation of a soy sauce resembling
today’s "tamari soy sauce."
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| 角長醤油資料館 |
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| Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum facade |
The Rise of Soy Sauce in Yuasa
During the Edo period, soy sauce production in Yuasa thrived
under the support of the Kishu domain, with as many as 92 breweries. Post-World
War II challenges reduced this number to 23 by 1949, and competition from
larger companies further decreased the number of traditional makers. Today,
five breweries, including Kadocho and Yuasa Soy Sauce, continue the legacy.
Exhibits inside the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum*
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits, and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Kadocho: Preserving Tradition and Quality
Kadocho stands out as the oldest soy sauce brewery in Yuasa
and the only one maintaining the traditional "Yuasa Tamari" method.
This method, in use since the Edo period, produces a dark soy sauce with a
higher soybean content than typical varieties.
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| Japan's original soy sauce |
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| There is a souvenir shop just across the museum that sells local products |
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| They also sell Yuasa's famed soy sauce |
The brewery relies on the
"kanjyokomi" technique, beginning in winter, using wooden barrels
crafted from Yoshino cedar and natural yeast preserved on the ceilings and
walls since the Edo period. Kadocho also exports this hand-crafted soy sauce to
France and has innovated hishio, a soy sauce inspired by Western-style jelly.
Historical Timeline of Kadocho
- 1841
(Tenpo 12): Founded by Kadoya Chobei.
- 1983
(Showa 58): Incorporated as Kadocho Co., Ltd.
- 1984
(Showa 59): Opening of the Kadocho Soy Sauce Memorial Museum and
Artisan Warehouse; the Soy Sauce Museum was added in 1995.
- 2006
(Heisei 18): The townscape of Yuasa, including Kadoya Brewery, was
designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional
Buildings.
The Backpack Adventures visits the Kadocho Soy Sauce
Museum
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| Mr. Toshi and his family showed me around the historic district |
I visited the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum for the first time on
November 19, 2023, during my 4-Day Osaka Trip 2023. It was also my 748th
day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. I was accompanied by Mr.
Toshi and his family, who knew how much I enjoy history. Experiencing the
museum with them made the visit even more special and memorable. After learning
about the history of soy sauce, we bought some to bring home.
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum Admission Fee
It is FREE to enter and explore the Kadocho Soy Sauce
museum, but reservations are required.
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum Operating Hours
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum is open from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Why visit the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum?
Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum offers an immersive journey into
Japan’s culinary history. Visitors can witness traditional soy sauce brewing
methods that have been preserved since the Edo period and explore a collection
of historical tools, including foot-operated wheat mills and preparation tubs.
Informative panels and lifelike dioramas provide a clear understanding of how
soy sauce is made, from fermentation to bottling.
The museum also highlights Yuasa’s unique contribution to
Japanese cuisine with the hand-crafted "Yuasa Tamari" soy sauce,
known for its rich flavor and high soybean content. For those interested in
culture, history, or gastronomy, this museum offers a rare opportunity to
experience centuries-old traditions in a picturesque, heritage-rich town.
Getting to the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum
From Yuasa Station, walk for about 900 meters to the Kadocho Soy Sauce Museum.
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