Nara/Asuka Village| Traditional Hand-Pressed Brewing Experience & Local Lunch
Itinerary Details
Inside a Century-Old Soy Sauce Brewery: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Visit Dexing Soy Sauce, a century-old family-run brewery established in 1914. Led by the fourth-generation owner, explore the rarely opened Sugita Soy Sauce storehouse and discover how traditional soy sauce is made. Learn about the brewing process, the role of natural fermentation, and the craftsmanship behind the rich umami flavor. After the tour, use the soy sauce you pressed yourself to make and enjoy freshly prepared dumplings.
Itinerary
Step Into the World of Century-Old Soy Sauce Brewing
Welcome & Introduction to a Century of Soy Sauce Making
Upon arrival at the Umegaya Soy Sauce Shop, meet your host and learn about the brewery’s century-long history and the story behind its soy sauce. Discover how traditional Japanese soy sauce has evolved while preserving the techniques and flavors passed down through generations.
Behind the Scenes: Visit the Traditional Brewing Cellar
Step inside the traditional brewing cellar and see large wooden barrels where soy sauce is naturally fermented. Learn how time, temperature, and naturally occurring microorganisms work together to create the complex umami and aroma that define traditionally brewed Japanese soy sauce.
Experience Traditional Soy Sauce Craftsmanship Firsthand
Hands-On Soy Sauce Pressing Experience
Using traditional pressing tools, try your hand at extracting soy sauce from the fermented mash. Experience the final stage of the brewing process yourself and discover the precision and skill required to transform naturally fermented ingredients into finished soy sauce.
Taste Freshly Pressed Soy Sauce with Steaming Rice
Taste the freshly pressed soy sauce with steaming white rice and experience its pure aroma, depth, and umami. A simple combination that lets the quality of traditionally brewed soy sauce speak for itself.
Take the Flavors of Asuka Home with You
Browse Local Soy Sauce & Specialty Products
After the experience, browse a selection of specialty soy sauces and other local products at the shop. Choose your favorite flavors and take home a taste of this century-old brewing tradition.
End of the Experience
The experience comes to an end at the brewery. Take the memories of traditional soy sauce making, hands-on craftsmanship, and local flavors with you as you continue exploring Asuka and the surrounding area.
Important Information & Cancellation Policy
Important
Information &
Cancellation Policy
Important Notes
- Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
- The brewing cellar is a working production facility. Please follow the staff’s instructions and do not touch any equipment or brewing materials without permission.
- The experience involves handling fermented soy sauce mash and traditional pressing equipment. Please wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting stained.
- The experience includes soy sauce tasting and a local lunch. Please inform us in advance of any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
- The brewing process and experience content may vary depending on the production schedule and season.
Cancellation Policy
- A 5% system cancellation fee will be charged for cancellations made for personal reasons after the reservation has been confirmed.
- 7–4 days before the experience: 30%
- 3–2 days before the experience: 50%
- 1 day before the experience or on the day of the experience: 100%
