Destination:
Aichi—Land of fermented foods
One of Aichi Prefecture's famous cuisine styles, Nagoya Meshi—or Nagoya Cuisine—is known for such menu items as miso cutlet, udon noodle and miso stew, and the hitsumabushi dish of eel on a bed of rice. Aichi has long been home to an ever-diversifying culinary culture, and one of the main legs holding up that culture is the prefecture's fermented foods.
From the bean miso of which historic shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu was an avid fan and tamari soy sauce born from the same bean miso to mirin born in the Mikawa region which would go on to become a nationwide brand in Japan, Aichi is full of fermented foods. But it doesn't stop there: Vinegar and its role in stirring up a frenzy for nigiri sushi in ancient Edo (present-day Tokyo), the savory scents and flavors of sake from around Japan, and pickles using the longest variety of daikon in the world; Aichi really is home to a rich history, allure, and variety of fermented fare. It truly is a Land of Fermentation, unlike any other in the entire world.
Ride the fastest Nozomi bullet train running on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and from Tokyo, it only takes an hour and 40 minutes; from Osaka, not even an hour. Aichi is easy to get to no matter where you are and has three stations accessible by bullet train, making travel from the outer areas a cinch. Come and experience a natural beauty you won't find in the city as well as Japan's good old archetypal scenery.
Aichi is home to all different types of fermented cuisine: Miso, soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, sake, pickles, and more. And the traditional techniques through which skilled craftsmen create them have been passed down for eons.
Find inviting hands-on fermentation-related experiences and tours, spots to shop for the perfect souvenir, and cafes and restaurants letting you pique your palate with the flavors of fermented food products.
Tour breweries with a rich history, work hands-on in fermentation with skilled craftsmen, enjoy tastings, and experience so much more. Gain valuable know-how as you embark on a journey you'll not soon forget!
Fancy a trip around different spots enlightening you on the history of fermentation for some educational insight the entertaining way? Recommended courses and casual fermentation tours await you.
There are so many places to purchase condiments like miso and soy sauce in addition to a variety of different fermented foods. Find limited-time products only available in select areas in your hunt for the perfect souvenir.
Eat and drink your fill of cuisine, sweets, beverages, and more incorporating fermented foods at choice cafes and restaurants. From culinary gems making the most of flavors and scents only fermented fare can offer to unique menu items bursting with originality—all you need to bring is your appetite!
