Hands-On Soy Sauce Brewing & Dango Experience in Historic Asuka Village

Take a step back in time with a unique tour at a traditional soy sauce brewery in Asuka Village, Nara. This family-run brewery has been making soy sauce the old-fashioned way since 1918. You’ll get a rare chance to go inside the wooden brewery, learn how soy sauce is made, and try squeezing it yourself. 

After filling and labeling your bottle, you’ll taste your freshly made soy sauce with soft tofu from a nearby tofu shop that’s been around for over 100 years. The soy sauce has a rich, sweet flavor and a deep aroma from being aged in old cedar barrels.

Next, enjoy a fun and tasty experience grilling mitarashi dango—sweet rice dumplings with a special glaze made from the same soy sauce. These dango come from a well-known local shop that still follows its traditional recipe using carefully chosen ingredients. You’ll enjoy this snack with green tea in a beautifully restored old house, making for a relaxing and delicious end to your visit.

What’s Covered

• Guided tour with instructor

• English interpreter support

• Soy sauce making workshop

• Try pressing soy sauce yourself

• Rental of brewer-style outfit

• Tasting fresh tofu with your soy sauce

• Make and take home your own soy sauce bottle

• Mitarashi dango grilling experience

• Dango snack with original sauce

• Green tea

What’s Extra

• Entry fees to temples or nearby spots

• Meals not part of the tour

• Personal shopping or extra drinks

Good to Know

• Please arrive at the Asuka Village Chamber of Commerce 15 minutes before the tour starts

• The tour lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes

• Available every Friday and Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

• Minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 participants per group

• Advance booking is required at least 7 days before the tour date

• The tour runs rain or shine, so please dress accordingly

• This is a shared experience with other participants

• Bring a drink and a small backpack to keep your hands free

• If needed, bring your own rain gear

• Not available the day after national holidays

Workshop Agenda

Meeting Point

Meet your guide at the Chamber of Commerce. After a short welcome, you’ll change into a brewer-style outfit for the experience.

• Time: 20 minutes

• Address: 5 Shimasho, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture

Walk to the Brewery

Take a short walk through the peaceful village streets toward the soy sauce brewery, located near Okadera Temple.

• Time: 10 minutes

Learn About Soy Sauce

Explore the inside of the old wooden brewery and learn how soy sauce is made using traditional tools and methods passed down for over 100 years.

• Time: 30 minutes

Press Your Own Soy Sauce

Try pressing soy sauce yourself in a cedar building. After pressing, you’ll bottle it, add a label, and take it home as your own handmade souvenir.

• Time: 45 minutes

Taste with Local Tofu

Use your soy sauce to taste fresh tofu from a local tofu shop. It’s a simple but tasty way to enjoy what you made.

• Time: 20 minutes

Grill Mitarashi Dango

Head to a cozy, old-style house and grill sweet rice dumplings. The sauce is made with soy sauce from the brewery.

• Time: 30 minutes

Tea and Relax

Enjoy your dango with a cup of green tea. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the peaceful space and good flavors.

• Time: 25 minutes

End of Tour

Return to the starting point. Say goodbye and take your bottled soy sauce home with you.

Time: 10 minutes

Related Read: Hands-On Workshops for Artisanal Souvenirs in Japan