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Trekking Mount Kongo and Exploring the Roots of Japanese Cuisine

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Trekking Mount Kongo and Exploring the Roots of Japanese Cuisine

Explore the roots of Japanese cuisine in a region inhabited since ancient times

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Discover the area through food on a fascinating walking tour, learning about fermentation at a soy sauce brewery and marveling at the variety of samples at a tofu shop. Walk along historic routes that include the Katsuragi Kodo, one of Japan’s oldest roads, while experiencing local food, history, culture, and encounters with the community.

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Photos

  • This soybean steamer has undergone repeated improvements. The soybeans are carefully steamed until tender to bring out their full savory flavor.

    This soybean steamer has undergone repeated improvements. The soybeans are carefully steamed until tender to bring out their full savory flavor.

  • Climb onto a large vat for an overhead view of soy sauce being brewed. You can also observe the skill of the brewers as they stir the soy sauce, which develops a deeper color and flavor as it matures.

    Climb onto a large vat for an overhead view of soy sauce being brewed. You can also observe the skill of the brewers as they stir the soy sauce, which develops a deeper color and flavor as it matures.

  • The largest wooden vats hold between 3,600 and 5,400 liters. Microorganisms living in the wood can sometimes produce unexpectedly exceptional soy sauce!

    The largest wooden vats hold between 3,600 and 5,400 liters. Microorganisms living in the wood can sometimes produce unexpectedly exceptional soy sauce!

  • You can also watch the bustling kitchen from across the shop counter.

    You can also watch the bustling kitchen from across the shop counter.

  • There are plenty of samples to try! Be sure to taste the popular Kongo Tofu as it is. You will savor the natural taste and aroma of the soybeans.

    There are plenty of samples to try! Be sure to taste the popular Kongo Tofu as it is. You will savor the natural taste and aroma of the soybeans.

  • Larger groups can use the room on the second floor and attend a tofu lesson given by the proprietress. The traditional Japanese setting provides a relaxing atmosphere.

    Larger groups can use the room on the second floor and attend a tofu lesson given by the proprietress. The traditional Japanese setting provides a relaxing atmosphere.

  • The present main sanctuary of Takakamo Shrine is a three-bay nagare-zukuri structure dating to around 1400. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

    The present main sanctuary of Takakamo Shrine is a three-bay nagare-zukuri structure dating to around 1400. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

  • Tegami Café occupies a renovated post office. Why not take some time to write a letter while you are there?

    Tegami Café occupies a renovated post office. Why not take some time to write a letter while you are there?

  • It is also worth traveling a little farther to Baaku, a farm restaurant and handmade ham and sausage workshop. Here, you can try the restaurant’s own Baaku pork. The Baaku Lunch is ¥1,550.

    It is also worth traveling a little farther to Baaku, a farm restaurant and handmade ham and sausage workshop. Here, you can try the restaurant’s own Baaku pork. The Baaku Lunch is ¥1,550.

Reviews

9

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Byz
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    The Tofu based meal and the visit to the temple.

  • Takinami
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    This tour was a wonderful tour of Japanese food. From the chance to eat freshly produced tofu hot pot and donuts to seeing how soy sauce is made, I could taste Japanese tradition. A Japanese post office turned into a pastel pink cafe not only stands out in the traditionally lined streets, but also in the use of locally grown produce.

  • anna23
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    Visiting the SPY SAUCE FAMILY FACTORY was amazing!! We were taught about soy sauce's making process and also, in the end we could even taste different types of sauce on delicious vegetables and meat!

  • AI
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    We enjoyed freshly-made tofu in a quaint countryside tofu shop. The soy milk nabe was really tasty. The shop owner greeted us warmly and we had a chance to peek through the window at her well-known tofu shop in action. After a short walk through town past Edo era buildings we had a lunch at Tegami cafe where we enjoyed seasonal local food and a cup of coffee. My favorite part of the tour was visiting a traditional soy sauce shop and learning how soy sauce is made. It’s fascinating to see the 100-year old barrels, this was followed by a soy sauce pairing with vegetables, beef, and grilled “mochi “ (pounded rice). Our tour had enough time to visit “one word one wish “ shrine.

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Experience Information

Name in Japanese
片上醤油、梅本とうふ店、郵便名柄館
Experience Name
Gose City Global Tour
Address
Katakami Shoyu: 329 Moriwaki, Gose, Nara 639-2318
Umemoto Tofu Shop: 53-3 Nagara, Gose, Nara 639-2321
Yubin Nagara-kan: 326-1 Nagara, Gose, Nara 639-2321
Hours
10:00 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Closed on
No regular closing days
Price Range
Katakami Shoyu: From ¥1,500
Umemoto Tofu Shop: From ¥1,400
Yubin Nagara-kan: From ¥2,000
Payment Methods
Cash or PayPay
Maximum Group Size
Up to 10 people per group (larger groups may be accommodated upon consultation)
Phone
0745-65-1201 (Gose City Society of Commerce and Industry), weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Multilingual Support
Not available
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa