Hatcho miso

All over Aichi

Aichi locals have an endless love for miso

The people of Aichi love miso—not only white miso, but also hatcho miso, a variety of red miso. Miso is a unique Japanese seasoning with a history of 1300 years or more, obtained by a process of fermentation and ripening of rice, soy, and wheat. Every region has its own miso, but Nagoya’s hatcho miso is unique among them and is nationally famous. The Japanese joke that “people from Nagoya will put miso on anything!" — a measure of how far Nagoya’s miso culture has penetrated.

Tour a venerable miso storehouse in use since the Edo period

Hatcho miso has its origin in the Edo era. It was invented in the village of Hatcho, situated 8 cho (pronounced “hatcho”) or approximately 870 meters away from Okazaki Castle, birthplace of Edo-era general Tokugawa Ieyasu. Unbelievably, this miso storehouse still exists to the present day. Known as Maruya Hatcho Miso, it has continued to produce miso ever since. The storehouse and manufacturing methods are mostly unchanged since those times. Even now, an Edo-era atmosphere seems to permeate the air. Factory tours are offered every day from 9 am to 4:20 pm. You can take a tour free of charge and see the spectacular massive miso barrels up close. You might like to buy a souvenir at the shop on your way home.

Stop by for Nagoya soul food—miso katsu pork cutlet!

In Nagoya, miso flavor is added to oden hotpot, noodles, and even bread and cakes. However, one dish that’s proved fantastically compatible with miso is the Nagoya soul food classic, the miso katsu pork cutlet. Many restaurants serve it, but the venerable Yabaton has won the love of many locals since its establishment in 1947. The secret of the popularity of Yabaton’s miso katsu is that it's not as heavy as it appears. Based on hatcho miso fermented naturally for a year and a half, the dish relies on flavors unchanged since the store’s founding. The delicious taste of hatcho miso slathered on pork fills the mouth with every bite. This popular restaurant is filled with many people every day, from the young to the elderly.

For reference

Maruya Hatcho Miso

 Address

52 Okandori Hatcho-cho, Okazaki-shi, Aichi-ken
Phone:

0564-22-0678 (tours only)
Opening hours

9 am to 4:20 pm
Regular days of closure:

None 
Website

 http://www.8miso.co.jp/english.html

Yabaton Yaba-cho main location 

Address

3-6-18 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken
Phone

052-252-8810
Opening hours

11 am to 9 pm
Regular days of closure

None
Website

http://www.english.yabaton.com/

Access

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 1-hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 100-minute flight from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 75-minute flight from Sendai Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 65-minute flight from Matsuyama Airport.

Maruya Hatcho Miso 

Okazakikōen-mae is 65 minutes via the Meitetsu railway line from Central Japan International Airport Station. Maruya Hatcho Miso is a 3-minute walk from JR Okazakikōen-mae Station.

Yabaton, Yaba-cho main location

 Kanayama Station is 25 minutes via the Meitetsu railway line from Central Japan International Airport Station. Yabachō Station is 5 minutes by train from JR Kanayama Station. Yabaton is a 5-minute walk from Yabacho Station.