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　　Fermented foods, which draw out the umami of ingredients through the work of microorganisms, are prevalent worldwide, including food and drink like beer, wine, pickles, and cheese.
Japan also has many kinds of fermented food products such as sake, shoyu (soy source), miso, and pickles, all of which form the backbone of Japanese culinary culture. Within this fermentation-rich country, Akita Prefecture stands out for its deeply rooted fermentation culture. Historically, it was said that each village in southern Akita region had its own koji (malt) maker, emphasizing fermentation's essential role in daily life. Pristine water, clean air, cold winters, and high-quality rice provided the perfect condition for outstanding fermentation.

 

Experience Akita's Rich Fermentation Culture

　　Akita Prefecture produces many kinds of fermented foods, including sake, soy sauce, miso, shottsuru (fish sauce), iburigakko (smoked pickles), and natto (sticky soy beans). Several fermantation facilities offer tours and trial experiences, allowing visitors to witness the production process as well as taste original dishes made with the products. Here are several of the unique makers you can explore:

 

Ishimago Honten "石孫本店" (Yuzawa City)

　　Founded in 1855, Ishimago Honten is a historic brewery producing soy sauce and miso exclusively from Akita-produced ingredients. Visitors can tour the production facilities, observe soy sauce bottling in real-time and enjoy activities such as making balls of miso paste that become soup when hot water is added, and grilling senbei (rice crackers) coated with fresh soy sauce and miso. Reservations are required for tours and experiences.

[Visit Ishimago Honten] (https://ishimago.jp/)

 

LABO and CAFE YAMAMOTO (Happo Town)

　　Located on the seaside of northern Akita, LABO and CAFE YAMAMOTO, which is operated by Yamamoto Brewery "山本酒造店," is a combination sake brewery and cafe. It primarily offers fresh sake tastings, along with a cafe menu offering their famous macarons paired with original coffee. The brewery features four wooden barrels in which different sake is brewed weekly, and that freshly-brewed sake can be enjoyed in view from the cafe.

[Visit LABO and CAFE YAMAMOTO] (https://www.yamamoto-brewery.com/)

 

Takashimizu "高清水" Brewery Tour (Akita City)

　　This brewery, renovated from a facility built in 1953 while maintaining its original structure, offers guided audio tours, as well as videos about sake brewing including watching how the tools are used to make sake. English tours are available upon reservation. After the tour, visitors can also enjoy sake tasting and purchase exclusive products at the on-site shop "Kura Kura.”

[Visit Takashimizu Brewery] (https://www.takashimizu.co.jp/)

 

　　In addition to these makers, Akita has many kinds of fermentation facilities. For more information, please check the website "Hakko Akita.”

[Hakko Akita] (https://hakko.akita-kenmin.jp/en)

 

Flying Iburigakko made by Ogachino Kimuraya “雄勝野きむらや”

              From June to August 2024, Japan Airlines "日本航空" featured a menu item using Akita's specialty, iburigakko, on its in-fight meals on international fight from Helsinki, Finland to Haneda, Tokyo. Due to its popularity, the menu was extended to be available until February 2025, as new dishes introduced every three months for all passengers in both business and economy classes.

　　Iburigakko is a pickle made by smoking and drying raw daikon radish "大根" before the pickling takes place, and is characterized by its sweet-salty, smoky flavor, and crunchy texture. The in-flight menu item, "Iburigakko and Cheese Salad," pairs iburigakko with celery from Finland and cheese mousse from Sweden. Due to its unique flavor and long shelf life, iburigakko exports are increasing, becoming a popular item from Akita to foreign markets such as Taiwan and Europe. Iburigakko used in the in-fight meal is provided by Ogachino Kimuraya “雄勝野きむらや”.

[Visit Ogachino Kimuraya] (https://iburigakko.com/about/)

 

In-fight meals on international fight from Helsinki, Finland to Haneda, Tokyo served by Japan Airlines "日本航空"

 

Iburigakko and Cheese Salad

 

○Contact Information

Akita Food Products Promotion Division, Akita Prefecture

Email: shokusan@pref.akita.lg.jp

Website: [Hakko Akita] (https://hakko.akita-kenmin.jp/en)