Okazaki's Culinary Heritage: The 400-Year Legacy of Hatcho Miso and Its Connection to the Shogunate

Okazaki City, located about 40 minutes by train from Nagoya, is the birthplace of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and the hometown of Hatcho Miso. This charming destination allows visitors to experience rich history and culture through traditional miso brewery tours that preserve age-old brewing methods, while also savoring local gourmet food. We suggest a day trip itinerary to fully enjoy the culinary delights of Okazaki amidst its beautiful seasonal landscapes.
Day Trip to Okazaki


1. Get a First Taste of Hatcho Miso for Breakfast

Firstly, you’ll want to grab breakfast for the day ahead. Head straight for the Hatcho district and seek out Sakura Bakery, conveniently located near Hatchokura-dori Street and Okazaki Castle. This quaint shop serves up some of the most unique bread and pastries in the city.



Another popular item is the Natural Sakura Yeast Bread made with yeast collected from cherry blossom petals from a tree planted during Ieyasu's childhood. Dubbed Ieyasu's Sakura Yeast, Natural Sakura Yeast Bread has a subtle aroma and gentle sweetness. This is from the carefully selected yeast and ingredients that are slowly fermented for about 72 hours before baking. The results are definitely worth the wait!
2. Dive Deeper Into Hatcho Miso’s Past and Present

After being introduced to the taste of Hatcho miso for breakfast, it’s time to learn how this magical ingredient is made and to try the real thing straight from the source. It’s a short walk from Sakura Bakery to two miso breweries that have been producing Hatcho Miso using traditional methods since the early Edo Period (1603-1868): Maruya Hatcho Miso and Kakukyu Hatcho Miso.








Visiting Maruya Hatcho Miso and Kakukyu Hatcho Miso will be a wonderful experience where you can sense the history and techniques that have been passed down from the Edo Period to the present day.

The factory tour includes an explanation of the production process of Hatcho Miso, a visit to the miso brewing warehouse, and a miso-tasting experience. The miso you taste after learning about Hatcho Miso not only allows you to enjoy its authentic flavor but also offers a unique culinary experience to experience the efforts and passions of the people involved.


Hatcho Miso Dengaku (Konnyaku) is served to guests on a tour of Maruya Hatcho Miso. Both warehouses are conveniently located on Hatcho Kura Street and offer visitors informative tours and tasting courses. Follow your intuition and learn about Hatcho Miso, a foundational culinary element of Japanese cuisine beloved by the samurai.


Kakukyu’s Hatcho miso boasts a surprisingly complex flavor, featuring a nutty umami that is complemented by a well-balanced bitterness and a straightforward saltiness. It serves as an excellent base for broths and savory sauces. In contrast, Maruya’s Hatcho miso presents a different flavor profile—it's perhaps nuttier, slightly less salty, and more acidic.


3. Okazaki Kakukyu Hachomura: Enjoy a Lunch Menu Using Hatcho Miso


After your tour of the Kakukyu and/or Maruya Hatcho miso breweries, you’ll likely be hungry for lunch. Fortunately, there’s an excellent dining option available right inside the Kakukyu facilities.


4. Walk to Okazaki Castle and Okazaki Castle Park



The park features a beautiful seasonal atmosphere throughout the year, but it is particularly stunning in spring when cherry blossoms and wisteria are in bloom. It has been named one of 'Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots' by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.


Other highlights of the park grounds include the Otemon Gate, statues of the great shogun Ieyasu, and the Ieyasu Clock Tower, which features an animatronic doll of Tokugawa Ieyasu performing Noh. However, the true highlight is the beautifully maintained trees, pathways, and the riverside along the Oto River.


If you linger long enough, you may have the chance to see the Great Ieyasu Aoi Bushotai, a performing samurai team wandering the grounds in full suits of armor. It’s a wonderful reminder to visit the Mikawa Warriors and Ieyasu Museum.

This modern and sleek museum features interactive digital exhibitions that appeal to both adults and children. It focuses on the Mikawa samurai who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu from his birth through the unification of Japan, allowing visitors to explore his character. Guests can view authentic armor and swords, and even try on helmets.




The Mikawa Bushi Ieyasu Museum features samurai armor on display and a moving diorama theater, depicting the history of Tokugawa Ieyasu's struggle to unify Japan.

The second, third, and fourth floors of Okazaki Castle have been transformed into a museum space filled with samurai armor, weapons, and three-dimensional models of the local area from that period.


Climb to the fifth-floor observatory, and you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Okazaki and the greater Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture.
6. Afternoon Tea Time at Jonantei

Located within the castle park grounds, Jonantei is a traditional Japanese tea house that serves delicious matcha and Japanese wagashi (sweets), offered both separately and in moderately priced sets.

The main room inside has limited seating; however, there are private rooms and ample outdoor seating that features charming red benches, allowing for leisurely views of Okazaki Castle and the beautiful foliage that changes with the seasons.

Conclusion
Fermented foods are essential to the deliciousness of Japanese cuisine. We will introduce the appeal of fermented foods from Nagoya, a city that has developed a unique culture thanks to its blessed natural environment.
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