Factory Visit

Factory tours offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at production from traditional crafts to modern food processing.
Many of these facilities are located in rural areas of Japan, making them ideal
for vanlife travelers.

Fermented Specialties
& Soy Sauce

• Ishii Miso (Nagano)
  Rare 3-year miso fermentation in cedar barrels.
  https://ishiimiso.com/

• Igeta Shoyu / Inoue Honten (Nara)
  Family brewery since 1864 — natural fermentation without additives.
  Instagram account available (link not provided)

• Kioke Shoyu (Nationwide)
  Association of traditional wooden barrel soy sauce breweries.
  https://kioke.jp/en4-brewers

• Tamariya Gifu / Yamakawa Jozo
  Regional tamari soy sauce and miso — sustainable and tradition-conscious.
  https://yamakawa.tamariya.com/en

Sake & Amazake Breweries

• Kametaya Sake Brewery (Matsumoto, Nagano)
  Sake tradition since 1869 — brewery with a regional focus.
  https://www.kametaya.co.jp/en/

• Amazake Factory Uonuma Jozo (Niigata)
  Production of amazake and koji products amidst pristine nature.
  https://www.uonuma-jozo.co.jp/en/index.html

Agriculture & Animal Farming

• Wasabi Farm Azumino (Nagano)
  Japan’s largest wasabi farm — tours with tastings in the spring water area.
  https://www.daiowasabi.co.jp/en/

• Makinohara Green Tea Plantation (Shizuoka)
  Large plantation producing award-winning deep-steamed green tea from Shizuoka.
  https://www.visit-suruga.com/en/spot/sakyoen/49

• Tajima Cattle Farm (Hyogo)
  Visitor area with Tajima cattle, museum & restaurant (for safety reasons, cattle can only be viewed after a 1-week stay in Japan).
  https://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/world/note/21

• Rokkosan Pasture (Kobe)
  Farm with homemade cheese, sheep, and a great view of the Rokko mountains.
  https://rokkosan.jp

How to Find Local Producers while Traveling?

1. Check packaging

Many regional products list the name or website of the producer on the label—usually on the back. Simply look for local specialties at supermarkets, farm shops, or weekly markets, then check online to see if visits are possible.

2. Search online or contact them directly

Not all producers have well-maintained websites. A short email (in English or with help from a translator) is often enough.
No reply? Go anyway! Many smaller workshops are happy to welcome spontaneous visitors and appreciate the interest.

3. Use social media

A direct message—especially on Instagram—is often the fastest way to schedule a visit.

Note: Kioke Shoyu
The association of 28 traditional producers is an excellent resource for discovering artisanal breweries.
Many of the listed family-run businesses offer guided tours or short behind-the-scenes visits.