Satoyama Fermentation Cycling

Okayama Prefecture's Maniwa City is home to the "Katsuyama Preserved Streetscape District," a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where an atmospheric townscape dating back to the Edo period remains. The district is lined with white-walled storehouses and merchant houses with lattice windows, and the sight of uniquely designed "noren" (traditional Japanese curtains) adorning the eaves of each house captivates visitors. In this district, cafes, galleries, and souvenir shops utilizing historical buildings are scattered throughout. Visitors can enjoy a stroll while experiencing traditional Japanese culture and crafts. The ever-changing expressions of the noren over time are also one of its charms, making it a soothing tourist spot where you can feel the leisurely flow of time.

"Hinoki Plant Dyeing and Weaving Studio Gallery," nestled in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, is a place where you can immerse yourself in the world of plant dyeing, born from the rich nature of the Hiruzen Highlands. Beautiful textiles and small items, dyed using traditional plant dyeing techniques that extract colors from cypress (hinoki) leaves and bark, as well as other plants, are exhibited and sold here, allowing visitors to feel the warmth of handcrafted goods. Please enjoy a special time touching upon the simple yet profound aesthetic woven from nature's bounty and the artisan's skill.

Would you like to experience the charm of traditional Japanese culture and food at "Gozen-shu Brewery Tsuji Honten," a long-established brewery with over 300 years of history, located in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture? Here, through a brewery tour, you can learn about the history of sake brewing and the profundity of fermentation, enjoy a tasting comparison of soft and hard water, and sample our proud sake. After the tour, please savor a special lunch at the restaurant attached to the brewery, featuring local ingredients and fermentation techniques. Afterwards, you can purchase limited edition sake, fermented foods, and other perfect souvenirs at the shop. Experience fermentation gastronomy at a brewery where tradition and innovation breathe.

At "Kono SuMiso Manufacturing Factory," a long-established company founded in 1895 and located in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, you can observe the production site of vinegar and miso, which are integral to Japanese food culture. Here, you can learn firsthand about the traditional fermentation process, seeing how rice and soybeans transform into fragrant vinegar and umami-rich miso through the power of microorganisms. After observing the manufacturing process, filled with the craftsmanship and dedication of artisans, you can enjoy tasting and sampling their proud vinegar, miso, and processed products made with them. Experience the depth of Japanese cuisine with all five senses, and take home unique specialties that can only be found here as souvenirs.