Kagoshima Miso-Making Experience | Learn to Make Barley Miso from a Sakura Kaneyo Artisan in About 1 Hour

Learn to Make Barley Miso from an Artisan at Kagoshima's Long-Established Sakura Kaneyo

Your teacher is a craftsman from Sakura Kaneyo, a long-established miso and soy sauce maker. Sakura Kaneyo is a brand of Yoshimura Jozo Co., Ltd., founded in 1927, which has been making miso and soy sauce in Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima Prefecture.

The experience takes place at "Shiroyama Seasoning" on the first floor of Reimeikan in Kagoshima City. Without leaving the city, you can learn how to prepare barley miso from a local maker.

The experience lasts about 1 hour. It is a private session offered in English and Japanese, so your group can ask questions as you work.

First, Learn About Kagoshima's Barley Miso and Its Ingredients

Kagoshima miso is known for its strong sweetness and rich aroma. As the artisan explains, you will learn how miso varies from region to region and how barley miso is made.

The ingredients include soybeans, koji (malted rice or barley) and salt. Miso is something we usually use only once it is finished, but seeing the ingredients up close shows you how it is actually made.

Next, Prepare the Miso with the Artisan's Guidance

You will mash the soybeans and mix them with koji and salt. Following the artisan's instructions, work the ingredients together until they are evenly blended.

As you mix by hand, the loose ingredients gradually come together. Checking how well it is mixed and how to move your hands, you will continue all the way to packing the miso into a container.

Finally, Learn About Fermentation and Aging

What you do in about 1 hour is prepare the barley miso. It then needs time to ferment and age before it is ready to eat.

Ask the artisan how the miso you made will change over time, and how to store it and when it is best to eat. The pace of fermentation varies with temperature and season, so use the explanation given on the day as your guide.

You can also ask about anything that came up while making miso, or for tips on cooking with it, to round off the roughly one-hour experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

■ Can I join if I have never made miso before? This is an experience in which an artisan teaches you the basics of making barley miso. You will follow the instructions step by step, and you can ask questions on the spot if anything is unclear.

■ Where is the venue? It is "Shiroyama Seasoning" on the first floor of Reimeikan, 7-2 Shiroyama-cho, Kagoshima City. For the exact meeting point with your guide, please check the information sent after you book.

■ How long does it take, and which languages are available? It takes about 1 hour and is offered in English and Japanese. Please tell us your preferred language when you book.

■ Can I book as a solo traveller? The current plan is for groups of 2 to 8 people. If you would like to join alone or book for a number of people outside the range shown, please contact the booking desk.

■ Will I finish the miso during the experience so that I can eat it? The experience covers the preparation of barley miso. It needs time to ferment and age before it is ready to eat. For the conditions and amount you can take home and how to store it, please check your plan and the explanation given on the day.

■ Can I join if I have a food allergy? Soybeans, barley and other ingredients are used to make barley miso. If you have allergies, please check the ingredients used and whether accommodations are possible before booking.

What to Check Before Booking

• Date and time, and meeting point with your guide
• Preferred language, number of guests, and conditions for children
• Ingredients used and allergy accommodations
• Conditions for taking miso home, storage method, and cancellation policy

Please check the latest plan information before booking.

Summary

In about 1 hour, you mix soybeans and koji with your own hands and prepare Kagoshima barley miso. Rather than simply tasting the local flavour, you learn how it is made from an artisan.

Because it takes place in Kagoshima City, it is easy to fit into your sightseeing itinerary. On your next trip to Kagoshima, why not try making barley miso with family or friends?

You can see details and availability at Miso-Making Experience (Kagoshima).