Yuasa, Wakayama, Japan
Located to the south of Wakayama City, Yuasa is a small, but thriving port town. Since I was in the prefecture, I made it a point to go to this birthplace of shoyu (Japanese soy sauce). In the past, Yuasa was a resting place for pilgrims travelling the oldest pilgrimage route in Japan known as Kumano Kodo.
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JPN: Yuasa Downtown <YOU ARE HERE!>
My family and I took a 45-minute train ride from Wakayama station to Yuasa station. We had a leisurely stroll in the peaceful town.
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| To the right is a Christian church. |
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| Miyoshi-so is a small family-run inn that's garnered good reviews. |
We chanced upon a Buddhist temple, Shoraku-ji, but it was closed.
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| I'm not sure if that's a grave. |
Did you know that Wakayama Prefecture is the largest producer of mikan, a variant of mandarin orange, in Japan? Yuasa is located in the Arida region of the prefecture, which is known to produce the sweetest mandarin oranges.
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| Arida mikan has become popular since the early Edo period from 1603. |
Of course, a visit to Yuasa would be incomplete without exploring the Yuasa Soy
Sauce Co. factory. It allows you to do a self-guided tour for free, providing a glimpse into the meticulous artistry behind the production of the iconic Japanese condiment.
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| At certain timings, it's possible to go for a guided tour that lasts for around 20 minutes. |
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| Despite being the birthplace, Yuasa is no longer the most significant producer of shoyu with only four factories remaining. |
Before leaving, we bought some items from the shop and indulged in the unique shoyu-infused vanilla soft serve.
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| Add some shoyu for that awesome mix of creaminess and deeper savoury taste! |
The oldest district in Yuasa has managed to preserve its historical charm over the years, still having many old buildings from the Edo period then the town was at its peak.
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