Destination Spotlight

Stumbling upon Traditional Japan in Nanokamachi-dori

Stumbling upon Traditional Japan in Nanokamachi-dori

Dotted around Nanokamachi-dori Street (Aizu-Wakamatsu City) stand a number of extremely old buildings. Coming to this area of the city feels like stepping back in time, especially at quieter times of day. Many of the warehouses and factories that stand on Nanokamachi-dori are still used to this day, and some allow visitors in for a tour.

During my visit to Aizu-Wakamatsu City, I visited two of these factories.

1. YAMADA ORIMOTO COMPANY

When I saw this written on my itinerary, I wasn’t sure I would find it interesting. But on approaching the factory, I realized my assumptions had been hasty.

Yamada Orimoto’s main office is tucked away down a long alley. When we first arrived, I couldn’t believe we were in the right place. The main office space looks like an old Japanese house, and even includes a small shop in it, where you can view and buy products made at the factory.

YAMADA ORIMOTO’S HISTORY

The Yamada Orimoto Company dates back to the start of the Edo Period (1603-1868), meaning that cotton has been produced by Yamada Orimoto for over 400 years. Aizu momen (Aizu cotton) products are still greatly valued for their high quality and their traditional manufacturing techniques.

Everything produced at Yamada Orimoto is made using the same techniques that have been practised here for over 100 years, and the machinery is also old. I asked the owner whether it would be more efficient to use newer machines for weaving. He told me that it would, and that present day technology would reduce the need for so many people to work at the factory at one time.

But the traditional way Yamada Orimoto’s products are made are one of the things that give them their charm and high quality.

VISITING THE FACTORY

We were allowed to take a look at the factory unsupervised by the owner. What we found left me speechless.

Around five women were working at the time of our visit, each women devoted to her task and part of the production process. Unlike any shop or office I have visited in Japan, there were no calls of “irasshaimase” (welcome) as we entered. It was like being a fly on the wall.

For fear of breaking their concentration, I didn’t interview the workers, but I spent a lot of time watching them go about their daily tasks. It was a really fun experience and completely different from anywhere I had been before.


2. SUEHIRO SAKE BREWERY

The second factory that we visited was Suehiro Sake Brewery, which was just around the corner from Yamada Orimoto.

One of the largest and most well-known sake producers in Tohoku, Suehiro’s sake is of such a high quality that it has been designated the official sake of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko, and has won numerous national and international awards over the years.

The brewery was founded in 1850 and has been passed down from generation to generation. Suehiro Sake Brewery’s traditional method for sake-making by slow, open fermentation is called ‘yamahai’. At Suehiro Sake Brewery certain sakes are stored for longer than the traditional period (1 year), allowing them to age and mature.

The brewery produces a range of interesting sake-based products, including sparkling sake, spicy sake, bath lotion containing sake extract, and curry sauce made with sake. There is even a cute little café by the brewery’s entrance which sells small meals, coffee and desserts, nearly all of which have sake incorporated into the recipes!

GUIDED TOUR

There are guided tours around the brewery and old residential building attached to it. These run every half an hour, but are only in Japanese. Please note that you can’t view the factory unaccompanied. I didn’t understand much of the technical details of the brewing process explained during the tour, because of my lack of booze and fermenting-related vocabulary, but seeing the different areas of the factory were enjoyable all the same.

SAKE TASTING

After the tour, you can do a sake tasting experience – refills allowed! The sake-tasting takes place in the shop section of the building, giving you ample time to browse gifts you could take home, whilst your friends are getting drunk with the rest of the tour group!

I enjoyed visiting these two factories to see how cotton and sake have been made for hundreds of years. It made me reflect back to my own country, where businesses that specialize in one single trade are becoming more and more difficult to find…

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  1. Useful Information

    Meaningful Travel Experiences in Fukushima

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Please note, however, that there may be cross-contamination, as regular noodles are prepared in the same space.More Experiences AwaitFrom learning samurai martial arts to riding a horse along the coast, there are many more activities to try in Fukushima, which you can request directly through our website. Once you place your booking, we will contact the provider and let you know within a few days whether the date and time you requested are available. If you have any questions about visiting Fukushima or booking experiences through our website, please feel free to send us a message!

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    5 Things to Do in Showa Village

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This historical city was one of the last strongholds of the samurai and is packed with beautiful natural attractions and historical sites, like Tsurugajo Castle or Sazaedo temple. You can reach Aizu-Wakamatsu Station from Tokyo in approx. 3 hours (bullet train + local JR line train, fully covered by either of the JR passes).ℹ️ To move comfortably around the city it is best to rent a car or buy a one-day pass for the local loop bus (600 yen, not included in the JR Pass) that will take you to the main attractions. 2 Days in Aizu-Wakamatsu  Recommended seasons:  Year-round 2. Take a scenic train ride on the JR Tadami LineSome train rides are not just a means of transport, but an attraction in themselves. That is the case of the JR Tadami Line trains that run between Aizu-Wakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture and Koide in Niigata Prefecture. Known for its stunning views of rural towns, rice fields, and forest-covered mountains, this is a famous scenic train ride that is growing in popularity among visitors.ℹ️JR Tadami Line trains only run a few times a day, so please check the schedule before your visit.ℹ️Note that only the stretch between Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and Tadami Station is covered by the JR Pass Tohoku.ℹ️Trains may become canceled due to heavy snowfall in the winter (December-March). Tadami Line: 5 Sights You Shouldn't Miss Recommended seasons:  Year-round Central Area3. Shirakawa: Komine Castle, Specialty Ramen & Daruma PaintingThe beautifully restored Komine Castle, with its striking black-and-white structure and lush gardens, is a powerful symbol of Shirakawa, located only a few minutes walk from the JR Shirakawa Station (only a short train ride away on the JR Tohoku Line from the Shin-Shirakawa shinkansen Station).After exploring the castle, indulge in a bowl of hearty ramen (a specialty of the area) and end your visit to Shirakawa by shopping for a Daruma lucky doll at the nearby Daruma Land. 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    6 Destinations to See in Fukushima With the Japan Rail Pass
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