Culinary and Cultural Wonders : Japanese Sword Forging, Soy Sauce, Tofu, and Miso Tours
The Japanese sword, which has countless fans both in Japan and overseas, is characterized by its dual nature as both a weapon for battle and a work of art. One of Saitama’s best kept secrets is a genuine Japanese sword forge located in the town of Kamikawa, Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. Blacksmiths who work with iron were once revered as close to the divine, and this tour offers an intimate look at their refined skills, as well as their traditional white-clad attire and rituals passed down from the artform’s heyday. Kamikawa is blessed with high-quality water, and Yamaki Brewery, who produce Japanese favorites like soy sauce, tofu, and miso is also nearby. Following this itinerary lets you experience the soul of the samurai through Japanese sword-making along with Japanese food culture.
Start
Ueno Station (9:00 AM)
Approximately 60 minutes : From Ueno Station, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train to Honjo-Waseda Station, then a 20-minute taxi ride to the Fusahiro Japanese Sword Forge
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Sword smiths keep 1,000 years of Japanese tradition alive today
SAMURAI SWORD The Ultimate Experience
In the town of Kamikawa in the northwestern part of Saitama Prefecture, there is a sword smith who opened a sword smithy as if guided by the god of steel. The Japanese sword is known as one of Japan's world-class traditional crafts, but in fact it is so connected to the spiritual world of the Japanese people that it can be said to be the very soul of Japan. The Japanese sword, which has been handed down from the Heian period to the present, is not only a work of art, but also a spiritual guardian deity that protects people from illness and evil spirits. You can experience the traditional skills and spirit of Japanese swordsmithing at Fusahiro, where the ancient swordsmith method has been preserved and passed down from generation to generation. Please experience the culture and spirit of the Japanese sword by feeling the burning flames, the hot air, and the sound of striking iron with your whole body, and experience the ultimate forging technique.
Approximately 20 minutes : From the Fusahiro Japanese Sword Forge, take a taxi to Yamaki Brewery
11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Healthy and Organic Fermented Foods
Yamaki Brewery : Crafting Fermented Foods For Over 100 Years
Established over 120 years ago, Yamaki Brewery continues to produce soy sauce, tofu, and miso using domestically sourced organic ingredients. It focuses on traditional fermentation methods emphasizing sustainability and harmony with nature. Visitors can witness the soy sauce, tofu, and miso-making process at the direct sales shop Koujian. Tour the soy sauce mashhouse, taste samples, and learn from the friendly staff. *Please contact the Saitama Tourism Support Desk to book a tour. *Staff guidance is in Japanese, so please contact the Saitama Tourism Support Desk to organize an interpreter/guide.
Approximately 3 minutes : Walk from the brewery
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
A Unique Way to Enjoy Highly Nutritious Tofu
Japanese Superfoods : Yuba (Tofu Skin)
Tofu is a healthy food made from soybeans that has gained great attention worldwide. When you visit Japan, we encourage you to not only eat tofu but also try something newーyuba. Yuba is a style of tofu where a film is created on the surface of soy milk and eaten as a delicacy. Yuba has a unique texture and is rich in nutrients, earning its own fan base among tofu-lovers. At Yamaki Brewery, you can enjoy yuba dishes and yuba sweets at the on-site café, which caters to vegetarians and vegans as well.
Approximately 100 minutes : Walk 3 minutes to the Jukoji Iriguchi bus stop and take a bus for 40 minutes to Honjo Station, then take a train on the JR Takasaki Line for 22 minutes to Kumagaya Station, and then board the Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train for 30 minutes until Ueno Station
Goal
Ueno Station (3:10 PM)