Aomori Prefecture's long-established miso manufacturer, Kanesa Miso offers a hands-on experience of making miso and a healthy lunch at the café attached to the new plant.

  • Aomori
  • JR East Travel Service Center
Granulated miso products and smoothies made with apples and malt-sweetened malt-sake

Let's visit Kanesa Miso!

Did you know that you can take a factory tour to learn about the manufacturing process of miso and experience making miso at "Kanesa Corporation," a long-established miso manufacturer in Aomori Prefecture established in 1875?

This time, we also experienced a factory tour and miso preparation, where the ingredients of miso are mixed and matured. ♪ At the factory, we were impressed by the excellence of the machines and had a very meaningful time learning about the production process of the delicious miso that is always on our tables.

The new factory and hands-on facilities will open on September 18, 2025! Just opened! Please be sure to check out the stylish café and large theater room attached to the facility as well.

Observe the process of making miso! (Bonju factory tour)

First, we took a tour of the factory to see how Kanesa Miso is made. Tours are held twice a day (from 10:00 and 14:00) and are free of charge, although advance reservations (online or by phone) are required.
Exterior view of Bonju Plant
Cute characters welcome you!
You will be able to learn about Kanesa Miso's commitment to miso making while watching a video in a conference room-like setting. The convenient granulated miso was developed by Kanesa Miso and can be used as instant miso with the same flavor as regular miso.

I thought it would be a good idea to take it with me when I travel overseas, and then I heard that it is also used at a base in Antarctica! This makes me want to give it a try.

After listening to the explanation, we will go on a factory tour!
A large amount of soybeans are being moved around
It's starting to look a lot like miso!
During the factory tour, you will learn about the process of making Tsugaru Miso. It is interesting to see how the soybeans are crushed and gradually turned into miso! I felt like a kid again and followed the process of making miso with my eyes.

Experience miso making for the first time!

After learning about the process of making miso during the factory tour, we went to the direct sales shop next to the Bonju factory to try our hand at making miso!

First, we were given an explanation about miso. Rice miso is the most commonly used miso, while soybean miso is used in the Tokai region and barley miso is a household favorite in the Setouchi and Kyushu regions. I would like to feel the difference of miso in each area when I travel.
Exterior view of the direct sales office
Explanation about miso
The three ingredients used in the preparation experience are soybeans, salt, and rice! Soybeans are well-cooked, warm and fluffy. Depending on the ingredients, there are four types of miso: rice miso, soybean miso, barley miso, and miso mixed with other ingredients. This time, the ingredients will be rice miso because it contains rice!

Put all the ingredients into the bag and mix them together. Move your hands as if you were kneading and mashing the soybeans. After about 5 minutes of mixing, taste it! The salt is all over the place and it is salty! If you feel it is salty, this seems to be a sign that it is OK.
Ingredients for making miso
Kneading by hand


The experience ends when you put the miso into a container and put a sticker on it with the date and other notes you want to leave on it. It takes time to cook the soybeans until they are fluffy, so if you have time, please give it a try!
Put into containers to complete the preparation!
Write the date on the sticker.

The new plant that produces Kaneasa Granulated Miso, a unique miso manufacturing method, opened on September 18!

On September 18, 2025, a new factory "Kaneasa Granulated Miso Plant" and a hands-on facility "Granulated Miso Experience Center" opened in Namioka, Aomori City!
As the name suggests, the "Kanehsa Granulated Miso Plant," the third manufacturing plant in Aomori City, produces "Kanehsa Granulated Miso," a unique granulated miso, and the "Granulated Miso Experience Hall" has an area where visitors can observe the manufacturing process, a cafe, and even a large theater room!
Exterior view of Kanesa Miso granulated miso plant

The factory tour area of the hands-on facility "Granulated Miso Experience Hall" is different♪

The factory tour area of the "Granulated Miso Experience Hall" has an easy-to-follow route, and visitors can observe the manufacturing process through a window. However, since the factory manufactures "granulated miso," which is a unique manufacturing method, photography is not allowed.
There is also a game where you can learn about the manufacturing process of "granulated miso," so children can enjoy learning about it!
You can learn with easy-to-understand illustrations!
You can learn by playing games!

Healthy lunch at BONJU CAFE attached to the factory♪

At the stylish café space BONJU CAFE, you can enjoy healthy miso-based dishes and chicken tomato doria with raw soy sauce malt supervised by chef Shinpei Kurihara.

The rice ball set, which includes one or two rice balls, a small bowl of cooked food, and miso soup, is available with a choice of three different ingredients. You could also choose from two types of kobachi.
The onigiri I chose this time were mackerel and scallop onigiri. The fatty mackerel, sweet scallop, and miso paste on a thin layer of rice were, of course, a perfect match. We enjoyed it very much!

The chicken-tomato doria is a delicious dish with the flavor of chicken and tomatoes condensed into a delicious dish that is sure to be a hit. It can be served hot, of course, but it will also be delicious cold!
Onigiri Set
Chicken Tomato Doria
We were also curious about the other unusual items on the menu, such as bread, apple pie, and pudding made with miso and malt, but some items were sold out during lunch time due to the crowds. Please be sure to visit with plenty of time to spare.
The café space also has a selection of products made with granulated miso! You can also purchase them on the spot, so please stop by!â
Many products using granulated miso
Sweets using miso and malt

Is this a movie theater? Theater room attached to the Granulated Miso Experience Center

On the same floor as the BONJU CAFE, there is a corner introducing Aomori Prefecture's local cuisine, with food samples that look just like the real thing. I didn't know such dishes existed!

A door right next to it led to a spacious theater room! It was like being in a movie theater, where you can watch a movie introducing the four seasons of Aomori Prefecture!
Food samples that look just like the real thing
Theater room just like a movie theater
Kanesa Miso's official website is here (you can also apply for a factory tour here)

Bonju factory and direct sales area

Kanesa Granulated Miso Experience Hall and BONJU CAFE

Travel to "Kanesa Miso" on a weekday!

The secret is that you can make miso! Taste the delicious sightseeing in Aomori!

Why don't you travel on weekdays and enjoy your trip more? Miso making workshops are held every day, but you will want to make your reservations as early as possible, as the number of participants is limited. It is also a good idea to avoid especially crowded weekends and holidays and take your time with miso on a weekday! Let's spend a non-touristy sightseeing moment by making miso!

Combine your favorite train with lodging or a day trip plan for a great travel experience!

You can make your own original trip!

The " JR East View Dynamic Rail Package " is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, which allows you to choose your train and accommodations freely and apply for them all at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your application, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Enjoy your own trip according to your schedule and purpose.
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