Aji no Kura Taketoyo: Nagoya’s Best Fermented Foods in One Place

• Table of Contents
• Taketoyo: A Fermented Food Wonderland
• Aji no Kura Taketoyo: A Treasure Trove of Nagoya Flavors
• Fermented Ingredients to Buy at Aji no Kura Taketoyo
• Other Recommended Food Products from Taketoyo
• Foods to Try on the Spot at Aji no Kura Taketoyo
• Summary

Taketoyo: A Fermented Food Wonderland

Taketoyo might not be widely known as a travel destination south of Nagoya—until you discover its amazing local cuisine, which features the region’s rich, locally made tamari soy sauce and miso paste!

After trying the Maguro Tamari Koji-zuke Don at Yutaka Zushi or the delicious miso paste castella from Patisserie KUMURA (both included in our Taketoyo itinerary), you'll develop a new appreciation for Taketoyo’s fermented food traditions.

This time, we’d like to introduce a facility where you can find all the fermented ingredients produced in Taketoyo, as well as foods from the entire Chita Peninsula—all gathered in one place!

Aji no Kura Taketoyo: A Treasure Trove of Nagoya Flavors

Aji no Kura Taketoyo calls itself a “machi no eki” ("town station") to distinguish itself from the more common “michi no eki” ("roadside stations"), which are typically located along national roads and highways in Japan.

However, the concept is quite similar: it’s a one-stop shop showcasing the best regional products—from processed foods and cooking ingredients to fresh produce directly sourced from local farmers. Because these products are sourced directly from producers, they are offered at lower prices than in supermarkets. This makes Aji no Kura Taketoyo a popular shopping spot for both residents and tourists.

Aji no Kura Taketoyo is divided into three main areas: a grocery section offering fresh vegetables, fruits, and processed foods; a fermented foods section showcasing famous fermented ingredients from Taketoyo and the Chita Peninsula; and a cafeteria.

The cafeteria serves basic dishes such as ramen, soba noodles, udon noodle dishes, and onigiri (rice balls), as well as simple desserts like mitarashi dango dumplings. It’s an ideal spot for a quick bite while shopping.

The products on the shelves are carefully selected and curated by the facility manager, Mr. Inuzuka, who aims to showcase the best flavors of the Chita Peninsula.

Thanks to its excellent selection, encompassing nearly all the local specialties of Taketoyo and the wider Chita area, we highly recommend Aji no Kura Taketoyo as your one-stop destination for souvenir shopping in the region.

Fermented Ingredients to Buy at Aji no Kura Taketoyo

If you want to cook Japanese dishes at home, fermented ingredients like miso paste and soy sauce are essential. Aji no Kura Taketoyo handles various products from each category; you’ll have no problem finding everything you need here.

Below, we mention some of the ingredients made in Taketoyo that should not be missed.

1.Tamari Soy Sauce

Tamari soy sauce is a rich, dark type of soy sauce that is produced through a three-year fermentation process. Its salt content is only about 10%, which is lower than regular soy sauce, making it milder and easier to use in cooking. Additionally, it has a high umami flavor—that deep, savory richness—that perfectly enhances sushi and sashimi dishes.

Tamari soy sauce adds a rich, rounded flavor to simmered dishes. Try using it when cooking Nikujaga (a simmered dish made with pork slices, potatoes, carrots, and onions), Kakuni (braised pork belly), or any dish that involves simmering vegetables and meat together.

At Aji no Kura Taketoyo, you can find tamari soy sauce products made by Nakasada Shoten, along with other varieties. We especially recommend the Genzo from Nakasada Shoten for its low salt content, rich aroma, and versatility.
Read more: Nakasada Shoten

2.Miso Paste

The wide variety of miso paste products collected at Aji no Kura Taketoyo is almost overwhelming — a testament to how essential this ingredient is in Japanese cuisine.

The local specialty is the dark soybean miso variety, which is typically made from soybeans only. 

Soybean miso is richer in umami than other varieties. Umami is the savory depth that makes you exclaim “delicious!” 
When cooking miso soup, this robust flavor can easily overpower other ingredients, so it’s best to use it sparingly—about a spoonful per liter of soup is usually sufficient. In contrast, white and light brown miso, though less common in Nagoya, have a milder taste and a subtle sweetness that allow the other flavors in the dish to come through more clearly.

To make a simple and quick miso soup with soybean miso, start by bringing 1 liter of water to a boil and then add 50 grams of nameko mushrooms (or other mushrooms) or a small sweet potato, along with a thinly sliced green onion and a spoonful of dashi broth. Dissolve a spoonful of soybean miso in a small amount of hot broth in a separate bowl to prevent clumping, then add it back into the pot. Continue boiling for about 7 minutes to allow the miso flavor to permeate the vegetables. Next, add 50 grams of cubed tofu and simmer for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the soup rest briefly before serving. For a fresh touch, top each bowl with chopped green onion. Enjoy your quick and flavorful miso soup!

This is a very simple recipe using the soybean miso from Taketoyo, but the possibilities for miso soup are endless! 

At Aji no Kura Taketoyo, you can find the rich Hozan Miso made locally by Nakasada Shoten, as well as other types of miso.

3. Japanese Sake Made in the Chita Peninsula

During the Edo period, the Chita Peninsula—home to cities like Taketoyo, Handa, and Tokoname—was once home to hundreds of sake breweries. Today, only a few remain, and their products are truly exceptional!

At Aji no Kura Taketoyo, you can find a selection of sake from leading local brands, including Sawada Shuzo, which we featured previously in our HAKKO series.

Why not take the opportunity to pick up some of the delicious sake made in Nagoya? Japanese sake pairs wonderfully with fish and seafood dishes. With an alcohol content of around 15%, it’s relatively easy to enjoy, sipping small quantities at a time. Once opened, store the bottle in the refrigerator to preserve its freshness and enjoy it over several days.
Read More: Sawada Shuzo

Other Recommended Food Products from Taketoyo

Aji no Kura Taketoyo offers an excellent selection of confections and sweet snacks from Nagoya. 

It is the only place where you can find Kura no Kaori, a delightful manju bun made with red bean paste and infused with a subtle hint of fragrant miso paste, crafted by Patisserie KUMURA. The aroma of the miso perfectly complements the sweetness of the red bean filling, creating a harmonious and delicious treat.

Other examples of local confections are the Ryugu Manju (sweet buns) made by Kikunoya. These buns are inspired by the legend of the Dragon Palace Under the Sea, a story said to originate in Taketoyo. It tells of a fisherman who rode a magic turtle to the hidden palace beneath the sea, where he spent a day of fulfillment and happiness. Upon returning to the surface, he realized that a long time had passed in the outside world–in short, this is the content of the story.

In addition to sweets, we also recommend trying the locally made pickles. As a fermented food product, Taketoyo's pickles make a refreshing complement to any rich dish, especially meat-based cuisines. Be sure to check the refrigerators, where you'll find a wide variety of pickled vegetables.

Aji no Kura Taketoyo is a treasure trove of Nagoya’s foods and flavors, so take the time to explore it at a leisurely pace.

Foods to Try on the Spot at Aji no Kura Taketoyo

Although it doesn't stand out visually, the cafeteria at Aji no Kura Taketoyo offers an excellent selection of dishes that allow you to experience local flavors. 

Alongside savory options like ramen, soba noodles, and udon noodles, be sure to try the generously sized rice balls with fried shrimp. They are both filling and photogenic, offering a unique culinary experience.

Another must-try treat is Mitarashi Dango—steamed and grilled rice dumplings topped with a sweet-salty sauce. This sauce is made from Taketoyo’s rich tamari soy sauce and sugar, creating an incredibly flavorful combination that will have you craving more!

In the shop, you can also find sweet treats such as ice cream and gelato. One highly recommended treat is the Denemon TAMARI Gelato—its salty tamari soy sauce flavor combined with the creamy milk and mild sweetness is incredibly addictive! This is one of those unique products that you can only experience in Japan. 

There is much more to discover while browsing "Aji no Kura Taketoyo", so take your time, enjoy your visit, and savor some of the local flavors.

Summary

Aji no Kura Taketoyo is easily accessible—just a 3-minute drive from JR Taketoyo Station or a 15-minute walk. It’s a great place to pick up local products from Taketoyo and the Chita Peninsula, which is known for its many manufacturers of fermented ingredients.

If you plan to recreate some of the dishes you enjoyed in Japan at home, be sure to check out the miso paste and tamari soy sauce products. These items have a long shelf life and are compact, making them easy to carry home.

Alternatively, if you'd prefer ready-made foods, the confections, snacks, pickles, and packaged food products available at Aji no Kura Taketoyo will satisfy your cravings.

*The prices of the products shown in the photos within the article are as of the time of the shooting (May 2025) and are subject to change.

Roadside Station Ajinokura Taketoyo

11-1 Chushiroda, Taketoyo-cho, Chita, Aichi, 470-2512