Ishii Miso
Ishii Miso
4
Speciality & Gift ShopsPoints of Interest & LandmarksBreweriesFactory Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Ishii Miso Co,Ltd was founded in 1868 (the end of the Edo era) and is still producing miso by a unique traditional natural method. Miso, soybean paste, is an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine. We have miso soup every day and sometimes use it for other dishes. Miso is fermented food so it is very healthy. Nagano Prefecture where Matsumoto is included is the top producer of miso (46%) in Japan. Miso used to be made in homes. But now, many Japanese don't know or find out how to make miso. We use wooden barrels to ferment miso, which is also unique. Normally the barrels are plastic or metal, but wooden barrels enable air to permeate so they are good for fermentation. Many foreigners visit this brewery even though it does not appear in guide books and there is no English website.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
43 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
18
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Noriko F
Tokyo, Japan193 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I had a little time before heading back to Tokyo and Ishii Miso seemed to be very close to my hotel so I decided to check it out. I’m so glad I did ! I was the first one in the shop when they opened at 9am and Mr. Ishii the president of this brewery kindly explained to me the differences between the types of miso. The highlight of the visit was a tour of the brewery where I was impressed by the huge containers of miso as well as Mr. Ishii’s comprehensive talk about the process of miso making.
This is a wonderful place to learn about one of the staples of Japanese cuisine. They also have a restaurant where you can enjoy lunch featuring their miso. Unfortunately I was too early for the lunch but judging from the soup I sampled I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
Thank you Mr. Ishii and everyone at Ishii Miso for your hospitality!
This is a wonderful place to learn about one of the staples of Japanese cuisine. They also have a restaurant where you can enjoy lunch featuring their miso. Unfortunately I was too early for the lunch but judging from the soup I sampled I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
Thank you Mr. Ishii and everyone at Ishii Miso for your hospitality!
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie S
mossley364 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
This is a traditional miso factory owned by the same family for 6 generations. We were given a little talk about how miso is produced there and then we ate miso soup. It was the best miso soup ever! There is a shop to buy their products so if you like miso I would recommend it.
Written May 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy
42 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
What a great find in Matsumoto it’s a must visit. The cafe food was delicious. The servers and cook were so gracious. The tour guide, Tsuitsui was spectacular with his explanation of the miso process. Several great items in the gift shop as well.
Written August 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert Matsuoka
New York City, NY912 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We walked in on a random Sunday and the place was very quiet. Asked about a tour and a tall, distinguished gentleman said follow me. Turns out he is Mr. Ishii, 5th generation proprietor of this factory. And he gave us a delightful hour long tour and answered all of our questions. We finished with a delicious bowl of miso (of course) complementary, then paid for a couple of also delicious miso soft-serve ice creams. Really a gem of a place, and if you're a fermentation or miso fan -- a must see! We were carry only only or we would have brought home a kg of this delicious miso for use at home.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LieselotteM
Malmö, Sweden40 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Upon arrival we received a little miso soup as a tasting. Then the owner of the business showed us the room where the cedar barrels are stored and gave a good explanation on miso and the brewing process. The owner and staff were very friendly. There's a nice shop as well where you can buy their own brewed miso and other products.
Written July 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luigi_Fino
Tokyo, Japan451 contributions
Nov 2019
We were greeted by the president of the company who explained the history of his factory and his concept of premium miso, which is quite different from the average industrial product that you buy at the supermarket. Although not a big fan of miso miself, I deeply appreciated the tasty meal and would like to add that visiting this place is a must when staying in Matsumoto.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Est, est, est
Thank you very mauch for visiting Ishiimiso.
We apprecieate that you enjoyed our guide tour and Miso lunch.We are glad to hear that you found the difference between our premium miso and the average products!!
We look foward to serving you again.
Best Regards,
Written November 6, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mvasu
Miami, FL32 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
Stopped over for lunch, got a cool info tour by the owner as well.
Super delicious lunch set, worth the visit. And if you are new to Japan interesting info.
Recommended for sure :)
Super delicious lunch set, worth the visit. And if you are new to Japan interesting info.
Recommended for sure :)
Written August 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily K
8 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We wound up with an extra half-day in Matsumoto at the last minute. It was too rainy and chilly to spend much time outside, and this seemed like a good stop after visiting the castle / before we were hungry enough for lunch. It fit the bill perfectly.
Within minutes of arriving we were taken through the facility by a guide with excellent English and given plenty of opportunities to take photos and ask questions. Since we did not book in advance (and since I have some dietary restrictions) we could not stay for lunch, but we did enjoy sampling the soup and my husband enjoyed sampling some of the other goodies for sale. We were also surprised at how reasonably priced the miso was, and brought some back home with us as a souvenir. It traveled well and I wish we would have brought more to give as gifts.
Within minutes of arriving we were taken through the facility by a guide with excellent English and given plenty of opportunities to take photos and ask questions. Since we did not book in advance (and since I have some dietary restrictions) we could not stay for lunch, but we did enjoy sampling the soup and my husband enjoyed sampling some of the other goodies for sale. We were also surprised at how reasonably priced the miso was, and brought some back home with us as a souvenir. It traveled well and I wish we would have brought more to give as gifts.
Written February 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HotEarth
Melbourne, Australia680 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
After some questioning around for direction, I found this place. That was about 8am. Its interesting to see them preparing a new load in the huge barrel for fermenting. The rest of the miso barrels clearly marked at various durations of fermentation are housed in two buildings.I was welcomed with a bowl of nice and warm miso soup followed by green tea by the nice and courteous staff. I decided to have a cone of miso icecream...something unique! Its actually quite sweet and creamy, with a tinge of tofu and very light saltishness. A great visit to this extra ordinary place if you want a break from the norm to experience part of real japan!
Written April 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CY_Hen
Singapore, Singapore3 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
I came here on a tour package that I have booked with Dynasty Travel. This wasn't on the itinerary but the Tour Guide decided to bring the group to this brewery for lunch since it was around the premise of the Matsumotojo.
The impromptu tour of the brewery was a relatively short one and touched briefly on the methods that the brewery practiced in making miso. We had our lunch in the dining hall located within the retail section of the brewery.
We were served a stew made from the dark miso, pork and vegetables. It was hearty and deeply satisfying, especially in the winter temperature. The dark miso gave the soup an appetite whetting tartness while the mellow flavours of the fermented bean paste unified all the ingredients together like a patriarch overseeing the harmony of his family. The meal ended with a white miso ice cream which was a very pleasant surprise.
The miso is available for retail there and needless to say, I bought some back to Singapore.
The impromptu tour of the brewery was a relatively short one and touched briefly on the methods that the brewery practiced in making miso. We had our lunch in the dining hall located within the retail section of the brewery.
We were served a stew made from the dark miso, pork and vegetables. It was hearty and deeply satisfying, especially in the winter temperature. The dark miso gave the soup an appetite whetting tartness while the mellow flavours of the fermented bean paste unified all the ingredients together like a patriarch overseeing the harmony of his family. The meal ended with a white miso ice cream which was a very pleasant surprise.
The miso is available for retail there and needless to say, I bought some back to Singapore.
Written November 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Please advise if Ishii miso shop open on Saturdays.thank you.
Written May 31, 2017
How long is the tour and we have a group of 15 food enthusiasts.Can we do an informative talk about Miso production and ways to use miso?
Written May 25, 2016
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