Learn About Soy Sauce and Local Folklore on an Island

A day-tour of Shodoshima Island, famous for a quintessential condiment and a museum dedicated to the wonderful world of yokai

The Seto Inland Sea island of Shodoshima is part of the Setonaikai National Park. It is a perfect place to explore two ubiquitous features  of Japanese culture: soy sauce and mythical creatures known as yokai. 

This English day tour is operated with English-speaking guides by the Shodoshima Tourism Organization. The first stop is the Yokai Art Museum to learn more about yokai, traditional folk creatures whose temperaments can range from dangerous to delightful. This playful museum features exhibits related to these creatures that are integral to Japanese philosophy and spirituality—and to the world of anime and manga.

The next stop is a restaurant for a lunch made of locally sourced ingredients. A soy sauce sommelier teaches participants about the history of local soy sauce production and how to pair different soy sauces to match your meal.

The final visit is to a Japanese soy sauce artisan, who demonstrates the use of wooden barrels―some up to 150 years old―to create this iconic condiment.

Shodoshima Tourism Association