Savour the Flavours of Natural Salt at this Oceanside Salt-Production Facility

Discover How Natural Salt Is Made and Enjoy the Gentle Sea Breeze

At the westernmost area of Fukuoka Prefecture’s Itoshima City lies Shinzaburo Shoten, a company specialising in the production of natural salt called Mataichi no Shio. It was set up in 2000 by Shuichi Hirakawa, a cook who decided to make his own high-quality salt after finding most commercially produced salt lacking in taste and variety.

Perhaps the most eye-catching aspect of Shinzaburo Shoten is the multi-level salt field made with hanging bamboo located beside its factory, Kobo Tottan. Kobo Tottan uses this salt field to collect salt through the rapid evaporation of collected seawater, a method which was commonly used from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Depending on the time of the year, salt production process tours within Kobo Tottan are available. They offer a variety of salt, such as grilled, smoked, and regular salt. There are also snacks you can find there, including a concoction of sweet, silky pudding eaten with caramel sauce and a sprinkle of Mataichi no Shio.

Enjoy your drinks and snacks at a wooden deck filled with tables and chairs made with driftwood, and the observation deck on its second floor lets you in on an unobstructed view of the horizon. Another observation deck at the top of the factory allows for cool Instagram photos!

With such dedication to making cuisine taste great with natural salt, Kobo Tottan is a destination where you can learn about the intricate process of salt-making, enjoy the nature, and take home some high-quality Mataichi no Shio all in one place!