Guide
The Marukin Soy Sauce Memorial Museum is a facility that preserves and communicates the rich history and culture of soy sauce production in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture. The museum is housed in a former soy sauce brewery featuring the distinctive Gassho-zukuri architectural style from the early Taisho era. Visitors can explore the intricate steps of the brewing process and the historical development of soy sauce culture in this region. The building itself is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, offering a unique opportunity to witness historical industrial architecture alongside detailed exhibits on the soy sauce manufacturing process.
Soy sauce production on Shodoshima traces its roots back to the Bunroku era (1592–1595). The industry saw significant prosperity during the Meiji era, with numerous breweries flourishing across the island. The Marukin Soy Sauce Memorial Museum building, originally a soy sauce factory from the early Taisho period, was officially registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1996. As a significant piece of Japan's modernization industrial heritage, the site serves as a living testament to the industries that drove regional development.
Inside the museum, visitors can observe detailed exhibits explaining how soy sauce is produced. The displays utilize the original structure of the former brewery to provide an immersive look at the brewing stages. Key highlights include the Gassho-zukuri architectural style, historical brewing equipment, and exhibits detailing the evolution of soy sauce production. You can gain a deeper understanding of how this industry became deeply rooted in the local culture and shaped the island's development.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We recommend visiting during the bright daylight hours, as the natural light makes it easier to appreciate the intricate details of the historical architecture and the museum-grade exhibits. It is a perfect stop during a walking tour of Shodoshima's historical streets to trace the footsteps of its industrial past.
Through the various displays, visitors can learn about traditional manufacturing methods and the specific roles of different tools used in the past. The exhibits are designed to provide context on how the local industry evolved alongside the regional history.
The museum is located near the "Hishio-no-Sato" area, a district characterized by rows of traditional soy sauce warehouses. This area allows visitors to walk through a historical landscape of pre-modern architecture. Additionally, the nearby Shodoshima Olive Park is a popular tourist destination, making it easy to include the museum in a broader Shodoshima sightseeing itinerary.
As the museum is housed in a historic building, we highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. Please treat the exhibits and the historic structure with care. Regarding payments, please have cash or a transportation IC card ready for local bus travel. To protect the historical integrity of the building and the exhibits, please follow all posted signs and local etiquette during your visit.