Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Naogen Soysauce Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, is a heritage-rich soy sauce manufacturer founded in 1825. With nearly two centuries of continuous operation, Naogen has upheld the traditional art of Japanese soy sauce brewing while embracing modern innovation and export capabilities. The company is a celebrated brand within Japan’s artisanal condiment landscape and is increasingly recognized in global gourmet and culinary circles.

Historical Background and Core Philosophy

Naogen was established during the Edo period and has since remained dedicated to handcrafted soy sauce production using time-honored techniques. The company is currently led by Junichiro Naoe, the 7th-generation successor, who has positioned the company to merge tradition with innovation.

Naogen’s core philosophy revolves around the use of locally sourced, high-quality soybeans and wheat, traditional wooden barrels (kioke), and slow fermentation processes. This results in deeper flavor profiles, umami richness, and product authenticity that mass-produced soy sauces cannot replicate.

Product Portfolio

Naogen’s offering includes a curated range of traditional and innovative soy-based seasonings, condiments, and specialty foods:

• Soy Sauce

  • Moromi no Shizuku: Premium soy sauce made from slow-fermented moromi mash
  • Naogen Shoyu: The company’s signature product, naturally brewed
  • Marudaizu Shoyu: Whole-soybean brewed soy sauce with complex flavor depth

• Seasonings

  • Dashi Tsuyu: Soy sauce-based broth infused with bonito and kombu
  • Ponzu: Citrus-infused soy sauce
  • Yuzu Ponzu: Specialty blend with fragrant yuzu peel and juice

• Dressings

  • Kaga Yasai Dressing: A unique line featuring local Kanazawa vegetables and soy base

• Crystallized Soy Sauce

  • Soy Sauce Powder: Dehydrated soy sauce in granulated form used for snacks and modern cuisine

• Soy-Based Snacks

  • Soy Sauce Rice Crackers: Traditional senbei coated in artisanal soy
  • Soy Sauce Candy: A novelty product fusing sweet and savory for local and tourist markets

All products are crafted with a strong emphasis on flavor purity, additive-free formulation, and culinary versatility.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Naogen maintains small-batch brewing in wooden barrels, a process that takes up to one year per batch. The company leverages:

• Natural fermentation techniques without artificial enzymes or preservatives
• Koji culture cultivation in-house for controlled fermentation
• Wooden barrel aging (kioke) — a rare practice used by fewer than 1% of soy sauce producers in Japan

These methods create deeper umami and color variations that are highly appreciated by chefs and connoisseurs.

Certifications and Food Safety

While Naogen prioritizes artisanal production, it also ensures compliance with modern food safety and export standards:

• FSSC 22000 for food safety management
• Organic JAS certification for selected products
• Regular testing for allergen, microbial, and chemical safety for global exports

The company adheres to traceability protocols from raw material sourcing to final product bottling.

Export Strategy and International Presence

Naogen has steadily grown its export footprint in response to global demand for authentic Japanese seasonings. Its products are now found in:

• Specialty food stores and gourmet retailers in the U.S., UK, France, and Australia
• Michelin-starred restaurants and Japanese culinary schools
• E-commerce platforms like Rakuten, Amazon Japan, and domestic specialty stores

Naogen participates in international trade fairs such as FOODEX Japan, Fancy Food Show (USA), and Maison & Objet (France).

Collaborations and Culinary Innovation

Naogen frequently collaborates with chefs and food brands to develop:

• Custom soy sauce blends for high-end restaurants
• Limited-edition condiment lines combining rare ingredients like black garlic, yuzu, or fermented rice
• Food-tech initiatives, including the use of crystallized soy sauce in modern fusion cuisines and snack formulations

Cultural and Local Contributions

The company is a cultural steward of traditional Japanese brewing. Its brewery site in Kanazawa doubles as:

• A museum and tourist destination for educational tours
• A workshop space offering soy sauce tasting experiences and brewing demonstrations

Naogen is also a key contributor to the preservation of kioke craftsmanship, partnering with cooperage artisans to sustain barrel-making techniques.

Conclusion

Naogen Soysauce Co., Ltd. exemplifies the intersection of tradition, flavor excellence, and global culinary relevance. With its roots in the 19th century and a forward-looking product development ethos, Naogen continues to be a benchmark for artisanal soy sauce craftsmanship and a key ambassador of Japanese food culture worldwide.