Yawataya Isogoro
It is a shichimi togarashi (seven spices blend) manufacturer that has been selling shichimi in the precincts of Zenkoji Temple since 1736. Today, their shichimi is a popular souvenir of Nagano for many people. Along with Yagenbori at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo and Shichimi-ya at Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto, Yawataya Isogoro is one of the three most famous shichimi manufacturers in Japan.
What is Yawataya Isogoro's craftsmanship?
To keep challenging to preserve the flavor of Shinshu
Yawataya Isogoro was founded about 280 years ago when Kan-emon Muroga the First began selling shichimi at Zenkoji Temple’s Douniwa (precincts). At the time of its founding, the Nishiyama region around Kisana-mura in the northern part of Nagano City was originally known for its hemp production. This area was also suitable for the cultivation of raw ingredients other than chinpi (citrus reticulata peels) necessary for shichimi. In this era when it was difficult to procure large quantities of ingredients from distant places, they could procure them from nearby areas. In this way, Yawataya Isogoro’s shichimi, with its peculiar flavor unique to the mountainous province of Shinshu, was created.
Even today, some of the ingredients are procured from their own farm, Yawataya Farm, as well as from contract farmers in the surrounding areas. They have also developed, in cooperation with Shinshu University, a variety of chili peppers suitable for cultivation in Nagano Prefecture for shichimi. By using Nagano-grown ingredients as much as possible, they are making every effort to improve the appeal of shichimi from Shinshu.
Yawataya Isogoro will continue to take pride in its challenge to preserve the flavor of shichimi, which can only be produced in Shinshu.
Brand's Signature Gear
Shichimi Togarashi
Yawataya Isogoro’s shichimi is made by mixing seven ingredients: chili pepper for spiciness, sansho pepper and ginger for stinginess and fresh flavor, hemp seed, sesame seed, chinpi, and shiso leaves for complex flavor and aroma. It is a standard product with a unique flavor that harmonizes spiciness and flavors.
