Sapporo Hosts Japan's Largest Miso Festival: Nippon Miso Douchu

Miso Fest in Sapporo: A Celebration of Tradition and Taste

From September 10 to 17, 2025, Sapporo will welcome a unique event focusing on one of Japan's most beloved ingredients: miso. The “Nippon Miso Douchu in Sapporo” will be held at the Daimaru Sapporo store, presenting a special pop-up event organized by Dot Miso, a proud initiative by Ayumi Yasuoka. This festival is remarkable for its size, bringing together over 11 miso breweries from across Japan, showcasing more than 30 distinct miso products.

A Diverse Lineup of Miso Creations

The festival will offer a wide variety of miso, from traditional wooden barrel-aged miso created by century-old manufacturers to the rare “miso ball” variety produced using a unique manufacturing technique. They will also feature innovative flavors brought forth by up-and-coming producers. Not stopping there, the event will highlight creative applications of miso, such as craft cola flavored with miso and miso-themed accessories, bringing a fresh perspective on this staple ingredient.

This year's festival marks Sapporo's first hosting of this grand event, though “Nippon Miso Douchu in Ebetsu” has already taken place in 2024 and continues until September 30, 2025, at the Ebetsu Tsutaya bookstore.

Special Guests from Renowned Miso Breweries

Among the highlights at Daimaru Sapporo will be guest appearances by miso brewery queens. Ikuko Muroi, the eighth-generation owner of the long-established Daigen Miso from Osaka, and Chiyo Miura, owner of Miura Brewing Company in Tokushima, will present tastings while sharing insights and secrets from their heritage-rich background.

- Guest Appearance Schedule

- September 10, 2025: Ikuko Muroi from Daigen Miso (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
- September 14, 2025: Chiyo Miura from Miura Brewing Company (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

Smaller, Hand-Held Sizes to Fit Modern Lifestyles

A notable aspect of this event is the introduction of “hand-sized” miso products, each around 200 grams. With the rise of nuclear families and single-person households, traditional large miso packages often lead to waste—an issue consumers frequently encounter. Dot Miso has taken this into account, offering convenient, smaller sizes that allow everyone, especially younger generations and singles, to enjoy various miso types in an accessible way.

A Curated Selection of Miso from Across Japan

Dot Miso, known for its handpicked quality miso selection, will present a diverse lineup of exceptional miso from different regions within Japan as well as from international producers. The collection spans from traditionally brewed wooden barrel miso to craft fizzy beverages and wares, ensuring a delightful experience for miso enthusiasts.

A Unique Journey of Miso and Kickboxing

Ayumi Yasuoka, founder of Dot Miso and a former professional kickboxer, has an intriguing journey leading her to miso. During her competitive days, she discovered the health benefits of incorporating miso and other fermented foods into her diet, which enhanced her performance and well-being. After her retirement, she founded Dot Miso with the aim of embedding miso further into everyday life. Her unique background supports her mission to connect traditional fermentation culture with modern lifestyles. Today, Ayumi continues to push limits with innovative business concepts, collaborating across various fields such as art and music while promoting miso as a part of a new lifestyle.

Exciting Workshops to Engage Attendees

Participants can look forward to engaging workshops held during the festival, featuring experts like Ikuko Muroi, who will teach the art of making delicious white miso-based fermentation, and Chiyo Miura, who will share unique miso recipes based on traditional techniques. These workshops promise a hands-on opportunity to deepen your culinary skills while enjoying the delightful flavors of miso.

In conclusion, the “Nippon Miso Douchu in SAPPORO” is not just a festival—it’s a celebration of heritage, innovation, and community centered around one of Japan’s most cherished ingredients, miso. We invite everyone to this special occasion to discover and enjoy the diverse offerings that showcase the beauty and versatility of miso.

For updates on the event, check out Dot Miso's Instagram for the latest news, including livestream events where you can hear directly from producers about their crafting processes and philosophies. Join us and embrace the taste of tradition!