Japan's largest integrated resort, located in Taki Town, Mie PrefectureVISON / VisonAmong them, "WA VISON" is a particularly fascinating area that offers a unique opportunity to learn about and experience traditional Japanese ingredients, food culture, and the spirit of craftsmanship.
A long-established kelp shopOkui Kaiseido" and other specialty stores for miso and kojiKuranoya", the direct sales store of the soy sauce breweryIse Shoyu HonpoMany renowned manufacturers and specialty shops that support Japanese cuisine line the streets.Using pure water nurtured by the rich climate of Mie Prefecture and high-quality sake rice, they conduct year-round brewing rooted in the terroir.FukuwazoThe establishment also features a dining area where you can enjoy freshly brewed unpasteurized sake, and they also sell unpasteurized sake straight from the brewery.
In the square,kiond festivalThe event offers nostalgic games such as "shooting gallery" and "smart ball" that will have not only young children but also adults engrossed in, making them feel like kids again.
At lunchtime, you can enjoy flavorful soba noodles.Ise OjiThis is another popular restaurant. Inheriting the legacy of the renowned restaurant "Okina," which is loved all over Japan, this restaurant sources buckwheat from famous buckwheat-producing regions across the country and mills it entirely in-house, resulting in soba noodles that perfectly balance the original aroma, flavor, and color of the buckwheat. The noodles are thin yet firm, and the aroma spreads gently in your mouth, making it a dish that truly showcases the craftsmanship of the chef.
Additionally, you can bring your dog to the terrace seating area, where you can enjoy a peaceful time while admiring the beautiful natural scenery and savoring the aroma of soba noodles.
As a grocery store offering additive-free foods gathered from all over Japan, it is a bustling spot within "Wa-Visson".Additive-free store Ome"fart.
Tsukiji Fish Market, founded in 1871Ogume"Directly managed"Additive-free store Ome Mie VISON store」。
Here, you can create your own original, custom-made dashi pack using domestically sourced natural ingredients.
A tasting corner is set up in the store where you can sample additive-free dashi (broth), allowing you to fully appreciate the subtle differences in flavor.
"Premium Dashi" (12 packets) 1,944 yen
All the dashi (broth) samples I tasted this time were made with salt to make them easier to drink. From the "Premium Dashi," "Basic Dashi," and "Triple Dashi" options, I purchased the "Premium Dashi." The Premium Dashi uses bonito flakes, the same kind used in high-class restaurants, and has an elegant aroma and flavor. The kelp used is the finest Rausu kelp from Hokkaido, allowing you to enjoy a deep richness. If you use it as a broth for hot pot dishes such as oden in the coming season, it will undoubtedly have a more refined taste than usual.
Located at the back of the store is "Okume Restaurant," where you can enjoy Japanese set meals made with additive-free ingredients and seasonings.
With plenty of terrace seating available, you can even dine with your dog.
A specialty shop for handmade tofu that uses locally sourced soybeans and their prized soybeans, grown in collaboration with Mie University.Ureshino Tofu"fart.
Tofu donut 190 yen
These light and fluffy, subtly sweet tofu donuts are appealing for their natural tofu flavor and gentle texture. Though small, they are satisfying and perfect for a break during your stroll.
The weekdays at Vison are exceptionally pleasant.
"Norimomo," a new brand launched by "Fukui," a nori (seaweed) company in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, with 61 years of history, embodies the desire to "continue the tradition of domestically produced nori for the next 100 years." It is FSSC (Food Safety System Certification), and also supports halal and vegan certifications, providing safe, secure, and delicious products through carefully selected ingredients and meticulous manufacturing processes.
"Nori Furifuri Ume Shiso" and "Nori Furifuri Spicy Sichuan" are 700 yen each.
”To help you enjoy nori (seaweed) even more, Norimomo offers products in three brand lines. This time, I purchased the most popular "Ume Shiso" (plum and shiso) flavor from the "Nori Furifuri" series, which is perfect with rice, and "Shibikara Sichuan" (spicy Sichuan), as I love spicy food. The packaging design and colors are also lovely, making it a great souvenir.
Based on the concept of "timeless elegance," this brand incorporates the traditional Japanese culture of "tea and tableware" into a sophisticated modern lifestyle.HAPPA STANDThe name "HAPPA STAND" originates from the Japanese word "chappa" (tea leaves), which was expanded to "happa" (leaf) to express the desire for people to pay more attention to nature and the global environment. Also, since the spelling "HAPPA" can also be read as "HAPPY," it also embodies the wish to be a brand that delivers happiness. Furthermore, the number "88," which is also the motif of the brand logo, can be read as "HAPPA," and in the East, "eight" symbolizes prosperity, while in the West, "∞" symbolizes regeneration and infinity. "8" is considered an auspicious number throughout history and across cultures, and it has been adopted as HAPPA STAND's brand number. The spacious store welcomes customers with their dogs, allowing them to enjoy a break between shopping.
They preserve local traditions and offer traditional pickles made with vegetables grown on their own farm.Hayashi store」。
The shop is filled with the aroma of fermented rice bran pickles, and in addition to their proud pickles such as "Ise Takuan," "Ponto Kimchi," "Young Radish," and "Young Radish White Pickles with Nata-wari Pickles," they also sell "Cucumber Sticks" and other stick-type pickles that are perfect for eating on the go.
「Toyono Rice Warehouse produced by AKOMEYA TOKYOAt this store, we offer a selection of rice accompaniments and miscellaneous goods, including "Musubi no Kami," rice offered to Ise Grand Shrine.
Stepping inside, you'll be immediately captivated by the array of rice accompaniments on display. From local miso and tsukudani (simmered seafood and vegetables) to delicacies and chili oil, everything will make you crave freshly cooked rice. Each jar and package has its own unique character, making it fun just to look at them, and you'll have a hard time deciding. It's a paradise for rice lovers, and even the time spent choosing is enjoyable.
"Controversial Chili Oil You'll Eat Too Much Of" 864 yen
After much deliberation, I decided on Japanese cuisine.Pros and cons"ofMasahiro KasaharaI decided to buy the "Eat Too Much Chili Oil" that he created, which is so addictive it makes you want to eat too much rice.
A kelp specialty store boasting a history of over 100 years as a purveyor to the head temple Eiheiji, and handling kelp used for dashi broth in famous restaurants nationwide.Okui Kaiseido」。
At the VISON store, just like at the head office, they have a kelp storage facility where natural Rishiri kelp from the island is stored and aged, and you can see the process. The store also stocks a wide variety of domestically produced kelp, and the kelp that is popular with chefs makes a great gift.
A local Matsusaka wholesaler of bonito flakes for commercial useIsewa" is a retail store with an eat-in areaIsewa, a shaved bonito flake shopThis is the first time they've opened a store here. I had decided that if I ever visited Wa-Vision, I would stop by this restaurant for lunch.
The aroma of freshly shaved bonito flakes wafting through the shop whets the appetite, and there's even a tasting corner where you can sample freshly shaved bonito flakes. Furthermore, the menu features dishes made with the bonito flake shop's signature dashi (broth), which contains no artificial flavor enhancers.
"Ramen with bonito flakes and soy sauce" 1,250 yen
The popular "Katsuobushi and Soy Sauce Ramen" offers a delightful experience from the first bite, with the aroma of bonito flakes wafting up and a refined yet profound soup. The light broth, carefully crafted to bring out the umami of bonito and kelp, is perfectly balanced with the fragrant homemade soy sauce, resulting in a clean yet long-lasting aftertaste. The medium-thin straight noodles perfectly absorb the soup's flavor and have a light, smooth texture. Freshly shaved bonito flakes are added as a finishing touch, and their flavor infuses into the soup over time, adding to its appeal. This is truly a "deeply flavorful bowl" that showcases the power of ingredients, as only a bonito flake specialty shop can deliver. Simple yet uncompromising, this is a superb ramen where the aroma of the bonito flakes permeates your very soul.
"Katsuobushi TKG" (rice with raw egg and bonito flakes) 600 yen
A simple yet flavorful dish. The aroma of freshly shaved bonito flakes wafts up, tickling your nose. When you take a bite, the moist bonito flakes spread a savory and deep richness, and the creaminess of the egg yolk and the sharpness of the special soy sauce combine to create a perfectly balanced flavor. The flavor of bonito permeates every grain of rice, making this TKG a dish that showcases the quality of the ingredients and the freshness of freshly shaved bonito.
A miso specialty store with its main store in Toyosu Market, TokyoKuranoyaWe sell local miso from all over Japan, catering to both professional and general consumers.
The name "Kuranoya" reflects our desire to bring together the delicious flavors of Japan, utilizing the blessings of nature such as miso and koji, in one "warehouse," and deliver the tastes that have been fermented and matured.
This shop offers around 30 different types of miso from all over Japan, and you can buy them by weight starting from 100g, making it perfect for those who want to try a variety of types.
"No. 11: Shinshu 25% Koji Miso (Sweetened)", "No. 14: Shinshu Kura Miso", "No. 21: Ise Akadashi"
With advice from the staff, I selected three types of miso for this occasion, chosen for their balanced selection: "No. 11: Shinshu Nijugowari Koji Miso Jukukan (a mild red miso made with soybean koji and rice koji, aged in wooden barrels)," "No. 14: Shinshu Kura Miso (a representative light-colored strained miso with a refreshing fermented aroma and no strong flavor)," and "No. 21: Ise Akadashi (a mild red miso made with soybean koji and rice koji, aged in wooden barrels)." I chose No. 11 without hesitation after being told it's perfect for pork miso soup. No. 14 is said to have a light flavor. And finally, No. 21 is, of course, a red miso. I was able to purchase three types that allow me to enjoy the goodness of each type of miso: sweet, light, and red. If you want to learn more about miso, I recommend the "Miso Making Experience Class" held in the store.
"Mie Prefecture's local soy sauce producer"Ise Shoyu HonpoThis soy sauce is made using ingredients, air, and land unique to Mie Prefecture, and it is a reproduction of the soy sauce that was used since the time of the pilgrimages to Okage-mairi in the Edo period, using modern technology.
You can enjoy the nostalgic aroma of freshly grilled soy sauce in "Ise Yaki Udon" and "Ise Soy Sauce Soft Serve" as takeout items, and you can also enjoy "Ise Udon" with a sauce made from Ise soy sauce. In addition to seasonings and food products made with Ise soy sauce, we also sell sweets made with Ise soy sauce.
A brewery in Mikawa, Aichi Prefecture, continues to produce the traditional "Sanshu Mikawa Mirin"Kakutani Bunjiro Shoten Co., Ltd."VISON store"Virin de ISEThis brewery carries on the traditional Mikawa method, using rice from Taki Town to brew mirin, and sells "Mirin," which is exclusive to VISON.
This mirin is made using only glutinous rice from designated domestic production areas, rice koji, and homemade rice shochu. At the store, you can sample the mirin (with or without alcohol), allowing you to enjoy the difference in taste.
“Mirin” 500ml 1,056yen
I purchased "Mirin," which has a milder flavor than the crisp "Sanshu Mikawa Mirin." When I got home, I used this "Mirin" to make lotus root kinpira, and even though I used less brown sugar than usual, the simmered dish had a rich, deep flavor that was very well received. I think it will be very useful for simmered dishes as winter approaches.
A specialty vinegar shop that uses traditional wooden barrels and quietly brews vinegar while relying on the power of nature.MIKURA Vinegary」。
At the store, you can sample all of our vinegars, including "Genmai Kurozu Gen," "Sakekasu Akazu Akazu Akane," "Sakekasu Shirozu Gekka," grain vinegars, brewed vinegars, and "&vinegar," which is made from vinegar and fruit juice.
One of the great things about this store is that you can bring your dog inside in a dog cart, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed and worry-free shopping experience!
"Meyer Lemon Vinegar with Raw Sugar" 1,725 yen
I tried many samples, but I finally settled on my favorite citrus fruit: "&vinegar Meyer Lemon," which has the refreshing acidity of Meyer lemons and a pleasant, gentle sweetness from the added raw sugar. I decided to buy it. I use it as a marinade for fried chicken, as a healthy substitute for mayonnaise in potato salad, or simply add olive oil, salt, and pepper to make a high-quality dressing!
Chocolat, who was dying to get out of the dog cart, looked at us with a face that seemed to say, "Mommy, are we done yet?" (lol) Thanks to her good waiting, our fun shopping at Wa-Visson came to an end. Good job, Chocolat! There are only two areas left to visit: "Atelier VISON" and "SWEETS VILLAGE".
"WaVision" is not just a shopping area, but an "experiential area" where you can connect with Japanese food culture and the spirit of Japanese artisans. The aroma of bonito flakes, the richness of mirin, the depth of miso, the umami of kelp—each of these is a flavor that has supported the lives of Japanese people. On a peaceful walk with my beloved dog, Chocolat, I was able to encounter the "origins of Japanese food" and had a very fulfilling time.
Next episode preview: "Atelier VISON"
Next time, we'll feature a person who is active in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture.Ceramic artist/sculptorWe present "Atelier VISON," an area produced by Koichi Uchida that showcases the "culture of tools."
VISON / Vison
Address: 672-1 Vison, Taki-cho, Taki-gun, Mie Prefecture 519-2170
TEL: 0598-39-3190
https://vison.jp/
