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330-Year-Old Wakayama Soy Sauce Brewery Launches Crowdfunding for Cultural Property Restoration and Seismic Retrofitting

Key facts

  • 330-Year-Old Wakayama Soy Sauce Brewery Launches Crowdfunding for Cultural Property Restoration and Seismic Retrofitting
  • Horikawaya Nomura, a long-established soy sauce brewery in Wakayama, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore and seismically reinforce its 330-year-old main building, a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The project aims to prepare for the Nankai Trough earthquake and preserve the cultural heritage, with rewards including soy sauce, miso, and brewery tours.
  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Date: Tue Jun 09 2026 17:00:01 GMT+0900 (Japan Standard Time)

Direct answer

Horikawaya Nomura, a long-established soy sauce brewery in Wakayama, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore and seismically reinforce its 330-year-old main building, a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The project aims to prepare for the Nankai Trough earthquake and preserve the cultural heritage, with rewards including soy sauce, miso, and brewery tours.

Citation
330-Year-Old Wakayama Soy Sauce Brewery Launches Crowdfunding for Cultural Property Restoration and Seismic Retrofitting (Tue Jun 09 2026 17:00:01 GMT+0900 (Japan Standard Time)), PR TIMES
Source
PR TIMES
Date
Tue Jun 09 2026 17:00:01 GMT+0900 (Japan Standard Time)

AI Summary (NQ-processed)

Horikawaya Nomura, a long-established soy sauce brewery in Wakayama, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore and seismically reinforce its 330-year-old main building, a nationally registered tangible cultural property. The project aims to prepare for the Nankai Trough earthquake and preserve the cultural heritage, with rewards including soy sauce, miso, and brewery tours.

AI Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Horikawaya Nomura's soy sauce brewery built?
A: The shop and main residence, along with four other buildings of Horikawaya Nomura, are over 330 years old and designated as National Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. While the exact construction date isn't specified, they are historically significant structures.
Q: Why are repairs and seismic retrofitting of the cultural property necessary?
A: Due to years of deterioration, serious damage such as cracked beams, corroded pillars, roof collapse, and leaks has been confirmed. Seismic retrofitting is also necessary as a preparation for the Nankai Trough megaquake.
Q: How will the crowdfunding funds be used?
A: All funds raised will be used for the repair and seismic retrofitting of the "Shop and Main Residence," a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
Q: What are the characteristics of Horikawaya Nomura's soy sauce and miso?
A: The main characteristic is the adherence to ancient production methods such as "hand-koji," "wood-fired cooking," and "natural brewing," which result in a traditional and profound flavor.
Q: What is the significance of this project for Wakayama Prefecture?
A: Preserving local historical structures and passing on traditional industries to the future contributes to the promotion of regional culture and the revitalization of the local economy. It also raises disaster preparedness awareness.