The town of Yuasa in Wakayama Prefecture is so well preserved that when you enter it, you feel as though you¡¯re walking into a museum. Even the roofs and windows of homes, which are different here than in other parts of Japan, have been meticulously kept in their original condition.
But it wasn¡¯t until entering Ota Kyusuke Ginsei, a miso factory, that the town really came to life. The 72-year-old owner, Shosuke Ota, is still passionate, vibrant and energetic, despite his old age. He clearly loves his work, and is proud of the culture that surrounds miso-making.
Wandering through his factory, he laments that the traditional style of making miso may not continue in Yuasa after he has gone.
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