Our Story

At Kayanoya, flavor is a craft, a journey, and a story told through taste. We begin with ingredients chosen for their purity and character, then nurture each recipe with patience and care. Every step—selecting, cooking, tasting, refining—is guided by the pursuit of harmony and depth. The result is not just seasoning, but an invitation to savor the essence of nature in every dish.

At Kayanoya, flavor is a craft, a journey, and a story told through taste. We begin with ingredients chosen for their purity and character, then nurture each recipe with patience and care. Every step—selecting, cooking, tasting, refining—is guided by the pursuit of harmony and depth. The result is not just seasoning, but an invitation to savor the essence of nature in every dish.

A man in a navy suit, blue patterned tie, and glasses stands in front of a light textured background, speaking and gesturing with his hands.
A middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie, speaks while gesturing with one hand. He has short, neatly combed gray hair and stands against a light, textured background.
A Dream for a 200-Year Company

CEO Message

A Dream for a 200-Year Company

CEO Message

Food has always been deeply connected to our lives. It is not only essential nourishment, but also a source of joy and togetherness. That is why our ancestors devoted wisdom and ingenuity to exploring the depth of flavor.
Soy sauce—our starting point—is one of those remarkable foods born from that pursuit. KUBARA HONKE began in 1893 as “Kubara Soy Sauce,” and I am its fourth-generation leader. I still remember the smiles and words of gratitude from customers when I personally delivered soy sauce door-to-door after joining the company. Those “thank you” smiles will stay with me forever.
Driven by a simple wish—to bring more joy to people through food—we studied tirelessly and grew into a comprehensive food manufacturer, creating products loved by many. More than 120 years have passed since our founding, and now we look toward our 200th anniversary.Our vision is to remain a company rooted in its community, committed to pursuing authenticity. To us, authenticity means sensing the needs of customers and the times, drawing inspiration from them, using ingredients with a face and heart behind them, and crafting products of trusted quality with superior technique. True authenticity can only be achieved by adhering to these fundamentals with sincerity.

Guided by our belief in “Creating voice in the voiceless through craftsmanship,” we take the time and care to make food that truly delights. If our products move you, nothing could bring us greater joy. We will continue to challenge ourselves, striving to be a company that creates lasting moments of inspiration for generations to come.

Food has always been deeply connected to our lives. It is not only essential nourishment, but also a source of joy and togetherness. That is why our ancestors devoted wisdom and ingenuity to exploring the depth of flavor.
Soy sauce—our starting point—is one of those remarkable foods born from that pursuit. KUBARA HONKE began in 1893 as “Kubara Soy Sauce,” and I am its fourth-generation leader. I still remember the smiles and words of gratitude from customers when I personally delivered soy sauce door-to-door after joining the company. Those “thank you” smiles will stay with me forever.
Driven by a simple wish—to bring more joy to people through food—we studied tirelessly and grew into a comprehensive food manufacturer, creating products loved by many. More than 120 years have passed since our founding, and now we look toward our 200th anniversary.Our vision is to remain a company rooted in its community, committed to pursuing authenticity. To us, authenticity means sensing the needs of customers and the times, drawing inspiration from them, using ingredients with a face and heart behind them, and crafting products of trusted quality with superior technique. True authenticity can only be achieved by adhering to these fundamentals with sincerity.

Guided by our belief in “Creating voice in the voiceless through craftsmanship,” we take the time and care to make food that truly delights. If our products move you, nothing could bring us greater joy. We will continue to challenge ourselves, striving to be a company that creates lasting moments of inspiration for generations to come.

History

History

Celebrating 130 Years of Heritage

Celebrating 130 Years of Heritage

Over 130 years have passed since a small soy sauce brewery was founded in the village of Kubara (now Hisayama Town). Our founder, Tosuke Kawabe, was also the village’s first mayor. The people of the village generously supported the birth of Kubara Soy Sauce, and we are deeply grateful for their kindness.

Throughout the years, we have embraced many new challenges, but at the heart of everything we do is a feeling that has never changed since our founding—“thank you.”
We hope to continue moving forward for generations to come, giving back to the community that has supported us from the very beginning.

Over 130 years have passed since a small soy sauce brewery was founded in the village of Kubara (now Hisayama Town). Our founder, Tosuke Kawabe, was also the village’s first mayor. The people of the village generously supported the birth of Kubara Soy Sauce, and we are deeply grateful for their kindness.

Throughout the years, we have embraced many new challenges, but at the heart of everything we do is a feeling that has never changed since our founding—“thank you.”
We hope to continue moving forward for generations to come, giving back to the community that has supported us from the very beginning.

1893
2005
2006
2010
2016
A sepia-toned historical photo showing a large group of men in traditional Japanese clothing posing in front of a wooden building with a tiled roof. Some men are seated while others stand behind them.

The Beginning

It all started in a small village in Kyushu, Japan. Our founder opened a
modest soy sauce brewery in Kubara, surrounded by fertile land and
pristine seas. The focus was simple: create honest, flavorful seasonings
rooted in nature and tradition.

A large, traditional Japanese building with a thatched roof, warm lighting, and open entrance, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.

Kayanoya is Born

Seeking to explore the full potential of Japanese flavors, we opened the
first Kayanoya restaurant: a place where seasonal ingredients and
traditional techniques met the principles of slow food. What began as a
quiet culinary outpost soon drew food lovers and chefs from across Japan
and beyond.

A white resealable pouch labeled with Japanese text and an illustration of a mountain, containing 30 sachets of Kamogawa Chagyo’s Sakyo no Dashi, a traditional Japanese soup stock product.

The Birth of Kayanoya Dashi

Guests at our restaurant began asking: 
"How can I make this at
home?"
And so, Kayanoya Dashi was born—bringing the richness of our
kitchen into yours, in an easy-to-use form. Meticulously developed to
match the quality of our restaurant dishes, it became our signature.

A warmly lit, busy restaurant with wooden beams and tables, where many people are dining and socializing. Traditional Japanese decor is visible, and food is being served to guests seated in groups.

From Japan to Your Home

With over 30 stores across Japan and a growing presence overseas,
Kayanoya continues to share its philosophy and flavor with customers
around the world. Whether it’s soup, pasta, or a simple bowl of rice—our
mission is the same: to help you make something quietly exceptional.

Three overlapping web page mockups feature a modern, minimal e-commerce site selling Japanese food products, including tea, packaged snacks, and bottles, with clean white backgrounds and organized product listings.

Across the Ocean

To bring authentic Japanese flavors to kitchens across America, we
opened our U.S. online store. This marked a new chapter in our
journey—connecting with a wider audience while staying true to our roots
of craftsmanship, natural ingredients, and umami-rich dashi.

A sepia-toned historical photo showing a large group of men in traditional Japanese clothing posing in front of a wooden building with a tiled roof. Some men are seated while others stand behind them.
1893

The Beginning

It all started in a small village in Kyushu, Japan. Our founder opened a
modest soy sauce brewery in Kubara, surrounded by fertile land and
pristine seas. The focus was simple: create honest, flavorful seasonings
rooted in nature and tradition.

A large, traditional Japanese building with a thatched roof, warm lighting, and open entrance, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
2005

Kayanoya is Born

Seeking to explore the full potential of Japanese flavors, we opened the
first Kayanoya restaurant: a place where seasonal ingredients and
traditional techniques met the principles of slow food. What began as a
quiet culinary outpost soon drew food lovers and chefs from across Japan
and beyond.

A white resealable pouch labeled with Japanese text and an illustration of a mountain, containing 30 sachets of Kamogawa Chagyo’s Sakyo no Dashi, a traditional Japanese soup stock product.
2006

The Birth of Kayanoya Dashi

Guests at our restaurant began asking: 
"How can I make this at
home?"
And so, Kayanoya Dashi was born—bringing the richness of our
kitchen into yours, in an easy-to-use form. Meticulously developed to
match the quality of our restaurant dishes, it became our signature.

A warmly lit, busy restaurant with wooden beams and tables, where many people are dining and socializing. Traditional Japanese decor is visible, and food is being served to guests seated in groups.
2010

From Japan to Your Home

With over 30 stores across Japan and a growing presence overseas,
Kayanoya continues to share its philosophy and flavor with customers
around the world. Whether it’s soup, pasta, or a simple bowl of rice—our
mission is the same: to help you make something quietly exceptional.

Three overlapping web page mockups feature a modern, minimal e-commerce site selling Japanese food products, including tea, packaged snacks, and bottles, with clean white backgrounds and organized product listings.
2016

Across the Ocean

To bring authentic Japanese flavors to kitchens across America, we
opened our U.S. online store. This marked a new chapter in our
journey—connecting with a wider audience while staying true to our roots
of craftsmanship, natural ingredients, and umami-rich dashi.

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