Maruya Hatcho Miso Co., Ltd.

Maruya Hatcho miso is the oldest existing Hatcho miso maker in Japan. Situated in the heart of the Mikawa district of Aichi prefecture (approximately 60km east of Nagoya city), Hatcho miso draws it name from its proximity to the seat of power of Japan's first Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa. His residence was the nearby Okazaki Castle, and "Hatcho" refers to the fact that the miso factory was 8 blocks from the castle ('ha' meaning 8, and 'cho' meaning one city block). Maruya Hatcho miso has been operating continuously since 1337.

It, as a brand, is perhaps the most renowned in Japan. Indeed, during the Second World War, when due to rationing the Imperial Army sent orders to reduce the quantity of soy used (and hence the quality) in the manufacture of miso, Maruya Hatcho miso refused, and eventually won out in order to continue producing the best quality miso.

It is this rigorous approach to the production of the highest quality miso that makes Maruya Hatcho miso the stand out in its class.