Kikkokawa Ichi Brewery was founded back in 1942 in Hakodate. They primarily make soy sauce. In Hakodate, there used to be more than ten soy sauce brewers but now Kikkokawa Ichi Brewery is the only one. Surviving the test of time, this small store is quite unique. Their product uses kelp from the Minamikayabe district in the northwestern part of Hakodate. This kelp is considered a high class food and was even given as a gift to the shogunate since the Edo period. 

What makes this soy sauce special is that ordinary kelp soy sauces use a kelp extract, whereas Kikkokawa’s product uses real strips of Shiraguchihama kelp which brings out the strong flavor. In addition to the soy sauces on the shelves this company also produces miso sauce, a grilled meat sauce, and ‘mentsuyu’ (a noodle soup based sauce). This company takes orders or you can simply drop in tot heir store and have a look around.