“Dashi”, the fundamental to Japanese cusine. By using different type of Dashi, the taste of the food could be changed dramatically. The secret of the delicate natural taste of Japanese food can be found in “Umami” within Dashi. Japanese cuisine which is built on Umami, was even registered as a piece of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2013!
Now the ICC is organising a tour to a factory of the original maker of Umami seasoning; “Ajinomoto”!
With its flagship products including “Cook Do”, “Hondashi” and “Knorr” as well as the famous commercial slogan “Eat Well, Live Well”, Ajinomoto is not only a well-known brand all over Japan, but has also spiced up the dinner table with Umami in over 130 countries and regions worldwide. Ajinomoto was also in the news recently when it became a main sponsor and food provider to the Japanese team at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
This time, we will be visiting the Ajinomoto Kawasaki Factory which was founded in 1914. It is a huge factory, around 8 times the size of the Tokyo Dome. On the tour you can learn about the historical connections between Japanese people and their indispensible ingredient Umami. You will then have the opportunity to see the manufacturing of Hondashi which can easily recreate the Umami from bonito Dashi. There will also be a tasting session where you can eat bitesize rice balls made with Hondashi. There might even be some souvenirs too!
If you want to know about Japanese food and the magic ingredient umami, or if you’re interested in how food manufacturing works in Japan and want to see a real Japanese factory, please come and join us on this fascinating tour. There will be a chance to mix with the other participants as you take the tour together, so you might even make a new friend or two as well!
Itinerary
1. “The history of umami and the Japanese” 360 degree theater presentation.
2. Hondashi factory tour (Where you can try hand grating dried bonito!).
3. Umami and Hondashi rice ball tasting session.
Date & Time
June 7th, 2018(Thu) 2:00pm – 3:40pm
Meeting Place & Time
Near the ticket gates of Keihin Kyuko Daishi Line Suzukicho Station at13:30
Place
Ajinomoto Kawasaki Factory https://www.ajinomoto.co.jp/kfb/kengaku/kawasaki/access.html
Eligibility
Waseda University Students
Language
Japanese
Fee
Free (Please cover your own travel costs (Takadanobaba to Suzukicho is 440 yen one-way)
Registration
Required. Please apply through the following URL:
https://my.waseda.jp/application/detail/application-detail?communityContentLinkId=186477675
Registration Deadline
May 31 (Thu) 9:00am
Capacity
60 students. In the event of a large number of applicants, a lottery will be held. Results will be announced by email on the same day
Caution
In principle, cancellation after applying is not accepted. Please check your schedule carefully before applying. Cancellation Policy: http://www.waseda.jp/inst/icc/other-en/2015/12/02/5275/
Inquiries
ICC TEL: 03-5286-3990 E-mail: [email protected]
