Okazaki Day Trip from Nagoya: Hatcho Miso Factory Tours and Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Castle
Last checked: November 3, 2026, against the Aichi Now tourism pages for Maruya Hatcho Miso, Kakukyu Hatcho Miso, the Hatchokura-dori area and Okazaki Castle, and a route planner for the train. Aichi Now warns that its pages may not be up to date, so please confirm hours and fees before you go. This site is independent and is not affiliated with any company or attraction. This post may contain affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Okazaki is the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and it is the home of Hatcho miso, the dark, salty miso behind Nagoya’s miso katsu and miso nikomi udon. It is about 40 minutes from Nagoya by Meitetsu train, which makes it an easy half-day trip. Two miso makers run free factory tours, and the castle is a short walk away. This guide covers how to get there, what the tours are like, and what the castle costs.
Key takeaways
- Take the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Okazaki Koen-mae Station. A route planner shows about 39 to 43 minutes and 750 yen with an IC card.
- Two Hatcho miso makers, Maruya and Kakukyu, offer free factory tours, according to Aichi Now. Both are a short walk from the station.
- Aichi Now says the two heritage-listed factories are about 800 meters west of Okazaki Castle.
- Okazaki Castle and its museum are closed from December 29 to December 31. Aichi Now lists the castle at 200 yen for adults and the combined ticket at 510 yen, but says its page may be out of date.
- A half day is enough. A full day works if you add a long lunch.
What is Hatcho miso?
Hatcho miso is a dark red miso that is made in Okazaki’s Hatcho area. It is the kind of miso used in Nagoya’s local dishes. If you want to try those dishes first, see our Nagoya meshi guide. Aichi Now describes the Hatchokura-dori area as two heritage-listed factories that still make Hatcho miso by hand. It says you can take a tour of a 500-year-old factory and taste the miso.
Getting there from Nagoya
From Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, as Aichi Now says on all of its Okazaki pages. Get off at Okazaki Koen-mae Station. See our Nagoya Station transfer guide for how to find the Meitetsu platforms.
- Time and fare. A route planner (Yahoo! Transit, for a weekday morning) lists 39 to 43 minutes and 750 yen with an IC card. One result is a limited express with one change at Shin-Anjo. This is a route-planner result, not an official fare, so please confirm on the day.
- By car. Aichi Now says it is about 15 minutes from Okazaki Interchange on the Tomei Expressway.
Maruya Hatcho Miso
- What it is. One of the two Hatcho miso makers. Aichi Now lists factory tours, with admission free of charge.
- Tour reception. Aichi Now lists reception in the morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and in the afternoon from 1:00 pm to 4:20 pm.
- Closed. From December 31 to January 3.
- From the station. About a 1-minute walk from Okazaki Koen-mae Station, according to Aichi Now. The Hatchokura-dori page says 10 minutes on foot, so the two pages do not agree. Allow up to 10 minutes.
- Parking. Free for up to 10 passenger cars and 6 buses.
- Contact. Aichi Now lists 0564-22-0678 for facility tours.
Kakukyu Hatcho Miso (Hatcho Miso Village)
- What it is. The other maker. Aichi Now says the factory tours are free of charge.
- Weekday tours. Tours run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They start on the hour and last 30 minutes.
- Weekend and holiday tours. Tours run from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, starting on the hour and the half hour, with no tour at 12:30 pm.
- Sign-up. On weekdays, you sign up at the shop. For the Obon holiday and the year-end and New Year holidays, call to ask.
- Shop and rest area. The gift shop and rest area are open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Restaurant hours vary by restaurant.
- Open. Every day, except the year-end and New Year holiday.
- From the station. About a 5-minute walk from Okazaki Koen-mae Station.
- Contact. 0564-21-1355.
Aichi Now does not list tour languages, so ask in advance if you need English.
Okazaki Castle
Okazaki Castle is tied to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Aichi Now lists these details for the castle and the museum next to it.
- Hours. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entry at 4:30 pm.
- Closed. December 29 to December 31.
- Admission. Castle only: adults 200 yen and children 100 yen. Museum only: adults 360 yen and children 200 yen. Castle and museum combined: adults 510 yen and children 270 yen. Visitors with a disability certificate and one attendant enter free.
- From the station. About a 10-minute walk east from Okazaki Koen-mae Station.
- Inside. The castle has stairs and no escalator.
- Parking. The Okazaki Park lot has 150 spaces and charges 100 yen per 30 minutes.
Aichi Now warns that its page may not be current. Some newer travel guides list a higher castle fee, so please check before you go.
A half-day plan
This is our suggestion, not an official route. Check the hours for your day.
1. Take a morning train from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Okazaki Koen-mae. 2. Join a free factory tour at Maruya or Kakukyu. Kakukyu’s tours start on the hour, so arrive a little early. 3. Have lunch. Aichi Now lists restaurants at Kakukyu and says their hours vary. 4. Walk to Okazaki Castle and the museum, and allow time for the stairs. 5. Return to Nagoya. The trip takes about 40 minutes.
Practical tips
- Maruya is closed from December 31 to January 3. Kakukyu is closed over the year-end and New Year holiday, and the castle is closed from December 29 to December 31. This trip does not work over the New Year.
- Tours start at fixed times. Go early if you want to join more than one.
- Okazaki is a good addition to a Nagoya stay of two or more days. See our 3-day Nagoya itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Nagoya to Okazaki? About 39 to 43 minutes on the Meitetsu Nagoya Main Line, according to a route planner.
Are the miso factory tours free? Yes. Aichi Now lists the Maruya and Kakukyu factory tours as free of charge.
Do I need a reservation? Aichi Now does not describe a reservation process for Maruya. For Kakukyu, you sign up at the shop on weekdays, and you call during Obon and the New Year holidays. Check with each company.
When is Okazaki Castle closed? From December 29 to December 31, according to Aichi Now.
How much is Okazaki Castle? Aichi Now lists 200 yen for the castle and 510 yen for the castle and museum for adults, but warns that the page may not be current.