Discover Japan’s Fermentation Theme Park Near Kagoshima Airport

Only a 2-minute drive from Kagoshima Airport, Barrel Valley PRAHA & GEN is a unique theme park in Kirishima City that celebrates one of Japan’s culinary treasures: koji — the magic behind so many Japanese fermented foods. At this fun spot, you can learn all about koji at their fermentation museum, watch real-time shochu production through glass walls, and of course, enjoy free tastings of various shochu, including Kagoshima’s famous imo shochu (made from sweet potatoes). The on-site shop is packed with craft beers, koji-based products, and local Kagoshima specialties — perfect for souvenir shopping. They also offer hands-on workshops like making miso or amazake (a traditional sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice) with advance booking. If you're interested, feel free to email them. For a full experience, check out their Koji & Fermentation Hotel, where you can unwind in silica-rich hot spring baths and enjoy delicious koji-inspired meals. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Japan’s incredible fermentation culture with all five senses.

What Is Koji, Japan’s Secret to Umami?
A Must-Try: Koji-Packed Dishes at Koji Gura GEN
Relax and Recharge at the Koji & Fermentation Hotel
Spot the Giant Shochu Bottle from the Sky!

What Is Koji, Japan’s Secret to Umami?

Miso, soy sauce, sake, amazake… so many iconic Japanese flavors trace back to koji. It’s made by adding a type of mold to steamed rice or soybeans, breaking down starches and proteins to create natural sweetness and umami. Beyond flavor, koji boosts nutrition and supports gut health — one reason fermented foods have long been a staple of Japanese wellness. Curious? You can see, taste, and learn all about it at Barrel Valley PRAHA & GEN.

A Must-Try: Koji-Packed Dishes at Koji Gura GEN

If you love food adventures, don’t miss Koji Gura GEN, the restaurant on-site where every dish highlights the magic of koji. They use pork, veggies, and eggs raised with koji-based feed for extra flavor and tenderness.　Their top dishes? The koji pork tonkatsu and amazake curry — both unique, rich in umami, and only available here.

Relax and Recharge at the Koji & Fermentation Hotel

Right next to the theme park is the Koji & Fermentation Hotel, a cozy place themed around — you guessed it — fermentation. Soak in hot springs rich in silica, detox in the sauna, and then indulge in healthy, flavorful koji dishes. Guests can also sip on house-made shochu and craft beer, plus exclusive shochu varieties available only to hotel guests.

Spot the Giant Shochu Bottle from the Sky!

One quirky feature you can’t miss: a massive shochu bottle tower on the property, visible from the plane as you land at Kagoshima Airport. It’s a favorite photo spot for visitors. And when you step inside, you’ll get a great view of the shochu factory below. If you’re lucky enough to visit during production season, the air is filled with the sweet, toasty scent of shochu in the making.