From Tokyo's river banks to Europe

Kikkoman's history dates back to the 17th century in the Japanese city of Noda. The city's ideal location on the banks of the River Edo enabled convenient access to raw materials and prompt deliveries to the expanding city of Edo, which is today called Tokyo. Kikkoman soon became famous for its naturally brewed soy sauce. Before long, the Dutch traders discovered this “black gold” and took it back to Europe. Kikkoman soon became firmly established in the European market, where it received significant awards in 1873 at Expo in Vienna and in 1881 at Expo in Amsterdam.