Situated in Chiba prefecture, and approximately 110 minutes to 145 minutes from Tokyo is Sawara. To reach Sawara in the fastest from Tokyo, take a train from Shinjuku station for 110 minutes using the Narita Express Line combined with the JR Narita Line. If like many people, you’re staying in nearby Narita before or after a flight from nearby Narita Airport, Sawara is only then a 30 minute train journey from Narita train station. Please note that the trains running to and from Sawara only run once every hour, so please factor this into your day when planning.

Chiba prefecture is famous for its quality Sake, and Sawara is a particular hot spot for local Sake Breweries steeped in history which have been open for Centuries! There are two Sake breweries here that visitors can explore, Tokun Brewery and Baba Honten Brewery. Both of these are only 2 minutes apart and make for the perfect back to back activity for those eager to sample the Sake of Chiba prefecture during their trip to Japan.

Tokun Brewery was established in 1825 during the Edo period. Due to the location of the nearby Ono river, this made the transportation of goods such as Sake an easier task. The brewery has won numerous awards, including a gold prize for 16 consecutive years! At the brewery you can enjoy sake tasting where you can sample three award winning sakes of Chiba prefecture in the historic and traditional atmosphere of the Sake Brewery for only 500 yen! If you enjoy any of the Sake you try, why not buy a bottle as a perfect souvenir from their great giftshop! Please note that English tours of the brewery have now been cancelled, so if you want to do a tour it will only be conducted in Japanese.

Just down the road from Tokun, is Baba Honten Sake Brewery. With its roots dating over 300 years ago, this is a brewery with a lot of history. The breweries current owner and manager is Yoshihiro Baba, a living relative to the founders of this amazing brewery. Baba Honten also has a high reputation for producing high quality Sake using traditional methods passed down through generations. Their main brand ’Kozen’ is well known and reflects the brewery’s commitment to traditional and culture. Visitors to the brewery can join tours, offering a chance to see and learn more about the process. However, these tours are often held at set times of the year, such as May when the brewery is at its peak season. So make sure to call or email to check on their availability.

Want to experience Sawara for yourself?

1 Day Tour

Discover Historic Narita and Sawara : Gateway to Japan’s Past
Period	All Year Round
Time	10:15 – 16:20
Meeting Place	Inside of JR Narita Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000