Half-Day Saijo Tour: Sake Tasting & Inside Brewery Tour in Hiroshima's "Sake Capital"

In the eastern part of Hiroshima prefecture, one can find the unique town of Saijo. Originally a post-town during the Edo Period, this place has grown into one of the main “Sake Capitals” of Japan. The climate and water of this area allow for the production of excellent Sake of the highest quality. To this day, seven breweries in the city continue to produce their Sake using traditional techniques, providing many insights into Japanese culture.

This 1-Day Tour has been developed for sake enthusiasts who wish to learn more about the brewing process and also taste different types of high-quality sake. Guests will have the opportunity to step into one of Saijo’s historic breweries, which still retains the appearance it had when it was founded in the early 20^th century. Here, you will receive an in-depth tour inside a sake brewery, which will go into the sake making process and techniques. Additionally, your guide will take you on a brief stroll around the town, stopping at other breweries to taste their sake and even visiting some local temples.

If you enjoy sake and want to learn about its history and production, this tour is a must!

Highlights

• Enjoy a tour inside one of Saijo’s historic breweries and learn about the traditional brewing process of sake
• Visit multiple breweries which have been around since the 19th and 20th century
• Walk along Saijo Sake Brewery Street and admire it’s unique landscape of red-brick chimneys, tiled roofs, and white walls
• Taste different types of sake from various breweries
• Tour local shrines and temples, one of which is worshipped by the sake-brewing families of Saijo

*For those looking to join the tour from Kyoto/Osaka, please see the FAQ section.

Description

This tour will begin at Hiroshima Station at 12:45 P.M. Your guide will meet you by the Shinkansen gates under the Tourist Information sign. There are coin lockers available at the station if you wish to leave any belongings behind, but we ask that you show up a bit earlier to the meet-up spot if this is the case. From here your guide will lead you to Saijo.

Our first activity of the tour will be exploring the various temples and shrines located near Saijo station. First, we will visit Kyozenji, a beautiful Zen Buddhist temple where your guide will provide background information about Buddhism in Japan.

Next, we will step into the tranquil Mitate Shrine grounds. This is a Shinto shrine, meaning it is dedicated to the gods of Japan’s native religion. Here you will see shrines ranging in various sizes, each dedicated to a different deity. Amongst them is one which is particularly special for the people of Saijo: Matsuo Shrine. Within this shrine lies a ritually divided part of the god from the original Kyoto Matsuo Shrine. This god is said to provide blessings for sake making, thus it is highly venerated by the people of this town. Guests will be taught how to pray at a Shinto shrine and will have the opportunity to do so if they desire.

Our next stop will be the Saijo Honmachi Historical Square, where your guide will provide some historical information about the the town and how it earned its name as one of Japan’s “Sake Capitals.” Afterwards, you will have the unique experience of taking part in a tour inside a sake brewery. Guests will observe the traditional methods used for brewing sake. You will also learn about all the steps that go into making this alcoholic beverage, as well as the Japanese terms for the ingredients and the techniques used. By the end of this experience you will have an in-depth understanding of the history of sake and how it is produced.

After the brewery tour, we will stroll through Saijo Sake Brewery Street. As is clear by the name, this street is lined with breweries on all side, most dating back to the early 20th century. You will be able to observe the unique architecture of these buildings, with their white grid walls and red chimneys.

As you walk through the streets your guide will help you visualize what life would have been like in Saijo as it began to flourish and develop in the 1900’s. You will also be making stops inside many of these breweries to learn more about the different types of sake which are made in this town.

As we stop inside the breweries, we will of course be taking part in some sake tasting. You will be able to sample Saijo’s highly acclaimed sake from multiple different breweries. The location of this town has provided it with ideal natural conditions which make it an optimal place for sake brewing. This, along with the Hiroshima grown rice and Saijo brewing techniques, will provide you with the opportunity to taste some of the highest quality sake in Western Japan. Additionally, guests will have the chance to purchase sake bottles and other souvenirs as we visit the different breweries. Your guide will help you understand how to read sake bottle labels so you can be sure of your selection.

Lastly, you will head back to Hiroshima Station, where the tour will end in front of the Shinkansen gates. Feel free to ask the guide for dinner recommendations or instructions back to your hotel.

TOUR MEETUP POINT

HIROSHIMA STATION @ 12:45 P.M.

The meetup point is under the Tourist Information sign outside of the Shinkansen gates. 

If you are arriving via Shinkansen, the sign will be located directly to your left as you exit the gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Shinkansen gates. It is located on the same floor as the JR lines gates.

For those coming from outside the station via bus, your first task will be to find an Underground Passage and then following the signs directing you to Hiroshima Station. These underground passages are usually located very close to bus stops. Once you have made it to Hiroshima Station, follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

For those coming from outside the station via Streetcar, Hiroshima Station will be right next to you. Follow the signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

Lastly, if you wish to arrive via taxi, please ask the driver to drop you off at the Shinkansen Entrance (also known as North Entrance). After arriving, please look for signs directing you to the Shinkansen gates.

When you arrive, be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Hiroshima Station is currently under heavy construction and can be quite disorienting.

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Entry fees at all tour locations
• Transportation to/from activities
• Sake tasting experience

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to meeting point

Other Information

• Given the legal drinking age in Japan, this tour is best suited for adults aged 20 years and older
• This is a walking tour. We recommend that you wear shoes and clothes which are easy to walk in. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• As there is no lunch break included in this tour, and there will be a sake tasting experience, we ask that guests please have a substantial meal before meeting with their guide at the station.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 32 °C (90 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol, sunblock, and drinking water are highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures in Hiroshima average between 1°C-10°C. (34°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.