Half-Day Saijo Tour: Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour

Saijo, a small town in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture, is renowned for its rich sake brewing heritage. The Half-Day Saijo Tour offers visitors a chance to enjoy this age-old tradition. Guests can explore historic sites, tour local breweries, and sample acclaimed local sake – all while learning about the intricate processes behind Japan’s national beverage. With flexible scheduling and guided English-language experiences, this tour promises an authentic glimpse into Saijo’s vibrant sake culture. Whether you’re a sake enthusiast or simply curious about Japan’s culinary heritage, this tour provides a unique opportunity to…

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Key Points

The tour provides a guided experience exploring Saijo, renowned for its sake brewing heritage, with visits to Zen temples and shrines.
Participants can learn about traditional sake brewing methods and enjoy a tasting of locally-produced, high-quality sake.
The tour includes access to multiple historic sake breweries, allowing visitors to observe the brewing process.
The meeting point at Hiroshima Station is conveniently located and accessible via various public transportation options.
The tour offers a flexible booking system with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The "Half-Day Saijo Tour: Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour" is priced from Kč 3,170 per person and lasts 275 minutes.

It’s offered in English and features a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour allows visitors to explore Saijo, one of Japan’s sake brewing capitals, including a guided brewery tour and sake tasting experience.

Participants will also visit Kyozenji Zen Buddhist temple and Mitate Shrine to learn about Shinto prayer practices.

This tour requires moderate walking and offers the opportunity to purchase sake souvenirs directly from the breweries.

Itinerary Highlights

Discover Saijo’s history as one of Japan’s sake brewing capitals on this tour.

Visit Kyozenji Zen Buddhist temple and Mitate Shrine, learning Shinto prayer practices.

Enjoy a guided tour of a sake brewery, observing traditional brewing methods.

Stroll through Saijo Sake Brewery Street, exploring different sake types.

The tour also includes a sake tasting experience featuring acclaimed local brews.

Brewery Experience

As the tour includes visits to multiple breweries, most of which date back to the early 20th century, visitors can learn about the intricate brewing techniques, key ingredients, and specialized terminology used in the sake production process.

The experience offers an opportunity to taste high-quality sake produced with Hiroshima-grown rice.

Visitors may also have the chance to:

Observe traditional brewing methods in action
Explore the variety of sake types available
Purchase sake souvenirs from the various breweries.

Meeting Point and Transportation

Travelers meet at the Tourist Information sign outside the Shinkansen gates at Hiroshima Station, which is accessible by Shinkansen, JR line, bus, streetcar, or taxi.

Public transportation is used to reach Saijo, and participants are responsible for having a valid ticket or pass.

The meeting point is conveniently located, allowing easy access from various modes of transportation.

Once gathered, the group will embark on their sake-filled adventure, exploring the historic Saijo district and visiting renowned breweries.

The meeting logistics ensure a seamless start to this immersive cultural experience.

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Cancellation Policy and Reservations

The Sake Tasting & Brewery Tour offers a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Travelers can book their spot without any upfront payment, taking advantage of the "Reserve Now, Pay Later" option.

This flexible booking system allows visitors to secure their place on the tour and pay later, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Key information:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to the tour
No upfront payment required to reserve a spot
Full refund available for cancellations within the 24-hour window

Recommended Attire and Photography

Though the tour involves moderate walking, visitors should wear comfortable shoes to navigate the different brewery sites.

Plus, it’s recommended to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Participants should check the forecast in advance and pack layers if needed.

Photography is allowed during the tour, but visitors should be respectful of private properties.

Some breweries may require visitors to remove their shoes, so wearing socks is advised.

Saijo’s Sake Brewing History

Saijo has long been recognized as one of Japan’s premier sake brewing capitals, with a rich history dating back centuries.

The region’s ideal brewing conditions, including the soft, mineral-rich water from the Saka River, have contributed to the development of its thriving sake industry.

Notable highlights include:

The hotel of the first sake brewery in Saijo in the early 17th century.
The proliferation of sake breweries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of which still operate today.
Saijo’s designation as one of Japan’s "Three Great Sake Producing Regions" due to the high quality of its locally-produced sakes.

Tasting Japan’s Acclaimed Local Brews

How does one truly experience the essence of Saijo’s storied sake brewing tradition? The sake tasting and brewery tour offers an immersive experience. Guests visit multiple local breweries, some dating back over a century, to observe traditional techniques and sample acclaimed local brews.

Sake Tasting Highlights
Hiroshima-grown Rice	Explore the impact of regional ingredients on flavor profiles
Brewing Terminology	Learn the language used to describe sake characteristics
Tasting Session	Savor a selection of high-quality sakes produced in Saijo
Souvenir Purchases	Opportunity to bring home favorite local brews

The tour provides an authentic window into Saijo’s thriving sake culture, allowing participants to discover the nuances that make these regional offerings so revered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Tour Suitable for Families With Children?

The tour may not be the most suitable for families with children. While the temple and shrine visits could be of interest, the sake tastings are restricted to legal drinking age participants only.

Will There Be Any Snacks or Food Provided During the Tour?

The tour does not include any food or snacks. Participants are responsible for bringing their own refreshments. Some breweries may have limited food and drink options available for purchase during the tour.

Can We Purchase Sake to Take Home From the Breweries?

Yes, visitors can purchase sake to take home from the breweries visited during the tour. The tour includes opportunities to explore and purchase various local sake varieties directly from the production facilities.

Do I Need to Know Japanese to Participate in the Tour?

No, you don’t need to know Japanese to participate in the tour. The tour is conducted in English, allowing non-Japanese speakers to fully enjoy the sake tasting and brewery experience.

Can We Customize the Itinerary or Add Extra Stops?

The tour itinerary is pre-set, but customers can inquire about customizing the experience or adding extra stops. The tour provider will work to accommodate any reasonable requests, though availability and additional costs may apply.

The Sum Up

The Half-Day Saijo Tour offers an immersive experience into the heart of Japan’s sake brewing capital. Participants can explore historic sites, discover traditional brewing methods, and taste acclaimed local brews, all while learning about the intricate processes involved in sake production. With a flexible cancellation policy and English-language guidance, this tour provides an engaging and educational introduction to Saijo’s rich sake-making heritage.