Hiroshima: Sake Town Tour in Saijo Hiroshima

Hiroshima’s Saijo district is renowned for its rich sake culture. The Sake Town Tour offers an immersive experience, guiding visitors through local breweries along the historic Sakagura-Dori. Participants can sample unique sake varieties, indulge in a traditional Bishu Nabe hot-pot lunch, and gain insights into the intricate traditions surrounding this beloved Japanese beverage. With an intimate group size and English-speaking guide, this tour promises a fascinating exploration of Saijo’s sake heritage.

This experience made our article of Visiting Hiroshima? Here’s Our Top 20 Tours Picks.

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Key Points

Immersive 3-hour sake brewing experience in Saijo, Hiroshima, with visits to 4-6 local sake breweries along Sakagura-Dori.
Learn about sake production and the unique "shikomi mizu" (miracle water) during the tour.
Enjoy a local specialty hot-pot lunch called Bishu Nabe, made with premium sake and Saijo ingredients.
Explore the brewery shops for sake purchases and try various types of sake at each brewery.
Tour starts at the Higashihiroshimashi Information Centre inside Saijo Station, accessible via the Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Hiroshima: Sake Town Tour in Saijo Hiroshima offers a 3-hour immersive experience for visitors to explore the sake brewing heritage of the Saijo region.

Priced from $166.46 per person, the tour is limited to 8 participants and features an English-speaking live guide.

Guests can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and they don’t need to pay upfront to reserve their spot.

The tour takes visitors to 4-6 local sake breweries along Sakagura-Dori, where they’ll learn about sake production and sample various types of this traditional Japanese rice wine.

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Sake Brewing Experience

What can visitors expect during the Sake Brewing Experience portion of the tour? Guests will visit 4-6 local sake breweries along Sakagura-Dori (Sake Brewery Street). Here, they’ll learn about the sake production process and the unique characteristics of Saijo’s "shikomi mizu" (miracle water), essential for brewing. The first stop is Kamotsuru brewery, known for 12 unique sake bottles and historical artifacts. At each brewery, visitors can sample various types of sake and explore their shops for purchases.

Brewery	Sake Characteristics	Purchase Options
Kamotsuru	12 unique bottles, historical artifacts	Sake samples, bottles
Brewery 2	TBD	TBD
Brewery 3	TBD	TBD
Brewery 4	TBD	TBD

Culinary Highlights

Along With the sake-centric experiences, the tour also features a local specialty hot-pot lunch called Bishu Nabe, made with premium sake and Saijo ingredients.

This hearty dish must be ordered in advance, though an alternate menu may apply for last-minute bookings.

The tour also includes a dessert stop featuring sweets and snacks inspired by Japanese rice wine, providing a satisfying conclusion to the culinary journey.

These diverse gastronomic offerings complement the sake tastings, offering participants a well-rounded culture in the vibrant Saijo sake scene.

Itinerary Details

After the satisfying culinary experiences, the tour begins with a sake tasting and explanation at the renowned Kamotsuru brewery.

Guests then stroll the picturesque streets between visits to 4-6 local sake breweries along Sakagura-Dori. This walking portion of the tour requires a moderate level of activity, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Throughout the brewery visits, participants learn about sake production and the unique "shikomi mizu" (miracle water) that makes Saijo’s sake so special.

The tour offers an immersive introduction to the sake culture and traditions of this renowned Japanese whisky region.

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Meeting Information

The tour meets at the front of the Higashihiroshimashi Information Centre inside Saijo Station.

To get there, guests can take the Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station, which runs approximately every 10 minutes. The travel time is 35-40 minutes.

The tour guide will be present with an "Arigato Travel" sign to easily identify them.

The tour has the following meeting details:

Meeting Point: Front of the Higashihiroshimashi Information Centre inside Saijo Station
Access: Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station every 10 minutes (35-40 minutes travel time)
Guide: Present with an "Arigato Travel" sign
Time: Tour starts at the scheduled time

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Exploring Saijo’s Sakagura-Dori

Stepping out from Saijo Station, visitors embark on a captivating exploration of Sakagura-Dori, Saijo’s renowned "Sake Brewery Street."

This vibrant district showcases a collection of time-honored sake breweries, each with its own distinctive heritage and brewing techniques. Guests will discover the unique "shikomi mizu" (miracle water) essential for crafting Saijo’s renowned sake.

The tour allows participants to venture inside these historic institutions, witnessing the artisanal process firsthand and sampling a variety of premium sake offerings.

A delightful sensory experience, this immersion into Saijo’s sake culture offers a true taste of the region’s rich traditions.

Unique Characteristics of Saijo’s "Shikomi Mizu"

Saijo’s "shikomi mizu," or "miracle water," is the key to the region’s renowned sake. This unique groundwater originates from the nearby Sandankyo Gorge and is essential for sake brewing.

The water’s distinct properties include:

Soft and clean, with low mineral content that allows the delicate flavors of the rice to shine.
Consistent temperature year-round, maintaining ideal conditions for fermentation.
Abundant supply, enabling continuous production without disruptions.
Naturally filtered through layers of granite, giving the water a pure, smooth taste.

These exceptional qualities of Saijo’s "shikomi mizu" contribute to the exceptional sake produced in this renowned sake town.

Kamotsuru Brewery: A Renowned Sake Legacy

As the first stop on the Sake Town Tour, Kamotsuru Brewery stands out as a renowned institution in Saijo’s rich sake legacy. Founded in 1873, this historic brewery is known for its 12 unique sake bottles and impressive collection of historical artifacts.

Visitors will learn about Kamotsuru’s time-honored brewing methods and have the chance to sample its diverse sake offerings. From crisp, dry varieties to rich, full-bodied expressions, each sip provides a glimpse into Saijo’s "shikomi mizu" – the essential mineral-rich water vital to crafting exceptional local sake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour does not appear to be wheelchair accessible based on the information provided. The tour involves moderate walking and visiting multiple sake breweries, which may present accessibility challenges for individuals using wheelchairs.

Can I Bring My Own Alcohol Onto the Tour?

No, you cannot bring your own alcohol on the tour. The tour focuses on visiting local sake breweries and sampling the sake produced there. Bringing outside alcohol would not be allowed or appropriate for this experience.

Do We Receive a Discount for Booking as a Group?

The tour does offer discounts for group bookings. Groups of 4 or more receive a 5% discount per person, while groups of 6 or more get a 10% discount per person when booked together.

Can I Substitute the Bishu Nabe Lunch With a Vegetarian Option?

Yes, the tour offers a vegetarian lunch option as an alternative to the traditional Bishu Nabe if requested in advance. Guests can simply notify the operator of their dietary preference when booking the tour.

What Should I Bring With Me on the Tour?

For the tour, it’s recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, a small backpack or purse, and any personal items like a camera, water, and snacks. The tour includes plenty of sake tastings, so staying hydrated is important.

The Sum Up

The Sake Town Tour offers an immersive experience into Saijo Hiroshima’s rich sake culture. Visitors can explore local breweries, enjoy tastings of unique sake varieties, and indulge in a delicious Bishu Nabe hot-pot lunch. With an English-speaking guide, the intimate tour provides fascinating insights into sake production and the traditions surrounding this beloved Japanese beverage.

You can check availability for your dates here: