Mark your calendars for March 20, 2025, as Hiroshima hosts the 6th annual Hiroshima Warmed Sake Festival at the historic Hiroshima Castle’s Honmaru lower grounds. This delicious event, held each year, celebrates the rich tradition of Hiroshima’s sake brewing and offers an incredible opportunity to enjoy a variety of warm, locally brewed sakes in a festive atmosphere.
Photo Credit: kazoka
What Makes Hiroshima’s Sake Special?
Hiroshima is one of Japan’s top three sake-producing regions, alongside Nada (Hyogo) and Fushimi (Kyoto). What sets Hiroshima sake apart is its soft water, which results in a smoother, more delicate flavor compared to sakes made with hard water. Unlike the crisp and dry profiles often found in other regions, Hiroshima’s soft water allows for a rich, slightly sweet, and well-balanced sake.
Sake brewing in Hiroshima has a history spanning over 300 years, but it was in the late 19th century that the region’s brewers pioneered ginjo-style sake, which is known for its fruity aroma and refined taste. The development of advanced brewing techniques in Hiroshima led to the production of some of Japan’s most award-winning and sought-after sakes. Today, the region remains a leader in high-quality sake, and this festival is the perfect chance to experience it firsthand.
Photo Credit: Hiroshima Warmed Sake Festival
What to Expect at the Festival
From 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, visitors can taste a diverse selection of warmed sakes from 24 local breweries, including well-known names like Kamotsuru Sake Brewery and Kamoizumi Sake Brewery. Each sake tasting cup, approximately 60ml, is priced between ¥400 and ¥500.
To complement the sake experience, a variety of food stalls will be on-site, offering delicious pairings that enhance the flavors of the warm sake. Whether you are a seasoned sake enthusiast or a curious beginner, this festival provides the perfect environment to explore and appreciate the depth of Hiroshima’s sake culture.
Photo Credit: Manuel Ascanio
How to Join
Advance tickets are available for ¥2,000, which include six drink tickets and entry into a special raffle draw at 3:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online or at select local vendors. Individual drink tickets will also be available on-site for those who decide to join last minute.
The festival is welcoming to international guests, with English-speaking staff available to assist visitors. For more details, visit the official festival website. There’s also an English page to make it easier for non-Japanese speakers to enjoy the event.
Photo Credit: bonchan
Make the Most of Your Hiroshima Sake Experience
If you are visiting Hiroshima and want to dive deeper into its sake culture, consider joining Arigato Travel’s Saijo Sake Tour. This experience takes you through Saijo, Hiroshima’s famous sake district, where you can visit historic breweries, learn from expert brewers, and taste even more incredible sakes.
So, if you’re in town, don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to experience some of the best sake in Japan!
