Sake Town Tour, Saijo Hiroshima – Daytime

Let’s discover Saijo, one of Japan’s most celebrated sake regions and a truly hidden gem. We will embark on a flavorful journey through its historic breweries. As you stroll down the charming streets, the air fills with the rich, warm aroma of fermenting rice.. With each step, discover the craftsmanship behind Japan’s beloved rice wine in this off-the-beaten-path district, home to eight unique breweries, each with its own time-honored techniques and flavors. We will visit 3-4 breweries during the tour based on opening hours and season.

With an expert guide leading the way, sip on a variety of sake styles—from crisp, dry notes to smooth, fruity finishes—all while admiring the traditional white-walled breweries and towering red brick chimneys that define Saijo’s distinctive skyline. If a particular brew delights your palate, the brewery shops offer exclusive bottles to take home, ensuring you bring a taste of Saijo with you.

Your tour will include a time-honored local lunch with dishes enjoyed by the workers in the breweries nearby, as well as a sweet dessert stop for a finishing touch!

While we won’t enter the innermost areas of the brewing facilities (for safety and sanitation reasons), you’ll gain fascinating insights into the sake-making process through informative displays and engaging stories. Whether you’re a sake aficionado or a curious newcomer, this tour offers a deep dive into Hiroshima’s sake culture, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a newfound appreciation for Japan’s national drink.

Please note: due to legal restrictions at some of our stops on this tour- all members of your group must be 20 years old or older.

Single travelers: please email us directly and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Tour Highlights:

• 3-hour tour of Saijo district in Hiroshima
• Visit 4-6 local sake breweries to get a sense of the differences, try their sake and other products.
• See how a brewery works and get a sense of what goes into the production of the world’s best sake.
• Enjoy a local specialty hot-pot lunch only made in this small, historic town.
• Dessert stop with sweets and snacks.

Private Tours: For a more customized experience, make your tour private for an additional ¥19,500. (min. 2 people). Please click the add-on button on your cart when you check out.

We have family-friendly pricing on many of our tours, BUT This tour is for adults over 20. Thank you for your understanding.  If you would like to book a tour with children please check our Family-Friendly Page or inquiry to bookings@arigatojapan.co.jp for recommendations.

Strict start time policy:  We are sorry to say that if you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, we will need to start the tour regardless and no refund can be provided. We are also unable to accommodate meeting up at any of the food stops. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests and also to respect our relationships with restaurants.

5-minute grace period: We can only wait an additional five minutes after the starting time and then the tour will depart. In addition, please note that we cannot give directions or contact the guides on the phone once the tour begins.

Tour Schedule:

Changes on tours: Applicable substitutions may be made due to public holidays, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances.

For Vegetarians: 

Some food that we serve may have dashi, a soup stock made from kelp (seaweed) and bonito (skipjack tuna) as well as other ingredients. Dashi is the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and is used in many/most Japanese dishes. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your dietary needs if you cannot consume dashi. Additionally, please inform us if you can eat eggs and dairy products.

If you cannot consume Dashi, we recommend booking a private tour with us and we can offer some alternatives. Again, be aware, it will still be a challenge to 100% avoid fish stock.

For this tour, it is possible (with advanced notice at the time of booking) to make adjustments to support the following dietary restrictions:

Please keep in mind, however, that we cannot make an allergy-free or dietary restriction food guarantee since food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to Arigato Travel. Also, some stops may not have a viable substitution but we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.

〒739-0011 Hiroshima-ken, Higashihiroshima-shi, Saijōhonmachi, 12, 西条本町１２

Take the Sanyo Main Line from Hiroshima Station. The train leaves approximately every 10 minutes and takes about 35-40 minutes.

Our guide will be in front of the info center, holding an “Arigato Travel” sign.

We suggest wearing comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.

WEATHER REMINDER: 
On rainy days, we recommend bringing an umbrella. They can be easily purchased at any convenience store.

Should you have any questions you can reach us at info@arigatojapan.co.jp.