Ibaraki Prefecture, Kanto Region
An Ibaraki tour spotlighting sake, gourmet delights, and culture took guests to renowned breweries, Nakaminato’s seafood market, and Kasama’s famed pottery scene, showcasing the region's unique charm.
Exploring Ibaraki: A Memorable Sake Tour for Guests from Hong Kong
We hosted an unforgettable three-day tour in Ibaraki, welcoming guests from Hong Kong. This special tour showcased the charm of Ibaraki through its sake culture, seafood markets, and traditional crafts. With the collaboration of three renowned sake breweries, we crafted an enriching experience highlighting the region’s unique appeal.
This tour was especially meaningful as it marked the long-anticipated realization of our Ibaraki tour concept for international visitors. Among our enthusiastic participants were a returning guest from our Gunma tour in November 2023 and a restaurant owner eager to deepen their knowledge of sake. Their energy and passion added a unique vibrancy to the experience.
Day 1: Blossoms, Brewing, and Philosophy
The tour began at Kairakuen Garden, where early-blooming cherry blossoms set the scene for a serene start. We then visited Tsukinoi Sake Brewery in Oarai, where Master Brewer Mr. Ishikawa shared insights into traditional brewing methods, including kimoto and the brewery's philosophy of "unintentional brewing." Guests were captivated by the rare opportunity to hear the motosuri song, a traditional work chant, and enjoyed tasting sake both chilled and warm.
Kairakuen Garden
1-1251 Migawa, Mito, Ibaraki, 310-0912
https://ibaraki-kairakuen.jp/
Tsukinoi Sake Brewery
638 Isohama-cho, Oarai, Ibaraki, 311-1301
https://tsukinoi.co.jp/
Day 2: Seafood, Ceramics, and Culinary Pairings
On the second day, we explored the bustling Nakaminato Fish Market, where guests enjoyed fresh seafood. Next, we headed to Kasama to browse unique ceramics. I even found my "destiny piece," vowing to return someday to bring it home!
The day continued with a visit to Inaba Sake Brewery. Guests learnt about its commitment to quality, even at the expense of cost, and savoured a curated pairing of sake with spring delicacies. A standout was the sake kasu-marinated cream cheese, a novel and delightful discovery for many Hong Kong guests, who eagerly asked for the recipe.
Nakaminato Fish Market
19 Minatohon-cho, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki, 311-1221
https://www.nakaminato-osakanaichiba.jp
Inaba Sake Brewery
1485 Numata, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-4353
https://www.minanogawa.jp
Day 3: Fresh Brews and Scenic Views
The final day featured an interactive tour at Raifuku Sake Brewery. Guests experienced fresh sake straight from the press and delved into tasting sessions exploring the impact of different rice and yeast varieties. The day concluded at Amabiki Kannon Temple, renowned for its hydrangeas, where we admired the full-bloom cherry blossoms—a perfect ending to the tour.
Raifuku Sake Brewery
1626 Murata, Chikusei, Ibaraki, 300-4546
Amabiki Kannon Temple
1 Amabiki, Sakuragawa, Ibaraki, 309-1231
Reflections
Ibaraki holds a special place in my heart, and sharing its hidden treasures with international guests was a rewarding experience. While this tour merely has covered some of the unique experiences that Ibaraki can offer, it was a step toward showcasing the region’s full potential. Inspired by this journey, I’m excited to develop more content to spotlight Ibaraki’s beauty and share these wonderful traditions to the world.
Stay tuned for more tours and updates as we continue to celebrate the vibrant culture of Japan’s lesser-known regions.
