Tochigi Prefecture 2025
We conducted a sake tour in Tochigi Prefecture for repeat customers from Hong Kong.
This tour's theme was "Practical Sake Brewing Experience" and "Aged Sake." It went a step further than previous tours, offering a deeper experience of Japanese sake culture.
Day 1: Visit to the Cave Storage at Shimazaki Brewery
On the first day, we traveled from Tokyo Station to Tochigi by chartered bus, and our first stop was Shimazaki Brewery.
After a tour of the brewery, we were given a special guided tour of the cave storage where sake is aged.
This cave is the remains of an underground factory dug at the end of World War II for tank manufacturing, and it stretches approximately 600 meters in length.
A constant temperature of around 10°C and high humidity are maintained throughout the year, creating an ideal environment for long-term sake aging.
Although it was left abandoned for a long time after the war, it has been used as a sake brewery since 2007 and is now registered as a cultural heritage site of Nasukarasuyama City.
Participants were left in awe at the sight of the aged sake, matured for over 20 years, quietly resting. After the tour, we tasted aged sake of different maturation periods paired with cheese, enjoying the depth of maturation and the changes in aroma.
Shimazaki Brewery
1-11-18 Chuo, Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture 321-0621
Day 2: Sake Brewing Experience at Watanabe Sahei Shoten
On the second day, we visited Watanabe Sahei Shoten.
Upon arriving at the brewery, President Watanabe called out, "Hurry!", and the participants experienced the transferring of steamed rice to the mash tanks.
Next, they learned hands-on about the work of brewery workers, such as managing the rice in the koji room and cleaning the equipment.
Lunch was a multi-course meal of eel paired with sake.
In the afternoon, we moved to Mashiko Town and participated in a pottery experience using a potter's wheel, learning about the region's traditional crafts through their specific techniques.
Watanabe Sahei Shoten
450 Imaichi, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture 321-1261
http://www.watanabesahei.co.jp/
Day 3: Kagami-biraki (Sake Barrel Opening Ceremony) and Tasting at Tonoike Sake Brewery
On the final day, we visited Tonoike Sake Brewery.
Upon arrival, we participated in a Kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening ceremony), and a surprise gift of sake with an original label for each participant was revealed from inside the barrel.
Afterward, we toured the museum and tasted several brands, experiencing the unique characteristics of each brewery.
Tonoike Sake Brewery
333-1 Hanawa, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture 321-4216
This trip many of our participants had a deep knowledge of sake, resulting in a more specialized and practical program.
Many participants commented that they were "reaffirmed on the profoundness of sake and the passion of the craftsmen," making it a very meaningful tour for us as well.
We will continue to deliver memorable and special Japanese experiences like this one to as many people as possible.
