Private Tour

Hiroshima Saijo Sake Tasting Calligraphy and Dinner Private Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

5 hours

Mobile ticket

On this tour, you'll explore Saijo’s rich sake brewing tradition through a guided visit to three sake breweries. Discover the history and culture of sake, enriched by deep connections to nature, the community, and its people. Taste the unique characteristics of each brewery’s sake and learn about their passion for craftsmanship.

At Sanyotsuru, enjoy a special calligraphy experience using the same spring water used in sake brewing. Grind ink and create your own sake label on special paper, which is typically used for authentic sake labels. This can be your original souvenir．

The tour concludes with a sake and food pairing experience at a local restaurant, featuring Setouchi cuisine which perfectly matched with Saijo sake.

This is an authentic tour where you can immerse yourself in the rich spirit of Japanese hospitality and the profound heart of its culture．

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

During dinner, there will be sake tasting and comparisons. If you are under 20 years old or unable to consume alcohol, please inform us when booking.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Mitate Shrine

14：05～14：30　Mitate Shrine Mitate Shrine enshrines the deity of sake and has been cherished by the sake brewers of Saijo for generations. Representatives from the seven breweries gather here to pray before the sake brewing season begins. Since ancient times, Japanese people have celebrated the abundant harvest of rice, used it to brew sake, and offered it to the gods as an expression of gratitude. One essential offering to the gods is omiki—sacred sake made from this precious rice. Here, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the connection between sake and Japan's cultural and spiritual traditions.

25 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Kamotsuru Sake Brewery

14：30～15：00　Kamotsuru Sake Brewing Co. Ltd（Sake museum shop） At Kamotsuru Sake museum shop, you can learn about the process of sake brewing through unique displays and exhibits. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to sample Junmai Daiginjo Hiroshima Nishiki, a premium sake served to world leaders during the “Working Dinner” at the 2023 G7 Hiroshima Summit. Furthermore, you can taste the well water used for sake brewing, drawn from the Fukujin Well, which is open to the public at this location.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

· Experience fees　· Food and beverage costs ・Sake tasting fees (partial) · Souvenirs　・ Insurance

Transportation to the meeting point

Options

Hiroshima Saijo Sake Tasting Calligraphy and Dinner Private Tour

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A memorable sake experience in Saijo
Companion08217131957,,Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a wonderful time exploring Saijo's sake culture with friendly and knowledgeable local guides. We were able to visit several sake breweries that are usually closed to the public. It was fascinating to experience the world of sake making with all five senses — the taste, aroma, color, sounds, and textures were all so rich and unique. What really stood out to me was how sake brewing is such a big part of life in Saijo. The guides explained how it connects with the local weather, traditions, and everyday culture in a way that was easy to understand and really interesting. The best part was definitely the dinner at the end. I didn’t realize how well sake pairs with Japanese food — it was such a great match! Sitting around the table, eating amazing dishes and chatting with the guides and other people on the tour made for a super fun and relaxed evening.
Many chances of tasting sake
taiyom2025,,Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
PRECIOUS EXPERIENCE The tour was amazingly fun for me, a big sake fun , as it took me to even the backyard of sake breweries and had chance to get explained by one of the brewers. If it was just a private visit, I would not be able to have a such experiences. The tour guides are local people. I enjoyed the priceless Destiney of meeting such local people. As far as I know nothing could be better than this dinner consists of 9 dishes made from local ingredients and born by the combination of traditional Japanese style and French style with the pairing of sake.
Amazing Saijo Sake Tour
lisachan0309,,Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was very enjoyable and our friendly and caring guide showed us around three great sake breweries in Saijo. We were able to sample various kinds of sake made from local Hiroshima rice while visiting various breweries. One of the highlights was a behind-the-scenes tour of the White Peony. There, the breweryman explained how to make sake. It was really inspiring to see the process up close and to taste the different flavors depending on the way it was made. In Sanyozuru, I experienced writing my own sake labels in calligraphy. It was a special souvenir and a fun opportunity to experience Japanese culture. Dinner was a great way to savor Japanese food, with a menu perfect for sake. The food was beautiful and wonderful. A wonderful tour in collaboration with local guides and sake brewers. If you are interested in sake or Japanese culture, I highly recommend it!
Great experience!
moisesy212,,Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The streets of Saijo are so beautiful and the sake was all wonderful. We were also able to visit the actual production site of a sake brewery I could understand the process of sake brewing very well! The sake hot pot was also very tasty, and it was a day to enjoy Japanese culture. I was nervous when I tried calligraphy for the first time. But It was fun to make a one-of-a-kind sake label. I would like to participate again with my friends.Thank you.
Great experience I got in Saijo!!!
124tungt,,Mar 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I recently joined The Sake Capital Saijo Guide Tour, and it was an incredibly enjoyable and educational experience. Through the tour, I gained a deeper understanding of how Japanese sake is crafted and learned why Saijo is considered one of the three most renowned sake-brewing regions in Japan, as well as the rich history behind this area. The combination of learning, tasting, and connecting with others in a friendly environment made it highly worthwhile. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in Japanese sake and cultural heritage. Worth it!!