Tours/Hiroshima/Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour
Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour
5.0(20)Hiroshima3 hours
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR5.0(19)
+21 photos
At a glance
Duration
3 hours
Price from
$117 / person
Location
Hiroshima, Japan
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 20 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 5
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
みちしるべ
Meeting point
Near the Higashihiroshima City Tourist Information Center outside the Saijo Station ticket gate
Description
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.
This is an authentic tour where you can immerse yourself in the rich spirit of Japanese hospitality and the profound heart of its culture.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, and Fri
Start times
2:00 PM
Next available
Tue, Oct 6
Adult (ages 20–70)
$117
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour
Itinerary
Mitate Shrine
25 min
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.
Kamotsuru Sake Brewery
30 min
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.
Hakubotan Brewery
50 min
15:10~16:00 Hakubotan Sake Brewery
Hakubotan Brewery boasts a rich history of over 350 years. At Hakubotan, brewery staff will give you a special factory tour of the Tenpo Brewery, which is usually not open to the public. Here, you’ll also enjoy a tasting of frozen namazake (unpasteurized sake) – sake frozen immediately after pressing to preserve its freshness and flavor.
45 min
16:15~17:00 Sanyotsuru Sake Brewery
In the charming, traditional interior of Sanyotsuru Brewery, you’ll participate in a unique calligraphy experience. Using spring water from Mount Ryuo and sumi ink, along with traditional Kumano brushes, you will write meaningful words on a sake label while reflecting on your journey in Saijo. This original label will be attached to a sake bottle, resulting in a one-of-a-kind creation. You can take this unique bottle as a souvenir. This activity, called “Tipsy Calligraphy,” invites you to freely express your thoughts and emotions in a relaxed and enjoyable state.
Rated higher than 71% of 86 reviewed tours in Hiroshima
Starting price $117 is 50% above the typical $78 for tours of similar length in Hiroshima
Excurgo comparison of 318 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour take?
Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour cost?
Prices start at $117 per person for this Hiroshima experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, starting at 2:00 PM.
Can I cancel Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Near the Higashihiroshima City Tourist Information Center outside the Saijo Station ticket gate. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 5 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 20 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by みちしるべ.
Reviews(20)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
Stay26487780631
September 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
memorable sake breweries tour
I really enjoyed this tour.
We strolled through atmospheric backstreets and visited three different sake breweries. I tried several kinds of sake, and it was amazing how different the flavors were, even among the same type of sake.
We also learned about how sake is made and even tried our hand at calligraphy, which made the experience truly memorable.
The guide was warm and friendly, and the whole tour had a relaxed, welcoming feel.
G
Getaway09214083767
September 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Sake and the story of Saijo
Visiting three sake breweries was such an amazing experience! I got to taste and compare different flavors and aromas. To top it all off, we created our own custom labels for the sake we brought home. It was super fun and I learned so much!
L
LUNIPIYA
September 2, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Peaceful stroll while experiencing the uniqueness of a variety of Sake
Strolling through the historic sake district is in itself an unique experience. That combined with the tour of production plants of the sake factories, while tasting and comparing various types of sake is a rare opportunity. The guide was very good in explaining the highlights of each spot that we visited. Plus you get to make a personalized sake bottle with you own calligraphy. The tour is definitely worth it.
C
ch_nht_mt2026
August 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Discovering Saijo through Japanese Sake
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in Saijo was joining a sake brewery tour and discovering the local sake culture through three different breweries: Kamotsuru, Hakubotan, and Sanyotsuru.
Our first stop was Kamotsuru, where we learned more about the history and traditional process of sake making through the sake museum. It was really interesting to see the tools, exhibits, and stories behind Japanese sake, and of course, we also had the chance to taste some sake. It was a great introduction to Saijo’s long-standing brewing culture.
Next, we visited Hakubotan. What I enjoyed most here was being able to try different types of sake and learn how their flavors can vary. We also had the opportunity to visit the brewery and see more closely where sake is actually made. It made the tasting experience much more meaningful because I could understand a little more about the process behind each bottle.
And my favorite stop was definitely Sanyotsuru!
Here, we had a really special experience: we could design and write our own sake label. Instead of simply buying a bottle as a souvenir, we could create a personal label for our own sake. It was such a fun and memorable way to finish the tour, and it made the bottle feel much more personal.
What I loved about this tour was that each brewery offered a completely different experience, from learning about the history of sake, to tasting different varieties, visiting a brewery, and finally creating something of our own.
I came to Saijo thinking I would simply taste some Japanese sake, but I left with a much deeper appreciation for the culture, craftsmanship, and stories behind it.
If you’re interested in Japanese culture, local food and drinks, or simply want to experience a different side of Hiroshima, I definitely recommend exploring Saijo’s sake breweries!
F
Fearless05943132631
July 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Sake tour in saijo
It’s my first time visiting the sake builders in Saijo, Higashihiro city.For me, this tour is the best tour I’ve had. Guiders are very nice people,they will tell you all about the Japanese sake and its history.It’s my first time knowing so much about the history of sake and Saijo.Besides sake, I also try Japanese syodo this time. It’s a fantastic try for me.I think all you gays should try this tour.
G
grahamjX8325UF
June 11, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Beautiful town. Fantastic tour
Very informative and interesting tour.
F
Freedom15105611008
June 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Behind the scenes sake
The behind the scenes sake tour was fantastic. The guide was very knowledgeable and provided an in-depth history of sake production in Japan and the local region. Highlights for me was the visit to the local shrine and the personalised Japanese calligraphy we got to experience making labels for our own sake bottles.
G
GrandTour67469035071
March 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Visiting a Sake Brewery You Can’t Usually Visit: A Special Sake Experience Only in Saijo
I participated in the Sakato Saijo Sake Journey held in Saijo, Higashi Hiroshima City, and it was a more fulfilling experience than I had imagined.
The tour began with a visit to a shrine dedicated to the god of sake. The introduction was very impressive and gave me a sense of the connection between Japanese sake and Japanese culture, and I felt a different depth than just visiting sake breweries.
During the brewery tour, in addition to the detailed explanations given by the guide, you can actually hear directly from the brewery staff, which is easy to understand even for those who are not familiar with sake, and conversely, I think it is a lot of learning for those who are knowledgeable.
The most impressive thing was the visit to the brewery, which is not normally accessible. It was a very valuable and interesting experience to see the sake brewing process up close while being guided by the brewery staff.
The tastings were also substantial, and sake as well as prepared water (relaxed water) were very delicious and impressive. It's nice to know that even those who can't drink amazake are offered a tasting.
In addition, it is fun to create your own sake labels through the calligraphy experience, and there is a special feeling that you can take home your own bottle. I was also very happy with the sake and original chocolates that they gave me as souvenirs.
It was a very satisfying tour, recommended not only for those who like sake but also for those who want to become interested in it.
M
masuchan
March 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
PREMIUM experience tour around Sakako Saijo!!
Learn about the history of Sake Brewery Saijo and visit three breweries for a special experience!
You could hear directly from the brewers about their commitment to sake brewing, as well as how delicious you are! It was also interesting to discover new things while exploring the taste of your favorite sake and experiencing the difference in taste!
This time, I was given a special opportunity to enter the brewery and learn how to make the distinctive sake of each brewery while inheriting the long history of sake brewing, and the taste of the sake I drank afterwards was exceptional!
Thank you very much for the PREMIUM experience, as we ended up with a brush on the sake label, which we stuck on the bottle and created a one-of-a-kind special bottle that we could take home as a souvenir!
S
Scenic52293460112
March 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Luxurious 3 hours to love sake more
I joined Sakato Saijo : Sake brewing trip Premium (no dinner) and it was more fulfilling than I expected!
■ Deep learning because we have a guide
During the shrine tour, we reaffirmed the manners of visiting shrines, such as the way torii walk.
The history of the area came to my mind very quickly as he explained his local beliefs and connection to the brewery with photographic materials.
■ Prepared water and community exchange enjoyed by all five senses
The prepared water you receive immediately after learning the background of the underground water is exceptional!
Casual conversations with local people who came to fetch water were also warm feelings as if they were touched by the everyday life of the area.
■ Discover special attendance and personal preferences
I was impressed by the special feeling of being shown around an area that is usually closed to the public.
The tasting style, where you have to face down the brand to find your own taste, was a great experience that would guide your sake selection in the future.
■ At the end of your trip, one self label for the world
Create your own labels with your tour impressions in kanji.
The process of making your own souvenir while reflecting on your trip was a great memory.
Knowledge, experiences and delicious drinks.
If you want to fully enjoy Saijo, I definitely recommend this tour!
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Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour