“NO SAKE, NO LIFE”.

Brewery Hopping Since 2017. A Friendly Guide Will Take You To Some Of The Best Local Breweries To Learn More About Sake. Come And Join Us! Kampai!

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Osaka Sake Brewery Tours

sake tour osaka

Sake Breweries in Osaka and Kobe

sake tour osaka

Most Frequently Asked Questions

  •  Does your company offer trips to visit the sake breweries in Osaka? Yes, we do. We can customize a half-day or one-day tour of the Osaka sake breweries according to your specific preferences. Even a tour from Osaka to Kobe's sake breweries can be arranged. You can contact our customer service representatives for more detail.
  •  Does the sake brewery tour include tastings? Most of the sake brewery tours in Osaka include tasting, such as the Kitashoji Sake Brewery, Daimon Brewery, etc. Among those, the Daimon Brewery also offers the option of tasting and cooking. You can taste the dishes prepared with wine on the spot during your tasting. You will have to make an appointment in advance if you would like to try.
  •  Can I take a photo while visiting the sake brewery? Photographs are allowed in certain areas displayed outside the sake brewery. In addition, be sure to pay attention to the signs that say "Do Not Enter", as you cannot enter without authorized permission.
  •  Is it convenient to visit a sake brewery from Osaka to Kobe? The public transportation from Osaka to Kobe is very convenient. You can choose Sanyo Shinkansen Line, the interval is from Shin-Osaka station to Shin-Kobe station, which is about 13 minutes by the Nozomi train, Hikari train. JR Kobe Line: Osaka Station to Kobe Station, the one-way fare is 390 yen for adults. the new express train takes about 25 minutes; the express train takes 32 minutes; the ordinary train takes about 40 minutes. Hanshin Electric Railway: From Umeda Station in Osaka to Motomachi Station in Kobe, a direct express train from Hanshin takes about 33 minutes and a regular train takes about 70 minutes.
  •  Is the sake in Kobe famous? Yes, in the Nada area in Kobe, west of Osaka, is Japan's top sake producer. One-third of the sake in Japan comes from Kobe because a large number of breweries are concentrated here. The Nada region is a miyamizu civilization rich in minerals for their water. Miyamizu water is hard water that contains substances such as calcium, potassium, and phosphoric acid is all beneficial to increase the activity of yeast and promote fermentation.
  •  What are good recommendations for purchasing sake in the Koba, Nada District? It is a good choice to visit the sake breweries and buy a few bottles to bring back home. Sake Brewery, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery, Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery, Sakuramasamune Sake Brewery, Sawanotsuru Sake Brewery and other wineries are a few places to purchase their signature sakes as souvenirs.
  •  Do I need to make an appointment to visit the Kitashoji Sake Brewery in Osaka? An appointment is needed. In order to respect the normal production order of the factory, visiting the sake brewery requires an appointment by phone or the internet in advance. To visit the Kitashoji Sake Brewery in Osaka, you should make a phone reservation a week in advance with the number of people, which must not be less than 10.
  •  What are the recommendations for buying sake at the Osaka Sake Brewery? When visiting the sake brewery, it is good to buy a few bottles to share with family or give as gifts to friends. The Shuu no Sato by Kitashoji Sake Brewery, Rikyubai by Daimon Brewery, and Daiginjo Shizuku by the Yamano Brewery are the more popular sakes you could purchase.
  •  Apart from the sake breweries in Osaka and Kobe, are there any other breweries worth visiting? There are some located in Hiroshima, west of the Osaka Prefecture, which has a mild climate in all four seasons, and there are various wells in the town with soft, clean, and sweet water. Historically, the Hiroshima Prefecture has been an important source of sake. There are some breweries located in the Hiroshima Prefecture that has existed since the Edo era, and the technology of milling rice has been passed from generation to generation.
  • Tel: +81 50-3701-6391
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Working Hours: 8am-7pm, (Japan)
  • Tel: +1-6265617117
  • Working Hours: 8am-7pm, Pacific Time

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Osaka Castle Osaka Tour from Cruise Port

Osaka Highlights Excursion & Sake Brewery Experience | 10 hours

Todaiji temple Osaka Shore Excursions

  • Duration: 10 hours
  • Start/ End:  Kobe or Osaka port/ Kobe or Osaka port
  • Highlights: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori area, Sake brewery experience in Umenoyado
  • Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
  • Description
  • Additional information
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This Osaka highlights & Sake Brewery Experience will take you first to the most famous castle in Osaka, and then head to the historic brewery buildings, learn many secrets of ancient breweries whilst relishing in the myriad of hot springs, hotels, traditional Japanese inns, and a wide range of sightseeing locations nearby. Tour in Sake brewery offers you a truly unique concierge service and memorable experience in both your Osaka and Kobe Shore Excursions.

Full Itinerary

Your trip begins with being picked up from the port and drive to Osaka Castle , the top highlighted destinations in Japan. With the stunning architecture, the castle in Osaka dates back almost 450 years. Osaka castle, one of the fascinating cultural sites in Japan, is the sheer breadth of its rich history – across the country where stands thousands of shrines, temples, and ancient castles which date back literally hundreds of years, and they all have their own interesting story to tell.

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sake tour osaka

Kansai Exclusive Sakagura Tours

Dive deep into the world of sake making., are you a sake lover, we will take you to some of the finest sake breweries in japan to discover the secret of sake making..

sake tour osaka

What is a “Sakagura”?

What is a “sakagura tour”.

A sake brewery transcends its role as a mere sake production facility. During a brewery visit, one discerns it not solely as a place for sake production but also as a pivotal entity within local and regional food culture, and potentially, a focal point of regional identity. Consequently, a visit to a sake brewery affords an immersive experience into the everyday culture of the Japanese people.

At Sake Discovery, our aspiration is for a global audience to comprehend and appreciate the diverse, authentic Japanese culture that has endured beyond its extensive history. The mission of Sake Discovery is to safeguard and rejuvenate Japanese breweries, disseminate Japanese culture globally, and forge a connection to the future.

sake tour osaka

Special Sake Brewery Tours

sake tour osaka

Sake Discovery Exclusive

1. why choose sake discovery.

SAKE DISCOVERY offers an unique opportunity with its exclusive Sakagura tours, affording participants an authentic glimpse into the intricate Sake production process. Conventionally speaking, sake breweries have rarely allowed the general public into this behind-the-scene manufacturing and factory areas for tours.

Sake production demands meticulous hygiene standards. This is why conventional sake brewery tours rarely grant insight into the details of actual sake-making process. Furthermore, sake has long held a sacred significance as an offering to the divine. SAKE DISCOVERY’s brewery tours offer a rare and invaluable opportunity to glimpse this mystical process that can’t be found elsewhere.

sake tour osaka

Excellent Selection

2. looking for more authentic sake experience.

You can choose a Sakagura in either Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara or Shiga based on your itinerary. Our list includes some of the finest Sakaguras in Japan.

sake tour osaka

Premium Tasting

3. interested in top tier sake.

In addition to the customary selection of Sake available for tasting, our tour offers a refined assortment of premium Sake, elevating your experience to new heights.

sake tour osaka

100% Private Tour

4. is privacy important to you, no language barrier, 5. your designated interpreter can help you understand more about the sakagura.

Our tours are accompanied by English – Japanese interpreters who have extensive expertise in the world of Sake or Sakagura staff ensuring that you have the best possible experience as you delve into the sacred art of Sake production.

※In the event of specific language requirements, we can also provide AI translation devices.

sake tour osaka

How to Book a Sakagura Tour

Choose an area.

Click on the area to see our excellent list of Sakaguras. Areas : Kyoto | Osaka | Nara | Hyogo | Shiga

sake tour osaka

Choose a Sakagura

Click on the Sakagura you would like to visit.

sake tour osaka

Fill out the booking form

See the details of the Sakagura of your choosing and fill out the booking form to plan your visit!

Confirm the booking

sake tour osaka

Hakurei Shuzou

Fee : ¥22,000〜 with tax.

Sakagura Hakurei Shozou has continued to inherit brewing methods passed down through generations since its establishment about 200 years ago, prioritizing harmony among rice, water, and people in sake brewing.

sake tour osaka

Yamano Shuzou

Fee : ¥25,000 with tax.

Located in the town of Katano, on the border of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, this long-established sake brewery has been producing sake for approximately 160 years since the late Edo period.

sake tour osaka

Kiyotsuru Shuzou

In the early days of the Edo period, sake brewing thrived in the Takatsuki-Tonda area, boasting as many as 24 sake breweries at its peak. Kiyotsuru Shuzo is one of the two remaining breweries from that era.

sake tour osaka

Kitashoji Shuzou

Fee : ¥28,000〜 with tax.

At Sakagura Kitashoji Shuzou, our motto has been ‘pure and beautiful-tasting sake’ since our founding nearly 100 years ago, aiming for an ideal sake that remains unchanged.

sake tour osaka

Imanishi Seibei Shoten Shuzou

Fee : ¥22,000 with tax.

Visit a renowned sake brewery in Nara named after the famous Nara specialty, the “deer.” Nara, Japan’s first international city, is said to be the birthplace of sake.

sake tour osaka

Nara Toyosawa Shuzou

The history of the sakagura, Nara Toyosawa Shuzo, began with the dawn of the Meiji era. At sakagura Nara Toyosawa Shuzo, we minimize mass production through mechanization, preserving the tradition of handcrafted sake production by skilled artisans, while dedicating ourselves to enhancing quality.

sake tour osaka

Okamura Honke

This is a long-established sake brewery located in an area relatively close to Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, and the national treasure, Hikone Castle, with a history dating back 160 years.

sake tour osaka

Nami No Oto Shuzou

Fee : ¥25,000〜 with tax.

This is a sake brewery located by the beautiful shores of Lake Biwa, nurtured by nature. Founded in the second year of the Bunka era (1805), it boasts a history of over 200 years.

Testimonials

sake tour osaka

Brian & Wooja

We recently joined a brewery tour at Yamano Shuzou, located between Osaka and Kyoto. It was a wonderful sensory and eye-opening experience.

How is Sake produced?

Let’s learn about sake before the tour.

Ever wonder how Sake is made? How many steps do you think there are to make Sake?

sake tour osaka

SAKE DISCOVERY CONCIERGE

You are interested in our tours, but you don’t know where to start we can help you, schedule conflict.

“My travel schedule is not compatible with the tour schedules. Is there a way to arrange a tour outside the regular schedule?”

Which tour should I go for?

“I would like to know which tour best fits my itinerary. ”

How do we get there?

“Based on our hotel location, can you guide us step by step on how to reach the brewery? ”

Email to ask questions

Chat to ask questions.

A Guide To Visiting Sake Breweries in Japan

A Guide To Visiting Sake Breweries in Japan

Table of contents.

We can all raise a glass and kampai to the good news that travel restrictions have started to ease in Japan. Packaging your bags may be too soon, but it’s a great time to start planning your next trip . But remember, for a sake lover, no trip to Japan is complete without checking out a sake brewery (“sakagura”).

Fukuchiyo Brewing in Saga prefecture

Fukuchiyo Brewing Company in Saga prefecture. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Reasons to visit

Here are my top reasons to visit a sake brewery, some resources to start planning and some personal recommendations on where to go for the undecided.

Reason 1: Craftsmanship

Premium sake is made with a high degree of skill and care. Knowing this is one thing, but seeing the process at work is humbling to behold, and deepens one’s appreciation for the people who turn rice, water, yeast and koji into delicious sake.

Many “toji,” or master brewers, will insist that they are still perfecting their craft even after decades of brewing. They often oversee crucial parts of the brewing process, such as “shinseki” (rice soaking) with intense focus and a stopwatch in hand.

Reason 2: Architecture and experience

Making your way through a sakagura is a sensory journey, from the warm, comforting scent of steaming rice rising to the rafters, to the inviting nutty notes creeping from the koji room, and the ever-changing subtle aromas of the fermenting sake. Whoever said “There’s nothing like the smell of baked bread,” never made it to a sake brewery!

Super premium daiginjo sake

All hands are on deck when it comes to pressing super-premium daiginjo sake. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Visually, the traditional architecture adds another dimension to the experience. Many breweries still use centuries-old buildings featuring traditional construction techniques. In the Saijo brewing district of Hiroshima, “namako kabe,” an Edo-era textured pattern of blue and white plaster, skirts the lower sections of the exterior walls of many sakagura. Inside some older breweries, bare wooden beams are bound with intricate joinery forming an arch above the tall tanks of fermenting sake. After a few sips in the tasting room, you may feel as if you have traveled back in time!

Exposed beams and antiquated equipment

Exposed beams and antiquated equipment are still on display in some breweries. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Reason 3: Japan-only sake

Craft beer fans know that a brewery visit gives you access to brews that might not travel outside the local neighborhood. The brews at the two extremes of the sake spectrum — bold and rich “koshu” (aged sake) with its amber hues; and fresh, bright and effervescent “nama” (unpasteurized) sake — tend to be more readily available at the brewery, often served by the very people who make it. Fill up that suitcase for the return trip!

Served by a master brewer

If you’re lucky, you might be served by a master brewer. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Finding a brewery to visit and making an appointment

Sake breweries are production centers first. Understandably, some don’t accept visitors. Some have a tasting room and shop, but some might not. Some offer complete tours and tastings for free. Others charge a small fee for the experience. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that you plan ahead using the resources below and make reservations where required.

Independent travelers can begin planning a trip through the Sakagura Tourism website, maintained by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association. Breweries all around Japan are listed in English and are searchable by region and by name. Particularly helpful is the “Tour Available” icon that tells you whether or not you can expect a tour of the facilities and if there is a charge for the tour. Also helpful, the site indicates if there is English spoken at the brewery.

Guided sake tours

For travelers with no Japanese language skills or who desire a more curated experience, there are tour companies that arrange and guide you on tours of breweries as well.

Kyoto Insider Sake Experience offers a variety of tours and tastings in and around Kyoto.

Saketours.com offers multi-day, all-inclusive and immersive package tours incorporating brewery visits with gourmet meals and special access to regional food producers and artisans. It is run by well-respected and knowledgeable sake industry professionals who focus on memorable and under-the-radar sake and cultural experiences.

And finally, for travelers who wish for some guidance but may want to explore at their own pace, I recommend Jim Stewart ’ s Japan: Sake Breweries of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. This book has general travel advice, history and background on breweries, and hand-drawn maps to get to you from train station to brewery. The author also has recommendations for restaurants and sake shops nearby.

What to expect

Sake breweries prioritize a sanitary environment

Sake breweries prioritize a sanitary environment. You may be asked to suit up! | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

When the day of your visit finally arrives, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Dress warmly in winter. Bring an extra layer in summer. Sake ferments at low temperatures and breweries are not heated.
  • To avoid microbial contamination, brewers often ask that visitors do not eat natto (fermented soybeans) or yogurt prior to their visit, or wear perfume or cologne.
  • Always ask before taking photos of any brewery operations or staff.

10 recommended brewery visits

Here are 10 recommended breweries to visit that offer fun, educational and unique experiences.

Ishikawa Brewery (Tokyo)

Ishikawa Brewing Company in Tokyo

Photo by Hayataro Sakitsu .

Off the beaten path and about 40 minutes from Shinjuku by train, this brewery has traditional architecture and an adjoining restaurant as well as a garden in which to enjoy some sake. Brewing sake since 1863, they welcome guests to tour year round and the website makes it easy to arrange a visit.

Related post: Sake-Tasting Tour at Ishikawa Brewing Company, Tokyo by Hayataro Sakitsu

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum (Kyoto)

Gekkeikan Okura sake museum in Kyoto

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in Kyoto. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

This is a must-see destination for any sake lover visiting Kyoto. Gekkeikan is home to a museum showcasing the history of sake brewing and culture in Fushimi, with an impressive collection of older sake brewing equipment. The best part is that no reservations are required for small parties to visit.

Fujioka Brewing Company (Kyoto)

Fujioka Brewing Company in Kyoto

Masaaki Fujioka proudly pours his Sookuu sake at Fujioka Brewing Company in Kyoto. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Fifth-generation owner and head brewer Masaaki Fujioka is on a relentless pursuit to source the best ingredients to brew his sake under the Sookuu label. He reopened his family brewery after a seven-year closure and brews exquisite sake from rice he himself grows. This small brewery has its own sake bar called Sake Bar EN where you can have the memorable experience of sipping the sake as you watch it being made!

Daimon Brewing Company (Osaka)

Daimon Brewing Company in Osaka

Courtesy of Daimon Brewing Company.

If you find yourself in Osaka, you must visit Daimon, makers of one of my favorite nigori sake. The centuries-old house and garden that adjoin the brewery set the mood as you enter Daimon Brewing Company. Tour the brewery, taste their versatile and impeccable sake, then enjoy a farm-to-table meal featuring local cuisine under the exposed wooden beam roof at the upstairs restaurant, Mukune Tei. Special English language tours are available.

Izumibashi Brewing Company (Kanagawa)

While I have never visited this brewery personally, it is at the top of my list to visit because they grow their own rice. Izumibashi is a must for anyone who wants to see sake making from field to bottle. A visit to this brewery includes a walk through their own rice fields, sake tasting and local snacks. I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon!

Kumazawa Brewing Company (Kanagawa)

Kumazawa Brewing Company

Courtesy of Kumazawa Brewing Company.

While no tour is available, Kumazawa Brewing Company is still a destination for sake lovers and foodies alike. The brewery houses two restaurants and a cafe where you can try all kinds of food paired with their sake. Make sure to try Mokichi Trattoria, where you can follow the toji’s recommendation and pair their sake with pizza! Not only do they make delicious sake with a gentle minerality, they also brew craft beer. Visitors can also try their sake brewed with local rice from Chigasaki and proprietary yeast. Shop Kumazawa sake at Tippsy and read our exclusive interview with their toji about the brewery’s Tensei series.

Choryo Brewing Company (Nara)

Choryo Brewing Company outside view

Photo by Rina Liggett.

Nara prefecture is perhaps more intricately linked to the history of sake brewing than any other place in Japan, so if you’re in Nara, why not visit a sake brewery? Choryo Brewing Company is passionate about their process, but still offers visitors a casual experience. Their recently opened Brew Park combines two of my favorite things: sake and nature. Enjoy their sake and beer in the open air while munching on food from a visiting food truck. If you visit during the spring, you’ll be able to bask in the cherry blossoms in the park as well. Shop Choryo sake at Tippsy and read our exclusive interview with their sales manager about “taru sake” (sake stored in wooden vats).

Suehiro Brewing Company (Fukushima)

Suehiro kura museum

Courtesy of Suehiro Brewing Company.

Visitors to Fukushima prefecture in search of sake should consider a stop at Suehiro Brewing Company, which was voted “the most fun sake brewery to visit” by one of Japan’s well-known newspapers. The grounds feature the original structure built in 1873 — constructed without a single nail — which remains unaltered to this day. Subject to pandemic restrictions, visitors may be able to take part in a free tasting upon their visit. Please contact the brewery before visiting to confirm. Shop Suehiro sake at Tippsy and read about the brewery’s philosophy in our exclusive interview with their brewery president.

Suigei Brewing Company (Kochi)

Tasting at suigei in Kochi

Photo by Domenic Alonge.

In 2018, Suigei Brewing Company opened their new, high-end brewing facility to welcome sake lovers from around the world. Although currently on pause, the brewery hopes to resume tours and tasting sessions at their sleek new production facility under their motto, “Enjoy sake life.” Start your day by sampling their elegant daiginjo collection before heading out for a night on the town to enjoy more Suigei sake with the local delicacy of katsuo tataki (seared and seasoned skipjack tuna). Shop Suigei sake at Tippsy and watch our tasting video for Suigei “Tokubetsu Junmai.”

Kobe Shushinkan (Hyogo)

Kobe Shushinkan

Courtesy of Kobe Shushinkan.

Kobe Shushinkan offers multilingual resources to visitors who take a brewery tour, including videos and leaflets in English. Reservations are required, but the experience is worth it. You will be able to tour the production facility and finish with a sake tasting free of charge. More sake is brewed in this historic part of Kobe than anywhere else in Japan. If you’re passing through, this place is a must-see. Shop Kobe Shushinkan sake at Tippsy and watch our tasting video for Fukuju “Blue.”

Deepen your understanding of sake

Regardless of which brewery you choose to visit, you are sure to have an experience that stays with you whenever and wherever you raise a glass of sake. It will surely deepen your appreciation for the best beverage in the world.

Domenic Alonge

Domenic Alonge

Domenic Alonge is an Advanced Sake Professional, International Kikizake-shi. His work in sake breweries in Japan, Europe and the U.S., as well as his experience as the owner of North Carolina’s first sake-only bottle shop inform his writing and his videos which he now creates as the Sake Geek. Follow him on YouTube and on sake-geek.com .

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WAmazing Play Editors’ Recommendations

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  • Sake Brewery/Factory Tour

Naniwa Sake Brewery Tour & Sake Tasting Experience - Osaka

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  • A confirmation email for your reservation will be sent to you within 48 hours. *If your reservation cannot be completed, WAmazing Play will process your refund.
  • Required Time : 60minutes
  • Time : 09:00 / 09:30 / 10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30 / 12:00 / 12:30 / 13:00 / 13:30 / 14:00 / 14:30 / 15:00 / 15:30
  • Supported Languages : Japanese / Mandarin / Cantonese / English

Hannan, where Naniwa Sake Brewery is located, is conveniently located about 20 minutes by train or 30 minutes by car from Kansai International Airport

Although its location is convenient from Kansai International Airport, there are a variety of activities that you can experience surrounded by nature.

Osaka's oldest sake brewery with 300 years of history is now open to the public!

Founded in 1716, it is the oldest sake brewery in Osaka with a history of over 300 years. Their sake has won the National Liquor Appraisal Association's "Gold Award" five times.

Tour the annex designated as a Cultural Property

The detached "Nariko Family Residence" is designated as a registered Tangible Cultural Property. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the past while sitting in the tatami-matted room and looking out at the Japanese garden.

You can also purchase sake if you wish!

Please purchase your favorite sake to give as a souvenir or for yourself.

Please come directly to Naniwa Sake Brewery

Please present the reservation screen on My Page at reception.

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Sake brewery introduction (10 minutes)

There will be a brief lecture on Naniwa Sake Brewery's history, initiatives, types of alcohol, etc.

Sake brewery tour (25 minutes)

Depending on the progress of the sake brewing at that time, participants may also have the opportunity to engage in activities such as stirring the tank, allowing them to take part in the brewing process.

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Sake tasting in a detached building (you can also purchase if you wish) (25 minutes)

You can sample sake while enjoying the atmosphere of the quaint building at the Naruko Family Annex, which has been designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property.

Included in the Fee

Not included in the fee, meeting place.

Naniwa Sake Brewery

Nearest Station : (1) Ozaki Station (Nankai Electric Railway Main Line) (Please check the notes for access from Kansai International Airport) (2) Kansai International Airport

Directions to Nearest Station : (1) 5-minute walk (2) Approximately 26 minutes by taxi

Destination by Taxi : Naniwa Sake Brewery

Cancellation Policy

The cancel fee is based on the timing of the cancellation. Please check the cancellation policy below.

  • After 2 days before date of use 50%
  • The day of use 100%

[Cancellations] • The tour may be canceled after the reservation is made due to bad weather or natural disasters. In such cases, WAmazing Play's customer support will contact you via email after 12:00 PM the day before your visit.

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Shinsekai Sake Tasting Tour

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Osaka’s major commercial hub, tennoji.

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Duration: 3 hours Inclusions: Guide fee, drinks and meals, souvenir *Drink and meal fees for the guide are not necessary 1 person 18,500 JPY per person, 2 people 17,500 JPY per person, 3 people 16,500 JPY per person

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sake tour osaka

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Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka

Set out on a journey through the tantalizing world of sake brewing and experience the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into creating this iconic Japanese beverage.

Like a river flowing with centuries of tradition, a visit to a real sake brewery from Osaka promises to immerse you in the rich flavors and cultural heritage that surround this beloved drink.

With a carefully curated tour package that includes a visit to a sake museum, a delectable lunch, and unlimited tastings of locally produced sake, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

So, come along as we unveil the secrets behind the brewing process and tantalize your taste buds with the finest sake Osaka has to offer.

Good To Know

Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka - Good To Know

  • The meeting point for the Sake Brewery tour in Osaka is the Hanshinnishinomiyaodekake Information Center, conveniently located outside the ticket gate of Nishinomiya Station.
  • The tour includes a visit to the SAKE MUSEUM, where participants can learn about the sake brewing process and explore the history and culture of sake production.
  • Participants will have the opportunity to indulge in a sake tasting experience, sampling a wide range of locally produced sake varieties.
  • The package also includes a delicious lunch and private transportation for a convenient and immersive experience.

Meeting and Pickup Details

Where is the meeting point for the Sake Brewery tour in Osaka?

The meeting point for the Sake Brewery tour in Osaka is the Hanshinnishinomiyaodekake Information Center, located at 1-6 Tanakachō, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-0973, Japan. It’s conveniently situated outside the ticket gate of Nishinomiya Station, which is served by Hanshin Railways.

To easily spot the meeting point, look for the tourism office named Hanshin Nishinomiya Odekake Annaijyo in front. This is where the tour will begin, and it’s also where it will end.

As for the meeting time, it’s recommended to arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a smooth check-in process. So make sure to mark your calendar and plan your journey accordingly.

Included Package Features

Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka - Included Package Features

The package for the Sake Brewery tour in Osaka includes a variety of features that will enhance your experience. Here are some of the highlights:

Entrance Fee of SAKE MUSEUM : Gain access to a fascinating museum where you can learn about the rich history and traditions of sake brewing. Explore exhibits that showcase the sake brewing process and gain insights into the craftsmanship behind this beloved Japanese beverage.

Sake Tasting Experience : Get the chance to sample a wide range of sake varieties, all produced locally and of the highest quality. Discover different flavor profiles and learn how to appreciate the nuances of this traditional drink. This immersive tasting experience will deepen your understanding and appreciation of sake.

Lunch : Enjoy a delicious meal included in the package, ensuring that you have the energy to fully enjoy your sake brewery tour. Indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine and savor the flavors of the region.

With these included features, you can learn about the sake brewing process, indulge in a sake tasting experience, and savor a delightful lunch. This package provides everything you need for a memorable and enjoyable visit to a real sake brewery.

Cancellation Policy Information

Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka - Cancellation Policy Information

The cancellation policy for the Sake Brewery tour in Osaka provides clear guidelines to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for all participants.

The policy states that a full refund will be given if the tour is canceled up to 24 hours in advance. However, it’s important to note that the cancellation must be made at least 24 hours before the start time in order to receive the full refund.

Unfortunately, if the cancellation is made less than 24 hours before the start time, no refund will be provided. It’s also important to remember that no changes to the reservation will be accepted less than 24 hours before the start time.

The cut-off times for cancellations are based on the local time.

This cancellation policy provides flexibility and freedom for participants, allowing them to make changes or cancel their reservation within the given timeframe.

Alcoholic Beverage Details

Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka - Alcoholic Beverage Details

Included in the package are unlimited, locally produced, high quality alcoholic beverages, specifically sake. Sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine, is known for its exquisite taste and craftsmanship.

When visiting the real sake brewery from Osaka, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sake brewing process and learn about the intricate techniques used to create this beloved beverage.

The tour will also introduce guests to a variety of local sake varieties, each with its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. From light and fruity to rich and robust, there’s a sake to suit every palate.

Whether you’re a sake enthusiast or simply curious about the world of Japanese alcohol, this experience promises to be a delightful journey of discovery.

Other Important Inclusions

Participants in the visit to the real sake brewery from Osaka can expect a range of important inclusions to enhance their experience. Along with the sake tasting experience and learning about the traditional brewing process, there are additional benefits that make this tour worthwhile. The table below highlights some of the key inclusions:

These inclusions ensure that participants have a comprehensive and enjoyable experience, seeing the world of sake production while also indulging in local flavors and hospitality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Real Sake Brewery From Osaka - Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participating in the Sake Brewery Visit?

Age restrictions may apply for participating in the sake brewery visit. It is advisable to check with the tour provider for specific details. Plus, the tour duration will vary depending on the package chosen.

Is There a Dress Code for the Sake Brewery Visit?

There is no specific dress code mentioned for the sake brewery visit. However, it is recommended to wear comfortable and casual attire. Guests are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and for walking.

Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Beverages to the Tour?

No, bringing outside alcohol is not allowed on the tour. There are restrictions on bringing alcohol to ensure the quality and safety of the beverages provided during the tour.

Is There a Limit to the Amount of Sake I Can Consume During the Tour?

There is no limit to the amount of sake one can consume during the tour. However, safety measures are in place to ensure the well-being of participants.

Are There Any Vegetarian or Vegan Options Available for Lunch?

Yes, there are vegetarian and vegan options available for lunch during the sake brewery visit. The lunch menu includes a variety of plant-based dishes that cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions.

To sum it up, embarking on a tour to a real sake brewery from Osaka is a fantastic opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and the art of sake brewing.

With convenient meeting and pickup details, a variety of enticing package features, and a flexible cancellation policy, this tour offers a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the world of sake brewing and indulge in the rich flavors of this beloved Japanese beverage.

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Nada Sake Brewery Tour (From Osaka)

In this tour, you visit the three most famous Japanese sake breweries and you can taste their original sake.

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sake tour osaka

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Start from the main stations, enjoy 6-hour trip to Kobe Sake Brewery district, the biggest Sake district in Japan. Visiting two sake breweries and a restaurant which uses sake brewery building, and enjoy walking through the riverside.

Your hotel→ walk along Sumiyoshi river →  Sakuramasamune (Lunch) →  Kikumasamune → Hakutsuru → the old site of well → Ishiyagawa Station

◆Sumiyoshi river The river flows from the Rokko mountain of 900 meters above sea level and so the flow is very steep. Locals used this steep stream to mill brown rice for sake producing. There once were many undershot wheels.

◆Sakuramasamune Founded in the 17th century in the neighbor city, but this brewery moved to this place in search of good quality water. It claims the first name of “Masamune” from the Budhist sutra. Since then, other breweries started naming Masamune to their sake. You can enjoy food cooked by sake and sake lees and free sake tasting.

◆Kikumasamune This brewery was the first producer to deliver sake to Edo, now Tokyo in the 18th. The name of “Nada” sake began to be well known among people since then. It used the microscope to establish the modern brewing system in the 19th century. Exhibits are well arranged and follow the flow, and you can see the process of sake making. Free sake tasting is provided.

◆Hakutsuru Founded in the 18th, Hakutsuru has many breweries and one of the biggest sake companies in Japan. Among the modern breweries there is the traditional big roofed museum. There you can see each step of the sake production by the monitor screen provided in English. After free sake tasting, enjoy photo time to wear Happy coat and aprons which craftsmen wore in those days

◆The old site of the well In the local park, you can see the old site of sake water well. For the premium sake, high quality water is needed, and the spring water coming from under the Rokko mountains contains minerals and the best for the sake production. Thereused to be water wells and you could see them, but now each brewery strictly controls them.

◆Ishiya river As well as Sumiyoshi river, this river also starts from the Rokko mountain and the flow is very steep. The name of this river comes from stonemasons who lined up the river. Enjoy walking the riverside, and imagine the time when people were busy at brewing sake there.

CANCELLATION POLICY

PROGRAM FEE

Total Price = Basic Fee + Fee per Person * Number of Participants + Tax

Guiding fee, Public transportation fee (For taxis or hired cars, additional fee will be charged.), Admission fee

Cost of meal and sightseeing activities

◆Please follow the guide's instruction during the program. We shall not be responsible for any accident caused by disregard of the instructions. ◆Please advise us if you have any religious or health restrictions, allergies, or the case where you would like to request a special care for participants, including children. Please email us at [email protected] to check an availability and share the information. Please note that any programs booked without an inquiry will not be guaranteed. ◆Our services are mainly offered in English. In addition, services in other languages, such as Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian are also available. In case you would like services in languages other than English, please inquire us at [email protected] as soon as possible.  We will check the availability. ◆Our business hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays. For inquiries received outside the business hours, we will look into it and respond on the next business day. will check an availability. ◆Deadline for booking of this program is 10:00 am of 3 business days (JST) prior to the program date except for the peak season described in the note below. When booking the programs held during the peak season and the year-end & new-year or/and after the deadline, please be sure to email us at  [email protected] to confirm an availability. Please note that any programs to be held during the peak season and booked after the deadline without a prior confirmation may not be guaranteed. *Note : Peak season is from March 20th to April 30th, and the year-end & new-year is from the last two weeks of December to the first week of January.

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Navigating the mysteries of sake.

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Table of Contents

So You Want To Try Sake?

You’re in Osaka and you’ve got your list of things you want to do, places you want to go and, of course, food you want to eat. And as part of any culinary experience in Japan you probably also plan on including a sake tasting somewhere along the line. And why wouldn’t you?

In my admittedly biased opinion, sake is the most versatile alcoholic beverage out there. On average, it sits around 15% -16% alcohol – not much more than wine and significantly less than spirits and many liqueurs. Sake has anywhere from 1/10 to 1/3 the acidity of wine, depending on the wine and the sake. It contains no preservatives and can be sweet or dry or anywhere in between. Sake can be young, old, fizzy, still, clear, cloudy, heavy, light, dry or sweet; it doesn’t matter what you’re into, sake has you covered.

sake tour osaka

Perhaps you’ve tried sake in your home country or perhaps it’s your first time. Either way, delving into sake can be a little daunting for some, but trust me it’s a rabbit hole worth going down.

Of course one of the biggest hurdles for becoming familiar with sake is trying to make sense of the labels. Some of the terminology can be confusing, even for native Japanese speakers, so it’s helpful to have a bit of an idea of what you’re looking for when you order sake in a restaurant. So, with that in mind let’s take a little crash course in navigating sake and its mysterious labels so you can get the most out of your sake experience.

Firstly, what is sake? Technically sake is called nihonshu or seishu in Japanese. The word “sake” is often used as a blanket term for alcohol in general, so sometimes it’s advisable to specify that you’re looking for nihonshu when you are dining out or in a liquor store. Nihonshu differs from other Japanese liquors such as shochu or awamori in that it is not distilled (like gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila etc.)

Nihonshu is essentially brewed in a process much closer to (but still quite different from) beer, than spirits or wine. Speaking of which, you can call it sake, nihonshu or seishu, but for the love of all good things, don’t call it “rice wine”. It’s just plain wrong. Anyhow, I digress.

One of the things that can be surprising for visitors to Osaka and Japan is that sake is not quite as ubiquitous as you might think. Sure, it’s not exactly difficult to find, but it’s not always a given that sake will be on the menu. And even when it is, it’s often the case that the restaurant has simply grabbed one or two of the easy to find, big name labels without much thought going into the selection.

One solution is seeking out nihonshu specialty bars or restaurants, but even then you are subject to the prejudices and tastes of the proprietor of that particular venue. You might not realize what you’re missing out on. What you really want to do is try the spectrum of sake. And it is quite a spectrum. But before we get into where to go, let’s look at what sake is – and what it isn’t.

What Is Sake?

We won’t go into too much technical detail of exactly how nihonshu is produced, but put simply, it is a beverage primarily made from rice, koji , water and yeast. Koji? Yes, koji is the magic ingredient; a fungus mold that is propagated onto rice to convert starch into sugars (that are non-existent in rice) essential for the process of fermenting glucose into alcohol. Koji is also found in the production of soy sauce, miso and is used in many Japanese dishes.

In the early stages of production, one of the first steps is to mill the rice. This is where the outer layers of rice are slowly ground away to remove fats and proteins and get closer to the starchy center of the rice, which is where the koji does its magic.

Now, stay with me, all this is relevant to our cause.

Next, rice is washed, soaked and then steamed. This is then added to a starter mix with water, yeast some of that koji rice that we mentioned earlier and more steamed rice. This mash is then increased by additions of rice and water as the fermentation process continues. It is then left to ferment for a further twenty to thirty days or so. Finally, the finished sake is then pressed, filtered, pasteurized, cut with water (to slightly reduce the alcohol content), bottled, pasteurized once more and shipped out. Now, depending on the style of the sake some of these steps may be skipped and knowing this will help us decipher the labels.

sake tour osaka

Remember I mentioned how the rice is milled in the early stages? Well, most nihonshu is actually “graded” by the amount that is milled away (there are other factors involved, but this is all we need to know for now).

This milling rate is called the seimai buai 精米歩 and it will be listed on the back label of a bottle of premium sake. So what does it mean? Put simply, it will serve as an indication of how light or heavy the sake may be. The number indicated on the label is the percentage of the rice grain that remains after milling. In other words, if it says 30%, that means 70% of the outer layers of rice were milled away. Obviously the more that is milled away, the more expensive it gets because,  among other factors, the brewer will need more rice.

sake tour osaka

So now let’s take a look at some of these grades: 普通酒 futsu-shu Like most alcohol, there is the cheap stuff and the good stuff. This is generally the cheap stuff. However, it’s not necessarily bad. In fact some of it is quite delicious and often be a good representation of what a brewery is really all about as it is usually the variety of sake that any given brewery has been brewing the longest. There is also a recent movement among some brewers that are shunning the grading system. If a brewery decides to sidestep the system, the sake is automatically lumped in the futsu-shu category. Bear in mind also this term is almost never on the label, but it may be listed on a menu or a shelf label in a retail store.

純米 junmai 本醸造 honjozo Junmai means that there is no added alcohol ie. rice, water, yeast, koji and that’s it. If it’s a junmai it will almost definitely say so on the label. Junmai sake can use rice milled to any rate, but it’s usually around 70%. As we now start to split sake into two camps, we have junmai and honjozo  (true brewed sake). Honjozo differs from junmai in that it contains an addition of brewer’s alcohol (usually made from sugar cane or molasses). This is added in the final stages of the production process to enhance aromas by dissolving some of the tasty bits of rice lees left in the final sake which would normally just be filtered out. In quality sake this is purely a technique used to enhance aromas and not a method for increasing alcohol content or increase yields like in some super-cheap futsu-shu. 

Despite what some people might say, you cannot taste the added alcohol. It’s only added in very small amounts in a way that you might be able to detect the influence of the alcohol, but not the actual added alcohol itself. There are some people out there who think junmai is the be and end all. That’s fine, but adding alcohol is a valid brewing technique and at the end of day the sake made in this way tastes pretty damn good to me. Honestly, it’s also pretty difficult if not impossible to distinguish the two styles with 100% surefire accuracy. Honjozo will often tend to be a little lighter and aromatic whereas junmai will be more full-bodied and earthy.

吟醸 ginjo 大吟醸 daiginjo Ginjo is basically the premium end of sake (in terms of price). This is where sake gets a bit more refined, fruity, aromatic and elegant. It can be either junmai ginjo or just ginjo (which will indicate that alcohol has been added). The rice-milling rate must be a minimum of 60%. In other words at least 40% of all the rice grain must be milled away. Next up is daiginjo (ultra premium). This style requires the most hands-on care and attention to detail. Rice must be milled to at least 50%. Note that either of these styles can also be junmai if they do not contain any alcohol additions. These would be labeled as junmai ginjo 純米吟醸 or junmai daiginjo 純米大吟醸. If it doesn’t say junmai, it is aruten (alcohol added).

sake tour osaka

Other characteristics you might see

特別 tokubestu This means ‘special’ in Japanese. You will see this prefixed to either junmai or honjozo as an indication that something extra or special has been done. This may be milling the rice more than is required for the grade or using a higher grade of rice or an unusual variety of rice or yeast strain. Basically it’s up to the brewery as to what makes it tokubetsu. It is not an indicator of flavor profile in any way.

生 nama Most sake is pasteurized twice before leaving the brewery – once before storage and once after bottling. If either or both of these pasteurizing steps is omitted it may be labeled nama. Namazake is often fresh, lively and zippy. Incidentally you will also see this character used on menus as an indicator of fresh draft beer.

無濾過生原酒 muroka nama genshu This one’s a mouthful. Muroka basically means the sake did not undergo fine filtering, a process which gives sake its clarity, but also strips elements of flavor and color. The nama refers to the sake being unpasterized (as above) and genshu means it has not been diluted with water. Most sake naturally ferments to around 20 percent alcohol by volume. This is then often diluted down to around 15 or 16 percent. So a muroka namagenshu will often (but not always) be a little punchy, robust and higher in alcohol.

にごり酒 – nigorizake/cloudy sake When the liquid sake is pressed from its chunky rice lees (called kasu in Japanese) sometimes brewers may leave some the sediment in the finished product giving a milky appearance and sometimes a thicker mouthfeel. Often on the sweet side.

sake tour osaka

山廃 – yamahai An old, traditional style of brewing technique where wild bacteria play a role in the early stages of the brewing process. Often funky and gamey in flavor 生酛 – kimoto Similar to yamahai, also using wild bacteria. Often high in acid and gamey.

sake tour osaka

Remember, these are all generalizations and, like anything, exceptions abound. There are a few more characters and stylistic indicators you may come across, but as a starting point to help you decide on buying a bottle of sake in a store or ordering in a bar, hopefully this will get you out of your sake pickle.

Another term you may see on a label or menu is:

日本酒度 nihonshudo (sake meter value) This gives a scientific indicator of glucose density in the sake and therefore a rough indication of how dry or sweet the sake might be. Around +3 is average. Below +1 and into minus will indicate some level of sweetness. Above +8 will indicate a significantly drier style. Experiences may vary. Remember: Higher is drier.

Other details you may spot on a label, specifically the back label may include the rice and yeast variety used, serving temperature recommendations and sometimes acidity levels. Generally speaking, acidity levels are nothing to really concern yourself with. These are scientific measurements that are far more pertinent to the brewer than the drinker, but sometimes they’re there.

Some of the most common rice varieties are: 山田錦 – Yamada nishiki                              美山錦 – Miyama nishiki 五百万石 – Gohyakumangoku                     雄町 – Omachi

sake tour osaka

Where To Try Sake In Osaka

This has all been a lot of information to take in, but don’t worry, there’s no quiz at the end of all this. It’s just a way of getting our foot in the door so we know what we’re drinking. So now that we have some information, how can we use it? Like I said earlier, you could try a couple of glasses at a sake bar or maybe even a tasting flight of three or four to try and sample the variety of sake out there, but you would still only be barely scratching the surface. If you really want to sample some sake, head to the wonderful area of Tenma in north Osaka for a thorough sake experience.

There’s literally countless great places to drink in Tenma, but one place that really covers the possibilities of sake is, Sake to Cheese to Jiyu to Energy ( to simply means “and”. Jiyu means “freedom”). Here, just a three minute walk from JR Tenma station, you’ll find anywhere from 60 to 90 varieties of sake from all over Japan of various styles that you can try at your own leisure and pace in a chic, relaxed space run by the affable, Papa.

sake

A couple of things make “Energy” (it’s a long name, I usually refer to it as Energy) different from your average sake bar. Firstly, it’s not exactly a sake bar per se; it’s a tasting bar. For a set fee you can choose your time limit and taste as much sake as you like.

sake tour osaka

Time limits range from a quick 30minutes (not nearly enough time) for 1300yen, to a more reasonable 90 minutes for 2800yen. If you really want to settle in, 3500 yen for a full night. Another thing that makes Energy a little different is that you pour your sake yourself. That’s right. Once you’ve squared away with Papa what course you’d like to do, just grab a glass and head for the fridge. Here you’ll find three fridge doors full of sake, courteously arranged into seven categories:

Seasonal, small producers that focus on regionality, dry sake, modern/stylish, low-milled, mixed bag/variety, and popular superstar brands.

sake

Note that within any of these categories you will find the various terminology and styles I mentioned earlier, so all you need to do is pick a shelf and try a sake. Remember it’s a tasting bar, not a drinking bar so only pour enough for a taste – about one or two fingers. Sit down, have a taste. Not your style? No problem, get back up and have a look for something else. Or perhaps try warming the sake. One of the beautiful things about sake is its versatility, and many sake, particularly ones that may show muted aromas or a rice-driven profile, will work wonderfully when they are warmed up. Papa is there to help you warm your sake up if it’s your first time, and he’ll also happily step in if you need any recommendations on kanzake (warm sake).

sake

And it gets better. Let’s say you’ve tried a bunch of sake and now you’re feeling a little “palate fatigue”. You want to switch things up with a beer? No problem. Papa has some icy cold bottles of Corona or Sapporo beer in the fridge, which are also included in your fee. If you’re wondering about food (and you should because we all know it’s never wise to drink on an empty stomach) Energy only offers small cheese plates and maybe some nuts or nibbles. The good news is you can bring your own food! Being located in Tenma, you’ll be surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, and you’re free to get takeout from anywhere nearby.

sake tour osaka

I’m partial to a pizza from nearby Lavita Forno, or okonomiyaki from Bikkuri Okonomiyaki Marumi. Or maybe you’re on a budget and just want to bring some chips and snacks from the nearby 7-11, that’s fine too, it’s all up to you. There is even a microwave and toaster oven on hand to use at your convenience. Just remember it’s advisable to sort your food out before you start your timed session.

In most bars you’ll likely be served anywhere from 60ml to 120ml (or even more), which can inhibit the amount you can drink as intoxication creeps in before you’ve tried your fill. The main benefit of the tasting style at Energy is by keeping the servings reasonably small, you can cover more ground, try more styles and get a better feel for what’s out there and what kind of sake suits your palate.

sake

Sake, nihonshu, seishu, whatever you want to call it, really is worth your time. The sheer variety of sake available is staggering and Osaka is as good a place as any to explore all that is out there. Once you’re armed with an experienced palate and some of the basic terminology to navigate the labels, you’ll be ready to hit the sake bars with confidence and on your way to becoming just as obsessed with sake as the rest of us.

酒とチーズと自由とEnergy Osaka, Kita Ward, Tenjinbashi, 5 Chome−5−28, Ciel Blue, 2階 Open 5pm – 12am (Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri) 12pm – 12am (Sat) 2pm – 12am (Sun) Tues: CLOSED

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Osaka Sake Breweries – Top 2 Sake Breweries

Osaka sake breweries.

Osaka Prefecture is located in the Kansai region of Honshu. It borders Hyogo Prefecture to the northwest, Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Nara Prefecture to the southeast and Wakayama Prefecture to the south. During the Edo period, Osaka was the best sake in the world. A large amount of sake was brought from the three provinces of Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi to Edo and was touted as “downhill sake”. Osaka’s sake brewed with high-quality rice from the local area and the pure water brought from the surrounding mountains is cultivated by the lifestyle and richness of food in Osaka and it has a solid claim to its refreshing taste. The search for depth is a characteristic. It is a sake that makes the food even more delicious, and the taste is even more pronounced depending on the food.

Daimon Brewery

Daimon Brewery was founded in 1826 at the base of the Ikoma Mountain range. It hails from a beautiful area in Osaka Prefecture called Kita-Kawachi. This area is famous for its many caves and archeological sites that date back from the Jomon Era (before 300 BC) and Yayoi Era (between 300 BC and 300 AD). The brewery used high-quality rice from nearby areas, and the clear water brought from the mountains of Settsu and Ikoma to produce high sake, with the excellent techniques that have been inherited and developed from the Middle Ages. The “Kikuyoro” brand has been patronized by locals who have always wanted to drink the delicious sake of the region, as well as “Rikyu Ume” brand that was newly launched in the era of Ginjo sake.

Brewery Info

Representative: Yasutake Daimon Address: 3-12-1, Katano-Shi Mori-Minami, Osaka TEL: +81-72-891-0353 FAX: +81-72-891-0354 Foundation (year) 1826 Visit Daimon Brewery Website

Kiyotsuru Sake Brewery

Seibei Ishii, who was the head of the family began to brew sake as a side business in 1856. “Tomita Sake” is brewed with excellent rice from the nearby area and fresh water from the Abuyama mountain range, and has been praised by Edo liquors as “pure, non-turbid, fragrant and rich”. In pursuit of its uniqueness, Tajima Mori, who is known for his delicacy, is working on sake brewing by making full use of his five senses.

Representative: Seisuke Ishii Address: Tonda-cho 6-5-3, Takatsuki-city, Osaka TEL: +81-72-696-0014 FAX: +81-72-692-0014 Foundation (year) 1856 Visit Kiyotsuru Sake Brewery Website

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KOBE DAY TOUR FROM OSAKA: A DIY Itinerary

KOBE DAY TOUR FROM OSAKA: A DIY Itinerary

By continuing to read this article, you agree to double check with the authorities or other concerned entities for the latest updates.

“Why do you keep going back to Osaka?”

It’s a question we always get from our friends and followers, but it’s also one that is very easy to answer. Osaka isn’t just a destination on its own, it is also a gateway to other cities and prefectures!

Osaka is the largest city in the Kansai Region. It is also located at the very heart of it, making it an ideal jump off base for travelers who wish to see many other spots on this side of Japan. Most importantly, with the exception of Tokyo, it is also the most well-connected city, boasting an intricate network of railways and bus routes that stem to even some of the most remote corners of the region.

One of the destinations you can easily visit from Osaka is Kobe . The capital of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe is the sixth largest city in Japan and has always been one of the most important port cities in the country. In this post, we’ll explore Kobe and discover the things that you can enjoy in a day with information on how to get there if you’re staying in Osaka.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

The Passes You Need for this Osaka-Kobe Trip

Transportation companies in Kansai are very competitive, especially in enticing foreign tourists to use their service. You’ll be surprised how many transportation passes are available out there! Just looking at the number of train passes alone can induce choice paralysis.

But don’t worry, we already identified the passes you will need for this trip: Hanshin Tourist Pass and Rokkosan Tourist Pass .

Hanshin Tourist Pass

The Hanshin Tourist Pass will give you unlimited access to the Hanshin Main Line, which connects Osaka and Kobe, and all other Hanshin and Kobe Kosoku lines. The card is valid for one day. It is operated by Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., commonly referred to as simply Hanshin.

The pass normally costs ¥700. But is an ongoing promo and you can avail of it for only ¥500. Imagine: unlimited access for only ¥500!

sake tour osaka

Using it is very simple too. All you need to do is insert the card into the designated slot. No need to fall in line over and over again. This means that you get to save both time and money. Don’t forget to pick it up on the other side!

The pass is available at these locations:

  • Kansai Tourist Information Center at the Arrival Hall of Kansai Airport
  • Hankyu Tourist Center – Osaka Umeda
  • BIC Camera Namba and Abeno Q’s Mall

Hotel Hanshin Osaka

  • Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
  • Hanshin Koku Travel Salon

You can also book in advance online via Klook!

sake tour osaka

Rokkosan Tourist Pass

One of the major attractions in this itinerary is Mt. Rokko . It takes multiple transfers to get there so having the Rokkosan Tourist Pass can give you more savings and convenience. This pass isn’t unlimited but it covers the entire journey from select train stations in Kobe to Mt. Rokko Mountaintop Tourism Area and back.

sake tour osaka

With this pass, you can use the following:

  • Kobe City Bus 16 and 106
  • Rokko Cable Car
  • Rokko Sanjo Bus (unlimited rides)

The pass has five tickets attached to it. Each time you’re disembarking, you must tear the ticket off and hand it to the driver.

The pass costs ¥1000. You can also book online via Klook!

How to Get from Osaka to Kobe

If you’re staying in Umeda area, start your trip at the Hanshin-Umeda Station (HS 01) , the start point and terminus of Hanshin Main Line. This is an underground station next to Hanshin Department Store.

sake tour osaka

There is an information center at the station, so if you have questions, you can just ask away. There are also a lot of free brochures available to aid you with your navigation or give you recommendation.

From here, your first stop is Uozaki Station (HS 23) in Kobe.

Travel time: 22 minutes if you take Limited Express train or 52 minutes if you take the local train Fare: FREE with pass. ¥280 without the pass.

Places to Visit in Kobe

Sake factories and museums.

Nearest Station: Uozaki (HS 23, Hanshin Main Line)

Welcome to Kobe’s Nada District , one of the largest producers of sake in Japan!

Sake is often called Japanese rice wine. But in Japan, the term used is nihonshu because sake in the vernacular refers to any type of alcoholic drink. Sake is a curious drink. It’s called rice wine but it looks like a distilled drink and the process of creating it is closer to beer brewing. However, the complex flavor profiles, alcohol content, and how people usually appreciate it are very wine-like.

Kobe’s Nada District is home to several sake breweries because it has all the elements that are needed to create top-quality sake: plenty supply of rice, clean freshwater, and the right weather conditions. We were able to visit two breweries and museums in the area: Kikumasamune Sake Museum and Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.

Both can be visited FREE of charge. Both showcase the journey of rice from harvest to fermentation through various displays. You can use your phone to capture a QR code and use it as guide as you explore. The guides are also available in multiple languages. Hakutsuru even has a Tagalog option! Both will also allow you to sample different types of sake after the tour.

sake tour osaka

You can choose just one sake brewery for this itinerary. Both are very good, presenting the whole process in a way that is easy to understand.

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum Hours open: 9:30am to 4:00pm Entrance Fee: FREE

Kikumasamune Sake Museum Hours open: 9:30am to 4:00pm Entrance Fee: FREE

Rokko Snow Park (Mt. Rokko)

From either sake museum, trace your steps back to Uozaki Station and take the Hanshin Main Line again to Hanshin Mikage Station (HS25) using your Hanshin Tourist Pass.

Travel time: 2 minutes Fare: ¥140 without the pass, FREE with Hanshin Tourist Pass

Here’s how to get to Rokko Snow Park from this point:

  • At Hanshin Mikage Station, take the Kobe City Bus 16 that will take you to Rokko Cable Shita Station. You’ll need to use the green stub of your pass and give it to the driver before you alight. Travel time: 15-30 minutes. Fare: ¥210 without the pass, FREE with the pass.
  • At the Rokko Cable Shita Station, take the Rokko Cable Car which will take you up to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station. You will need to show the blue ticket to the staff before boarding. Fare: ¥590 without the pass, FREE with the pass. Travel time: 10 minutes.
  • Take the Rokko Sanjo Bus to Rokko Mountaintop Tourism Area. Don’t detach the red stub yet. You’ll do that after you make the return trip. Travel time: 9-13 minutes. Fare: ¥260 without the pass, FREE with the pass.
  • Alight at Rokko Snow Park. That’s it!

sake tour osaka

Rokko Snow Park is just one of the many attractions atop Mt. Rokko! Others include Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Rokko International Musical Box, Museum, Rokko-Arima Ropeway, Rokko-Shidare Observatory and Tenran Observatory.

sake tour osaka

We chose Rokko Snow Park because we were traveling in winter and Vins has never tried skiing before. It’s a great place to learn to ski because it’s not too big. It is also the closest snow park to Osaka.

This isn’t my first time skiing. Although I am still not very good at it (!!!), I already know the basics and can confidently ski down a slope without problem. Vins is another story, though. He’s tall and a complete beginner, so it took him quite a while to get the hang of it.

sake tour osaka

Here are the rates:

  • Entrance fee: ¥2100 adult, ¥1050 child
  • Lift Fee: ¥150 per ride
  • Ski and snow gear rental: ¥4650 adult, ¥3600 child (includes skis, poles, boots, gloves, top and bottom garments)
  • Snow shoes rental (shoes only): ¥500

If you get hungry before or after your snow activity, drop by Restaurant Alpen Rose , which serves meals for as low as ¥750.

Once you think you’ve had enough, just trace your steps back to Hanshin Mikage Station and take the Hanshin Main Line Direct Express to Motomachi Station .

Travel time: 8-13 minutes. Fare: ¥190 without the pass, FREE with Hanshin Tourist Pass

From Motomachi Station, travel on foot to Kobe Harborland.

Kobe Harborland and Meriken Park

Nearest Hanshin Station: Motomachi (HS33)

Kobe Harborland is a seaside shopping and entertainment destination, peppered with several department stores including Umie.

sake tour osaka

Umie is perhaps the most well-known of departments store in the district. Housing dozens of stores and restaurants, it is divided into three sections: North Mall, South Mall, and Mosaic. Of the three, Mosaic is the most scenic because it allows a fantastic view of the Meriken Park. If you can, wait until the evening and watch the harbor light up! Its most iconic structures like the Kobe Maritime Museum and the Kobe Port Tower look so much better at night.

sake tour osaka

If you want, you can also make your way to Meriken Park. Otherwise, trace your steps back to Motomachi Station and make your way by Hanshin Main Line back to Osaka:

Travel time: 36 minutes Fare: ¥320 without the pass, FREE with the pass

Hanshin Umeda Main Department Store Snack Park

Nearest Station: Umeda (HS01)

DINNER TIME! Since you’re already at Hanshin Umeda Station, which is just beside Hanshin Umeda Main Department Store, you might want to check out their newly reopened Snack Park.

sake tour osaka

Hanshin Snack Park has been a popular stand-up food court even among locals. It’s composed of over a dozen food kiosks serving a wide variety of Japanese delights including takoyaki, sushi, and ramen. Established in 1957, it was recently renovated to improve the overall dining experience.

Many of the original favorites are still here. Among the most popular is ikayaki , a crepe-like snack that is filled with bits of squid (¥152). You can also choose to have leeks and soy sauce added to it (¥162). We’ve tried both and they were delicious, especially given how cheap they are. I was expecting them to taste like takoyaki, but it was far from it. It’s like a slightly denser pancake but more savory than sweet. And the squid filling add a nice texture, something that made me keep on eating.

sake tour osaka

In one corner stands a sushi bar, which takes pride in their fresh seafood toppings including tuna, salmon, salmon roe, scallops, crab, and mackerel. The most expensive item on their menu is o-toro, choicest raw fatty tuna belly, and uni, sea urchin (¥432 a piece). Others range from ¥162 to ¥648 for 2 pieces.

But the best thing we tried that night was the ramen served by the stall named Kadoya Shokudo . They serve traditional ramen, with shoyu broth and Chinese noodles. Although my palate favors rich, bold flavors, I was pleasantly surprised by its light broth, which had the perfect mix of saltiness and umami. The noodles were more on the thin, soft side.

sake tour osaka

If you still have more time, walk a little bit and you’ll find…

HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel

Nearest Station: Umeda (HS01) Admission Fee: ¥600 Hours open: 11:00am to 10:45pm

Just a few minutes from Hanshin Department Store is HEP FIVE , another mall bursting with shops that target mostly the younger market. But it’s best known for its 106-meter bright red Ferris Wheel that allow a wonderful view of Umeda and the greater Osaka area especially at night! You can also see Osaka Harbor from here.

sake tour osaka

Sample Kobe Itinerary with Breakdown of Expenses

Here’s a brief summary of the above itinerary. I’m not indicating the exact time to give you some wiggle room in case you want to stay longer at a stop.

I also included a budget breakdown. Note that this assumes you have a Hanshin Tourist Pass and a Rokkosan Tourist Pass!

  • Transit: Take Hanshin Main Line from Hanshin Umeda Station to Uozaki Station.
  • Explore: Sake Brewery Museum (choice between Kikumasamune Sake Museum and Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum). Entrance Fee: FREE
  • Transit: Take Hanshin Main Line from Uozaki Station to Hanshin Mikage Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Kobe City Bus 16 from Hanshin Mikage Station to Rokko Cable Shita Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Rokko Cable Car to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Rokko Sanjo Bus to Rokko Snow Park. FREE.
  • Enjoy: Rokko Snow Park. Entrance Fee: ¥2100
  • Lunch: Restaurant Alpen Rose. Budget: ¥1200
  • Enjoy: Snow Activities
  • Transit: Take Rokko Sanjo Bus to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Rokko Cable Car to Rokko Cable Shita Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Kobe City Bus 16 to Hanshin Mikage Station. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Hanshin Main Line to Motomachi Station. FREE.
  • Explore: Kobe Harborland. FREE.
  • Transit: Take Hanshin Main Line to Hanshin Umeda Station. FREE.
  • Dinner: Hanshin Department Store Snack Park. Budget: ¥1500.
  • Enjoy: HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel. Admission Fee: ¥600.

If you’re skiing at Rokko Snow Park for a few hours, the above itinerary will cost you around ¥14,000 (PH6715, USD128, SGD173) per person, excluding airfare, accommodations, visa fees, travel taxes, and shopping budget. Note that the bulk of this budget goes to ski rental.

If you’re visiting Rokko Snow Park just for sightseeing or you just want to play with the sled, the above itinerary will set you back around ¥8000 (PHP3835, USD73, SGD99) per person, excluding airfare, accommodations, visa fees, travel taxes, and shopping budget.

Notice that you only spent ¥1500 (¥1700 outside promo period) on transportation. That’s ¥1000 on Rokkosan Tourist Pass and ¥500 (¥700 outside promo period) on Hanshin Tourist Pass.

If you don’t have these two passes, you will be spending a total of ¥3050 on transportation. But if you have the passes, you’ll be racking up a total of ¥1550 in savings!

Where to Stay in Osaka

The above itinerary assumes you’re staying near Umeda or any Hanshin Main Line Station. The area surrounding Umeda Station is an ideal place to stay in Osaka because of the sheer number of attractions and dining places. Umeda is home to some of the city’s most recognizable attractions including the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel and Umeda Sky Building.

Just one station away from Umeda Station is Fukushima Station which is also surrounded by lots of accommodation choices. The area is also littered with restaurants especially ramen bars and yakiniku that are favorites among locals. It is also within walking distance of Osaka Station. Fukushima Station is part of the Hanshin Main Line, which means it is also covered by the Hanshin Tourist Pass.

Here are two properties you might want to consider. Both properties are also very accessible from Kansai Airport. You can take a Hanshin Limousine Bus to Osaka Station (Herbis Osaka) and just walk a little bit from the bus stop.

First Cabin Hanshin Nishiumeda

First Cabin is a popular chain of capsule hotels. At its core, it is a capsule hotel but is done in a more sophisticated fashion. The interiors are stylish, slick, and impeccably neat. It is designed in a way that mimics a luxury aircraft, with business-class and first-class capsules. An overnight stay costs ¥4000 to ¥6000, depending on the season. You can also stay for only a few hours if that’s all you need.

We were able to check out their Hanshin Nishiumeda branch located close to Osaka Station and Fukushima Station.

Here are some of the photos we took during our stay.

sake tour osaka

If you have a bigger budget, Hotel Hanshin Osaka is also an option. It takes pride in having natural hot spring in each room, ensuring that you have a relaxing time during your stay. They also have spa facilities if you want to level up your unwinding. The best part, you have an awesome view of the city, with the Umeda Sky Building taking center stage. Here are some photos!

sake tour osaka

This post is brought to you by Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

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guest

Hi! Very informative post as usual! I’m going to Japan this April, and will be staying in Kobe, Hyogo. My itinerary includes trips to Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. Will be there for almost 9 days (I arrive at KIX at night). What pass do you suggest? TIA!

Yosh Dimen

Will you touring every single day of those nine days? Kasi baka you don’t need a single pass for the entire trip but instead do it one day at a time. This way, if you decide na mag-rest day, di ka mape-pressure.

For example, when exploring Osaka from Kobe, you can use a combination of Hanshin Tourist Pass and Osaka Amazing Pass.

For Kyoto, try Hankyu Tourist Pass.

For Nara, combination of Hanshin Tourist Pass and Kintetsu 1 Day Pass. Or if Nara Park lang ang pupuntahan mo sa Nara, just use Hanshin Tourist Pass to get to Osaka (and back) and then regular tickets na lang.

For Himeji, Himeji Tourist Pass.

Grace

Hi! May I ask, hindi po ba pwede gamitin yung Kansai thru pass to get from Osaka to Kobe? Kobe is included in the areas covered, so I was wondering kung di sya magagamit to get to Kobe>. Iba pa po ba yung Hanshin Tourist Pass? Thank you! :)

Hi Grace, pwede mo magamit ung Kansai Thru Pass sa Hanshin line. If meron kang KTP, di mo na need nitong Hanshin Pass.

Luna

Thank you for this post! I’ve been to Osaka, Kyoto and Nara several times before and your post made me decide to go for a day trip to Kobe as well! I love how your post is very informative yet straight to the point, especially for someone who don’t wish to take a package tour (which is expensive and includes other activities that I’m not keen). It’s really useful for people who wish to craft their own day trip itinerary.

Now I’m looking forward to add Kobe to my list of places I’ve been to in Japan!

Thank you so much! Enjoy Kobe! :)

Ryan

Hi! For the Rokko Snow Park, did you book it thru klook ( https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/2599-rokko-snow-park-osaka/ ) or did you just walk in? Also, how many hours did you spend in the snow park?

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    Here are selected breweries in Osaka that offer tours. Kitashoji Sake Brewery. Kitashoji Sake Brewery motto is to produce "excellent sake, one sip at a time." Kitashoji Sake Brewery creates sake with a mild flavor. To visit this brewery, reservations must be made a week prior to the day of the tour. On this tour you will witness the high ...

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    Julian has been involved in sake import in Australia as well as knowledge training, tasting events and guided food and sake tours in and around Osaka, and translation services for sake breweries and restaurants. As of 2018 Julian has held the position of contest judge and ambassador for the Concours Mondial De Bruxelles Sake.

  16. Navigating The Mysteries Of Sake

    Julian has been involved in sake import in Australia as well as knowledge training, tasting events and guided food and sake tours in and around Osaka, and translation services for sake breweries and restaurants. As of 2018 Julian has held the position of contest judge and ambassador for the Concours Mondial De Bruxelles Sake.

  17. Sake Tours Japan

    Expect impeccably sourced restaurant dinners, hard-to-find sake, and authentic, under-the-radar cultural experiences that make Sake Tours the most non-touristic "tours" you'll ever experience. Come find out why so many Sake Tours customers return to explore different parts of Japan with us! Unforgettable. Immersive. Delicious.

  18. Osaka Sake Breweries

    Osaka's sake brewed with high-quality rice from the local area and the pure water brought from the surrounding mountains is cultivated by the lifestyle and richness of food in Osaka and it has a solid claim to its refreshing taste. The search for depth is a characteristic. ... Sake Brewery Tour Tokyo. The Birth of Sake - an award winning ...

  19. 13 Must-Visit Sake Breweries In Japan

    Among Kyoto's many sake breweries, Fujioka Brewing Company bears quite a rollercoaster ride of a history. They began production in 1902, expanded into multiple factories by the turn of the following decade, and peaked with a whopping 8,000 koku (1.4 million litres) production until the sudden passing of the founder's grandson triggered their closure in 1995.

  20. KOBE DAY TOUR FROM OSAKA: A DIY Itinerary

    Hanshin Tourist Pass. The Hanshin Tourist Pass will give you unlimited access to the Hanshin Main Line, which connects Osaka and Kobe, and all other Hanshin and Kobe Kosoku lines. The card is valid for one day. It is operated by Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., commonly referred to as simply Hanshin. The pass normally costs ¥700.