Recently Viewed
Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe
4.8
17 Ratings
Kobe
Discover Kobe’s sake breweries, savor tastings, explore local food culture, and stroll through vibrant shopping streets. Experience the essence of Japanese life and craftsmanship.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum - Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum: This museum, established in the early Taisho era, showcases the traditional sake brewing process and operations. Visitors can explore the brewing techniques and admire the historical architecture. Sake tasting is also available.
- Kobe Shu-shin-kan Breweries - Kobe Shushinkan: Operating for 250 years since the Edo period, this sake brewery produces Fukuju, a sake enjoyed at Nobel Prize dinners and esteemed both in Japan and internationally. Discover your preferred flavor at the tasting corner and take it home as a souvenir.
- Konan Muko no Sato - Kobe Konan Mukonosato: This establishment specializes in pickles and Mirin (sweet cooking rice wine). Mirin, made from the same ingredients as sake, is a staple in Japanese cuisine. By understanding the similarities and differences between sake and Mirin, you can gain deeper insights into Japanese food and sake.
- Oyasutei Ichiba Shopping Street - Oyasutei Ichiba Shopping Street: Boasting a history of over 100 years, this market is considered “the oldest shopping street in Kobe.” It features long-standing stores from the postwar era and shops offering a variety of Japanese, Asian, and Halal foods. The street exudes a retro Japanese atmosphere with its blend of Showa and multicultural influences.
What's Included
- Private Tour
- Tour Guide
- Necessary expenses for the guide during the tour
What's Not Included
- Estimated Costs of the Tour: 530 JPY per Person
- Breakdown: Transportation: 530 JPY, Admission Fees: 0 JPY, Meal costs: 0 JPY per Person
- Optional Experience Costs: 0 JPY per Person
Additional Information
Sake breweries are scattered in the Nada area, where the area is known as one of the best sake breweries in Japan. Several breweries are open to the public, and they are popular with tourists because they offer tours of the production process and free tastings. Sake brewing in Nada has been active since the Edo period and now accounts for about 30% of Japan’s total sake production. The location, climatic environment, quality of rice, and water are just perfect to brew sake in Nada. Those are essential for sake brewing, and the craftsmanship has been handed down from generation to generation with its techniques. This tour will not only introduce a sake brewery and tasting but will also introduce you to the food culture using sake, strolling through local shopping streets. By learning about the efforts of the people involved in sake brewing, as well as feeling the daily lives in the area, you will be able to understand the appeal of sake.
- All transportation costs, entrance fees, food and drink costs, etc. incurred at the visited spots, will be borne by the customer.
- Under the age of 20 are not allowed to drink in Japan.
- Tour finishing spot is different from starting spot. Please let your tour guide know if you would like to change the finishing spot.
- Please understand that tour spots might be changed to alternative spots in case of temporary closure.
- This tour does not include a dining spot.
- If the weather is bad on the day, there is a possibility that the means of transportation, destinations, and routes may be changed.
- Please wear comfortable clothing as you will be walking a lot.
- Some of the spots we will visit on the day do not accept credit cards. Please remember to bring cash.
- If you are unable to make it to the meeting point by the start time, there is a possibility that we might not be able to provide the full experience this tour has to offer, due to the time taken to get to the meeting point via public transport. Please ensure that you have ample time to get to the meeting point on time.
Location
Sannomiya Station
JR Sannomiya Station central exit, in front of ticket office
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(17 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Nd8vb7g7kj
Sep 5, 2024
Fantastic guide - WOW! Our guide Tomoko was fantastic and couldn’t recommend highly enough.
The sake tour in Kobe was an absolute delight. From the moment we stepped into the traditional sake brewery, I was captivated by the rich history and craftsmanship that went into every bottle. Our knowledgeable guide, a local expert, shared fascinating insights into the sake-making process, explaining the intricate techniques involved in producing this beloved Japanese beverage.
We had the opportunity to taste a variety of sakes, each with its own unique flavor profile. Tomoko recommended the plum wine, it’s great!
Review provided by Viator
Joshpc8303os
Aug 13, 2024
Knowledge and helpful tour guide - Kei was a fantastic guide, very accommodating when we arrived 15 minutes late, excellent at personalising the tour based on our preferences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adamnw9950mk
Jun 16, 2024
Kobe day - Kiyoshi was really welcoming from the start as we had trouble with finding the meeting spot. Kiyoshi gave us a run down of the itinerary and we were off. We started with hopping on a train and some walking to the first sake Brewery. As we traveled to our first destination we learned about Kiyoshi's background and a little bit of his life.
We first visited the top sake brewer in Japan. Kiyoshi was knowledgeable about Kobe's brewing and export of sake. At the end of visiting the Brewery we had our first sake tasting. Unfortunately, at the first Brewery we had to pay for the tasting. However, it was cheap and when will be the next time you are able to try premium sake in japan straight from the source?
We then walked to the next sake Brewery and got to see areas of Kobe without hustle and bustle. Along the way Kiyoshi shared facts regarding Japan such as differences in customs between the Kansai region and the rest of the Japan. We shared with Kiyoshi differences in America.
The second tasting was free. You have the option to get a larger amount if you pay and I believe you could keep the sake cup as a souvenir. After visiting the Breweries we headed to the Suidosoji Shotengai via subway. The Suidosoji Shotengai consisted if shops and restaurants. We popped into a tiny restaurant for some Okonomiaki. Kiyoshi translated what the chef was saying for us. Once finished we head back to the train station to say our goodbyes.
Kiyoshi was a wonderful guide who was great to talk to.
Be prepared for for a lot of walking and some subway hopping. Even though there is a lot of travel you get to see a beautiful city while learning a lot. Make sure you have an IC card for the convenience of transportation. Also, wear sunscreen, bring a hat or an umbrella.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Panagiotis
Jun 12, 2023
Great tour of Osaka - Masato did an excellent job. He was prepared and flexible. We went all over Osaka and saw all the major sites, temples, shrines and neighborhoods. We also ate very well!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ericlf694bn
Jun 8, 2023
Great tour - Fuji was a great tour guide. He really took his time explaining everything and even helped us with a dinner reservation. We would recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susanse679xc
May 13, 2023
Great experience in Kobe -
Masato was an excellent tour guide. He was prompt, knowledgeable, organized and helpful for us. Had a half day tour of Kobe and saw 2 sake breweries and a pickle factory. We wanted to have Kobe beef for lunch and he found a restaurant and took us there, interpreting for us and helping us along. I also was interested in purchasing a yukata of which he found a department store to go there. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidp752014
May 13, 2023
Excellent tour 👏👍 - I had an excellent time with the guide Michi-san. He was kind and very knowledgeable about saké making, the region, the factories and the history around saké in kobé. We also exchanged about japanese life in general. I learned a lot thanks to him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q8634rggarethp
May 13, 2023
Sake Tour in Kobe - A very good tour with such a polite guide. Had a great Japanese lunch and a nice tour around the local markets
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L1356ifmatthews
May 6, 2023
Was an enjoyable experience - I had Hiroko as my tour guide. She was an extremely excellent tour guide and very knowledgeable on the brewing she should me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
209carolynh
May 22, 2023
Sake Brewery - This tour was interesting and not what we were expecting (not in a bad way!) Taste testing was a bonus and our guide was knowledgeable on the subject though at times language was a barrier.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
