Saijo Sake Tasting Tour: 7 Breweries in 2 Hours

Seven breweries, seven distinct sake styles, one afternoon in Saijo

A guided sake tasting tour through Saijo, Hiroshima's historic brewing district, visits seven small local breweries in two hours. You taste a variety of sake types, from dry to sweet, and learn how each brewery's water source and traditional methods shape its signature flavor. The tour includes entry to multiple breweries and guidance in English or Japanese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sake brewery tasting tour in Saijo

• Visit seven sake breweries
• Taste different sake flavors
• Tour Kamotsuru Sake Brewery
• Sample Kamotsuru refined sake
• Visit Fukubijin Sake Brewery
• Taste Fukubijin smooth sake
• Tour Kamoizumi Sake Brewery
• Enjoy Kamoizumi full-bodied sake
• Visit Kirei Sake Brewery
• Learn brewing process and taste sake
• Tour Saijotsuru Sake Brewery
• Taste Saijotsuru smooth, rich sake
• Visit Hakubotan Sake Brewery
• Sample mellow sake in historic setting
• Tour Sanyotsuru Sake Brewery
• Experience artisanal sake tasting

The experience

Saijo sits in Hiroshima Prefecture as one of Japan's three major sake brewing regions, alongside Nada and Fushimi. The town exploded as a brewing center after the railroad arrived, and its breweries still export sake across Japan and overseas. What sets Saijo apart is the water (soft and clean), and the breweries' commitment to mellow, balanced sake that pairs well with food rather than standing alone. You'll visit seven of these producers in a single afternoon, each one small and rooted in local craft rather than built for tourist crowds.

The tour moves through breweries including Kamotsuru, founded in 1873 and famous for sake presented to the Japanese Imperial Family; Fukubijin, established in 1917 as a training ground for master brewers; and Kamoizumi, celebrated for its dedication to traditional brewing methods and full-bodied sake. You'll also taste at Kirei, Saijotsuru, Hakubotan (founded in 1675 and offering a nostalgic, historic atmosphere), and Sanyotsuru, a family-owned operation focused on small-batch, artisanal production passed down through generations. At each stop, your guide explains the brewing process and the flavor differences that come from each brewery's approach and water source.

The two-hour pace means you move steadily through Saijo's brewery-lined streets, tasting multiple sake styles without lingering long at any single location. This works well if you want to sample the range of what the region produces (dry, sweet, smooth, refined), and understand how local water and technique shape each brewery's character. Because these are working producers rather than visitor centers, some may close on irregular days even when the tour is scheduled, so confirm availability when you book.

What’s included

• Visit to seven sake breweries in Saijo.
• guided tasting of various sake types with different flavor profiles.
• explanation of each brewery's brewing process and local water source.
• opportunity to learn about Saijo's sake culture and brewing tradition.
• access to brewery shops where you can purchase sake to take home.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group TourGuide in English or Japanese · 13:00Group tour - G-242-B: As a group tour, you may be joined by other guests. Let's explore Japan's deep sake tradition together!

Private TourGuide in English or Japanese · 10:00, 12:00 and 13:00Private tour - G-242-A

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 10:00, 12:00 and 13:00, from JP¥ 14,000 per person, with a live guide in English and Japanese, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 12:00 and 13:00

Book up to20h before

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by DeepExperience

Is this one for you?Choose the group tour if you want to meet other sake enthusiasts and share the experience. Pick the private tour if you prefer a personalized pace and the flexibility to spend more time at breweries that particularly interest you. Either way, the two-hour window means you'll taste across seven breweries without the day becoming about drinking. It's about understanding how water, technique and tradition shape what's in each glass.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What's the difference between Saijo sake and sake from other brewing regions in Japan?

Saijo sake is known for its clean, gentle sweetness and mellow taste, shaped by the region's soft water and traditional brewing methods. This flavor profile makes it pair well with a variety of meals, unlike sake from other regions that may be more assertive or meant to stand alone.

Can I buy sake to take home from the breweries we visit?

Yes, several of the breweries have shops where you can purchase their sake, including exclusive brews not sold elsewhere. Kirei Sake Brewery and Sanyotsuru both offer this option, though availability varies by brewery.

How much sake will I taste at each brewery?

The tour includes tasting of various sake types across the seven breweries, with your guide explaining the flavor profile and brewing process at each stop. The exact amount varies by brewery, but the pace is designed to let you sample the range without becoming overwhelming over the two-hour period.

What's special about Kamotsuru Sake Brewery?

Kamotsuru, founded in 1873, is famed for producing sake presented to the Japanese Imperial Family. It's known for its refined, well-balanced flavor that blends tradition and innovation, offering a polished tasting experience that represents the quality Saijo is known for.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not an experienced sake drinker?

Yes, the tour is designed for all levels. Your guide explains the brewing process and flavor differences, so newcomers learn as they taste. Sanyotsuru and other small breweries on the tour emphasize a personalized, educational experience that welcomes both connoisseurs and first-time tasters.