Go by chartered car! A tasting tour of 2 sake breweries near the headwaters of Tone River.

Last update : 19 Feb 2021

Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

At the headwaters of the Tone River, the largest river in the Kanto region, sits an area that’s blessed with gorgeous waters and lush nature. Here, at this “Village of Greenery and Water”, is where you’ll tour two breweries that have produced sake for over 100 years. Get to know the deep historic, cultural backstory of the breweries, learn how their sake are made, and experience the flavor at exclusive tastings. To top it off, you’ll even have a chance to taste the prized source waters behind it all. With this premium sake brewery tour, you’ll enjoy exclusive experiences while taking a deep dive into the world of Japanese sake.

Let’s Start the Tour!

Meet at Takasaki Station on the Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen Lines. From there you’ll take an approx. 1-hour drive by private, chartered car before arriving at Kawaba. Your first stop is a visit Tsuchida Sake Brewery for a tour. The tour includes an all-inclusive explanation of the brewing processes and highlights of this brewery.

Tsuchida Sake Brewery is known particularly for its prized “Homare Kokko” sake. It’s currently run by the 6th generation owner who constantly strives to expand the possibilities of Japanese sake, while still preserving its authentic, trusted traditions.

A closeup view at the sake making floor. Along with a painstaking approach to extracting the full rich flavor of rice, this brewery is a self-proclaimed subscriber of the Edo(1603-1868) method, using absolutely no artificial additives.

After the tour, its tasting time. Dry, sweet, fruity, crisp… you will be shocked to find such a rich profile of flavors across each sake!

Once you’ve had your fill at Tsuchida Sake Brewery, it’s time to head to Kawaba Den-en Plaza for lunch.

After lunch, you’ll make your way to Nagai Sake Brewery.
Nagai Sake Brewery is a veteran sake brewery that owns its nearby mountain lands and freshly sourced mountain spring waters for brewing.
Once you arrive, you’ll head straight to the source stream inside the forest. Here, you’ll enjoy an onsite tasting of the “MIZUBASHO Artist series” sparkling sake.

The sake has an easy-to-drink, smooth taste, which is only enhanced by the gorgeous, natural backdrop.
What’s more, you will even have a chance to taste a glass of the pure waters, straight from the source.

Once back at the brewery, you’ll enjoy a Japanese sake tasting over a tantalizing lecture of sake trivia, and explanation of the brewery’s history, culture, unique brewing process.

Taste and compare the “MIZUBASHI Artist series” still and dessert sake.

Summary

You’ll be shocked to find that even while sharing the same area, both sake breweries have created their own unique, sake microcosm of taste and expression.
Sake is loved by many around the world, but there are still many fans across the globe who don’t know how it is made. With a visit to these two sake breweries, you’ll enjoy the chance to dive deeper into the complex and versatile world of Japanese sake.

TIME SCHEDULE

9:00am Meet at Takasaki Station (Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen)
10:00am – 11:30am Tour and Tasting at Tsuchida Sake Brewery
12:00am – 1:30pm Lunch Time (at Kawaba Den-en Plaza)
2:00pm – 3:30pm Tour at Nagai Sake Brewery source waters, followed by tasting
4:30pm Tour ends at Takasaki Station (Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen)

Tour Overview

Tour Company: Japan Wonder Travel
Tour Title: Go by chartered car! A tasting tour of 2 sake breweries near the headwaters of Tone River.
Meeting Location: Takasaki Station (Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen)
Inquiries: staff@japanwondertravel.com
Availability: must book at least 3 days in advance
Tour Price: 22,000 yen/per person (includes private car, translator, brewery tour and tasting)
Tour Size: available for 4-9 person groups
Please Note: Please make reservations at least 3 days prior to your desired date. Please inquire if your group is more than 9 people. Personalized/exclusive upgrades can be arranged.
Official site: Official site (English)