The climate and groundwater resources available in Hiroshima Prefecture are what has allowed it to develop into a region renowned for its sake production. Its high-quality water sources and temperature differences between day and night in summer are what allows it to grow high-quality sake rice, which in turn enables the production of top-grade sake. Do visit the famous breweries in this region and taste the quality sake they produce.
The first to be introduced is Miyake Honten in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture. This brewery is renowned for Sempuku, a famous local sake, and attracts more than 15,000 visitors a year. Here you will be able to observe each stage of production in a factory that adheres to international safety standards (HACCP). In addition to their usual factory tours, brewing tours are held during the brewing period between October and March for a limited number of lucky people per day.
*English guides available. Advance reservation required. Reservations can be made through the English website.
The second brewery is Kamotsuru Sake Brewery in Saijo, Hiroshima Prefecture. Alongside Nada and Fushimi, Saijo is one of Japan’s top 3 sake-producing regions. Seven sake breweries are closely located near Saijo Station so be sure to take your time to enjoy the unique ambience around the area. Standing out as one of the pioneers of Daiginjo sake (a top-grade sake that is produced from polishing 50% of the rice and using only the inner part of the rice grain), Kamotsuru has received awards at prestigious national sake appraisals and is the creme de la creme of sake breweries in Japan. During business hours, you may tour their brewery freely. You can try their premium sake at a small fee and it’s free to sample the regular sake. Reservations are not required, so why not stop by Kamotsuru Sake Brewery while travelling around Hiroshima?
Miyake Honten
Access :Miyake Honten Japan, 〒737-0045, Hiroshima-ken, Kure-shi, Hon-doori 7-7-1
Operating hours :10am to 4pm * Factory tour hours: 10am to 3:30pm (Rest time: 12pm to 1pm, Not available on Sat, Sun, Public holidays and other factory rest days) * Brewery tour hours: Only at 2pm (1 business day advance reservation required. Not available on Sat, Sun, Public holidays, Year-end holidays.)
How to get there :From Hiroshima Airport, take the limousine bus to JR Hiroshima Station. Then, take the train from JR Hiroshima Station to JR Kure Station. Take a bus from Bus Terminal No.7 in front of JR Kure Station and get off at Hon-doori Nana-chome Stop. It is a 3 minutes’ walk from there.
Website :http://www.sempuku.co.jp/english/
Kamotsuru Sake Brewery
Access :Kamotsuru Sake Brewery Japan, 〒739-0011, Hiroshima-shi Higashi-Hiroshima-shi, Saijo-honmachi 4-31
Operating hours :9am to 4:30pm (Last entry at 4pm)
How to get there :From JR Hiroshima station, take the Sanyo Line to JR Saijo station. It is a 3 minutes’ walk from there.
Website :https://www.kamotsuru.jp/
