/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72497.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72496.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72495.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72494.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72493.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4180/72492.jpg)
SAIJO SAKE TOWN (SAKAGURA) TOUR
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/16673/66085.jpg)
Joined 2018
Sakagura is the grouping of breweries in a particular district. The word sake by itself is a generic term for alcohol and Japanese call the clear alcohol unique drink brewed in Japan nihonshu, which has played a central role in Japanese life and culture for 2,000 years. The town of Saijo is one of the premier sake-producing regions in Japan; this tour is a delightful stroll through the district and includes tasting at the breweries.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Saijo Station
Saijo Higashi Hiroashima
A comfortable stroll through the Saijo sakagura. While visiting breweries, learning all about the brewing methods of one of the three major Japanese sake brewery regions in Japan, along the way, sampling their fine Japanese sake and eating on the specialty brewers hot pot meal for lunch.
local eatery
lunch in a local inn with the delicious specialty brewers stamina hot pot dish
boutique cafe
after-lunch coffee or preferred beverage and dessert at a lovely nearby cafe also selling local craft souvenirs..
Saijo Station
conclude the tour and if preferred escort guests back to Hiroshima Station and part.
Ending Point
Hiroshima Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, the complimentary sake available at each brewery + 2 x beverages total per guest, lunch, dessert.
fares to and from Saijo (if not travelling on a JR Pass ¥580 one direction), additional drinks ~ ¥300 per additional taster glass
Tour Important Information
Strolling a total of approximately 2 km at an easy pace, but comfortable walking shoes recommended. . I can meet you either at Hiroshima station approximately forty minutes before the tour start time, or you can make the approximately 35-minute train journey to Saijo on the Sanyo line to commence the tour. I will escort you back to Hiroshima.
Once I send a requested tour offer I hold that date for 36 hours. Please note that I supply tours for several companies and I will close that date to enquiries via other providers for that period; if a booking is not made I reopen my availability. I am contractually obliged to accept bookings made for dates open on a provider site calendar; as such, I cannot guarantee availability until a booking is set. Thanks for your understanding.
Due to Brewery opening hours, not available on weekends. Must be over twenty years of age.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2018
About Tour Guide Hugh C.
Hi!
Thanks for reviewing my profile.
I am Australian, from Sydney originally but my life with Japan and its culture and history spans 30 odd years and I have been a Hiroshima resident for 18 of those 30 years.
I joined GoWithGuide just recently but be assured I have led many tours in Hiroshima and more widely throughout metropolitan and regional Japan, sharing conversations about the unique society, its fascinating culture and history. I also have written several tourism blogs for inbound tour companies and also the Hiroshima Prefectural Tourism Bureau.
I speak fluent Japanese and I have immersed myself in the experience of living here in modern and traditional culture and spent many years studying martial arts Aikido and Iaido. I also have a strong interest in Buddhist teachings. My Japanese calligraphy work over the years has been received recognition and several awards and commissions both in Japan and elsewhere.
I'm looking forward to spending a great experience sharing the culture and history of Hiroshima with you.
Reviews
Dana F.
“What an insightful experience”
When visiting Hiroshima, you are prepared for a rather serious day considering the tragedy of that place. Hugh, however, managed to make my visit both interesting and fun. He is genuinely interested in not only the history of Hiroshima and Japan but also enthusiastic about culture and people in general. His many years living in Japan give you also to chance to learn more about Japan‘s day to day culture in a way Japanese themselves might have trouble to explain. I enjoyed my time with Hugh enormously and would immediately book a tour with him again.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/16673/66085.jpg)
Hugh C.
Hello Dana! It it was a pleasure to share your day with you and thank you so much for your thoughtfulreview.
Az E.
“Wonderful Day Tour with Hugh”
We had a wonderful day tour in Hiroshima with Hugh as our guide. He was very helpful and incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the city’s history and culture with great clarity. What stood out most was the way he explained everything so clearly that even our kids were fully engaged and understood. His patience, warmth, and insight made the experience truly meaningful for our family. Overall, we feel very lucky to have had Hugh as our guide in Hiroshima, and we would highly recommend him to anyone visiting the city.
Hugh C.
Thank you! A pleasure sharing your day.
Jason O.
“Naoshima wouldn’t have worked without Hugh”
Naoshima is an amazing place. Each member of the family found many things to love. However it took the amazing efforts of our guide Hugh to properly book each location with appropriate timings and routes between. It would have been impossible to do it on our own. Hugh has deep knowledge of the art and Japan. His unique perspective and background as a schoolteacher kept our teens engaged with the experience. I can imagine there are other good guides out there but probably none better than Hugh to make the island really come alive.
Hugh C.
Thanks so much, Jason! It’s a very gratifying review. It was a great pleasure and privilege sharing your day.
$417/ per group
More tours by Hugh C.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3788/66551.jpg)
A Canny Day in Hiroshima
The overall plan for a day in Hiroshima: Join me on a very memorable stroll through the history and culture of the "shrine island", designated one of the three most scenic sites in Japan and a World Heritage Site, before returning to Central Hiroshima to tour Peace Memorial Park, it monuments and museums or, if desired, I am happy to discuss customising your tour to include other attractions but that may exclude components of the itinerary. There is an option to do this tour by private vehicle.
A Canny Day in Hiroshima
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/8568/127835.jpg)
Hiroshima Classical Walking Tour
A lovely relaxed half-day tour where we’ll share a comfortable three-stage walking tour as we stroll through Hiroshima’s classical Japanese landscaped gardens. Visit Hiroshima Castle and explore the interior Museum, before a tour of the fascinating modern history of Hiroshima including the A-Bomb Dome, and Peace Memorial Park.
Hiroshima Classical Walking Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/10957/156822.jpeg)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima's History
An in-depth tour of the fascinating history of Hiroshima including the A-Bomb Dome, and the monuments and museum in Peace Memorial Park, followed by lunch as per what might be your available preference but I recommend Hiroshima okonomiyaki, a scrumptious layered savoury pancake.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima's History
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/10767/153734.png)
Hiroshima - The Shrine Island
Join me on a very memorable stroll through its ancient history - the "shrine island" Miyajima, a designated World Heritage Site. We'll get photos of the giant sentinal Torii Gate then visit the ancient Itsukushima Shrine also Daishoin Temple an equally important religious site and the stark mysteriously austere Senjokaku hall and adjacent Five-Story Pagoda. Enjoy an aerial gondola ride to some spectacular views and dine of fresh local fare.
Hiroshima - The Shrine Island
Other Popular Food & Drink Tours in Hiroshima
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/329/8197.jpg)
Central Hiroshima and Okonomiyaki (Local Food) Tour
First up, I bring you to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima is well known as the first atomic bombed city in the world history. You walk and drop by at many spots built to commemorate the victims and learn more at the Peace Memorial Museum. After that study tour, we roam around Central area and finally arrive at Okonomiyaki restaurant for early supper. Okonomiyaki is Hiroshima's soul food; a savory pancake filled with chopped vegetables, meat, sea food, noodle, egg... Just give it a try.
Central Hiroshima and Okonomiyaki (Local Food) Tour
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/655/8070.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/18547/dd6be863-01db-4baa-9f41-a2cb5edaf6d4.jpg)
Saijo Sake Brewery Tour in Higashihiroshima (2.5 Hours)
Step into the heart of Japan’s sake culture in Saijo, a charming town just 35 minutes from Hiroshima by JR train. Stroll along the historic Sake Brewery Street (Sakagura-dori), lined with traditional white-walled storehouses and towering red brick chimneys. Let me take you to this picturesque district, where you’ll learn how sake is made and enjoy tastings at seven different breweries. This tour offers a truly authentic and unforgettable experience—all easily accessible from Hiroshima.
Saijo Sake Brewery Tour in Higashihiroshima (2.5 Hours)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/59899/37a6a5fe-51a5-423e-825a-4a763fc7c0dc.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/511/13238.jpg)
Saijo....Sake Town
After 30 min. train ride from Hiroshima, you arrive at this tiny town, SAIJO. Just follow chimneys and you find SAKE here. In this small town, you will encounter the world famous and time-honored sake breweries. Enjoy waking around and drop in at some of sake breweries to have a taste. Good rice and quality water are indispensable for making good sake, though. This town has both of them. In 2025, the Sake festival will be held on October 11&12. Come and join us!!
Saijo....Sake Town
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3819/72491.jpg)
"Hiroshima Hops & Sips: A Craft Beer and Tavern Crawl"
We will navigate a 3-hour stroll through the back streets of the entertainment district of Hiroshima trying excellent craft beers and sake and stopping off at bars, pubs, and an izakaya, a traditional drinking house, where locals gather with friends and colleagues to enjoy mouth-watering, small-plate dishes cooked don the grill before your eyes along with free-flowing drinks.
"Hiroshima Hops & Sips: A Craft Beer and Tavern Crawl"