Japan
›
Tochigi
›
Tours
›
Food & Drink
›
Sake brewery tasting in Tochigi area

Sake brewery tasting in Tochigi area

Food & Drink

Joined 2025

Andy L.

5.00 / 5

(5 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Tochigi

Chinese (Simplified) (Native), Chinese (Traditional) (Native), English (Native), Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Andy L.)

Up to 4 people

Get ready, sake lovers! Tochigi Prefecture is an absolute gem for anyone passionate about Japan's national drink. With crystal-clear water flowing from the majestic Nikko Mountains and a heritage of growing top-quality rice, this region boasts a rich history of sake brewing that you can truly experience firsthand.

Tochigi is home to fantastic sake breweries offering unforgettable tasting experiences. Prepare to discover the artistry, tradition, and delicious flavors of authentic Japanese sake!

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Utsunomiya

- At your hotel or train station - I will contact you on mobile. I can also pick you up in Tokyo area, please message me for details.

10:30 AM

Shimazaki Brewery (Azumarikishi Brand) - "The Cave Brewery"

This is the famous "Cave Brewery" in Nasukarasuyama City, known for aging its sake in former WWII tunnels. They've been brewing since 1849 and are pioneers in aged sake (koshu). It is a must-visit if you're interested in aged sake.

Tasting/Tour:

Cave Tour: You can take a self-guided walk through the cool, dark cave where sake is aged. This is a unique experience! (Admission fee usually around ¥300). This is usually open on weekends, holidays, Golden Week, and Obon.

Brewery Tours & Tastings: More in-depth tours with specific sake tastings are often available but typically require advance reservations with a higher fee (e.g., ¥3,550 for a tour with 3 aged sake tastings). Please let me know in advance for reservation if you wish to taste aged sake.

12:30 PM

Lunch at or Near Shimazaki Brewery

Local Japanese Restaurant (Soba, Udon, Set Meals)

There are many small, local Japanese restaurants (often called shokudo or tei) that specialize in traditional dishes near Shimazaki Brewery.

Soba/Udon Restaurants: These are a staple in rural Japan. You can often get delicious handmade soba (buckwheat noodles) or udon (thick wheat noodles) served hot in broth or cold with a dipping sauce. These are usually very affordable and authentic.

Teishoku (Set Meal) Restaurants: Look for places offering teishoku or setto menus. These typically include a main dish (like fried chicken, tempura, grilled fish, or tonkatsu - pork cutlet), rice, miso soup, and a few side dishes. They offer good value and a taste of everyday Japanese home cooking.

Ramen Shops: Local ramen shops. Each will have its own unique broth and noodle style.

02:00 PM

Daiichi Sake Brewery (Kaika Brand) - Oldest in Tochigi

Daiichi Sake Brewery is the oldest continuously-operating sake brewery in Tochigi, established in 1673! They produce only "Tokutei-Meishō-Shu" (specially designated premium sake) under their "Kaika" brand. They even cultivate their own sake rice.

Tasting/Tour: They have a gallery space next to the brewery.

They offer sake tasting of 8 types for a small fee (around ¥300), and you even get a souvenir sake glass!

They host seasonal sake events through out the year.

Let's enjoy the sake tasting journey in Tochigi! Kampai!

Ending Point

At your hotel

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

What‘s included

Tour Guiding

Interpreting

Hotel Pick Up/Drop

A digital video album of your tour

What‘s not included

Admissions cost:

Your and Tour guide Transportation Cost. around 5500yens per person

Lunch Cost

Tour Important Information

* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* This tour is wheelchair accessible.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

* I can pick you in Tokyo area, please message me for details.

Important message from the supplier

My schedule can be flexible, up to my deadline of works.

I can guide you in any area of Japan, please contact me in advance!

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 2025

Andy L.

5.00 / 5

(5 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Andy L.

Hello! I’m Your Friendly Guide to Japan’s Kanto Region

I’m based in the beautiful Tochigi Prefecture and absolutely love sharing Japan’s amazing culture, history, and hidden spots with visitors like you. Before doing tour guiding, I was a public school teacher, so I’m great at making stories come alive and helping you really connect with the places we visit.

I speak Japanese at an advanced level (N2), and I’ve spent a lot of time exploring Japan—from living a year in the peaceful town of Kamishihoro in Hokkaido to wandering the bustling streets of Tokyo. This means I can give you insider tips and deep insights that go beyond the usual tourist trails.

*What I Offer*

I mainly guide around the Kanto area, which includes Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, and of course, Tochigi. Here are some of the fun tours I can take you on:

- **Utsunomiya Cultural Immersion:** Spend a day discovering the unique charm and tasty eats of Utsunomiya.

- **Tokyo All-in-One:** Explore both East and West Tokyo in a single day for a full city experience.

- **Anime & Pop Culture Tours:** Tailor-made adventures based on your favorite shows, games, and characters.

- **Kanto Day Trips:** Visit iconic spots like Nikko’s stunning temples or Kamakura’s historic sites.

I also love guiding in other parts of Japan, especially Kyoto—I’ve seen every World Heritage Site there! Plus, I often run tours in Osaka, Nara, Nagoya, Hikone, and more, all easy to reach by train.

*Customize Your Journey*

Every tour is flexible and designed just for you. To make your trip even more memorable, I’ll create a free, beautifully crafted photo album with music from your tour—perfect for sharing or keeping as a souvenir.

Ready to explore Japan in a fun, relaxed way with someone who’s passionate about showing you the real stories behind every place? Let’s chat and start planning your perfect adventure!

Reviews

Michael L.

5 / 5

Apr 10, 2026

Adventure road trip to Mt. Fuji from Yokohama

Apr 10, 2026

Yokohama

9 hours

“GREAT DAY TRIP TO MT. FUJI”

Andy was a delightful tour guide. Believe it or not, one of our many highlights along the way was a stop at a highway rest stop. Being from the USA we were amazed at how different this place was compared to ones at home. Then on to Mt. Fuji. We were awestruck when the grand mountain first presented itself to us. Absolutely beautiful. The closer we got the more magnificent it was. Our stop at the village of Oshino Hakkai was very interesting. Just seeing the ancient structures and imagining the life they lived back in the day was inspiring. From there Andy took us to several spots for photo ops. Andy asked us what we would like to eat and we requested something "local" to immerse ourselves in customary style and food. He picked a spot that fulfilled both. It was fun to immerse ourselves in the Japanese culture. Andy was still willing to take us to at least one other place, but with our bellies full, we were ready to head back to our hotel in Yokohama and savor our memories from the day. Andy was an excellent guide, conversationalist, driver and new friend. We would highly recommend him for any tour he offers. We are sure you will not be dissapointed. Mike and Sue

Jeaney Y.

5 / 5

Apr 7, 2026

Private Car Tour from Takasaki: Ikaho Onsen & Local Gunma Highlights

Apr 7, 2026

Gunma

6 hours

“Customised Gunma highlights from Ikaho to Kusatsu”

Andy kindly substituted for another guide on short notice, to which we are grateful for. This tour is excellent in covering both areas from Ikaho to Kusatsu Onsen, with plenty of interesting sights along the way including delicious udon with a long history, mountain scenery and Yamba Dam. Its a relaxing way to sightsee in otherwise would've been just been a point to point journey. Thank you Andy, for your patience and care towards both tours!

Andy L.

Hi Jeaney, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to step in and ensure you had a great experience moving between Ikaho and Kusatsu. I'm so glad you enjoyed the mountain scenery and the historic udon—those 'point-to-point' journeys are often the best time to discover hidden gems like the Yamba Dam. It was a joy to spend that time with you, and I truly appreciate your appreciation for my care and patience. Hope to see you in Japan again!

Jeaney Y.

5 / 5

Apr 7, 2026

Utsunomiya & Mashiko tour

Apr 7, 2026

Tochigi

8 hours

Customized

“Customised Tochigi tour”

From the planning stage, Andy is attentive to detail, responsive and flexible to your needs. He made excellent suggestions on how best to plan the itinerary, including pickup from our ryokan in Kusatsu Onsen and best use of time for best spots. Strawberry picking in Tochigi was the highlight of the trip; extremely delicious. Detour to Nikko was worthwhile, and the gyoza before the train ride back to Tokyo was fulfilling indeed. if you are after a unique, not so crowded and pleasant sightseeing, Tochigi has alot to offer and Andy is the best guide!

Andy L.

Thank you for such a glowing review, Jeaney! I’m thrilled that the strawberry picking in Tochigi was a highlight—it really is some of the best in Japan! It was a pleasure planning the logistics with you to make sure we made the most of every hour, from the Kusatsu pickup to that final gyoza meal. I’m so glad you found the detour to Nikko worthwhile. Thank you for recommending Tochigi to other travelers — I hope to see you again for more adventures!