Reading and interpreting ancient poetry (Hotsuma Tsutae)
A visit to a Takashima sake brewery: A sacred sake-brewing spot

Established in Shimofuri and Harie, which are designated as a piece of Japan Heritage Site for their waterfront landscapes and feature kabatas, a Water Heritage of Prayers and Lifestyle, Kawashima Shuzo has been devoted to producing sake that represents the region's culture for over 150 years since its foundation. It is a rarity in Japan in that it is a brewery with paintings. Through this traditional brewery, experience a little bit of the areas slow, LOHAS lifestyle that is keeping kabatas alive.

If you come by during the sake-making season, you will be able to see the production process in action.

The Matsu Mitsukura standing on the left of the brewery was built when the brewery was founded and offers visitors an opportunity to learn the depth of sake brewing.

Activity tour itinerary

  • Explanatory overview of the brewery's surrounding environment and history (10 minutes)
  • Watch a DVD on the brewery (5 minutes)
  • Tour inside the brewery (see the actual sake-brewing process if it is during the sake-making period) (10 minutes)
    * The explanation will be given using a sake-brewing process diagram when it is not during the sake-making period
  • Enjoy the paintings on display (5 minutes)
  • Tasting and shopping (15 minutes)
  • A talk about either "Japanese sake and health" or "The mystique of Japanese sake" (5 minutes)
  • End (Duration is approx. 50 minutes)

Period available

Any time except year end and New Year (December 30 to January 4), and obon holidays (August 14 to 16). However, the actual sake-brewing process can be seen specially during the sake-making period (November 10 to February 20).

Price

Generally free

Notes

- During the sake-making period, you will be asked to wear a hair net and special slippers.
- No smoking inside the brewery.
- Sake tasting is not available for drivers

Inquiries