Unveiling the Secrets of Sake: A 3-Day Exclusive Guided Adventure in Kitakata

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• A special 3-day, 2-night tour where you can climb Mount Iide, the source of the water for sake, and learn about rice at the Yamatogawa Farm! 
• Special access to sake breweries that are usually off-limits! 
• Discover a deeper appreciation for sake with a dinner featuring Kitakata’s local ingredients and tableware! Guided by local experts!

【DETAILS】

Day 1:
・Climb Mount Iide, the source of the water for sake
・Hike from Mikuni-dake
Experience the famous water flowing from Mount Iide
*If hiking, the plan is to start from Kawairi Trailhead: [Mikuni-dake to Mount Iide] course (overnight stay in a mountain hut)

Day 2:
・Descend from Mount Iide
・Dinner with multi-pairing of Kitakata’s local ingredients and tableware, each paired with different sake

Day 3:
・Stroll through the streets of the brewery town and experience the life and culture of Kitakata
・Learn about rice at Yamatogawa Farm, followed by a tour of a sake brewery that is usually off-limits
・Handle tools used in sake brewing since the Edo period and experience sake brewing firsthand. Sake lecture inside the Yamatogawa Brewery

【STORY】

Fukushima Prefecture has achieved the remarkable feat of winning the gold medal nine consecutive times at the most reliable sake appraisal competition in Japan.

This tour introduces you to a historic brewery that has been a pioneer in spreading sake as a representative of Japanese food culture to the world.

To enjoy sake even more deliciously, visit the production sites of the water and sake rice, the sources of sake, and take a special tour of the sake brewing process. Local experts will explain the best ways to enjoy sake, collaborating with local ingredients and lacquerware made in the area.

In Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, the home of sake production, which is popular in Japan and abroad, visit the roots of sake and experience a special program that will give you a taste of the brewing culture and Japanese merchant spirit that is unique to this region.

【PRICES】

150,000 yen (tax included)  per person

【SCHEDULE】

◆Day 1
[09:00] Meet at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station,transfer (using a chartered bus or taxi to the trailhead)
[13:00] Climb Mount Iide [Mikuni-dake to Mount Iide] course
[17:00] Stay overnight in a mountain hut

◆Day 2
[07:00] Climb Mount Iide
[16:00] Descend from Mount Iide
[18:00] Transfer
[18:30] Dinner at Kura no Yado MARUTOKO / Multi-pairing with Kitakata’s local ingredients and tableware
[19:00] Stay overnight

◆Day 3
[09:00] Meet in the lobby, transfer (guided tour of the brewery town and its culture)
[09:30] Learn about rice at Yamatogawa Farm
[10:30] Transfer (on foot)
[11:00] Explanation at Yamatogawa Brewery
[12:00] Sake lecture inside the Yamatogawa Brewery *Guided by a sake sommelier
[13:00] Dismissal

【ACCOMMODATIONS】

◆Day 1
Mikuni Hut (Ichinoki, Yamato-machi, Kitakata-shi, Fukushima 969-4108)
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Check-in: 17:00 / Check-out: 7:00

Room Type: Mountain Hut
Bath Type: None
Meals: No meals provided (please bring your own)
Room Facilities & Amenities: Bringing your own mat is recommended

◆Day 2
Kura no Yado MARUTOKO (407-1 Kamitakaoka Kitamachi, Sekishiba-machi, Kitakata-shi, Fukushima 966-0015)
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Check-in: 18:30 / Check-out: 9:00

Room Type: Entire Kura (traditional storehouse) rental
Meals: Meals are included in the plan
Room Facilities & Amenities: All rooms have a bath and toilet, shower, air conditioning, TV, and an empty refrigerator

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：3 days
• Minimum number of participants：1 person (maximum 5 people)
• Meeting point：In front of the ticket gate at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station [MAP]
  1-1 Ekimaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima, 965-0041
  
• Access：
  ・Tokyo Station → (Tohoku Shinkansen) → Koriyama → (Ban’etsu West Line (Rapid)) → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: About 2.5 hours from Tokyo
  ・Sendai Station → (Tohoku Shinkansen) → Koriyama → (Ban’etsu West Line) → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: About 2 hours from Sendai
  ・Fukushima Station → (Tohoku Shinkansen) → Koriyama → (Ban’etsu West Line) → Aizu-Wakamatsu Station: About 1.5 hours from Fukushima
• Tour conductor for 24 hours：No
• Accompanying National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter or Local Licensed Guide Interpreter：Yes
  
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Meals (included in a tour fee)：Yes（Breakfast：0, Lunch：0, Dinner：1）
• Included：
  ・Experience fee (3 days, 2 nights)
  ・Guide fee
  ・Meal cost：Day 1 (none) Day 2 (breakfast: x lunch: x dinner: x) Day 3 (breakfast: x lunch: x)
  ・Accommodation cost
• Excluded：
  ・Transportation to the site
  ・Souvenirs purchased locally
• Items to bring：
  ・Water bottle
  ・Meals on the 1st day
• Clothes：Recommended 2-day, 1-night hiking gear (hiking boots/rainwear/hat)
  
• Participation requirements：Participants must be 20 years or older due to the inclusion of alcohol in the plan.
  
• Special support：Please inform us in advance if you have any food allergies.
  
• Free Wi-Fi：No 
• Other things to note：This plan is for participants aged 20 and over. (Reservations cannot be made for minors.)
  

【TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS】

Before booking the tour, please confirm the Tour Terms & Conditions and save the document.

Check [TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS]（Japanese）

【TOUR PLANNER AND CONDUCTOR】

Regional Branding Institute Co., Ltd.
Aqua Terrace UⅡ Bldg., 8F, 2-20-3 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034
Travel Agency registered with a Tokyo Governor 2-7547
A regular member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association

【CANCELLATION POLICY】