Near Osaka: Explore Itami, the Birthplace of Clear Sake

Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
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Duration2h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesJapanese, English
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This tour takes you beyond the well-trodden sake trails of Nada and Fushimi to Itami, the true birthplace of refined sake (seishu). With a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll walk the streets where sake history was made, visit Japan’s oldest remaining sake brewery building, and explore a museum filled with traditional brewing tools.

But the highlight is the authentic tasting experience at the Chōjukura Brewery Restaurant, where for under ¥1,000, you'll sample premium sake crafted with centuries of tradition—right where the clear sake we know today was first born.

Perfect for sake lovers and cultural explorers alike, this tour offers a rare chance to dive deep into Japan’s sake heritage at the very place it transformed forever.

What's included

  • Visit to Japan’s oldest surviving sake brewery building
  • Curated sake tasting at a restaurant located on the first floor of the museum
  • 2-hour guided tour of Itami
  • Entry to a museum showcasing traditional tools and techniques of sake-making
  • Transportation to and from Itami
  • Meals other than the sake tasting

What to expect

  1. Former Okada Residence & Sake Brewery
    30m
    Step into Japan’s sake history at the Okada Residence, the oldest surviving sake brewery building in the country. Dating back to the Edo period, this beautifully preserved structure offers a glimpse into traditional brewing life, with original architecture that reflects the craftsmanship and legacy of sake production in Itami. Walking through its rooms is like traveling back in time to the birthplace of refined sake.
  2. 30m
    Located in the heart of Itami’s historic district, the Chōjukura Brewery Museum showcases the tools, techniques, and evolution of sake brewing. From massive wooden barrels to delicate filtration tools, the exhibits reveal how craftsmanship and innovation shaped the sake we know today. It’s an ideal place to deepen your appreciation for Japan’s national drink and the people who brought it to life.
  3. 1h · Admission ticket included
    After exploring the history, enjoy a sake tasting experience at the Chōjukura Brewery Restaurant, located on the first floor of the museum. For under ¥1,000, you can sample a curated selection of premium sake, crafted using traditional methods passed down through generations. Please note that this experience includes sake tasting only—food is not included.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The guide will be waiting in front of the police box near Itami Station. Please check the map for the exact location. The guide will be holding a yellow sign.

End point

From the dismissal point, you have access to Itami Station on the private and JR lines, which will take you easily to Kobe, Osaka, and other destinations.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Under Japanese law, drinking alcohol is prohibited for those under 20 years of age.
  • Those under 20 years of age may enjoy non-alcoholic beverages.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
17,750.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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Operated by DeepExperience · Booked through Viator
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17,750.00 JPY per person
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