Nadagogo is the best sake brewery area in Japan and it has a collection of 26 different sake breweries, some of which provide a sake brewery tour and sake sampling. Some valuable and rare sake can only be found at the stores managed directly by the sake breweries.
By seeing, learning, and experiencing, you will gain a deeper understanding of sake and make your trip unique and fun!
*Sake tasting is open to adults over 20 years old
Nishi-Go
1. Sawanotsuru Museum
A sake brewery museum that preserves the tradition of sake brewing. A one-tenth scale model of the ship used to transport sake during the Edo period, as well as the unique sake brewing structure can be found on display.
In addition, a free tasting corner offers sake tastings of limited-edition Junmai Namazake (unpasteurized sake).
*Free admission and free tasting
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
1-29-1 Oishiminami-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
10 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Oishi Station
Mikage-Go
2. Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum uses life-size dolls to introduce the traditional producing process of sake, making it easy to understand for first-time visitors.
In the theater room, projection mapping with English and Chinese subtitles is used to introduce the history of sake brewing.
At the sake tasting corner, 3 types of seasonal sake are available for sampling.
*Free admission and free tasting
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
4-5-5 Sumiyoshi-Minamimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
5 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Sumiyoshi Station
3. Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum / Taru Sake Meister Factory
The “Nada Sake Brewing Tools” on display at the museum is nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property, and they were actually used until the early Showa period.
At the sake tasting corner, 2 kinds of Namazake and seasonal sake are offered for free tasting.
Also, Taru Sake Meister Factory is worth visiting as well (reservation is required at least 2 days before on the website). Taru sake (Cask Sake) is made by filling a cedar or cypress barrel with sake and letting it rest for a while to give it a woody aroma. In Japan, it has been a custom to break open the Taru sake barrel during celebrations.
At Taru Sake Meister Factory, visitors can observe the craftsmanship of barrel makers that was passed down since the Edo period.
*Free admission and free tasting (Paid tasting available)
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
1-9-1 Uozaki-Nishimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
10 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Uozaki Station
4. Kobe Shushinkan
Kobe Shushinkan is run by the brewing company of Japanese sake “Fukuju”. It offers a brewery tour available in both English and Japanese (online reservation required), during which visitors can watch a video of the sake brewing process and then observe the process in real life at the factory.
At the tasting corner, 3 kinds of sake are provided such as Namazake directly from the brewery. Besides, a restaurant where you can enjoy the sake together with delicious food is next to it.
*Free admission and free tasting
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
1-8-17 Mikagetsuka-machi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
8 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Ishiyagawa Station
Website
Uozaki-Go
5. Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Brewery
Hamafukutsuru uses Mt. Rokko’s spring water collected from a well in the brewery. Visitors can see through glass windows what the sake production line is like, including preparation, quality check and koji (sake mold) making.
Chances are that you can try freshly squeezed Namazake at the tasting corner! For those who can’t drink alcohol, there is also home-made amazake and local cider. There is also a section where very rare and treasured sake is sold.
*Free admission and free tasting (Paid tasting available)
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
4-4-6 Uozaki-Minamimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
10 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Uozaki Station
6. Sakuramasamune Museum “Sakuraen”
Sakuraen is a multifunction facility where there is a restaurant to have sake with Japanese food, a bar, a café and also a store where you can sample sake.
Besides, there is also an exhibition space where visitors can watch videos of sake brewing to sake brewing tools, signboards, sake bottles, and labels, all of which can only be seen here. Visitors can even try their hand at making their own original sake labels!
*Free admission and free tasting
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
4-3-18 Uozaki-Minamimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe [MAP]
Access
5 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Uozaki Station
Nishinomiya-Go
7. Hakutakarokusuien
Hakutakarokusuien is a cultural facility run by Hakutaka, a sake brewery designated as the “Ise Jingu Shrine Goryosyu”. In addition to exhibits of sake brewing tools and other items, the museum also displays reproductions of the tools and lifestyle of the Tatsuuma family, the founder of Hakutaka, giving visitors a glimpse into traditional Japanese life.
After the tour, go to the one-shot tasting corner where you can taste the original Namazake from the brewery and seasonal sake while enjoying the garden view that changes with seasons.
*Free admission and Sake tasting requires extra fee
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
5-1 Kurakake-cho, Nishinomiya [MAP]
Access
7 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Nishinomiya Station
8. Sake Museum (Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake)
Sake Museum is Japan’s one and only museum of Sake and Sakura, and it consists of two buildings, Sakagura-kan and Kinen-kan.
At Sakagura-kan, visitors can explore the traditional sake brewing process through watching videos as well as being able to get hands-on with traditional sake brewing tools. Also, don’t forget to take a photo of you going inside the large vat!
While at Kinen-kan, various materials are displayed in adherence with sakura. Many companies choose to have their exhibition held here so that you can also learn about Japanese culture.
Last but not least, the store nearby called Hakushika Classics offers paid tasting.
*Admission fee: JPY500 (JPY250 for children from 6 to 15 years old)
Ticket includes both Sakagura-kan and Kinen-kan
*Sake tasting requires extra fee
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
8-21 Kurakake-cho, Nishinomiya [MAP]
Access
15 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Nishinomiya Station
Website
9. Sakagura Dori Rengakan
Sakagura Dori Rengakan is a sake complex run by Nihonsakari, a major sake producer that is often seen in convenience stores.
At the specialty store, freshly brewed Namazake is sold by weight, which is shipped directly from the adjacent brewery. Also, tasting before purchasing is possible here. In addition to sake, cosmetics and sweets that contain sake and can be found in the store. Next to it is a restaurant and a glass studio where you can experience making glassware.
*Sake tasting requires extra fee
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
4-28 Yogai-cho, Nishinomiya [MAP]
Access
15 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Nishinomiya Station/ Imazu Station
15 mins walk from Hankyu Imazu Line Imazu Station
Imazu-Go
10. Oseki Amakara no Sekijuan
Amakara no Sekijuan is operated by Oseki brewery which has been brewing for more than 310 years.
At the tasting corner, you can sample 6 different kinds of sake with only one coin, including freshly squeezed Namazake and other store-limited sake.
Sweets and ice-cream made with sake are also highly recommended!
*Sake tasting requires extra fee
LOCATION INFORMATION
Address
3-3 Imazudezaike-cho, Nishinomiya [MAP]
Access
9 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Imazu Station
9 mins walk from Hankyu Imazu Line Imazu Station
8 mins walk from Hanshin Main Line Kusugawa Station
Enjoy! OSAKA KYOTO KOBE has the latest and most comprehensive information about Nadagogo ranging from its history to its attraction and sightseeing spots nearby.
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What is Nadagogo? History, features, and access to the best SAKE BREWERIES in Japan
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