Japanese Sake & Local Fermentation Traditions: A Two-Day Cultural Journey

Ibaraki Prefecture, home to over 30 sake breweries, is a region where Japan’s rich fermentation culture thrives. This includes local specialties like natto (fermented soybeans) and soy sauce, as well as its renowned Japanese sake.

This tour highlights Japanese sake brewing, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and also includes visits to various spots to enjoy a variety of fermented foods.

It is ideal for visitors who want to experience Japan’s traditional sake culture, purchase specialty products unique to Ibaraki, and enjoy gourmet cuisine.

History/Tradition

Travel by Car

Other

Year-Round

2 Days, 1 Night

2026.01.06

Day 1

Tokyo Station

(Train) About 1 hour and 20 minutes

Rent a car near the station

Mito Station

(Car) About five minutes

Daruma Foods

Daruma Foods is a long-established natto manufacturer (fermented soybeans) based in Mito City. It's well-known throughout Japan for its natto production. By combining traditional manufacturing method…

(Car) 20 minutes

Kurosawa Soy Sauce

Kurosawa Soy Sauce has been making soy sauce while preserving traditional methods since its founding in 1905. The brewery creates various products utilizing wooden barrels passed down for over 100 ye…

(Car) 30 minutes

Tasting, shopping

Kiuchi Brewery

Famous worldwide, Kiuchi Brewery produces a wide range of sake, from refined daiginjo sake with its fruity aroma to rich junmaishu (pure-rice sake). The brewery’s restaurant, Kura + Soba Nakaya, serv…

(On foot) Right nearby

Lunch in the brewery

Kura + Soba Nakaya

Kura + Soba Nakaya is a restaurant operated by Kiuchi Brewery, the producer of alcoholic beverages, including the internationally renowned craft beer, Hitachino Nest Beer. Located on the grounds of t…

(Car) 30 minutes

Mori no Chevre Kan

Mori no Chevre Kan is a cheese studio located inside Mito City Forest Park. Surrounded by the rich nature of the forest, this tranquil and relaxing spot is truly appealing. Here, using fresh goat'…

(Car) 30 minutes

Return the rental car

Mito Station

(Taxi) 10 minutes

Excursion, tasting and shopping

Yoshikubo Brewery

Yoshikubo Brewery has been making sake at their Mito Honcho location since 1790. The tasty beverage uses Mito City's soft water and top-quality rice produced locally in Ibaraki. Yoshikubo Brewery ach…

(Taxi) 10 minutes

Check-in

Natural Hot Spring Kobai no Yu Dormy Inn Mito

(On foot) 10 minutes

Ibaraki Jizake Bar Mito

(On foot) 10 minutes

Dinner

SyuSyu

At SyuSyu, they offer a wide variety of dishes made with ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture, including Wagyu beef (Hitachi beef), sashimi, and local vegetables. There is also an extensive selection…

(On foot) 25 minutes / (Taxi) 10 minutes

Overnight stay

Natural Hot Spring Kobai no Yu Dormy Inn Mito

Dormy Inn Mito is a hotel conveniently located just a 12-minute walk from Mito Station, making it ideal for both business and sightseeing. On the top floor, the natural hot spring bath “Kobai no Yu” …

Natural Hot Spring Kobai no Yu Dormy Inn Mito

(On foot) 10 minutes

Mito Station

(Train) 25 minutes

Kasama Station

(On foot) 25 minutes / (Taxi) 10 minutes

Sasame Sobei Shoten Co., Ltd.

Sasame Sobei Shoten is a sake brewery that was established in 1873 in Kasama City. It's located at the entrance to the approach of Kasama Inari Shrine. The brewery produces sacred sake (omiki)―alcoho…

(On foot) Right nearby

Lunch

Niwa Cafe KULA

Niwa Cafe KULA, formerly an old warehouse that's been renovated, sits in front of the gate to Kasama Inari Shrine. The shop interior, with its impressive white walls and wooden beams, combines tradit…

(On foot) 5 minutes

Kasama Inari Shrine

First established in 651, Kasama Inari Shrine is one of Japan's famous Inari shrines, attracting around 3.5 million pilgrims and visitors annually. The sacred site enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, kn…

(Taxi) 15 minutes

Excursion, tasting and shopping

Isokura Brewery

Isokura Brewery was founded in the 1800s with the aim of brewing the perfect Japanese sake for relaxing and drinking together. In fact, Inasato Sake is a local staple of Ibaraki Prefecture. The alcoh…

(Taxi) 20 minutes

Tomobe Station

(Train) 1 hour and 10 minutes

Tokyo Station

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See More Plans

A 2-Day, 1-Night Historical Journey in Mito City: Exploring Landmarks from the Edo and Meiji Periods

There are many spots related to the Tokugawa shogunate family, who led the Japanese government during the Edo period (1603 - 1868) in Mito. The Tokugawa Gosanke, three branches that were allowed to carry the Tokugawa family name, existed during this time and held status that ranked next to the shogunate family. The Mito Tokugawa family, the lords of the Mito Domain (present-day central and north Ibaraki Prefecture), was one of those families. The Mito Tokugawa family emphasized education in Japanese history and the sciences with their retainers, which became famously known as Mitogaku. In addition to facilities related to Mitogaku, Mito has a museum where visitors can enjoy historical exhibits associated with the Tokugawa family, and historical buildings such as a former school established during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Exploring these spots will deepen your understanding of Japan`s history during the Edo period and the beginning of modernization.

History/Tradition

2 Days, 1 Night

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A day trip in Mito. After a history trip, enjoy shopping at the Keisei Department store.

History/Tradition

Day Trip

Discover the Ushiku Daibutsu, the World’s Tallest Bronze Buddha Statue, and Enjoy Delicious Food and Shopping in a Day Trip

The Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki Prefecture is the tallest bronze statue of the Buddha worldwide. Standing 120 meters tall, this statue has a temple inside offering visitors a place of worship. Temple-goers can enjoy not only attractions of the statue, but also seasonal flowers in the surrounding garden and a small petting zoo opened on Sundays and holidays. A winery designated as a Japan Heritage, where visitors can dine, is located nearby. There is also an outlet mall in the area. The following is a recommended route for a day trip from Tokyo to enjoy the Daibutsu and its surroundings.

History/Tradition

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Day Trip

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