Hyogo: A Journey in Search of Japan’s Finest Sake

Board the JR Takarazuka Line at JR Osaka Station and arrive at Itami Station in approximately 15 minutes. From the station, take a stroll westward along Itami Sake Brewery Street.

The journey in search of fine sake begins in Itami.
The street is lined with white-walled, tile-roofed buildings blending traditional and modern machiya styles, evoking a historical charm. A signboard along the street reads "Itami Sake Brewery Street." Itami is renowned as the place where sake brewing was perfected and subsequently spread nationwide, including to Edo (Tokyo). While many regions in Japan are known for sake production, Itami is said to be where authentic sake brewing first began.
Wandering west along the street, you will soon come across a striking, traditional storehouse-style building. This is the former sake brewery of Konishi Brewing, the producer of Itami’s representative sake brand, Shirayuki. The building stands out with its gabled roof, white walls, and black wooden fencing, making it an irresistible spot for photography.

Turn north at the intersection near Itami Oimatsu Brewing, then take the first left. A short walk will bring you to an old machiya-style building on your left. This is the Former Okada Residence and Sake Brewery, one of the oldest machiya houses in Itami and one of the few remaining 17th-century machiya residences in Japan. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Located in the heart of Itami, the birthplace of refined sake, this structure was built in 1674 and served as a sake brewery for over 300 years until 1984.

Stepping inside through an entrance adorned with a sugidama (cedar ball), you will find a spacious dirt floor, thick wooden pillars and beams, and earthen walls that retain the atmosphere of the past. The ambiance evokes a sense of the presence of the brewers who once worked here. Even though sake brewing is no longer conducted on-site, the experience of standing in a historically significant brewing facility makes the visit truly valuable.

Leaving Itami, the birthplace of refined sake, take the JR and Hanshin lines to Kobe, heading towards Nadagogo, one of Japan’s premier sake-producing regions. Nadagogo spans five districts across Nishinomiya and Kobe: Imazu-Go and Nishinomiya-Go in Nishinomiya City, and Uozaki-Go, Mikage-Go, and Nishi-Go in Kobe. With 25 breweries scattered throughout, this area is a true sake powerhouse.

The first stop is the HAKUTSURU Sake Brewery Museum in Mikage-Go, the largest sake brewery in Japan. Inside this former brewery, visitors follow a guided path showcasing old brewing tools, life-size brewer mannequins, and informative videos, making the brewing process easy to understand. The tour concludes with free tastings of signature sake at the brewery’s shop, with premium options available for connoisseurs.

Also in Mikage-Go, the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum is the only facility showcasing “Nada’s Sake Brewing Tools,” designated as a National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. The museum primarily focuses on the Kimoto-zukuri brewing method, a traditional technique used for centuries. After learning about Nada’s brewing history, visitors can enjoy seasonal sake tastings for free or opt for premium paid tastings, with select sake available for purchase as souvenirs.

At the Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Kobo in neighboring Uozaki-Go, visitors can observe live sake brewing through glass panels. The brewery continues to produce sake using the Kimoto-zukuri method, allowing visitors to witness traditional brewing techniques up close. Following the tour, guests can sample freshly pressed unpasteurized sake at the Nama-zake Tasting Corner or enjoy a variety of carefully selected sake at the Tasting Bar at reasonable prices.

After indulging in Nada’s finest sake, travel to Himeji for the night’s accommodation. A two-hour journey via train and taxi brings you to Yumenoi-an Yuyakekoyake.

Nestled in the tranquil countryside of Harima Plain, surrounded by lush rice fields, the serene Yumesaki River, and the majestic Myojin-yama (nicknamed Harima Fuji), this inn provides an idyllic retreat for both body and mind.
Each of the 18 guest rooms combines modern design with traditional Japanese aesthetics and features a private open-air hot spring bath, allowing guests to soak in scenic views in complete relaxation.

Dinner is a highlight of the stay, featuring meticulously prepared dishes made from the finest local mountain and seafood ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a special sake pairing experience, choosing three varieties from five representative sake brands of Harima, the birthplace of Yamada Nishiki, the king of sake rice. The pairing of fine sake with exquisite cuisine makes for an unforgettable dining experience.

On the second day, the journey continues with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, followed by a stroll through the port town of Akashi.

After bidding farewell to the shuttle bus driver who kindly dropped us off at Fukusaki Station, we took the JR Bantan Line to Himeji Station.

Stepping out of the station, we spotted the majestic white form of Himeji Castle at the end of the road—the first site in Japan to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 20-minute walk through shopping streets brought us to its gates. Up close, its brilliant white exterior stood out even more, making its nickname, “White Heron Castle,” feel truly fitting.
Excitement built as we reached the castle grounds. We passed through Sannomaru Square, purchased our admission tickets, and headed toward the main keep. However, the journey wasn’t straightforward. The winding paths, steep slopes, and stone steps made progress slow, revealing how the castle’s design effectively deterred enemy intrusions. Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes turned out to be the right choice.

Finally, we arrived at the entrance to the main keep and stepped inside. Since the interior requires visitors to remove their shoes, carrying a personal shoe bag made the process smoother. The castle’s interior features various defensive tricks and mechanisms designed to deceive invaders, making it a fascinating place to explore, even for those who aren’t particularly interested in history.
The highlight of the visit was the breathtaking view from the top floor. Gazing out over the castle grounds and the city of Himeji, we couldn’t help but feel a bit like the castle’s ruler for a moment.

After fully appreciating the world-renowned castle, we headed to Akashi, a bustling port town famous for its fresh seafood. The journey from Himeji to Akashi took just over 20 minutes on the JR Special Rapid Service.

Upon arrival, we immediately set out for a sushi lunch. Akashi is known for its rich fishing grounds, yielding around 100 different types of fish throughout the year. With high-quality, fresh fish being a staple of daily life, the town has long been home to numerous sushi restaurants where skilled chefs refine their craft.

We made the most of Akashi’s sushi scene with the "Akashi Sushi Coupon – Waza no Ippin," which allows diners to enjoy special menu items at ten participating restaurants near Akashi Station. After picking up a coupon from the tourist information center or online, we headed to a selected restaurant. The exquisite sushi, crafted from the finest ingredients with expert techniques, was visually stunning and tasted just as incredible. To complement the meal, we ordered sake, savoring each bite and sip with delight.

After lunch, we strolled through Uonotana Shopping Street, a historic market said to have been established around the time of Akashi Castle’s construction, nearly 400 years ago. The 350-meter arcade is lined with about 100 shops, including seafood vendors selling the freshest catch from the morning’s haul, stores specializing in fish cakes and processed marine products, and eateries serving Akashiyaki and other local delicacies. The vibrant atmosphere and the array of unique goods on display made for an engaging experience, making it impossible not to shop and sample street food. Many of the store owners were friendly and welcoming, happily answering our questions about unfamiliar products. The warmth of the interactions made us feel like we had truly become a part of the town, deepening our appreciation for Akashi’s food culture.

After indulging in Akashi’s culinary offerings and enjoying the lively atmosphere of Uonotana Shopping Street, we decided to end our journey with a walk through Akashi Park.

Located just north of Akashi Station, Akashi Park is a spacious recreational area set within the ruins of Akashi Castle. The park is home to various sports facilities and open spaces where families and children can be seen playing and relaxing amidst lush greenery.

As we continued, we reached the main enclosure of Akashi Castle, surrounded by towering stone walls. Built in 1619 at the beginning of the Edo period, Akashi Castle has stood for over 400 years and is recognized as one of Japan’s "Top 100 Castles." While the castle itself no longer has a main keep, two original three-story turrets remain intact on the southern stone walls. These structures are among only twelve surviving three-story turrets in Japan and are designated as Important Cultural Properties. From March to May and September to November, the turrets are open to the public on weekends and holidays, offering a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship of Edo-period castle architecture. Exploring the interior of the turrets for the first time was a fascinating experience, as their intricate wooden construction and design details evoked a strong sense of historical romance.