Fukushima’s sake is renowned across Japan, and Nihonmatsu is known in particular as a region with great sake production and high-grade sake producers. Using water from Mt. Adatara, the sake of the area is characterized by a mellow taste and is popular with sake lovers around the world. Himonoya Sake Brewery was established in 1874 and specializes in Senkonari sake; Senkonari is named after the battle standard "Sennari Hyotan (1000 Gourds)" of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the famous military leader and one of the great unifiers of Japan.
The sake at Himonoya is a local secret that many outsiders, even Japanese, don’t know about. To get real sake-brewing experience to be sure to visit in the winter on a morning when the sake brewing art begins and most of the day’s tasks are performed. Because Himonoya Sake Brewery operates in a traditional and artisanal manner, it only makes sake during the winter season (a centuries-old rule).
The tours and sake tasting offered at this old-fashioned brewery are available by reservation and are a treat to anyone with a taste for Japanese sake, or Nihonshu. These sake brewery tours are free for groups of one to ten people and take only 30 minutes to experience the brewing process. Guests should be legal Japanese drinking age, 20 years old or more, in order to enjoy the free tasting. There are four types of sake to be sampled along the tour, among them Kinpyo is the most highly recommended with its sweet aftertaste it makes an excellent match for Japanese snacks.
| Website | https://www.nihonmatsu-dmo.jp/en/plan/sake_1/ |
|---|---|
| Contact |
(+81) 243-23-0164 himonoya@senkonari.com |
| Best Season |
|
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Related info | Brewery Tours:
Run between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Please reserve at least one day in advance. By appointment on Sundays and national holidays. Booking Tours Contact Himonoya Sake Brewery at (+81) 243-23-0164 Or, book via Nihonmatsu Tourism Association via their website, or by calling (+81) 243-24-5085. |
| Access | 173 Matsuoka, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 964-0905 View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By Car: 5 min drive from Nihonmatsu I.C. exit off the Tohoku Expressway. By Train: 4 min walk from Nihonmatsu Station (JR Tohoku Main Line). |
Spend a day in Nihonmatsu City in Northern Fukushima, an area known for rich cultural traditions and specialities in sake and lacquerware. We recommend that you explore the city through our itinerary on foot or by taking short taxi rides. Access JR Nihonmatsu Station via the Tohoku Main Line.
Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival will be held on every year on the first Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of October. The highlight of the festival is the procession of festival floats which happens during the first evening. 7 large festival floats adorned with lanterns and filled with local people pla...
Nihonmatsu Castle was built in 1643 by Mitsushige Niwa, the first feudal lord of the Nihonmatsu Domain. This domain had command over a territory producing 100,000 koku of rice (one koku being the amount of rice needed to feed one man for a year) and Nihonmatsu Castle was one of the strategic poin...
The Hashimoto Butsugu-Chokoku Ten (Hashimoto Buddhist Sculpture Shop) has a long history of over 160 years. Here visitors can try the truly unique experience of customizing their own lacquered chopsticks. Under careful instruction, you’ll be able to go home with your very own pair of one-of...
Ryusenji Temple is the perfect place to refresh the mind and body during your trip to Fukushima Prefecture. Originally built in 1320, the temple underwent many name changes until being called Ryusenji. The beautiful main hall has not changed for about 300 years after being reconstructed due ...
Yunokami Onsen Station is one of only 2 train stations with a thatched roof in Japan. The station is known for its great location as a cherry blossom viewing spot with a unique atmosphere. There is an irori (sunken fireplace) where tourists can warm themselves up in winter, and a foot bath source...
This ski slope area makes skiers feel as free and safe as if they were skiing on their own private slope. All eleven courses are situated on the northern slopes and offer great powder snow in winter. Visitors can enjoy themselves to the fullest at this full-scale ski resort.
Grandeco Resort is located in the scenic Urabandai area. The base area of the slopes sits at an altitude of more than 1,000 m, which enables skiers to enjoy great powder snow from late November through early May. A gondola and 4 high-speed quad lifts with hoods make skiing more convenient. Even b...
The base area of the slopes is as high as 1,050 m above sea level, ensuring skiers high quality snow and crisp, clean air. Th(e squeak of snow when you step on it and the feel of the snow underfoot are unforgettable. All the roads to Minowa Ski Resort are national routes, so even when they are co...