Suehiro Sake Brewery was founded at the end of the Edo Period, in the mid 19th century. The Kaeigura (the building where the sake is brewed) has been designated as an important historical building by Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Here, visitors can take a guided tour of the sake-brewing process, as well as of old Japanese-style rooms which were built during the Meiji Period. The brewing process takes place from October to March every year. During this time, visitors can see the process and conditions inside the fermentation tanks. Visitors may try between six and ten different kinds of sake for free year-round. Suehiro sake and other Aizu products are available for sale on-site. On the left side after entering the gate stands a café called Kissa Ann. The architecture of Kissa Ann was remodelled from the Kaeigura's oldest storehouse. Here, you can enjoy coffee made with water prepared especially for making sake, and cake made using high-quality sake.
| Website | https://www.sake-suehiro.jp/(Japanese) |
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| Contact | Suehiro Shuzo Co., Ltd. Kaeigura (+81) 242-27-0002 |
| Best Season | All Year |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 |
| Parking | Available |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Related info | Tours start every 30 min from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Japanese only) |
| Access | 12-38 Nisshinmachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref. 965-0861 View directions |
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| Getting there | By Train: 20 min walk from Aizuwakamatsu Station (JR Ban-etsu West Line), or a 10 min taxi ride from the station. |
This one-day trip around Aizu-Wakamatsu City includes everything your bucket list has: castles, sake breweries, temples, and onsen. Start with an Akabeko painting experience (1100 yen) at Tsurugajo Kaikan, before looking around the castle itself and enjoying a Japanese tea experience at the Rinkaku Tea Room.
This honjin served as a rest house used by daimyo lords when they traveled to Edo (Tokyo) as part of the Sankin-kōtai system of alternate attendance, or when they conducted inspection tours. During the Boshin War, Domain Lord Matsudaira Katamori took command and the Byakkotai defended their city. The building still has sword marks and bullet holes from the war. The Former Takizawa Honjin is recognized as a nationally-designated Important Cultural Property.
This hall features exhibits on both sides of the Boshin War, from the defenders of the Aizu Domain loyal to the shogun, to the imperial government forces and their Western support. There is a focus on documents related to the Byakkotai, the young 'White Tiger Corps' of 16- and 17-year-old samurai, as well as many documents of the Seigun (Western Army) and Shinsengumi (elite Aizu troops).
Wakaki (若喜商店) is a shop specializing in soy sauce brewing and a historical warehouse in Kitakata City. Both the shop and the warehouse buildings have been recognized for their unique architectural value, and were both designated Tangible Cultural Properties. The original brick warehouse was built in 1904, and was used both as a residence (second floor) and as a warehouse, as well as a place to entertain guests. An interesting feature of the building is its fusion of styles: from the outside it has a strikingly Western appearance with a brick facade, but the interior is built in Japanese-style with tatami floors. The wood used for the pillars and the main table was sourced from a very rare persimmon tree. The building uses a unique construction method to make it resistant to earthquakes.Founded in 1755, Wakaki brews both soy sauce and dashi sauce using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. You can get your hands on these unique artisanal products at the gift shop.The shop building, built in 1931, is also made from the same wood as the warehouse. From spring to autumn (usually from April to November), a gift store called “Showa Kan” inside the building complex sells rare vintage relics from Japan, like toys, collectable items and postcards. The shop is closed during winter.The shop also offers ‘akabeko’ painting experiences, in which you can paint your own akabeko (Fukushima’s lucky red cow) by reservation only (please contact the store directly for more information regarding this experience).Read more information about Kitakata’s kura warehouses here.
Established over 110 years ago, the main store of Yamanaka Senbei serves up handcooked senbei rice crackers. Just like in times of old, they use a traditional brick oven to cook their crackers over a charcoal fire. This experience is highly recommended for foodies and tourists alike, as you’ll be able to enjoy senbei fresh from the charcoal oven! (Reservations are advised for the senbei-making experience)
In keeping with the architecture of Ouchi-juku, Misawaya soba restaurant was constructed with traditional thatched roofs. The Misawaya premises include three stores: a soba restaurant, a Japanese sake shop, and a teahouse. Misawaya soba restaurant is famous is their grated daikon soba, called Takato Soba, otherwise known as Negi-Soba (or "green onion soba"). Your chopsticks are replaced with a long onion!
Established over 110 years ago, the main store of Yamanaka Senbei serves up handcooked senbei rice crackers. Just like in times of old, they use a traditional brick oven to cook their crackers over a charcoal fire. This experience is highly recommended for foodies and tourists alike, as you’ll be able to enjoy senbei fresh from the charcoal oven! (Reservations are advised for the senbei-making experience)
Yanaizu Town is best known as the birthplace of the legend of the lucky red cow Akabeko, but it is also known for its famous manju (sweet steamed buns). Hot in Yanaizu is a center with a bit of everything; it sells local products, has sightseeing information, rest areas, and an eatery. They even have an "experience area".It goes without saying that, at Hot in Yanaizu, you can paint your own Akabeko, but you can also make manju with the help of the facilities' kind staff (Read more here). Hot in Yanaizu have staff that can speak English, but please make sure to contact them in advance, as you might not be able to do the experience without placing a booking.Please take your time & enjoy the slow pace of Japanese countryside life in Yanaizu Town.
Human Hub is a hip, two-floored shop in the east of Aizu-Wakamatsu, in the same region as common sightseeing spots like Tsurugajo Castle and Oyakuen Garden. The first floor features a baked good section and a cafe space serving hand-drip coffee, while the second floor is home to a coworking space, large-format print lab and a woodworking workshop for local craftsmen.Matching this eclectic mix of disciplines, the first floor shop sells a wide variety of independently-sourced goods, from household items like cushions or fabrics, local produce like oils, teas and jams, outdoor and garden products, and a clothes section.
