Discover the Soul of Sake in Nagano
A private brewery tour that blends sake, nature, culture, and heritage
Why Nagano Sake is Special
In Nagano, sake is more than just a drink—it’s a way to experience the land. Made from rice and water, its taste reflects the environment it’s born from.
This tour takes you to Ichinoya Sake Brewery in Omachi, where the water used for brewing flows from melted snow in the Northern Alps. It seeps through the mountain layers and rises fresh from the earth—clean, mineral-rich, and alive.
You’ll taste how this pure water shapes the flavor of the sake, and discover how each sake rice—locally grown in Nagano’s cool climate—adds its own character.
Ichinoya Sake Brewery
Founded in 1865, Ichinoya has been operating in the heart of Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture.
A Rare Glimpse into Traditional Craft
Ichinoya is a small-scale brewery, still making sake mostly by hand, with limited machinery. This human-centered process was officially recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024.
Because of its small production, Ichinoya’s sake is rarely found in markets. On this tour, you can taste a wide variety—each reflecting the terroir of the region and the care of its makers.
What you will experience through the tour
- Private guided tour of Ichinoya’s historic brewery
- See and learn a traditional Sake brewing method, “Kimoto-zukuri”, with base knowledge of Sake brewing
- Exclusive tasting of Ichinoya’s finest Sake selections
- Seasonal lunch made with local ingredients
- Opportunity to shop limited-edition Sake and other local specialties
- Pictures to be taken and shared
Sake & Food: A Seasonal Pairing
Enjoy a lunch at Wachigai, a restaurant known for its local cuisine using seasonal ingredients. Here, the food isn’t just delicious—it mirrors the landscape of Nagano.
Paired with Ichinoya’s sake, the meal becomes a journey through the flavors of this region—mountain water, local rice, seasonal vegetables, and handmade craft.
Historic Spaces That Hold Nature Inside
The brewery and the restaurant you’ll visit are both officially registered cultural properties, built in the late Edo period. Made from natural wood and earth, they embody the harmony between people and place.
Stepping inside feels like entering another time—calm, quiet, and deeply connected to nature.
Tour Details
- Start time: 11:00 am (2–3 hours, including lunch)
- What’s included:
- Guided visit to Ichinoya Brewery
- Sake and natural water tasting
- Seasonal lunch at Wachigai
- Sake and local goods shopping
- Tour photos provided afterward
- Availability: Once daily
- Where to meet: Ichinoya Sake Brewery, Omachi, Nagano
Access
The tour starts at the entrance of Ichinoya Brewery.
2527 Omachi, Nagano 398-0002
Sake Brewery Tour Booking
You can book through 2 ways:
- If you are staying in Hakuba, you can book through the Hakuba Hospitality Group.
- Direct booking is also available. Send me your request through email.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept same-day reservations. Since the brewery is in during active sake production, reservations must be made at least three days in advance to allow for scheduling adjustments.
Because the brewery includes facilities where koji mold (used for fermentation) is cultivated, it’s important to protect the environment from outside bacteria.
On the day of your visit, please avoid eating fermented foods such as natto or kimchi, as the fermenting microorganisms in these foods can affect the brewery’s microbial balance.
Yes, you’re welcome to take photos in most areas of the brewery.
The selection changes with the seasons, so you’ll be able to sample seasonal and recommended sakes that are available at the time of your visit.
Children are welcome to join the tour, though alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited.
Please note that the brewery contains large machines and equipment, so please make sure children do not run around during the visit.
When making a reservation, please book only for the adults. For children’s lunch, please order and pay separately at the restaurant after the tour.