Akita Sake Tour
HIGHLIGHTS
Sake
Learn about sake from the world’s leading expert, John Gauntner, in an intimate class setting. Maximum group size is fourteen people.
Explore the snow country and visit four breweries that are not open to the general public. Each brewery introduces you to different aspects of their brewing traditions.
Food
Soba noodles are a staple food in this extremely cold region. Find out for yourself about the local style of soba by trying your hand at making noodles in a beautifully maintained historic kura, or storehouse, at the sake brewery.
Try traditional farm-style Akita cuisine and learn how to make kiritanpo rice cake from the “The Best Mom” in Akita at her farm.
Culture & Onsen
Enjoy a special minyo folk songs of Akita at welcome dinner.
Explore Kakunodate and get a glimpse of the life of a samurai general in the well-preserved Edo-era quarter. View special exhibition of Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) dolls from the same period displayed in historic residences as you walk the area.
Visit Masuda: this area once flourished as a center of commerce in the Tohoku region. Enjoy the finest kura, built in an architectural style unique to this area.
Soak in hot springs to fully enjoy Akita. On the last night, a milky open air bath in deep snow at rustic Nyuto Onsen will take you back to a different era.
This tour will not be offered in 2026/ 2027. The itinerary below is an example of what has been offered on this tour previously.
Contact us today info@saketours.com if you are interested in this tour in future.
PRICE INCLUDES
Four special private tours and tastings at sake breweries. These companies are not open to the general public.
Activities and entertainments: soba making experience at a brewery, private cooking lesson, private minyo folk song performance.
5 nights accommodation. 1 night at Keikyu EX Inn in Tokyo, 2 nights at Yokote Plaza Annex with a private open-air bath (twin rooms only), 1 night at Bukeyashiki Hotel, and 1 night at ryokan Japanese style inn with hot springs.
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners. Dinners include selected sake from the breweries we visit.
All transportation costs during the tour for Day 1 through Day 5, excluding the Shinkansen bullet train from Akita to Tokyo on Day 5. The flight to Akita from Tokyo is included.
DOMESTIC TRANSPORTATION AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL IN JAPAN
Your tour begins at Keikyu EX Inn Shinagawa Ekimae in Tokyo and it ends with a return by Shinkansen bullet train from Tazawako to Tokyo. Shinkansen bullet train from Tazawako to Tokyo is not included in the tour cost.
For your convenience, we will of course coordinate your domestic transportation for you.
For those planning to use JR Pass for more extended travel, please contact us for details regarding Shinkansen return travel from Tazawako.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Additional domestic travel arrangements and consulting are available. Tazawako area is known as one of the best ski resorts in Akita. Please contact us at info@saketours.com for more information.
