What to Bring

Travel Items for Sake Tours in General

This is general information which applies to all who travel with us.

Important items

  • Comfortable and easily removable walking shoes. You will be taking on and off your shoes very often.

Recommended Travel Items for Sake Brewery Tours

  • 1 Suitcase with rollers and 1 small backpack or small bag for overnight stay on Thursday and Friday.

    Please limit to one suitcase of standard 26 inch size or smaller & total weight 25kg (55lb) or less per person: (67cm / 26 inches x 45cm / 18 inches x 25cm / 10 inches).
    You may leave additional bags at the hotel in Tokyo.

  • Reading light at night. Usually at Japanese style-inns, they do not have reading lights. Please pack a light reading light if you need one.

  • AC power splitter for charging all your gadgets. At hotels, you sometimes find only one power outlet. No need for a transformer.

  • If you choose to pack your computer, most hotels that we stay offer WIFI. You may also want to bring your own pocket WIFI.

  • There are no columnar-shaped plugs or 3-pin plugs for electrical devices. At the hotel, 2-flat-pin plugs are used instead. Please bring a plug adapter or buy one at a convenience store in Japan.

  • Straps- to strap your phone, pens and camera. I ask people to strap everything to themselves so that you do not drop anything in the fermentation tank. If you drop any items to the tank, we are liable for the whole tank of sake production of over 1,500 liters.

  • Travel-size tissue – regular public restrooms offer limited or no paper products!

  • Handkerchiefs or ‘do-rags’ are a good idea too. You do not find paper towels at bathrooms in public places.

  • Please bring small amounts of any over-the-counter medication you use often. Many medicines available OTC in the US or Europe are by prescription only in Japan. Dramamin is not sold here, but travellers can bring up to a 2 month supply. Bufferin is available. Sudafed is illegal as it contains pseudoephedrene. You may want to pack motion sickness medicine and stomach medicine you are familiar with. At times, we will be on a van for close to two hours.

  • You will find a mini kettle and refrigerator in the room. Please pack your favorite tea or instant coffee of your choice from home! Or, you can buy individually packaged coffee at convenience stores in Japan.

  • Plastic water bottle. It’s a small thing, but one of the great things about visiting breweries is tasting their shikomi-mizu, water used for brewing sake. We usually pack some water from the brewery in our water bottles.

  • Small umbrella or light raincoat will come handy.

  • Bring some business cards.

Items NOT Recommended for Japan

  • Anything large in size, heavy, or bulky.

  • Huge, bulky backpacks – i.e., backpacks that do not fit in overhead storage or coin lockers.

  • Heavy books (bring photocopies of sections from travel books which are relevant).

  • Impractical footwear (i.e., lace-up boots, high heels).

  • Electrical appliances – voltage in Japan is 100V (hair dryers are available at hotels and inns).

To Prepare for Snow Weather

For those who travels with us from December to early March to Niigata, Hokkaido or Toyama, please be prepared for the snowy weather in addition of the items shown above! Although we will not be walking in the snow often, please expect snow. Depending on the temperature, streets can become quite slushy.

To prepare for the snow:

  • Snow boots or waterproof shoes you can change in and out of easily to visit breweries. You are asked to take off your shoes about 3 times a day.

  • Big, warm long coat

  • Warm gloves/mittens

  • Warm hat, hooded jacket, or headband

  • If you have time to shop in Japan, check out UNIQLO for HEATECH underwear products

For Toyama Tour

  • You will be asked to bring a Day backpack for Thursday and Friday. Your large suitcase will be sent to your future accommodation on Wednesday.

  • Toyama winter is cold and often rainy or snowy. Please be prepared for the snow.

For Niigata Tour

  • You will be asked to bring a Day backpack for Thursday and Friday. Your large suitcase will be sent to your accommodation on Wednesday.

  • Niigata winter is a bit milder compared to the other areas of more Northern areas of Japan, but please be prepared for the snow.

For Nagano Tour

Guests will enjoy the beauty of autumn season on Sake Tours Nagano Tour. November in Nagano is the peak of the autumn leaves. At the beginning of November, the typical temperature is about 8 - 14 °C/47 -58 °F during the day. It may be warm during the day, but the temperature drops at night.

  • So, it is best to bring many layers and a warm jacket.

  • You do not need to worry about snow. The southern part of Nagano does not start to snow until December or January.

  • We all hope the typhoon season is over by November, but it is a good idea to bring some rain gear.

Travel Tips