Near Osaka: Explore Itami, the Birthplace of Clear Sake
This tour takes you beyond the well-trodden sake trails of Nada and Fushimi to Itami, the true birthplace of refined sake (seishu). With a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll walk the streets where sake history was made, visit Japan’s oldest remaining sake brewery building, and explore a museum filled with traditional brewing tools.
But the highlight is the authentic tasting experience at the Chōjukura Brewery Restaurant, where for under ¥1,000, you'll sample premium sake crafted with centuries of tradition—right where the clear sake we know today was first born.
Perfect for sake lovers and cultural explorers alike, this tour offers a rare chance to dive deep into Japan’s sake heritage at the very place it transformed forever.
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Near Osaka: Explore Itami, the Birthplace of Clear Sake
What's included in Near Osaka: Explore Itami, the Birthplace of Clear Sake
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Former Okada Residence & Sake Brewery
Step into Japan’s sake history at the Okada Residence, the oldest surviving sake brewery building in the country. Dating back to the Edo period, this beautifully preserved structure offers a glimpse into traditional brewing life, with original architecture that reflects the craftsmanship and legacy of sake production in Itami. Walking through its rooms is like traveling back in time to the birthplace of refined sake.
Located in the heart of Itami’s historic district, the Chōjukura Brewery Museum showcases the tools, techniques, and evolution of sake brewing. From massive wooden barrels to delicate filtration tools, the exhibits reveal how craftsmanship and innovation shaped the sake we know today. It’s an ideal place to deepen your appreciation for Japan’s national drink and the people who brought it to life.
After exploring the history, enjoy a sake tasting experience at the Chōjukura Brewery Restaurant, located on the first floor of the museum. For under ¥1,000, you can sample a curated selection of premium sake, crafted using traditional methods passed down through generations. Please note that this experience includes sake tasting only—food is not included.
Inclusions
- Visit to Japan’s oldest surviving sake brewery building
- Curated sake tasting at a restaurant located on the first floor of the museum
- 2-hour guided tour of Itami
- Entry to a museum showcasing traditional tools and techniques of sake-making
- Transportation to and from Itami
- Meals other than the sake tasting
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Under Japanese law, drinking alcohol is prohibited for those under 20 years of age.
- Those under 20 years of age may enjoy non-alcoholic beverages.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- The guide will be waiting in front of the police box near Itami Station. Please check the map for the exact location. The guide will be holding a yellow sign.
End Points
- From the dismissal point, you have access to Itami Station on the private and JR lines, which will take you easily to Kobe, Osaka, and other destinations.
