Saijo, Higashihiroshima,
is one of Japan's three major sake districts.
Higashihiroshima is located near central Hiroshima. Alongside Nada and Fushimi,
Saijo, which is located in the center of Higashihiroshima,
is considered one of Japan's renowned sake districts.
The "Sake Festival" held each fall attracts over 200,000 visitors.
Saijo Sakagura-dori (Saijo sake brewery street),
is lined with seven sake breweries within a 1km span that runs from east to west.
The 12 red brick chimneys and namako-kabe walls create an impressive landscape.
Saijo's most famous breweries
Kamotsuru Sake Brewing
Kamotsuru Sake Brewing, was the first to incorporate advanced rice polishing methods and became the pioneer in daiginjo sake production, receiving countless awards.
Click here for details.
Fukubijin Sake Brewery
Fukubijin sake is rich and full-bodied, with a smooth aftertaste that one would never tire of.
Click here for details.
Shusenkan (Kamoizumi Sake Brewery)
Shusenkan is located within the grounds of Kamoizumi Sake Brewery. Shusenkan has over 20 different types of sake that tourists can taste.
Click here for details.
Highlights of Sakagura-dori
Traditional House Cafes and Sake Sweets
Saijo Sakagura-dori is also home to cafes within traditional Japanese houses. After touring the sake breweries, why not stop in for some home-roasted coffee and sake sweets?
Brewing Water
Some breweries have a special well placed out front. Water from these wells are made to brew sake. Taste the brewing water and see if you can tell the difference between each brewery!
Bishu-Nabe
Originally prepared as staff meals, the dish became a local specialty of the sake-town, Saijo. Delicious vegetables and meats are cooked in plenty of sake.
Where to find Bishu-Nabe in Saijo
FRANCE-YA
The restaurant, managed by Kamotsuru Sake Brewing, serves both Western and Japanese cuisine. Cooked with sake brewing water, the seasonal delicacies are deliciously paired with Kamotsuru sake. Enjoy Hiroshima beef cheek meat stewed in sake and red wine, as well as Kamotsuru Sake Brewing's traditional Bishu-Nabe, which is said to be the original Bishu-Nabe.
9-11 Saijo-honmachi Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
●Hours of Operation
［1st floor Western Cuisine］
Lunch 11:30～14:30(L.O.14:00)
Dinner 17:00～21:00(L.O.20:00)
［2nd floor Japanese Cuisine］
Lunch 11:30～14:30(L.O. 14:00)
Dinner 17:00～22:00(L.O. 21:00)
［Closed］
［1st floor Western Cuisine］Every Thursday, and every 3rd and 4th Monday
［2nd floor Japanese Cuisine］Every Wednesday, and every 1st and 2nd Monday
