Guided Tour of Tonoike Sake Brewery (with Tasting) & Lunch in Mashiko

Duration: 2.5 hours

¥29,000 JPY

Sale Sold out

Taxes included.

Key Feature

Brewery founded in 1937 with a rich heritage and modern cleanliness standards
Uses natural spring water from the Nikko mountain range, sourced on-site
English-speaking guide explains sake brewing and historical context
Includes 5 types of sake tasting (including seasonal varieties)
Participate in a traditional "Kagami Biraki" barrel-opening ceremony
Local food pairing in a private Japanese tatami room
Enjoy sake in handcrafted Mashiko pottery, unique to the region
Shop exclusive sake and artisan ceramics only available at the brewery

Experience a truly authentic sake journey at Tonoike Sake Brewery in Mashiko.

Located in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, Tonoike Sake Brewery—founded in 1937—offers a hands-on experience where you can enjoy Japanese sake and traditional culture with all five senses. Conveniently accessible from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko, this tour is perfect for combining sightseeing with cultural immersion.

The brewery's defining features are its exceptional cleanliness and uncompromising dedication to its water source. Every part of the facility—from the beams and brewing tools to the entrance and even restrooms—is meticulously cleaned daily. The water used for brewing is pristine underground spring water sourced from the Nikko mountain range, drawn from a well on the property. This pure water and immaculate environment are key to producing sake with a delicate, refined taste, free of impurities.

Your English-speaking guide will walk you through the brewing process and the rich history behind sake-making. A highlight of the tour is the opportunity to take part in the traditional "Kagami Biraki" ceremony—an auspicious ritual of breaking open a sake barrel.

After the tour, relax in a private Japanese-style room and enjoy a sake tasting of five varieties, including seasonal brews. Local delicacies are served alongside to enhance your appreciation of sake's depth and complexity.

Adding a local touch, all sake is served in Mashiko-yaki, a traditional ceramic ware from the region. The shape and texture of the cup subtly influence the flavor, offering a uniquely nuanced tasting experience.

Finish your visit with a stop at the brewery's own shop, where you can browse limited-edition sake and Mashiko-yaki sake cups—perfect for souvenirs or gifts.

Tour Details

Meet your guide at Mashiko Station
Brewery tour at Tonoike Sake Brewery
Learn about the history of Tonoike, the sake brewing process, and the differences between sake types and rice varieties
Experience "Kagami Biraki", a traditional sake barrel-opening ceremony
Exclusive tasting session in a private Japanese tatami room
- Taste 5 types of sake, including seasonal specialties
- Enjoy food pairing with locally sourced ingredients
- Discover how the flavor changes with different Mashiko-yaki ceramic cups
Shop for limited-edition sake and handcrafted Mashiko pottery at the brewery's direct store
Enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch at a nearby restaurant

After lunch, the tour concludes, and participants are free to explore on their own.

Meeting Location: 10:45AM — Mashiko Station

By Train

Travel time: approx. 2.5 hours

From Nikko Station, take the JR Nikko Line to Utsunomiya Station (approx. 45 min)
From Utsunomiya Station West Exit, take the Kanto Bus bound for Mashiko
- Weekdays: Departs 09:33, arrives at Mashiko Station at 10:43 (approx. 70 min)
From Mashiko Station, it's either:
- 15–20 minutes on foot, or
- About 5 minutes by taxi to Tonoike Sake Brewery

By Car

Travel time: approx. 1.5 to 2 hours

Take the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road toward Utsunomiya
Continue to the Kita-Kanto Expressway, and exit at either:
- Moka IC, or Sakuragawa-Chikusei IC, then drive to Mashiko Town

Dismissal Location: Tonoike Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.

Address: 333-1 Hanawa, Mashiko-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-4216, Japan

Included in the Tour Fee: Guide fee (English), brewery tour, sake tasting, and lunch

Not Included in the Tour Fee: Transportation to the meeting point and personal shopping expenses

Reservations are by request.

*Please select the date and time from the calendar.

*The duration of the experience is 2.5 hours.

*The application deadline is 10 business days before the desired date.

*Number of Participants: The minimum number of participants is 2, and the maximum is 6.

Important note

Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins. If not, we have to cancel your reservation.
A 100% cancellation fee will apply for no-shows without prior notice.
Participants under 20 years old are not permitted to taste sake, though they may join the tour.
Please inform us in advance if you have any allergies.
For your safety and to maintain product quality, please follow the staff's guidance during the tour.
The schedule may vary slightly depending on crowd conditions.
In cases of severe weather or natural disasters, the tour may be canceled.

The cancellation policy

The cancellation fee will be applied based on our business days, excluding Sundays and public holidays in Japan.

If you request a date or time change for personal reasons, please note that availability may be limited. In such cases, the cancellation policy will still apply.

Same day: 100%
2 days before: 80%
7 days before: 30%

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