Maibara Trip Overview
Kinomoto is a charming old brewery town blessed by an abundant source of fresh water. As a former post station town of Edo era kaido routes, the town has retained much of its historical charm, without heavily catering to tourism, but rather sustaining its natural community and identity of local family businesses that have thrived here for centuries.
After meeting up at JR Maibara Station (shinkansen stops here), our guide will lead you on the 24-minute train ride north to JR Kinomoto Station. Here we will give a walking tour including 2 sake breweries, both among the 10 oldest operating in Japan, as well as a traditional soy sauce brewery. We can meet the staff of these family-owned businesses, taste samples, and aside the winter brewing season, if not busy, they’ll often show us around the actual brewing area behind the storefront.
We’ll also visit the large local Buddhist temple, a central presence in local culture, and local shops such as traditional confectioneries and bakeries.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Starts: Maibara, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Maibara Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Maibara, Shiga, Japan
Kinomoto is a charming old brewery town blessed by an abundant source of fresh water. As a former post station town of Edo era kaido routes, the town has retained much of its historical charm, without heavily catering to tourism, but rather sustaining its natural community and identity of local family businesses that have thrived here for centuries.
After meeting up at JR Maibara Station (shinkansen stops here), our guide will lead you on the 24-minute train ride north to JR Kinomoto Station. Here we will give a walking tour including 2 sake breweries, both among the 10 oldest operating in Japan, as well as a traditional soy sauce brewery. We can meet the staff of these family-owned businesses, taste samples, and aside the winter brewing season, if not busy, they’ll often show us around the actual brewing area behind the storefront.
We’ll also visit the large local Buddhist temple, a central presence in local culture, and local shops such as traditional confectioneries and bakeries.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Daiko Soy Sauce, 1137 Kinomotochō Kinomoto, Nagahama, Shiga 529-0425, Japan
Our guide will bring you to Daiko Shoyu, a local family-run soy sauce brewery that has been in business for over 100 years. Soy sauce is also made with fermented mash, so production is actually quite similar to that of sake. Explore the varieties and uses of quality Japanese soy sauce. Aside from the active winter brewing season, visitors can usually also get a private look at the brewing area too.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Tomita Shuzo, 1107 Kinomoto, Kinomotocho, Nagahama 529-0425 Shiga Prefecture
The Tomita family sake brewery has been here in Kinomoto for about 400 years and is one of the region’s top brands winning awards in Japan and abroad. Our guide will show you around the traditional storefront, explaining some of the sake types and helping you interact with the friendly staff.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kinomoto Jizoin Temple, 944 Kinomotocho Kinomoto, Nagahama 529-0425 Shiga Prefecture
This interesting local temple has a long history and is central to the Kinomoto Village community and traditions. Our guide will show you around the grounds and main hall while explaining its significance in local culture. People visit the main Jizo deity of this temple with prayers for vision care, using votive ceramic frog statuettes to leave as offerings. There is also a pitch dark maze for meditation underneath the main hall!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Yamaji Brewery, 990 Kinomoto Kinomotocho, Nagahama 529-0425 Shiga Prefecture
Recognized as the 4th oldest sake brewery still running in Japan, this small brewery has been in business for almost 500 years! With several varieties of sake, they’re also famous for a delicious and unique mulberry liquor. Depending on season and staffing, we may get to look at the brewing area behind the storefront, and the owners are happy to welcome our visitors with tastings.
Duration: 30 minutes
