Top Aichi Prefecture Spring Break

Join the president of Maruya Hatcho Miso, a brewery with nearly 700 years of history, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Inside the historic storehouse—still used today—you'll encounter towering 2-meter wooden barrels and three-ton stone weights used in the traditional fermentation process. It’s a rare and awe-inspiring sight. After the tour, enjoy a hands-on cooking experience using Hatcho miso. From preparation to cooking and even cleaning up, you’ll take part in the full process alongside the president himself. Highlights: ・Learn about Hatcho miso production directly from the company president ・Explore a traditional miso warehouse that’s been in use for over 150 years ・Cook and taste a dish made with Hatcho miso in an interactive workshop

Founded in 1856, Kaminoi Sake Brewery is a renowned sake brewery that has repeatedly won gold medals at the National Tax Agency's tasting competition. This long-established brewery, which has close ties to Atsuta Shrine, invites you on a special tour that delves into the traditional techniques and flavors. Guided by the owner himself, you'll experience the deep world of traditional sake brewing, which has been passed down through the generations in a small group setting. Experience with all five senses the process by which this "locally beloved sake," characterized by its soft mouthfeel and light aftertaste, is created. After the tour, enjoy a tasting of three brands carefully selected by the brewery. Savor the history, craftsmanship, and mellow aroma to your heart's content.

What sets this tour apart is its flexibility and focus on everyday local culture. Guests choose the area they want to explore—Meieki, Sakae, Kanayama, or Osu—so the experience matches their interests and mood, rather than following a fixed route. The tour begins by listening to guests’ preferences. Based on that and the selected area, a local guide chooses two nearby bars that residents actually visit after work, offering an authentic look at Nagoya’s food and drinking culture. Food and drinks are included at each stop, allowing guests to relax and enjoy the evening without worrying about costs. Instead of a typical bar crawl, this tour emphasizes connection to the neighborhood and the rhythms of daily life in Nagoya.

Unlike standard sake tastings or automated factory tours, this private experience grants rare, behind-the-scenes access to Sawada Sake Brewery—a 170-year-old heritage producer in Tokoname, near Nagoya (Aichi Prefecture), where traditional hand-craftsmanship has thrived since 1848. What sets this exclusive experience apart is its personal touch and custom souvenir. Guided personally by the brewery owner, you will sample four premium Japanese beverages served in authentic Tokoname-yaki pottery paired with local fermented snacks. Afterwards, you will join a hands-on brush pen workshop to paint your own custom calligraphy label for a full 720ml bottle of fine sake to take home. By combining owner-led heritage storytelling, regional ceramic craftsmanship, and a traditional Japanese calligraphy experience, this activity transforms a classic tasting into an unforgettable cultural highlight in Greater Nagoya.

Highlights - Wear a traditional tea-picking costume and take photos in a tea plantation - Visit a matcha factory normally closed to the public and grind tea leaves with a stone mill - Enjoy a matcha-making experience with Japanese sweets - Discover Nishio’s tea culture through tea fields, a factory tour, and matcha making - Learn the basics of the Japanese tea ceremony from a local English-speaking guide - Visit other Nishio highlights, including Miso Park and Nishio Historical Park. Overview Discover Nishio, one of Japan’s leading matcha-producing regions, on this one-day cultural tour. Visit a tea plantation, wear a traditional tea-picking costume for photos, and tour the long-established Aoi Seicha factory to learn how matcha is made. Enjoy a hands-on matcha-making experience with Japanese sweets. After lunch featuring Aichi’s famous miso katsu, visit Nishio Historical Park and Miso Park to experience the region’s tea culture and history.

Highlights - Explore Sawada Sake Brewery, crafting fine sake since 1848 in Tokoname - Learn sake-making from an expert and taste pristine brewing water - Sample five sake varieties with local Chita delicacies -Create a personalized sake can label as a souvenir Tour Overview Discover Japanese sake at Sawada Sake Brewery, a family-run producer in Tokoname with roots since 1848. The Chita Peninsula, famed for fermentation since the 17th century, provides a historic backdrop. Guided by an expert, learn each step of sake-making, from rice preparation to fermentation, while exploring traditional wooden vats and brewing rooms. Taste pure brewing water, then enjoy five distinctive sake varieties paired with local delicacies (non-alcoholic drinks available). Finally, design your own label for a 180ml sake can using a brush pen—an original keepsake to take home. Blending history, craftsmanship, and creativity, this tour offers a rare and personal encounter with one of Japan’s iconic traditions.

Discover the art of traditional sake brewing at Yamada Shuzo in Kanie Town, Aichi Prefecture. This exclusive brewery experience, available from April to October, immerses you in Japan's rich brewing culture with an English-language introduction, a guided brewery visit, and a generous sake tasting. Explore the serene brewery grounds, including beautifully maintained gardens and traditional buildings, while learning about the time-honored techniques that create Yamada Shuzo's beloved sake. Whether you're a sake lover or a culture enthusiast, this experience offers a unique glimpse into Japan's craftsmanship and history. * Seasonal brewery experience available from April to October * Enjoy a guided exploration of the sake-making process led by brewery staff * Conclude with a tasting of Yamada Shuzo's signature sake * Ideal for cultural enthusiasts and sake lovers alike

Discover the essence of Haccho Miso on this immersive tour in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture. Learn about the rich history and production methods of this unique miso, deeply rooted in samurai culture and favored by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Visit traditional miso breweries to see the craftsmanship in action and savor the aromas of fermenting miso. Enjoy a delightful lunch at a miso brewery-operated restaurant, featuring dishes that highlight the bold flavors of Haccho Miso. This tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and gastronomy, providing insight into how traditional flavors continue to evolve in modern cuisine. Gain a deeper appreciation of Japan’s fermentation culture and samurai heritage.

Unlike standard mass-market tastings or automated factory tours, this private experience grants rare, behind-the-scenes access to Sawada Sake Brewery—a 170-year-old heritage producer near Nagoya in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, where traditional hand-craftsmanship thrives. What sets this exclusive sake tasting apart is the multi-sensory ceramic pairing. Guided personally by the brewery owner, you will explore six distinct Japanese sakes and craft plum wine (umeshu) using four differently shaped, handcrafted Tokoname-yaki artisan pottery cups to discover how ceramic shapes transform flavor profiles, before selecting your favorite handmade cup to take home as a souvenir. By combining owner-led heritage storytelling, a 6-variety sake tasting paired with local fermented snacks, and an authentic Tokoname ceramic gift, this experience delivers an unforgettable cultural highlight for travelers exploring Greater Nagoya and the Chita Peninsula region.

Experience Nagoya like a local on an evening walking tour through Endoji, one of the city’s oldest covered shopping streets. Just minutes from Nagoya Station, this nostalgic district is lined with independent shops, temples, cozy eateries, and neighborhood bars, offering an authentic glimpse into everyday life beyond the tourist trail. Led by an English-speaking guide, you’ll explore the area’s history and local culture while visiting two traditional izakaya. At the first stop, enjoy a selection of Nagoya’s famous “Nagoya-meshi” comfort foods paired with a drink of your choice. Then continue to a second izakaya, where you can choose between a curated sake tasting featuring regional varieties or two glasses of locally produced Japanese wine. Combining authentic cuisine, local hospitality, and hidden gems, this relaxed evening tour is the perfect introduction to Nagoya’s food, culture, and nightlife.

Explore Okazaki's vibrant nightlife on a customizable bar hopping tour. Choose between the laid-back JR Okazaki Station area or the lively Higashi-Okazaki Station area. Experience local food and drink culture at two selected bars, where you can savor food and drinks valued at 3,000 yen included in the tour price. With a relaxed pace, your guide will share insider insights while adapting to your group's preferences, ensuring an authentic evening that mirrors the locals' way of life. This tour is perfect for travelers looking for a casual and personal introduction to Okazaki's diverse nightlife. - Choose your atmosphere: JR Okazaki for a casual vibe or Higashi-Okazaki for a lively experience - Enjoy food and drinks valued at 3,000 yen, included in the tour - Flexible itinerary based on group preferences for an authentic experience - Discover local insights from your guide while enjoying a relaxed evening

Discover Tokoname’s fermentation culture through two traditions: pottery and sake brewing. Tour Sawada Sake Brewery, founded in 1848, and taste four local specialties. Sip sake from Tokoname ware, paired with seasonal fermented bites. Wander Tokoname’s historic Pottery Path, lined with kilns, chimneys, and workshops. Meet a third-generation artisan at Tokoname’s only traditional fermentation crock pottery.