Top Saitama Prefecture Sake Tasting

Indulge in The Glam Room Kawagoe’s signature premium sake experience, featuring five carefully selected sake varieties, including warmed sake, with additional pours gracefully served by our staff. Enjoy seasonal sake-friendly bites, a curated unagi (eel) pairing, and a small gift in a beautifully designed setting.

Escape the bustle of Tokyo and enjoy a relaxing day trip to Kawagoe, a beautifully preserved town known as “Little Edo.” This private walking tour offers the perfect mix of cultural exploration, local food, and authentic Japan just 30 minutes from Tokyo. Stroll through traditional Edo-style streets, visit the iconic Time Bell Tower, and explore Candy Alley, famous for its nostalgic treats. A highlight of your tour is the visit to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, where you can experience the popular Tai-mikuji — a fun “sea bream fortune” you catch with a toy fishing rod! It’s a must-try experience that’s both charming and photogenic, often featured in travel blogs and Instagram posts. Perfect for travelers who want to discover authentic Japan beyond Tokyo in just half a day.

Our sake brewery tour stands out with its focus on the traditional wooden barrel brewing technique, a rarity in modern sake production. You'll experience an exclusive 40-minute tasting session featuring unique sake varieties(Honey sake / Local tea sake / Germinated brown rice sake)not found in the market, each meticulously brewed in historic barrels. The tour is deepened by a cultural immersion, with tastings held in a traditional Japanese setting using local Hanno ware. A distinctive aspect is the pairing of sake with nuts seasoned in locally-made soy sauce from wooden barrels, offering a flavor experience unlike any other. Additionally, the opportunity to interact with the Toji, or Master Brewer, adds an educational dimension to the tour, providing insights into the art and science of sake brewing. To commemorate your visit, you'll receive a bespoke souvenir crafted from Nishikawa wood, capturing the essence of this unique and enriching journey through Japan's sake brewing heritage.

Are you familiar with doburoku, a rare type of Japanese sake? Unlike regular sake, doburoku is made by bottling the unfiltered mash (moromi) while fermentation continues. This makes it very difficult to store, and it's rarely served at restaurants. Yamane Brewery handcrafts this precious sake in small batches. It may be the only sustainable brewery in Japan operating out of a repurposed convenience store. While most breweries use stainless steel tanks, Yamane uses traditional wooden barrels made from local Nishikawa timber. This rare method allows natural microorganisms to thrive, adding unique flavors from the wood and water—resulting in a one-of-a-kind sake every time. During the tour, you can taste three types of this special sake using locally crafted cups made from 100% Hanno soil, a material no longer produced and only available in limited quantities. Hanno is just an hour by train from Tokyo, with easy access to Chichibu, Kawagoe, and attractions like Moominvalley Park.

What You Will Experience A dining experience in a private setting after closing hours Live cooking performance and commentary by a master unagi chef A special kaiseki course prepared exclusively for this tour, featuring freshly prepared eel Optional pairing with a selection of curated Japanese sake (additional fee) Optional dining experience with freshly grated wasabi prepared by yourself (additional fee) Relaxed, personal, and designed for curious travelers. Is This Experience Right for You? Ideal for those who: ・Want something different from their Tokyo stay ・Enjoy food, culture, and meaningful stories ・Prefer small-group, local experiences ・Want a half-day trip with depth ・Like learning directly from locals Not suited for fast-paced sightseeing. Many guests say this experience changes how they see Japanese food—quiet, sincere, and rooted in everyday life. If you want a genuine food experience near Tokyo, this is a rare opportunity.

Explore the heart of Saitama with an engaging evening bar-hopping tour that showcases the essence of Japanese dining culture. Discover hidden gems where locals unwind, savoring regional dishes and drinks at two unique venues. Enjoy the flexibility of starting from one of four convenient locations in Saitama City, allowing you to tailor your experience to your plans. With a total food and drink credit of 3,000 JPY included, indulge in local favorites while learning about izakaya etiquette from your knowledgeable guide. This tour provides an authentic glimpse into the vibrant local atmosphere, making it perfect for travelers seeking genuine cultural experiences. - Experience authentic Japanese dining at two local spots - Flexible meeting points: Omiya, Urawa, Iwatsuki, or Yono - Total food and drink credit of 3,000 JPY included - Gain insights into izakaya culture and local food etiquette