An Evening of Sake, A Morning of Craft

An Evening of Sake, A Morning of Craft – An Overnight Sake Immersion in Koga

The season of sake brewing has begun once again—

🍶 Aoki Sake Brewery Experience

A Small-Group, Expert-Guided Journey into Japan’s Sake Culture

Koga, Ibaraki – Just 60 Minutes from Tokyo

Step inside a historic, award-winning sake brewery and experience Japan’s national drink where craftsmanship, family heritage, and terroir meet.

This experience is expert-guided and limited to a small group, offering rare behind-the-scenes access to Aoki Sake Brewery, an eighth-generation family-run brewery in Koga, Ibaraki.

Operated in collaboration with local partners and welcomed by the community, this is not a sightseeing stop—but a cultural encounter rooted in place.

👥 Who This Experience Is For

This experience is especially suited for:

Culturally curious travelers seeking depth over checklists
Food & beverage enthusiasts interested in craftsmanship and terroir
Mature couples and small private groups
Travelers who have already experienced Tokyo and want to go further
Guests who value calm, authenticity, and expert guidance

✨ What Makes This Experience Special

Rare access to a historic sake brewery not open to casual visitors
Expert guidance by brewery professionals and local specialists
Small-group format for meaningful interaction
Deep insight into rice, water, fermentation, and flavor
Easy access from Tokyo, yet far from overtourism

🧭 Experience Options

Program 1｜Gokeiji Bar

Duration: Approx. 2 hours (Evening Program)

Enjoy a refined sake tasting paired with an elegant kaiseki-style dinner, featuring five Gokeiji sakes.
Your tasting is guided by Chisa Aoki, Senior Managing Director of the brewery and an eighth-generation member of the Aoki family.

After dinner, guests stay overnight at Hotel Sansui, a traditional local hotel in Koga.
This overnight stay allows guests to participate comfortably in the early-morning sake brewing experience on the following day, without the need for late-night travel or early transfers from Tokyo.

Recommended for:
Food & sake enthusiasts, mature couples, travelers seeking a refined overnight cultural experience

Not suitable for:
Guests who prefer a day-only program or do not plan to join the next morning’s brewing experience

Program 2｜Exclusive Sake Brewing Experience (Seasonal: January–March)

Duration: Approx. 2 hours

Join the brewery staff early in the morning to experience real sake brewing work, including:

Handling freshly steamed rice
Visiting the koji-muro, where fermentation begins
Learning how daily craftsmanship shapes each sake

Recommended for:
Hands-on learners, sake aficionados, travelers interested in traditional craftsmanship

Not suitable for:
Guests with limited mobility, those sensitive to cold or early-morning schedules

⚠️ Available only during the brewing season.

👤 Guiding Style & Group Size

This is an expert-guided small-group experience, limited to ensure quality, comfort, and personal attention.
Guests are accompanied throughout by experienced guides and brewery representatives, allowing for smooth coordination and thoughtful cultural explanation.

An Overnight Sake Immersion in Koga

🗓️ Sample Itinerary (1 Night / 2 Days)

Day 1｜Evening – From Arrival to Gokeiji Bar

Late Afternoon
Arrive at Koga Station, just 60 minutes from central Tokyo.
After check-in at the hotel, enjoy time to relax and settle into the quiet atmosphere of this historic regional town.

Evening｜Gokeiji Bar Experience
At Aoki Sake Brewery, enjoy an elegant kaiseki-style dinner paired with five carefully selected Gokeiji sakes.

The tasting is led by Chisa Aoki, Senior Managing Director of the brewery and an eighth-generation member of the Aoki family, offering rare insight into the philosophy, history, and craftsmanship behind each sake.

Overnight Stay
After dinner, guests stay overnight at Hotel Sansui, a traditional local hotel in Koga.
Staying locally allows guests to enjoy the evening at ease and prepares them comfortably for the early-morning brewing experience.

Day 2｜Early Morning – Inside the Sake Brewery

Early Morning｜Exclusive Sake Brewing Experience
Begin the day with early access to Aoki Sake Brewery, joining the brewery staff during the morning work of sake production.

Guests observe and participate in:

Handling freshly steamed rice
Cooling and preparing rice for fermentation
Visiting the koji-muro, where the brewing process begins

Experiencing the brewery at this hour offers a deeper understanding of sake as a living craft—something rarely accessible to visitors.

Late Morning
After the brewing experience, the program concludes.
Guests may continue onward travel or return to Tokyo by late morning.

💰 Indicative Pricing

For guests seeking a more immersive day, this early-morning brewing experience may be thoughtfully integrated into a full-day cultural journey, including seasonal programs such as the Hanamomo festival experience, subject to availability and conditions.

From JPY 62,000 per person
(Including Gokeiji Bar experience, overnight stay, and early-morning brewing program)

Final pricing depends on group size and selected arrangements and will be confirmed at booking.

This overnight experience allows guests to understand sake not only by tasting it, but by witnessing its creation—an access rarely offered, even in Japan.

📍 Location & Access

Aoki Sake Brewery
Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture

Approx. 5 minutes by taxi from JR Koga Station
Approx. 60 minutes by train from Tokyo or Shinjuku
Parking available for guests arriving by car

📝 Booking Information

Advance reservation required
Small-group capacity; availability is limited
Programs are offered by request, depending on season and brewery schedule

📧 Inquiries & Booking Requests:
info@musubi-travel.jp

❌ Cancellation Policy

Cancellations and refunds are handled in accordance with the
Standard Travel Agency Terms and Conditions of Japan.

Cancellation fees apply based on the timing of cancellation as stipulated under these standard terms.
Detailed conditions will be provided at the time of booking confirmation.

⚠️ Important Notice for Brewery Visit Days

To protect the delicate sake brewing environment, we kindly ask guests joining the brewery visit or brewing experience to observe the following:

Please avoid consuming fermented foods such as citrus fruits (e.g. oranges or mandarins), yogurt, natto, or other fermented products on the morning of the visit.
Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or strongly scented products on the day of the brewery visit.

Sake brewing is highly sensitive to outside yeasts and aromas.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

🍶

This is not a sightseeing stop, but a cultural encounter—
quiet, precise, and deeply rooted in place.