Saijo

Welcome to Saijo, a district in East Hiroshima that stands as one of Japan's most revered 'Sake Towns.' As your guide, I invite you to explore a landscape defined by its red-brick chimneys and the heritage of fermentation.…

We begin our walk on Sakagura-dori, the iconic street of the breweries. The most striking visual features here are the tall, square, red-brick chimneys that rise above the tiled roofs. …

We now visit the Kirei Brewery, one of the oldest in Saijo, with a history stretching back nearly 500 years. Its name, 'Kirei,' literally means 'the age of a turtle,' a reference to one of the longest-living creatures on earth…

As we walk between the breweries, you will notice several public wells. This is the secret to Saijo’s success. …

We now enter a younger, yet equally prestigious brewery: Kamoizumi. Founded in 1912, it has been passed down through four generations. …

While Saijo is a town of tradition, it also offers modern comforts like the Hotel Horaire Saijo. This three-star property provides a peaceful retreat for both business and leisure travelers. …

To conclude our tour, we walk the final stretch of the brewery route. You have seen nine breweries, tasted the soft mountain water, and inhaled the scents of a centuries-old tradition. …

Our journey through the sake town of Saijo draws to a close. We have traversed the Sakagura-dori, witnessed the resilience of 500-year-old breweries, and tasted the life-giving waters that define this region. …