【Hyogo/Tokushima】「The One and Only SAKE＆WINE」A Journey Through Regional Beauty and Culture

Over View

Indulge in the rich and ancient history of sake-making in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Taste the most popular rice used for Japanese sake, the “Yamada Nishiki,” renowned for its mellow and delicious flavor. As the largest producer of this rice, Miki City has designated special A-class regions that are known and praised for their high quality rice.

During your visit, learn from the passionate brewers about the intricate process of sake-making and how it’s influenced by the natural beauty and clear water of the area. At the Yamada Nishiki Museum, discover more about the cultivation of this iconic rice while also exploring local agricultural products and souvenirs.

After indulging in the world of Japanese sake, take a journey across the largest suspension bridge in the world connecting mainland Japan with Awaji Island, before crossing the Great Naruto Bridge, famous for its mesmerizing whirlpools, and arrive at the Hotel RIDGE – a luxurious resort hotel nestled amidst the stunning sea and mountains. Here, you can savour the exquisite RIDGE wine, produced by the prestigious winery “Ridge Vineyards,” which can only be enjoyed exclusively at this hotel. To explore the region even further, optional cruises and helicopter tours are also available.

Experience the best of both worlds – Japanese sake and wine – all while immersing yourself in the natural wonders of Japan. Book your trip now and create unforgettable memories!

Highlights

■Enjoy the special A-class Yamada Nishiki sake at the only historic brewery in Miki City.
■ At Hotel RIDGE, indulge in rare wines that can only be savoured here through a special pairing experience.
■ Experience the world’s largest whirlpool on the “Uzushio Cruise,” registered as a Japanese heritage site.
■ Savor tempura dinner at Tokushima’s premier art space designed by teamLab.

Reccomended points

■ At Inami Sake Brewery, the pairing of Japanese sake with cheese and dried fruits is highly recommended.
■ The local pickles and side dishes made by the local women of the area are very popular at Yamada Nishiki no Yakata.
■ At the stunning Hotel RIDGE, guests can experience a luxurious time with natural hot springs and wine.
■ Many people are surprised by the sweetness of Narutokintokii, a type of fish cake, served in the tempura dinner at Hyakunen Umi.

Itinerary

Day 1
■08:00 AM Departure from Tokyo Station
↓
■10:00 AM Departure from Shin-Kobe Station
　　　　　(Taxi transfer for 45 minutes)
↓
■10:45 AM Arrival and experience at Inami Sake Brewery
↓
■12:30 PM Arrival and lunch at Yamada Nishiki-no-Kan 　　　　　　　　
　　　　　 (Taxi transfer for 90 minutes)
↓
■03:00 PM Arrival and check-in at Hotel Ridge 　　　　　　　　
　　　　　 Dinner and overnight stay at the California Table

Day 2
■12:00 PM Hotel Ridge check-out 　　　　　　　　
　　　　　(Taxi transfer for 30 minutes)
↓
■04:00 PM Walk around at the Bandai Central Pier・Bandai Cafe
↓
■05:00 PM Dinner at Hyakunen-Umi
                                                                                            

Implementation Period

All year round　
*During the sake brewing season (December – February) previous consultation is necessary.

Min No. of participants

2 Person(s)

Max No. of Participants

Maximum 10 Person(s)
*Hotel Ridge only has twin rooms (There is one connecting room that can be used by up to 4 people).
*Single use is possible

Participant Conditions

Due to alcohol being served, no underage participants allowed

Price

Per person from 101,500 yen
*Included in the price：Experience at Inami Sake Brewery, stay at Hotel RIDGE, Exclusive dinner at Hyakunen Umi.
*Not included in the price：Use of taxi, helicopter, and other transportation. Drinks bought in the café or restaurant.

Recommended options
■Suite room at Hotel RIDGE: Starting from 237,500 yen per night per person.
■ Upgrade to the luxurious “Ziso” suite room, which opened in May 2023.
Room size of 120 square meters, with a private bar and a spacious 29 square meter terrace.
■ Helicopter transportation from Hotel RIDGE: New heliport on the premises (Confirm prices beforehand).
■ Golf arrangements through Hotel RIDGE (Confirm prices beforehand).
■ “Uzushio Cruise” for 3,100 yen: Enjoy the world’s largest whirlpool on a cruise, just a 5-minute drive from Hotel RIDGE.
More information at https://www.uzu-shio.com/.

Language Support

Japanese
Interpreter guide accompaniment: Necessary
Language Supplementation tool: Not available

Cancellation Policy

7 days prior to the start of the trip　10％
3 days prior to the start of the trip　30％
1 day prior to the start of the trip　50%
On the day the trip starts　100％

　　　　　　　　　　

Things to Note

*Itami Sake Brewery
・Duration of experience: Approximately 90 minutes, including sake brewery tour and sake tasting
・Sake tasting takes place either in the back parlor or the standing area at the entrance, depending on the length of stay and other factors

*Hotel RIDGE
・Upgrade to the luxury suite “Ziso” opening in May 2023, starting at 237,500 yen per night for one person.
・Helicopter transport available on-site (prices may vary).
・Golf arrangements available (prices may vary).

*BANDAI CAFE
・Microphone, sound system, and TV monitor rental are available free of charge for group rentals.

Facility Information

Inami Sake Brewery

Located in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is one of the major production areas of “Yamada Nishiki,” the highest quality rice used when making Japanese sake, is a sake brewery with a long history dating back to its founding in 1889. The brewery is situated on the Yunoyama Road, which is lined with old-fashioned buildings that exude a nostalgic atmosphere. Miki City is also known for its vast natural scenery and abundant water sources, making it an ideal location for sake brewing. Thanks to the characteristic harsh winter mornings of the basin area that are perfect for sake brewing, combined with top quality Yamada Nishiki rice harvested in the special A regions, a completely unique sake can be enjoyed here. This plan offers a sake brewery tour and a sake tasting guided and explained by the owner of the brewery, which is not usually available to the public. During the sake tasting, guests can enjoy several types of sake while trying various kinds of cheese and dried fruits that complement the taste. You can relax and enjoy the sake in the back parlor or the standing area on the earthen floor.

Yamada Nishiki Museum

This is a multifunctional facility consisting of the Yamada Nishiki Museum (Yamada Nishiki no Yakata), a sake tasting room, and a direct sales shop for agricultural products produced in Yokawa-cho, Miki City. The Yamada Nishiki Museum features exhibits and events related to the sake rice “Yamada Nishiki,” allowing anyone to learn about this piece of culture regardless of previous knowledge. There are also panels in English, making it easy to deepen your understanding even if you don’t know Japanese. After learning about Yamada Nishiki, visitors can taste the differences in sake through a tasting experience that engages all five senses. The unique feature of this place is that it offers sake from breweries across the country that are brewed using Hyogo prefecture-grown sake rice. The curator, who is well-versed in sake, is happy to select sake based on visitors’ preferences. Next to the tasting room, there is a wide selection of local products on display, and visitors can purchase their favorite snacks and enjoy them with sake. The recommended specialty is the “Yamada Nishiki bread” made by blending Yamada Nishiki with white miso. This delicacy, which is full of the flavor of rice koji, is popular among foreigners. There are also plenty of pickles and side dishes made with local vegetables to satisfy your hunger.

Hotel RIDGE

Hotel Ridge is located on a highland surrounded by the nature of Naruto area and boasts an overwhelming scenic view. All guest rooms are designed with an ocean view, promising a quiet stay for adults only. The rooms are available in two types, Japanese-style and Western-style, and both offer spacious accommodations of over 60 square meters. Each room is furnished with twin beds, a relaxing sofa space, an indoor bath with a shower booth, and a wood deck terrace. Additionally, as part of the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Group, popular vitamin drinks are stocked in the refrigerators and are provided free of charge along with beer and other beverages. The hotel features two restaurants, “Banriso” for Japanese cuisine and “California Table” for Western cuisine. Banriso, where guests can enjoy pure Japanese style, is located in the main building designed in the Japanese residential architectural style “sukiya-zukuri” with a dry landscape garden, allowing guests to dine in the midst of traditional Japanese architecture. At California Table, the wall is lined with a variety of wines featuring RIDGE wines from the prestigious winery “Ridge Vineyards,” and guests can savour the exquisite flavors in an open space with a stunning ocean view.

Hyakunen Umi

In July 2022, a Japanese restaurant called “Hyakunen Umi” suddenly appeared in Bandai town in Tokushima. Customers can enjoy unique and sustainable cuisine, while being surrounded by TeamLab’s works, led by Tokushima-born Hisafumi Inoko, and video projections covering the entire walls. The seating arrangement is designed around the kitchen, and the cooking skills of Chef Arakawa, who prepares tempura at the central counter, provide an entertaining “theatrical” dining experience. The ingredients used are ingredients that were going to be disposed of in the region, such as local vegetables and unused fish that are discarded due to reasons such as having poor appearance even though the quality is good. All the ingredients are prepared by professionals, resulting in delicious flavors and textures that will have you gasping for more. When visiting Hyakunen Umi, it is recommended to avoid preconceptions and simply enjoy the surprise and excitement of the experience.

BANDAI CAFE

Bandai Central Pier, also known as Bandai Chuou Futo, boasts a stunning warehouse district that evokes various historical memories. While these warehouses have long since lost their function as shipping terminals, they have found new life in recent years as bustling offices and stores, adding to the liveliness of the bay area. One such gem is the trendy and spacious “BANDAI CAFÉ” (formerly known as North Shore Tokushima), where natural light pours in and sets the perfect mood for a relaxing tea time. With its lofty ceiling and ample seating, you can unwind without feeling crowded. The menu offers a Hawaiian twist on classic dishes, making ample use of fresh fruits and vegetables. From the hearty Loco Moco and Shrimp Egg Sandwich on the lunch menu, to the lighter options of Ajillo, potato, and Caesar salad, there’s something for everyone. And let’s not forget the local beer, the perfect way to quench your thirst and complete your experience.