Nara & the Yamato Road
Yamato Sake Pilgrimage — To the Wellsprings of Japanese Brewing
Kikizake in Naramachi, the sake deity of Miwa, brewery tours in Katsuragi — walking the homeland of Japanese sake.
Nara's ties to sake run deep: brewers nationwide look to Omiwa Shrine in Miwa, home of the sake deity, for the cedar sugidama that hang over their doors — and the old capital still keeps working breweries. Near Naramachi, Imanishi Seibee Shoten (Harushika) pours a five-sample kikizake flight for ¥700 at its Sakagura Shop, souvenir glass included. In Katsuragi, Umenoyado runs a reserved 45-minute tour with five tastings; in Koryo, Choryo's Brew Park opens weekends and holidays with seven craft-beer taps and three sake taps. Nakatani Shuzo in Yamatokoriyama offers something rarer still — a hands-on brewing experience in small fermentation vessels. Chiyo Shuzo keeps its standing bar Sagura Kujira open daily in Gose, and Kubo Honke adds a brewery café in Uda. Between temples and shrines, spend a day tracing sake to its source.
Model course (one day to two)
Morning — Nara Park and Naramachi, then a five-sample kikizake flight at Harushika's Sakagura Shop (10:00–17:00, closed Sun)
Afternoon — Kintetsu line toward Katsuragi for Umenoyado's reserved brewery tour (~45 min, five tastings)
Evening — a glass at Okura Honke's Ekimae-no-Mise by Goido Station, or Chiyo Shuzo's standing bar Sagura Kujira in Gose (16:00–22:00, open daily)
On weekends — Choryo Brew Park in Koryo (Sat/Sun/holidays 11:00–17:00): tasting flights on the lawn
Day 2 option — a hands-on brewing experience at Nakatani Shuzo in Yamatokoriyama (book ahead), or Kubo Honke's shop and brewery café in Uda
Breweries & Facilities
Getting There
About 35 min from Osaka to Kintetsu-Nara by rapid express, or ~35 min from Kyoto by Kintetsu limited express. Use the Kintetsu Osaka and Gose lines for Katsuragi and Koryo; for Uda, take a bus from Haibara Station.
FAQ
- Do I need a reservation?
- Harushika's Sakagura Shop, Choryo Brew Park and Chiyo Shuzo's standing bar take walk-ins. Umenoyado's tour (book by 3 pm the day before for individuals) and Nakatani's brewing experience require reservations. Check each brewery card for official details.
- Can I visit Imanishi Shuzo in Miwa?
- Its kikizake experience and brewery tour are currently suspended, with restart news posted on the official site. Pair a visit to Omiwa Shrine with a check on the latest status.
- Is this doable by train?
- Yes. Nara city, Katsuragi, Koryo and Yamatokoriyama all sit on Kintetsu lines, with the main breweries and shops walkable from stations. Public transport is the best choice if you plan to taste.