Spotlight On: Niigata Sip & Savor Sake Tour 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the world of Japanese sake while exploring breathtaking landscapes and indulging in unique cultural experiences, the Niigata Sip & Savor Sake Tour 2025 is the perfect journey for you! This meticulously crafted 10-day adventure takes you deep into Japan’s renowned sake region, offering a blend of exquisite sake brewery tours and tastings, rich cultural encounters, and stunning natural beauty. From the sake-producing heartland of Niigata to the enchanting Sado Island and historic Nikko, this tour promises an unparalleled exploration of Japan’s finest.
We strive to make our tours both exciting and comfortable, so if you’re tired of the typical tours that bounce around to a new hotel every night, this is the tour for you! We have heard your requests about needing a more relaxing pace and kept this in mind when we were developing the package. That’s why this tour has 2-3 nights in each location, allowing for you to really settle in and relax at each location.
Can’t wait to hear more? Keep reading for an exclusive peek at the amazing adventure we’ll have this fall on our Japan Art + Culture Tour 2024!
Day 0 (March 6th): Departure from Honolulu
Your adventure begins with a direct flight from Honolulu to Tokyo on Japan Airlines. As you soar across the Pacific, you can anticipate the excitement of the journey ahead – But not before we get to relax in HIS’ exclusive LeaLea Lounge! Big cozy chairs and offerings of light drinks and snacks will relax you before our long-haul flight, setting the stage for an unforgettable exploration of Japan’s sake culture and beyond.
Day 1 (March 7th): Welcome to Tokyo
Upon arriving at Tokyo Haneda Airport, you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome by our local driver and English-speaking guide and transferred to our first hotel. After a light dinner, we’ll take the evening to unwind and rest, preparing for the journey that awaits. This incredible itinerary is about to begin, but for now, let’s enjoy a peaceful night’s rest to charge up for the journey ahead!
Day 2 (March 8th): From Tokyo to Niigata City
Board the famed Shinkansen (bullet train) for a scenic ride to Niigata. This region is known for its expansive rice paddies and boasts the best rice in the world. And you know what is made of rice? Sake!
Begin your sake journey with a tour of Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery, where you’ll delve into the intricate process of sake production. Sample a range of their brews, each reflecting the artistry and tradition of Japanese sake-making. Afterward, we’ll immerse ourselves in Niigata’s culinary scene, discovering local delicacies that perfectly complement the sake you’ve tasted. Expect some amazing rice and delicious, fresh seafood!
Day 3 (March 9th): Sake Fair and Cultural Immersion
Start your day at Fukushimagata Lagoon Nature Park, a tranquil spot offering beautiful views and a glimpse at Niigata’s awesome wildlife. Then, enjoy a special local lunch and cultural highlight—an exclusive experience dining with local geisha (known as geigi in Niigata)! Watch a traditional performance featuring shamisen and graceful dance, providing a rare glimpse into Japan’s storied traditions. If you get lucky, you may even get to play a game with the geigi!
Then, the afternoon is fully dedicated to the “Sake no Jin” Sake Fair, an eagerly anticipated annual event since 2004. This two-day festival, held every March, features over 100 sake producers from across the region, some of which aren’t even available in the rest of Japan let alone back home in the States! Here, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a vast array of sake, participate in educational sessions, and gain a deeper understanding of this revered beverage. Kanpai!
Day 4 (March 10th): More Sake and Cultural Sites
Begin your day with a visit to Pier Bandai, a vibrant marketplace where you can shop for omiyage (souvenirs) for your loved ones (and yourself, of course!). Then, continue your exploration with a visit to the Zoshunkaku Guest House Museum, showcasing the rich history of Niigata through art and architecture. Later, at Suwa Shrine, you will further immerse yourself in local traditions by immersing ourselves in Shinto spirituality.
Have you tried enough sake yet? We’ll continue our sake journey with a tour and tasting at Gokaibishi Ouman Sake Brewery, offering further insights into the history and production of sake. Then, we’ll head directly to Ponshukan Sake Museum – a small sake museum and tasting hot spot located in Niigata Station. That’s right – Niigata is so crazy about sake that they have a whole tasting museum in the main train station!
Day 5 (March 7th): Sado Island Awaits
The next morning, we’ll embark on a jetfoil boat ride to Sado Island, a remote and stunning destination known for its natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. After we’ve arrived, our first stop is the Toki no Mori Crested Ibis Sanctuary, dedicated to the conservation of the endangered crested ibis. These birds were once nearly extinct, but, thanks to the efforts of this sanctuary, they can now be found all over Sado Island!
After seeing these incredible birds, we get to enjoy a tour and tasting at Obata Sake Brewery, renowned for its distinctive brews unique to Sado Island. Do you think Sado Island sake will taste different from the brew in mainland Japan?
Did you know that Sado Island is historically a rich gold mining area? At Nishi-Mikawa Gold Park, try your hand at gold panning, a nod to Sado Island’s rich mining heritage. Conclude your day by soaking in the island’s hot springs, an ideal way to relax and rejuvenate amidst the island’s scenic landscapes.
Day 6 (March 8th): Sado Island’s Traditional Experiences
Today, you’ll delve into Sado Island’s traditional practices with a tarai-bune (traditional tub boat) ride and a visit to the historic Shukunegi Fishing Village. We’ll walk through the winding stone paths and step right back into history.
Next, we’ll get to experience the island’s unique “demon taiko” drumming, where performers don oni (demon) masks and drum to the rhythm of traditional beats. We’ll continue with an exploration of the historical Sado Gold Mine, offering further insights into the island’s gold mining history. After a long day of exciting cultural activities, you can return to the hotel’s onsen (hot springs) to unwind.
Day 7 (March 9th): From Sado Island to Kinugawa Onsen
Today we say goodbye to Sado Island and take the jetfoil back to mainland Japan. When we’ve arrived back in Niigata, we’ll head straight to a local farm to enjoy a delightful strawberry picking experience. There’s nothing like fresh, juicy Japanese strawberries picked right from the plant!
Later, we’ll proceed to Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture, renowned for its therapeutic hot springs. Here, you’ll have the chance to relax and rejuvenate in the natural hot springs, soaking away any tension from our travels.
Day 8: Exploring Nikko’s Heritage
Today’s itinerary includes a visit to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its ornate architecture and historical significance. This opulent shrine is sure to blow you away.
We’ll also visit our last sake tour and tasting at Watanabe Sahei Sake Brewery, and participate in a hands-on Nikko wood carving experience. At the end of the day, we get to return to Kinugawa Onsen for another relaxing soak in the hot springs!
Day 9: Return to Tokyo and Farewell
In the morning, we’ll head back to Tokyo for a final taste of the city. Here, we get to enjoy a “yakatabune” lunch cruise along the Sumida River, where we can take in the city’s landmarks while savoring a delicious local meal. What a perfect way to wrap up such an incredible journey!
The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Tokyo at your own pace—shop, dine, or simply wander through the city’s bustling streets.
Day 10: Departure
Enjoy your final morning in Tokyo before heading to Haneda Airport for your flight back to Honolulu. Don’t forget to reflect on the incredible experiences and memories made during your Sip & Savor Sake Tour as you prepare for your return journey!
Tour Highlights:
- Six Unique Sake Tasting Experiences: Explore the diverse flavors of sake from different regional brewers.
- Lunch with Geisha: Experience traditional Japanese culture with a special lunch and performance by local geisha.
- “Sake no Jin” Sake Fair: Attend one of Japan’s premier sake festivals, featuring over 100 sake producers.
- Sado Island Adventures: Enjoy tarai-bune rides, taiko drumming, and gold panning on this scenic island.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine and engage in traditional crafts.
- Luxurious Hot Springs: Relax in onsen throughout the tour, including Sado Island and Kinugawa Onsen.
Tour Inclusions:
- 9 Nights of Premium Accommodations
- 25 Gourmet Meals
- Onsen (Hot Springs) Access
- WiFi Router
- HNL Airport Lounge Access
- Unique Cultural Activities and Experiences
