Venture into the unknown – Ideas
There are many misconceptions around Sake. It is most definitely not a distilled liquor for hard drinkers. Sake is mostly enjoyed over dinner, paired with delicacies of the season. It is often referred to as “rice wine”, but sake brewing actually has a lot more in common with beer brewing. And as you discover the huge spectrum of Sake brands throughout Japan, you will find that they go with a lot more than select Japanese cuisine. Indeed, some Sake are enjoyed chilled, while others are best taken hot, and yet others are at its best at room tempreture.
Likewise, the wines of Hokkaido have been a well kept secret, with local connoisseurs enjoying their homegrown gems, many of them organic. For example, Pinot Noir in Hokkaido is uniquely different from that of Bourgogne, California, Yarra Valley or Marlborough because of the natural environment.
Our brand experience tours will give you both the insight into the “making” process, as well as practical answers to “when and how can I enjoy the different types of sake and wine” through brewery and winery visits, chat with the brewers and vintners, contexts from our experienced guides, and of course, the tasting sessions, with some eye-opening food pairings. I have already invited guests to three breweries of Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery and will expand brand experience tours into the other breweries and wineries in the future.
Why us?
Experience our tried and true brand tours!
01Expert Insights
Understand the unique origins of local breweries & wineries in the context of history of Hokkaido (which used to be the “Wild West” of Japan), and the unique “terroir” of this northernmost island. Learn how this has influenced the aromas and unique character of local sakes and wines.
02Enriching
Discover the huge spectrum of Sake brands on offer, know which types come out when, and begin to understand which goes well with what type of food. Let us surprise you with unique pairings that include both local delicacies (including local cheese) as well as more familiar fares.
03Local & Bespoke
Our knowledgeable guides will ensure you experience Hokkaido like no other – Enjoy culinary fares unique to the only sub-arctic zone in Japan. Best of all, craft your unique culinary experience to suit your needs, in consultation with our guides ahead of time.
Hokkaido Brand Experience
Hokkaido Brand Experience does not offer the typical “sip, spit and repeat” tasting tours or “free sampling and a souvenir bottle shopping” . Instead, meet and chat with the local brew masters / vintners to understand the process and the philosophy first hand, pry your knowledgeable guides on anything you need to know about the context, then experience eye-opening pairings with mouth watering delicacies. Rediscover Sake and wine here in Hokkaido !
Sake Brand Experience
Wine Brand Experience
Intellectual pleasure and pure joy
Experience the Japanese spirituality and Japanese traditional culture. And then, taste various kinds of sake products, sake & cheese paring and sake & delicious western food paring. You will see both traditional and progressive perspectives in sake and your heart and body will be full of happiness.
Ryokkyu-gura
Hekiun-gura
Goryo-no-kura
