Japanese Sake | Winter Limited Edition Sake Cellar Expert Experience: In-depth Training in Rice Steaming, Koji Room Work, and Rice Washing Techniques 105

This is a place generally inaccessible to tourists. Open only during winter, this experience allows you to don the attire of a craftsman and step into the heart of sake brewing—participating in the morning rice steaming, entering the mysterious high-temperature koji room, and precisely washing and absorbing water from the rice with seconds in hand. It's not just observation; it's a true hands-on learning experience. For those who love sake and want to deeply understand the soul of the craftsmen, this is a limited-time experience available only for a few months each year. Don't miss it, or you'll have to wait another year!
Region:
Departure / Meeting Point: 預約成功後通知特定酒藏位置
Duration One-day experience
Operating Period 2026-12-15 ~ 2027-02-10
Minimum Number of Participants 1 ~ 20 people
Price (per person)
Adult: ¥50,000
Age Restriction 20 歲以上(需核對身份證明)

Itinerary Details

日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

A space to commune with the divine: Stepping into the heart of the brewery, the "koji room".

The koji room is the most mysterious and secluded place in a sake brewery, holding the key to the flavor and soul of Japanese sake. Stepping into this warm, humid wooden space, you can follow the rhythm of the craftsmen and participate in the koji-spreading or koji-making process, feeling the subtle tactile sensation of the rice grains slowly transforming in your hands. This is a true test of physical strength and concentration—only through hands-on experience can you truly understand why “one koji, two koji, three koji” is a timeless saying passed down through generations of sake brewers. This kind of understanding cannot be given by any book or documentary.

日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

The art of rice washing with second-level precision: the starting point for the quality of Japanese sake.

The first step in brewing is washing the rice, but this is far from a routine chore. The artisan precisely controls the washing and watering time based on the day’s air and water temperature and the type of rice, often with precision measured in seconds—a difference of even a second can drastically alter the flavor. By personally handling the rice washing process for the next day’s steaming, you will truly understand that those seemingly tedious cleaning and timing steps are the core keys to maintaining ultimate quality. The saying “Wine is made by people” will carry a completely different weight here.

Itinerary

Morning: Steaming rice and finishing work

09:00
日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

Steamed Rice: The Battle Between the Rice's Core and the Steam

After gathering and changing clothes, we plunged into the most intense rice steaming operation in the early morning, personally understanding the decisive impact of the hardness of the steamed rice on the subsequent fermentation.

09:45
日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

Shigema and moving into the Koji room

Put the steamed rice into the fermentation tank or move it into the koji room for koji making, and experience the most fast-paced and team-testing moment in brewing.

10:30
日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

Cleaning and tidying: Doing a good job requires doing one's best.

Participate in the cleaning and organization of equipment and workflow. It may seem insignificant, but it is the most uncompromising part of quality management, allowing you to experience the ultimate pursuit of hygiene by professionals.

Afternoon: Finishing with meticulous rice washing and koji making.

13:00
日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

Rice washing and precise water absorption management

Perform the pre-washing process for the rice to be steamed the next day, learn precise timing and water control techniques, and personally experience the profound impact of raw material processing on the flavor of the finished product.

15:30
日本酒藏人製造現場深度體驗|換上職人裝備走進釀酒最前線

Finishing and Summary of Koji Manufacturing

After finishing today’s koji work, we exchanged our experiences and feelings with the craftsmen, and then dismounted and dispersed.

Important Information & Cancellation Policy

  • Precautions

    Eligibility

    • This experience is limited to those aged 20 and above (identity verification is required on the day of the experience).
    • Must have a basic understanding of Japanese sake production processes, be physically fit, and be able to strictly adhere to hygiene regulations.

    Hygiene and Clothing Regulations

    • You will need to change into sanitary clothing, boots, and gloves provided by the brewery for the experience.
    • Do not spray perfume or use skin care products with strong scents.
    • Do not eat natto for breakfast the day before and on the day of the experience (to avoid the natto bacteria affecting the brewing bacteria).

    Safety regulations

    • The brewing site is slippery and contains heavy machinery. Please strictly follow the instructions of the Tibetans and do not act on your own.

    Appointment Instructions

    • Due to the difficulty in scheduling manufacturing, please be sure to inquire and make an appointment at least one month in advance.
    • After successful reservation, you will be notified of the specific wine cellar meeting point.

    Cancellation policy

    • Once a reservation is made, a 5% system cancellation fee will be charged if the reservation is cancelled due to personal reasons.
    • Cancellation 30 days before departure date: 30%
    • Cancellation 14 days before departure date: 50%
    • Cancellation 7 days prior to departure or on the day of departure: 100%

Inquiries about This Tour