Saijo Sake Brewery Street (西条酒蔵通り)

Flow of the course

About this spot

Just south of JR Saijo Station lies Saijo Sake Brewery Street, where sake breweries with white and namako-patterned plaster walls stand side by side. At the heart of Saijo, a premier sake region ranked alongside Nada and Fushimi, breweries with distinctive characteristics—including Kamottsuru, Kamerei, and Fukubiijin—are clustered within walking distance, making this one of Japan's rarest "sake towns where you can stroll and explore." Red brick chimneys rising toward the sky, cedar balls hanging beneath eaves, and brewing warehouses glimpsed down narrow alleyways create picturesque scenes at every turn. Scattered throughout the street are spots where you can draw the breweries' brewing water; sipping this soft water will help you understand in your body why this region's sake is so exceptional. Start with a full loop to get a sense of the day's entire setting.

Tips

It's recommended to obtain a town walking map from the tourist information office at JR Saijo Station before you start. An empty plastic bottle is convenient for comparing the brewing waters. The alleyways are narrow and vehicles pass through, so be mindful of your footing and surroundings when taking photographs.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour. Late morning, when foot traffic is light, offers ideal lighting for photographing the white walls and red brick chimneys

Access & map

〒739-0011 Hiroshima Prefecture, Higashi-Hiroshima City, Saijo Honcho 17-1