Taste locally produced salt and sake that flourished in Takehara

Takehara has been called Hiroshima’s “Little Kyoto.” The townscape, which has been selected as one of Japan’s Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Building, offers a sense of serenity and relaxed passage of time. This tour, on which you’ll learn about and taste locally produced salt and sake, will let you enjoy an atmosphere different from that of the city center.

You can also experience the Japanese art of “ikebana (flower arrangement)” and enjoy the view of the Seto Inland Sea from the train.

Tour information

■Number of Participants (Min.- Max.)

2-6 participants (Private Tour)

■ Requirements for participation

20 years old and over

■ Reservation 

By request

■ Deadline for Reservations

3 days prior

■Tour Schedule/Time

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays /year round, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

■Meeting Spot/Meeting Time

The reception area is in front of the Tourist Information Center on the 2nd floor of the Shinkansen Exit of Hiroshima Station. Guides will be waiting for you with a reception sign.

Price

– ¥30,000/person (2 participants)
– ¥28,000/person (3-4 participants)
– ¥25,000/person (5-6 participants)
*including tax

■Included in the fee 
– Transportation fee;
  JR Hiroshima Station → Takehara → JR Mihara Station → JR Hiroshima Station
– Lunch fee
– Sake tasting fee
– Ikebana flower arrangement fee
– Licensed Hiroshima local English interpreter guide

■Not included in the fee
– Souvenirs and personal purchases

Feature

  • Takehara, Hiroshima’s “Little Kyoto,” has preserved its old townscape. You will stroll with a guide through the atmospheric town as if you had time-traveled back to Japan’s old days.
  • Takehara flourished as a salt producing town. You will learn about the origins of salt production from a number of documents that still exist today.
  • After learning about salt production, you’ll enjoy lunch in a private room with a view of the city of Takehara, where you will enjoy a Shokado bento box filled with dishes using Takehara’s salt, as well as local ingredients grown in Takehara and local Taoshita beef.
  • After lunch, you’ll taste three kinds of local sake brewed in Takehara. Please enjoy comparing the three styles of sake, each with its own unique flavor.
  • After lunch, visit Saiho-ji Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the city of Takehara. The view of the sea, mountains, and ancient Japanese houses blended with the present is a view that can only be experienced at Saiho-ji Temple. Here you can experience the Japanese art of ikebana. Come and experience flower arrangement with your teacher.
  • After Takehara, head to the neighboring city of Mihara. The train will take you to Mihara, where you can enjoy the view of the sea and islands unique to the Setouchi area from the train window. On the way, there are sections of the tracks that seem to run on the sea, so enjoy the ride.
  • On the way back, you’ll take the Shinkansen to JR Hiroshima Station for an easy ride!

Photo gallery

Video

Time

Morning

Departure 9:55 a.m. 
① Meet your guide in front of the Information Center at the north exit of JR Hiroshima Station.
Take the express bus “Kaguyahime-go” from JR Hiroshima Station to Takehara Michino-eki (Roadside Station) (About 60 min.).
Walk to Takehara Historical District (About 5 min.)

② Learn how to produce Takehara’s salt at the old Kasai family house.

Afternoon

③ Lunch at Saryo ICHIE, having “Aji-iroiro Masuya” made Shokado-style bento and taste 3 kinds of local sake.  

④ Ikebana flower arrangement at Saihoji Temple

⑤ Explore the Takehara Historical District

⑥ Local train from JR Takehara Station to JR Mihara Station. 

⑦ Daruma doll face painting (optional) or visit Mihara castle ruins near JR Mihara Station.

⑧ Shinkansen from JR Mihara Station to JR Hiroshima Station and finish the tour.

Remarks

  • Reservations will be automatically cancelled if you are 10 minutes late for the meeting time.

Cancel policy

  • 10 to 8 days prior to the start of the tour: 20% of the tour fee.
  • 7 to 2 days prior to the start of the tour: 30% of the tour fee.
  • One day prior to the start of the tour: 40% of the tour fee.
  • On the day of the tour: 50% of the trip fee.
  • Cancellation or no-show after the start of the trip: 100% of the trip fee.
BOOK NOW!