Kitakata KANPAI Festival: A Premium Sake Brewery Tour and KANPAI Feast - Complete Private Tour
As adults, indulge in a day fully immersed in sake.
The "Kitakata KANPAI Festival" held only once a year on September 26th and 27th
is one of Japan's premier sake events, featuring unlimited tastings of over 30 types of sake from breweries in Fukushima Prefecture.
Explore the streets of Aizuwakamatsu, including Tsuruga Castle and Nanokamachi, visit long-established breweries, and sober up by Lake Inawashiro on your way back.
Pairing "seasonal chilled sake and local delicacies." What will you enjoy it with?
Kitakata KANPAI Festival: A journey of exquisite sake brewery tours and KANPAI celebrations
In September, the Kitakata KANPAI Festival, "one of Japan's premier sake events," takes place. It's a 1-night, 2-day bus tour scheduled for just 2 days a year.
The journey starts at Koriyama Station. First, stroll around Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizuwakamatsu, and wander through the retro streets of Nanokamachi, steeped in Taisho romance. In the evening, head to the Kitakata KANPAI Festival. Enjoy unlimited tastings of not only the local sake from the Kitakata region but also from all breweries in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as sake from sister cities. Relax in the afterglow of the festival at "Shiohime no Yado Kanzan," a ryokan boasting a large open-air bath, to soothe your travel fatigue.
On the second day, visit the long-established Yamato River Brewery, founded in the 2nd year of the Kansei era, and Ohara Brewery, where Mozart is played during brewing, to experience the unique characteristics and dedication of each brewery. After a stop at a roadside station for souvenir shopping, take a deep breath at Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest lake in Japan, before heading back to Koriyama Station.
On September 26th and 27th, let's enjoy delicious sake from Fukushima together with smiles and
let's "KANPAI" in Kitakata!!
- Area:
- Kitakata City
- Recommended Season:
- Autumn
- Participation Fee:
- 37,500 (excluding tax)
- Maximum Number of Participants:
- 20 people
Schedule
Gathering & Departure (Koriyama Station)
Meet at the west exit of Koriyama Station and depart at 10:15. From here, a 1-night, 2-day journey through the autumn of Aizu begins.
Aizuwakamatsu Tsuruga Castle Stroll & Lunch
Visit Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizuwakamatsu City and a symbol of Aizu sightseeing. Enjoy a meal first in the castle town, which is rich in attractions such as the red-tiled keep and stone walls, as well as tea rooms.
Stroll through the Castle Town of Aizu - Nanokamachi
Freely stroll along the retro streets of 'Nanokamachi Street,' known for its Taisho Romance atmosphere. Take a leisurely walk through the nostalgic town of warehouses that still retains the charm of the Showa era.
Kitakata KANPAI Festival
Finally, the main event of the day, the Kitakata KANPAI Festival. Enjoy unlimited tasting of over 30 types of sake from local breweries in the Kitakata region. Many premium sake, including Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo, will be featured, along with sake from all breweries in Fukushima Prefecture. There will also be tastings of local sake from Kitakata's sister cities (Shiogama City in Miyagi Prefecture and Nanyo City in Yamagata Prefecture), sales of local specialties, and gourmet booths from food trucks and shops. Those who cannot drink alcohol and families with children can also enjoy the event together. Participants will receive a sake cup made from traditional Kitakata crafts as a gift. Enjoy KANPAI to your heart's content until 19:00.
Shiohime no Yado Kanzan Accommodation
The accommodation for this night is 'Shiohime no Yado Kanzan.' It boasts a majestic atmosphere with a large rock placed in the bathtub, featuring a grand open-air bath by the river. Please take your time to conclude the day while soaking in the festival's afterglow.
Shiohime no Yado Kanzan Departure
On the second day, after breakfast, depart from the accommodation at 9:40. Head towards the Aizu sake brewery tour.
Yamato River Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting
Visit a long-established sake brewery founded in the second year of the Kansei era (1790). This brewery has won a gold medal in the 'Value Hot Sake Category' at the 'National Hot Sake Contest 2026' for its 'Junmai Karakuchi Yaemon.' Enjoy a thorough tasting while learning about the history of the brewery.
Michi no Eki Kitano Sato Lunch and Souvenirs
It's time for lunch and souvenir shopping at the Kitakata Roadside Station 'Kita no Sato'. Seasonal agricultural products and unique items from Kitakata are lined up.
Obara Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting
Visit Obara Sake Brewery, where pure rice sake is brewed while listening to Mozart. Known for its sake that embodies the climate of Kitakata and classical music, it still uses a traditional tatami room brewery from the early Meiji period. You are sure to encounter a unique bottle.
Refresh at Lake Inawashiro
Head to Lake Inawashiro, the fourth largest lake in Japan. Let's return home while being blown by the refreshing breeze over the lake, shaking off any dizziness.
Arrival and Dissolution (Koriyama Station)
Arrive at Koriyama Station and conclude the trip. After enjoying Aizu's famous sake and local gourmet food over a 2-day, 1-night stay, it's time to say goodbye.
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