Half-Day Sake & Kobe Beef TourDiscover Nada’s sake, historic shrines, and sizzling Kobe beef—all in one tour
- Hyogo, Japan
- 4 hour tour
- Small group tour
- English speaking guide
- Instant Confirmation
What makes this tour unique
- Taste premium sake in Nada and see traditional barrel-making in action
- Get a souvenir sake cup and enjoy sake-lees ice cream at Kiku-Masamune
- Discover Kobe’s roots at Ikuta Shrine with stories from a local guide
- Watch your Kobe beef grilled live at a chef’s counter seat—unforgettable!
Tips and recommendations by our official guides
Explore Kobe through a tour that blends history, flavor, and culture—with a delicious twist! This unforgettable experience takes you on a journey through one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions, Nada, where you’ll not only enjoy tastings of premium sake but also get an up-close look at traditional barrel-making by master craftsmen. At the renowned Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery, you'll be amazed by the massive brewing tools on display, sample sake-kasu ice cream, and even receive a special sake cup to remember your visit. After that, you’ll step back in time at Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest shrines, as your local guide shares fascinating stories that bring Kobe’s origins to life. The highlight? A reserved counter seat at a teppanyaki restaurant, where world-famous Kobe beef is grilled right before your eyes—an unforgettable culinary performance paired with mouthwatering flavor.
What makes this tour special goes beyond just great food and drink—it's about understanding why Kobe is the perfect place for this experience. The region’s crisp Rokko mountain winds and pure underground water have made Nada sake legendary. Likewise, the marbling and delicate aroma of Kobe beef make it the crown jewel of Japanese wagyu.
Perfect for food lovers, sake fans, or anyone curious to learn about the deep ties between a place and its flavors, this tour suits couples, friends, and solo travelers alike. Even families with kids are welcome—while adults enjoy sake, younger guests can enjoy ice cream and soft treats.
Worried you don’t know much about sake or shrines? Don’t be! Your friendly local guide will support you every step of the way, ensuring a rich and easy-to-follow experience. And solo travelers—rest assured, many participants join on their own and love the welcoming atmosphere. Best of all, you’ll leave this tour with a full belly, happy taste buds, and a deeper appreciation for Kobe. Just remember to come hungry!
Official guide
What's included
Explore a Historic Sake Brewery in Kobe
Start your journey with a friendly local guide and head to Kiku-Masamune Sake Museum, one of Japan’s most iconic breweries with over 360 years of history. Walk along the riverside, learn about traditional sake-making tools, and enjoy a tasting of at least five varieties of sake. You’ll even get a special Kikumasamune sake cup as a souvenir! Don’t miss the sake-lees soft serve—creamy, smooth, and uniquely delicious.
Discover Spiritual Kobe at Ikuta Shrine
Take a short train ride to central Kobe and visit Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest and most historically significant shrines. With your guide’s storytelling, uncover how this shrine has witnessed the city’s transformation over centuries. Find the hidden Inari Shrine on the grounds, and snap some beautiful, only-in-Kobe photos along the way.
Savor a Kobe Beef Lunch Like No Other
End your tour with a bang: a premium Kobe beef lunch served right at the counter, where you can watch the chef grill it to perfection before your eyes. Your guide will share local stories and history behind Kobe beef, making your steak not just delicious—but meaningful too. After a satisfying meal, the tour ends at Sannomiya Station, with local tips to explore even more of Kobe on your own!
Photos from the Recent Tours
Meeting Point
In front of Lawson (HA Hanshin Uozaki Station)
- Right outside the ticket gate of Hanshin Uozaki Station.
- If you're not arriving by train, the gate is located on the second floor, right next to the Lawson.
Itinerary
- Meet at Uozaki Station and visit Kiku-Masamune Sake Museum
- Join the barrel-making tour (if available) and enjoy sake tasting
- Travel to central Kobe and explore Ikuta Shrine
- Enjoy a Kobe beef lunch at a selected restaurant
- Tour ends in the Sannomiya area
- All ages are welcome to join this tour.
- This is a small-group tour and may include other participants.
- Not recommended for guests with mobility concerns. If you have walking difficulties, we suggest booking a private tour.
- Japan’s weather can be extreme—up to 40°C (110°F) in summer and as low as -5°C (20°F) in winter—please dress accordingly.
- Please arrive on time. To ensure the best experience for all guests, the tour starts promptly. If you miss the group due to lateness, we cannot offer refunds or rescheduling.
- The itinerary may change due to weather, traffic, or operational conditions. If a location is unexpectedly closed, we’ll do our best to visit an alternative.
- The tour may be canceled in the event of severe weather for safety reasons.
- Train fare between Uozaki Station and Sannomiya Station is not included.
- Drinks and additional meat orders at the Kobe beef restaurant are not included.
- Depending on restaurant availability, you may be seated at a table instead of the counter. We select from vetted venues to maintain quality, but counter seating is not guaranteed.
- At Kiku-Masamune, the traditional barrel-making process by craftsmen is only held during specific time slots and may not always be viewable during your visit.
- During the barrel-making demonstration, live interpretation by the guide is not possible. Instead, we will provide original English reference materials for your understanding.
- Please note that the barrel-making experience is subject to availability and may be full. In that case, the experience will be omitted without refund.
- Children under 12 are not allowed to enter the barrel-making demo area due to safety concerns such as loud noise and sharp tools. At least one adult must stay with the child during the demo.
- Guests under the legal drinking age of 20 are not allowed to participate in sake tasting.
- Offering money (“osaisen”) at Ikuta Shrine is optional and not included in the tour price.
- You are not required to pay for the guide’s drinks or transportation.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
- Free date/time rescheduling up to 24 hours before the tour starting time (depending on availability).
