Japan Study Tour – Feb 2025

He Zhengrui

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STUDY TOUR FEB 2025

Japan - Yamagata

Travel Dates:

17 Feb - 21 Feb 2025

LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE

Remaining Slots for this Study Tour: 5

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EVENT DETAILS
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Study Tour Details:

Destination: Japan - Yamagata

Travel Dates: 17 Feb - 21 Feb 2025

Cost: $SGD3500/- per pax ($1000 deposit)

Recommended level qualification: WSET Level 1 in Sake

(Inclusive of):

  • 4 Nights of Hotel Stay (Including Pre-stay)

  • Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners within duration of Study Tour

  • All transport within the duration of Study Tour

*T & C applies*

Highlight of Activities on this Study Tour:

  • Sake Brewery Visits
  • Introductory Sake Making Experience
  • Japanese Winery Visit
  • Sake Lecture by Local Sommelier
  • Ochoko Making
  • Onsen Ryokan Stay
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Immerse yourself in the art of sake making and explore the world of sake in Yamagata Prefecture, where you’ll delve into the rich history, culture, and artistry of Japan’s renowned sake and wines.

Join us on a journey through the scenic landscapes of Yamagata, with exclusive visits to esteemed breweries and winery, including Dewazakura Brewery, Mitobe Brewery, Hirashimizu, Kojima So-Honten Brewery and more. Experience the essence of sake craftsmanship firsthand with a special sake-making experience and ochoko making workshop.

Discover the unique traditions and heritage of each brewery, where the art of sake brewing is celebrated with passion and precision. Raise a glass to a Yamagata adventure brimming with exquisite flavors and the timeless art of sake making!

About Yamagata Prefecture | 山形県

Known as the “Ginjo Kingdom” Yamagata prefecture produces a high ratio of premium Ginjo-shu relative to its overall sake production. Yamagata’s sale brewing began long ago and some of breweries have been in business for over 400years.

The development of high-quality sake rice has been a longstanding tradition for the people of Yamagata. Many varieties of sake rice originated from this area. While only some of Yamagata’s breweries have gained widespread acclaim, the overall quality of sake made in this prefecture is excellent.

GI Yamagata

The Yamagata Prefecture Sake Brewery Association was in 2016 the first prefectural association in Japan to be awarded a “GI Yamagata” Geographical Indication for its sake. This system protects the name of this production area as an intellectual property, and includes other famous names like Bordeaux, Champagne or Scotch.

Since 2004, Yamagata Sake has consistently won the largest amount of gold medals every year at the Japan Sake Awards and 78% of all the sake produced in Yamagata is considered premium grade, as compared with the nationwide average of just 34%.

Yamagata Sake is famous for being light, soft, clear, and smooth to drink as well as having a pleasantly sweet aroma that is inviting and gentle on the palette.

The subtlety of Yamagata Sake’s flavor profile is known to pair well with any number of dishes both Japanese and Western style, and can enhance any meal by bringing out hidden flavors and aromas that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Meet your Japanese Guides!

Fill up this form to receive the full itinerary and exclusive discount code!*

*Discount codes are only applicable for the first two registrations utilising the code given. T&Cs apply.

*please note that the full fee of SGD3500 is not inclusive of airfare and transport to the tour commencement venue.

Once the tour has commenced and unless explicitly mentioned, all meals / transport / experiences are included in the study tour package.

Please feel free to contact us should you have any further queries (link at bottom of the screen).

Brief Itinerary:

      15th Oct | Sunday | Day 0
      Pre-stay in Kanazawa

        Itinerary:

        • Hotel Stay
        You will arrive in Kanazawa and check-in to a hotel arranged by us, while you have the rest of the day free to explore and rest before the study tour officially begins on 16th October 1000H.

        16th Oct | Monday | Day 1
        Kanazawa

          Itinerary:

          • Hotel Stay
          • Koji Park and Shio Koji Making
          • Lunch at Koji Park
          • Yachiya Sake Brewery Visit
          • Transport to Hotel/ Free & Easy
          • Dinner

          Tour Highlights

          • Koji Park and Shio Koji Making
            • "An interactive style factory and shop facility located in Ono-machi, Kanazawa City. Yamato Soy Sauce & Miso Co., Ltd., founded in 1911, seeks with this facility to convey to visitors the wonders of koji malted rice through a variety of experiences."

          • Yachiya Sake Brewery Visit
            • "Yachiya Brewing Company was founded in 1583 when Niemon Kamiyachiya moved to the castle town of Kanazawa to brew sake exclusively for General Toshiie Maeda. Their sake is now available for people around the world, but they have kept their old values. They hope to express the variety and heart of sake rice. To this end, they’ve established a committee of 15 farmers to research and cultivate local rice strains. These different rice strains find their home in the flavors of Yachiya Brewing Company’s sake."

          17th Oct | Tuesday | Day 2
          Toyama

            Itinerary:

            • Hotel Check-out
            • Transport to Toyama
            • Masuda Shuzoten Visit
            • Lunch
            • Katakuchi Making
            • Sushi Dinner
            • Hotel Stay

            Tour Highlights

            • Masuda Shuzoten Visit
              • "Founded in the year 26 of the Meiji era under the name Iwaizumi, the brewery later changed its name to "Masuda Shuzo", the name of its founder Masuda Masuizumi. It was one of the first Kura to produce Ginjo-style sake, more than 40 years ago, at a time when this category was as little known as the methods of making it. This tradition continues today thanks to the remarkable work of today's Toji, Mr. Hatakana."

            • Katakuchi Making
              • "Toyama Glass Studio exhibits and sells glass works by artists who are active in Glass City Toyama, and Second Studio widely conveys the charm of glass through production experiences. Here you can experience producing your own Katakuchi (Sake Serving Vessel)."

            • Sushi Dinner
              • "Toyama which faces the coast of the Sea of Japan is well-known for its outstanding seafood - considered some of the best in Japan. Indulge in some of the freshest seafood you'd get to feast on!"

            18th Oct | Wednesday | Day 3
            Nagano

              Itinerary:

              • Hotel Check-out
              • Transport to Nagano
              • Château Mercian Winery Tour
              • Lunch
              • Kutsukake Shuzo Shopping & Tasting
              • Dinner
              • Hotel Stay

              Tour Highlights

              • Château Mercian Winery Tour
                • "Growing grapes in regions that produce a wide range of diversity. Inheriting traditional vinification methods. Developing advanced production methods through a scientific approach. 
                  We aim for a style of wine making that can be compared to a Japanese garden.
                  There is no one focal point, instead all the elements work together to produce complexity, depth and harmony (finesse).
                  Our wine-making philosophy can be summarised as "Finesse & Elegance".

              • Kutsukake Shuzo Shopping & Tasting
                • "Founded in 1688, the brewery has been making sake along the Hokkoku Kaido (North Country Highway) and is well known as a local sake. The company's motto is to make sake that is loved by as many people as possible, always putting quality first ."

              19th Oct | Thursday | Day 4

              Nagano

                Itinerary:

                • Hotel Check-out
                • Miyasaka Jozo Visit
                • Transport to Sakudaira Station
                • End of Tour

                Tour Highlights

                • Miyasaka Jozo Visit
                  • "Crafted by skilled hands at Masumi’s two breweries in the Suwa region of Nagano Prefecture.
                    Local rice and pure mountain water combined with the best brewing traditions and techniques.
                    The brewery was firmly established by 1662 and had done well enough to gain the praise of several historical figures. In 1946, they were also accredited with the discovery of a new sake yeast strain Association No. 7, which today is used by over half of the breweries in Japan. "

                    Details Price Select*
                    Japan Study Tour - Feb 2025 (Deposit of $1000)show details + $1,000.00 (SGD)  

                    • Japan Study Tour - Feb 2025 (Deposit of $1000)
                      February 17, 2025 - February 21, 2025
                      12:00 am - 6:00 pm