Saijo Sake Brewery Street

The town of Saijo in Higashihiroshima is one of Japan’s three top sake brewing areas. The area around JR Saijo Station known as Sakagura-dori (Sake Brewery Street) has a large number of traditional white-walled warehouses and breweries, and the steam rising from red brick chimneys during the process of steaming the rice for making sake adds to the nostalgic atmosphere. The breweries in Saijo use water from underground springs, and each brewery creates distinct brews. Many are open for tours and tastings. Every October, a sake festival takes place around Saijo where visitors can sample local and national sake brews.