Sake Tasting at Niigata’s Oldest Shinto Shrine

Niigata is known (and loved) for plenty of things, but sake sits atop the list. Thanks to its fertile land and proximity to the sea, this captivating region is famed for its rice and sake production, with over 90 sake breweries dotting the landscape. While sake is now a common drink both locally and internationally, up until around 1,000 years ago, it was mainly produced in shrines and temples. Discover the ancient relationship between this sacred sip and shrines with this immersive cultural experience! You’ll learn about sake, activate your senses with a tasting and pairing, and enter the main hall of the oldest Shinto shrine in Niigata.

Niigata is the fifth largest prefecture in Japan, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and soaring mountain ranges to the east; the landscape is a testament to Japan's geographic diversity. This natural climate and the city’s positioning have solidified the region's position in the sake production industry, with Niigata being known as the home of sake! People all over Japan visit the area to sample the high-quality and diverse range of sake–there’s even a two-day sake-tasting festival that draws flocks of sake-loving visitors from far and wide.

Your sacred sake-tasting adventure will begin at the oldest Shinto shrine in Niigata, where your friendly guide will greet and guide you to the main hall. You’ll be briefed on the history of sake and Shinto shrines in Niigata, as well as the broader cultural context in Japan. Afterward, the tasting begins! Four types of sake will be sipped, paired with special appetizers, and studied–you’ll learn about flavors, pairings, production, and beyond.