Explore Niigata’s snowy landscapes and traditional sake brewing on an exhilarating e-bike tour to Hakkaisan Sake Brewery in Muikamachi.Tour Description
Join me for a cultural tour in Muikamachi and discover how heavy snowfall enhances their unique gastronomy.
I will guide you through the local history, culture, and scenic landscapes of the valley. Along the way, we’ll encounter fresh spring water, expansive rice fields, ancient shrines, charming countryside villages, and calming Japanese parks. Our ultimate destination is Hakkaisan Sake Brewery, renowned worldwide for harnessing the bounty of local nature.
At the brewery, we’ll explore their yukimuro (snow cellar) and learn about its historical significance. You’ll have the opportunity to taste their exquisite sake and browse for souvenirs. For lunch, savor delicious local rice served as onigiri (rice triangles).
On our return journey, we’ll visit Zenkoji Park to delve deeper into the valley’s history.
The tour begins at 10:00 from Muikamachi train station and covers approximately 30 kilometers. We’ll return to the station by 15:00.
Details
- Cost:: ¥15000 / person
- Distance: ~30km (~19mi)
- Duration: 10:00 ~ 15:00
- Group: 2-5 people
- Meeting Point: Mukamachi Station East Side
- Payment: Cash only
- Included: Road Legal Bicycle, Helmet, Guide Fee, Domestic Travel Insurance, Brewery Tour Ticket.
- Not Included: Lunch
Private Tour
- Cost:: ¥60000
- Participants: 5 max
Itinerary
Tour times are approximate and may vary based on the pace and energy of the participants.
The tour includes plenty of time and breaks for taking photos and enjoying the scenery.
- Meeting: 09h45 Muikamachi Train Station East Exit.
- Start: 10H00 The tour will start with some cycling through Muikamachi town.
- River & Fields: Cycle next to the river and through rice fields.
- Spring Water: Short break to taste Niigata premiere spring water source and refresh ourselves.
- Fields with views: Cycling through more fields, and stoping to take some beautiful photos.
- Sake Brewery: 11H30 Lunch break and visit of the yukimuro of the brewery.
- Onigiri: We can eat rice balls made of local rice for lunch.
- Snow cellar: We will visit the sake aging storage facility and taste some sake.
- Rice Fields: One our way back we will go through more rice fields and scenic views.
- Zenibuchi Park: Small break at this beautiful park to learn about its history and walk around.
- Foot Onsen: Relaxing by a foot onsen if time allow.
- End: 15h00 We will end the tour at the train station where we started. You will be able to take the local train back to Yuzawa.
The estimated finish time is also subject to change.
Gallery
Best Times to Visit
- April: Mid to late April is typically the Sakura (cherry blossom) season in the valley. During this time, you can enjoy the contrast of the snowy peaks against the backdrop of the pink cherry blossoms.
- May-June: Although these months fall within the rainy season, we often experience many beautiful days, and the temperature is cooler than in the major cities.
- July-August: During Japan’s hot and humid summer months, there’s no better place to escape than nature, where you can enjoy the valley breezes.
- September: The golden season! The rice is ripe for harvest, and the valley is bathed in golden yellow hues, creating a stunning contrast with the still-green mountains surrounding the fields.
- October: Even after the rice fields are harvested, they retain their yellow hue. By the end of the month, autumn colors begin to descend from the mountaintops into the valley.
- November: In early November, the valley remains vibrant, with many colorful trees on display.
What To Bring
- ID (driver’s license, passport, residence card etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Sun cream
- Comfortable clothes (no skirts or pants with wide hems)
- Athletic or sturdy shoes (no sandals or high heels)
- Backpack, Small to carry water
- Rain wear (in case of sudden rain)
- Insect repellent
- Small towel to dry feet after the foot onsen
Questions / Answers
Do I need prior biking experience?
Previous experience with electric bikes is not required, but you should be comfortable riding a regular bicycle.
Our tours are designed to accommodate riders with varying levels of experience.
What fitness level do I need?
The electric assist bicycle make it very easy to travel with minimum effort.
If you are uncertain about your fitness level, feel free to contact me in advance.
Can children participate in your tours?
Children cannot participate in the tours if they are less than 150cm in height.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
We do not have or offer infants/child bicycle or seats.
The brewery visit offer non alcoholic rice beverage which are suitable for children and non alcohol drinker.
Can solo traveller join?
Group tours require a minimum of two people to operate.
If you’re a solo traveler, please get in touch with me, and I’ll see if we can arrange a spot for you.
How far in advance should I book the tour?
You can book from two days before. During the busy period, spots may fill quickly.
World Renown Sake
The Hakkaisan Sake Brewery, located in the beautiful mountains of Niigata Prefecture, has been producing sake for over 90 years. Known worldwide for its premium sake, the brewery combines traditional brewing methods with modern techniques.
The key to their smooth and refined sake lies in the pure water from Mount Hakkai and the high-quality rice from the region. Today, the Hakkaisan Sake Brewery continues to uphold its high standards and is appreciated by sake connoisseurs around the world.
Minamiuonuma’s Premium Rice
Muikamachi, located in Niigata Prefecture, is famous for its high-quality rice paddies. The nutrient-rich soils and snowmelt from the nearby mountains create perfect conditions for growing rice.
The local Koshihikari rice, known for its plump grains and delicate flavor, is highly regarded and enjoyed by chefs and rice lovers around the world.
Pristine Spring Water
Muikamachi’s clear spring water, drawn from the nearby mountains, plays a key role in both sake brewing and rice farming.
Known for its purity and mineral richness, this water brings out the subtle flavors in sake and helps the rice paddies thrive, contributing to the region’s top-notch agriculture.
Tokyo Day Trip Example
The tour is designed to facilitate a day trip from Tokyo if you want to visit the countryside of Japan while being based in Tokyo.
If you have access to the JR Rail Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass or JR East Nagano / Niigata Area Pass then most of your travel cost should be covered by them. Making the day trip from Tokyo extremly easy!
- 07h48 Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station.
- 09h05 Arrival at Echigo Yuzawa Station after 1h17 of travel.
- 09h14 Local Hokuetsu Express Hokuhoku Line toward Naoetsu.
- 09h31 Arrival at Muikamachi Station.
- 09h45 Meeting with the guide on the east exit. Plenty of time, no need to rush.
- 10h00 Enjoy the Hakkaisan Sake Route tour with us.
- 15h00 Back from the tour.
- 15h33 Local JR Joetsu Line toward Echigo-Yuzawa.
- 15h55 Arrival at Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
- 16h03 Tanigawa Shinkansen toward Tokyo.
- 17h28 Arrival at Tokyo Station.
This example is based on the current train timetable. Please make sure to check the latest train schedules yourself, as you are responsible for arranging your own travel to Yuzawa.
I would still highly recomend to stay overnight to fully experience the joy of taking an onsen just before going to bed. Tasting the delicious local food and sake and enjoy a relaxing quiet night in the Japanese country side.
Book Tour: Hakkaisan Sake Route
