A One-of-a-Kind Brewery Tour and
Doburoku Tasting Experience.
Touch wooden barrels
and savor nature.
A unique brewery tour near Tokyo,
offering an exclusive
Doburoku tasting experience
you can't find anywhere else.
- Taste "Doburoku," a traditional Japanese sake,
made entirely by hand in small batches. - A sustainable and unique brewery repurposed from a convenience store.
- Brewing in wooden barrels fosters coexistence with microorganisms,
creating a one-of-a-kind sake that changes with every batch.
The World of Doburoku Interwoven with Wood, Soil, and Microorganisms
Experience a tasting of three unique types of Doburoku, exclusively at Yamane Brewery.
ーExperience a tasting of three unique types of Doburoku, exclusively at Yamane Brewery. Have you heard of "Doburoku"?
Doburoku is a type of sake made without filtering the "moromi" (the mash that forms the base of sake). Due to its continuous fermentation, Doburoku is extremely difficult to store, making it a rare and precious drink that is seldom served at restaurants. Yamane Brewery produces Doburoku entirely by hand and in small batches. It is likely the only brewery in Japan that has been sustainably repurposed from a convenience store.
While most breweries use stainless steel containers, Yamane Brewery employs a rare method of brewing in wooden barrels made from local timber. This process fosters coexistence with microorganisms and adds unique flavors from the water and wood, resulting in a one-of-a-kind sake with every batch.
Additionally, the sake is served in vessels made from 100% local soil, a material that is no longer produced and only exists in limited quantities. By joining the tour, you can enjoy a tasting of three exclusive types of Doburoku that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
Tour Content
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01
Meeting the Guide at Hanno Station
After exiting the ticket gate at Hanno Station, look for the guide holding a tour placard. Meet your fellow participants for the day and receive a briefing from the guide. Then, move to the bus stop with the guide. After receiving instructions from the guide on how to use the bus, travel through Hanno’s nature-rich roads by bus together with the guide.
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02
Lecture at the Host's Residence
Upon arriving at the brewery by bus, first visit the host's traditional Japanese-style home.
There, you will receive a lecture on how Yamane Brewery's sake-making process differs entirely from conventional methods.
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03
Sustainable Brewery Tour
Next, enter the sustainable brewery, which has been repurposed from a convenience store.
Observe the wooden barrels made from local timber and learn about the brewing methods.
Experience how coexistence with microorganisms and the flavors of wood create a one-of-a-kind sake with every batch.
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04
Tasting Experience of Three Types of Natsural sake, Including Doburoku
Return to the host's residence and enjoy a tasting experience using sake vessels made from Hanno's soil, which is no longer produced.
Taste "Doburoku," a rare and precious sake that is difficult to store due to its continuous fermentation and is rarely served at restaurants.
Along with Doburoku, enjoy three completely different types of Natsural sake paired with snacks that complement each drink.
I will be your guide for this tour
Fukunari Wakabayashi
From middle school to university, I visited the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo almost every week, enjoying the Discovery Talks given by researchers. During my high school years, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Masaaki Tomokuni, who was then the Director of the Zoology Department at the National Museum of Nature and Science (currently Honorary Curator and Honorary Researcher at the museum). He taught me that Hanno City in Saitama Prefecture is a biologically rich area filled with diverse life forms. This encounter introduced me to Hanno City, a place I had no prior connection to, and it left a lasting impression. Over a decade later, this connection led me to establish Yamane Brewery in Hanno City.
Participant Reviews
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Russia
I have lived in Japan for 10 years and have tried various types of Japanese sake, but the sake he provided was the most delicious I’ve ever had in my life!
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Taiwan
I highly recommend visiting this brewery! Not only is the sake amazing, but the proceeds also support the care of local animals, which is a wonderful cause.
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Italy
The staff carefully explained the process of making sake and taught us about the importance of tools, temperature, and ingredients. I was especially impressed by the fact that they use only wooden barrels made from local Hanno timber. This traditional method is currently adopted by only about 1% of Japanese sake brewers.
Course Overview
Doburoku Tasting Experience Tour
Duration
Approximately 3 hours
Price
15,400 yen（Tax included）
Meeting Point
In front of the ticket gate at Seibu Railway Hanno Station.
Greeting The guide holding a greeting board will be waiting for you.
Access
Ikebukuro Station
Seibu Ikebukuro/Chichibu Line Express bound for Hanno, 48 minutes
Ikebukuro Station
Seibu Ikebukuro Line Limited Express Chichibu
No. 17 bound for Seibu-Chichibu, 38 minutes
Hanno
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is a guide included in the tour?
A. Yes, this tour includes an English-speaking guide.
Q. What is the tour's cancellation policy?
A. Cancellations made up to 24 hours before the tour start time are free of charge.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time will incur a 100% cancellation fee.
Q. Can I eat fermented foods right before the tour?
A. For the sake brewery tour, including the inspection of brewing equipment, we kindly ask you to refrain from consuming fermented foods such as natto or kimchi for one week prior to your visit due to hygiene management reasons.
Q. Can children participate in the tour?
A. Children can participate, but please refrain from allowing them to taste alcohol.
Q. Are there any items I need to bring for the tour?
A. There are no specific items required.
Places to Visit
Alongside This Tour
Tourist spots where you can avoid crowds and enjoy the seasonal beauty of nature and historical townscapes at a relaxed pace.
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Kawagoe
Kawagoe’s Kurazukuri Townscape
Known as "Little Edo," Kawagoe preserves the charm of the Edo period with its Kurazukuri (traditional warehouse-style) townscape, the iconic Toki no Kane (Time Bell Tower), and a harmonious blend of long-established Japanese confectionery shops and modern cafes. It’s a place filled with the joy of strolling through streets that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and warmth of the local people while experiencing the gentle flow of time. -
Chichibu
Nature and Culture Interwoven in the Chichibu Region
Find tranquility at the majestic Chichibu Shrine, and take deep breaths surrounded by the spiritual atmosphere of Hodosan Shrine and Mitsumine Shrine.
Enjoy the seasonal beauty of nature, such as the spring Shibazakura (moss phlox) at Hitsujiyama Park and the stunning autumn foliage at Nakatsu Gorge.
Savor local cuisine made with fresh ingredients and the flavors of historic sake breweries, adding to the joy of your journey.
Just a short trip from the city, you’ll discover a rich and peaceful experience here.
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