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Sawanotsuru Sake Museum: A Journey into Kobe's Brewing Heritage

Explore Kobe's sake brewing heritage at Sawanotsuru Museum, with traditional tools, exhibits, and free tastings.

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The Sawanotsuru Sake Museum, located in Kobe's Nada district, offers an immersive experience into the history and tradition of sake brewing. Housed in a renovated brewery dating back to the late Edo period, the museum showcases traditional tools, exhibits on the brewing process, and a chance to taste the final product.

A brief summary to Sawanotsuru Museum

  • Monday 10 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Admission is free, making it an affordable cultural experience.
  • The museum is closed on Wednesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.
  • Enjoy free sake tastings at the museum shop.
  • Allow at least 30-60 minutes to fully explore the exhibits.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The Sawanotsuru Sake Museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from Hanshin Oishi Station. From the station, walk south following the Toga River. The museum will be on your left. A single fare on Kobe City Bus is about ¥230 for adults.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Kobe. From Kobe Station to the Sawanotsuru Sake Museum, the taxi fare is estimated to be between ¥2070. From Sannomiya Station, the fare would be approximately ¥2070. Note that fares may vary depending on traffic conditions and time of day.

  • Walking

    If you are already in the Nada district, walking to the museum is a viable option. From Oishi Station, it's a straightforward 10-minute walk south along the Toga River.

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Discover more about Sawanotsuru Museum

The Sawanotsuru Sake Museum provides a captivating glimpse into the world of sake, a beverage deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Located in the Nada district of Kobe, a region renowned for its sake production, the museum is housed within a beautifully restored wooden brewery that dates back over 170 years to the late Edo period. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits showcasing the traditional tools and techniques used in sake brewing throughout history. See the enormous cauldrons, wooden vats, and other equipment that were essential to the sake-making process. Models of the ships that transported sake across Japan are also on display. The museum also features an English-language video explaining sake brewing methods. The museum was initially opened in 1978, with the goal of preserving sake brewing history for future generations. In 1980, the museum and its collection of sake brewing tools were designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties by Hyogo Prefecture. The museum was tragically destroyed in the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 but was rebuilt using mostly original materials and reopened in 1999. At the end of your tour, don't miss the museum shop, where you can sample different types of sake and purchase souvenirs.

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