Experience “The Birthplace of Sake, Itami” with All Five Senses! (Hyogo Field Pavilion)

Former Okada Residence (Sake Brewery)

With a seven-minute walk from Hankyu Itami Station, you’ll pass dignified temples before reaching the former sake brewery, now open to the public. Built in the 17th century, this is the oldest town house in Itami and is considered Japan’s oldest sake brewery with a verifiable construction date. It is also designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

The former store area features a spacious tatami room, creating a very open atmosphere (entry into the tatami area is prohibited). Looking up, you’ll notice the high ceiling with its thick beams, a characteristic feature of traditional Japanese townhouses.

Inside, remnants of the building’s sake production period remain, and sake-making tools used in the process are displayed, offering insights into the art of sake brewing. A large screen also provides historical videos about sake-making in Itami.

Former Okada Residence (Sake Brewery) is within the Itami City Museum of Art, History and Culture, where you can learn about the history of Itami and view regular exhibitions. Visiting both is highly recommended.

Shirayuki Brewery Village Choujugura

Just a two-minute walk from the Former Okada Residence, the Shirayuki Brewery Village Choujugura is a historic facility that has repurposed a 250-year-old sake brewery. It has been renovated to include a restaurant, exhibits of brewing tools, and a shop.

Start with the “Brewery Museum” on the second floor, where sake-making tools and old signs are displayed, creating a retro feel. One section features a photo spot with 3D art themed around sake brewing for fun, creative photos.

The first floor is the “Brewery Restaurant,” where you can enjoy food that pairs well with sake and beer, with a craft beer brewing facility on-site. Their beers have even won awards in international competitions, offering a premium craft beer experience.

Outside, you’ll find the “Brewery Shop,” selling Japanese sake, craft beer, Belgian beer, and specialty narazuke pickles made with sake lees from the brewing process. In the shop, you can also sample different varieties to find your preferred brand, for 100 yen per glass.

It is an ample and excellent facility to learn about and taste the sake of Itami.

Itami Tourism and Local Products Gallery

After leaving Shirayuki Brewery Village, walk about six minutes, passing the ruins of Arioka Castle, once home to the warlord Araki Murashige, and arrive at JR Itami Station. For those departing Itami by JR, you can purchase local sake at the Itami Tourism and Local Products Gallery, located within the station.

This gallery offers sake brands such as “Shirayuki” and “Oimatsu,” available for sampling at 100 yen each. Even if you missed buying something during your city stroll, you can still find sake here.

The gallery also offers a range of other locally-produced goods, such as sweets and city mascot merchandise.