Harada Brewery — Restaurant in Takayama

My favorite sake brewery in town! The staff is very kind and patient and they speak some English as well. Sometimes I go there while doing also my walking tours and they always welcoming me to enter and walk around freely. Sake tasting cost now 450 JPY, they give you a new small ceramic cup for the testing more then 10 types of sake and shochu (japanese distilled liquor), which you are allowed to taste it only one time each. It is the only brewery with such range at that price, they are really generous! I always go there from time to time to taste new things myself because they have great sake, but mostly because they are kind. I highly recommend this brewery and I hope they keep everything as it is because it is just great.

Luca, Amico del Solevante Tours, Local guide in Takayama Shirakawa and...

500jpy for one shot of each sake in their tasting cabinet. I think there was about 9 or 10 in the cabinet, but we arrived late so I am not sure whether some were already stored away. The last order for tasting is 530pm as of Oct 2023, and the shop closes at 6pm. I like how they gave information in what to expect on each sake so I could learn about what I like. There is a water fountain for you to wash out the cup/ clear your taste buds before your next tasting. You can keep the little cup as souvenirs.

We also returned the next day to try the sake cheesecake (175jpy for a piece which is about 3 bites). Their sake left a stronger memory than the cheesecake.

Later the day, we visited an onsen that uses this brewery's sake in their menu. It's nice to see how the local sake is served...

Huge variety of sake available for sale, you’ll be spoil for choices at this brewery!

Best part, they have sake vending machine for you to sample which is probably the highlight of this shop. Quite fun as you can go around sampling any type with just the token. If you love sake, do change the token with ¥1000 note so you actually get extra.

Perfect for the winter weather too, we went in from the sudden snowfall and gust. The sake just gave us the extra...