If you arrive in Saijo expecting a row of busy bars, you may be surprised. On an ordinary day, this part of Higashihiroshima can be wonderfully quiet. White-walled sake breweries, narrow lanes, tall red-brick chimneys—and enough little shops to keep turning an unplanned walk into another detour.
I live in the area and have walked Saijo Sakagura-dori both on peaceful days and when the annual Sake Festival turns the streets into a sea of people. I actually prefer the quieter version. You can look up at the buildings, step into a shop and take your time.
And yes, if you start tasting sake at several breweries, you may find yourself considerably happier by the end of the walk. There is a reason I recommend coming by train.
About these photos: They come from my different visits to Saijo, including the Sake Festival. The quiet-street photos and festival photographs are not a single continuous visit. Access and event information was checked with local official sources in November 2026.
What is Saijo Sakagura-dori?
The name means “Saijo Sake Brewery Street.” Around JR Saijo Station, seven sake breweries sit within walking distance of one another. You’ll see the tall chimneys and traditional walls before you even know all the brewery names.
Unlike a museum made to look old, this is a place where sake is still produced. Some breweries have shops and tastings, while access to production areas varies. The official Higashihiroshima tourism guide has an overview of the seven breweries.
My favorite way to see Saijo: an ordinary day
On a normal visit, the streets are much less crowded than the festival photographs suggest. I like walking slowly and noticing the contrast between white walls, black wood and the chimneys rising overhead.
You don’t have to know anything about sake to enjoy the neighborhood. Sometimes I just stop and think, “That’s a good-looking building.” Then another chimney appears around the corner.
There is room here for that kind of aimless wandering. For me, it feels more like exploring an old neighborhood than checking off attractions.
Stop at a brewery shop — Kirei is my personal favorite
If someone asks me what Saijo sake I like, they might expect the big, famous name Kamotsuru. But my personal favorite is Kirei. Its shop, Mannekisha, is interesting even when you’re not planning to buy a bottle.
There are cups, small goods and other things to browse alongside the sake. I’ve found myself looking at the shop itself as much as the drinks.
I once bought a locally limited sake called Yoshidaya no Sake here, and it made a lasting impression on me. I’m not promising that the same bottle will still be sold when you visit: limited editions change, and that’s part of the fun of finding something at the brewery itself.
Some shops offer tasting, but the selection, fees and opening times differ. Check the current Kirei visitor details before making it your only stop.
Saijo during the Sake Festival is another world
Now imagine the same streets filled with people. That’s what happened when I visited the Saijo Sake Festival (Sakematsuri). It felt like a completely different town: food, festival atmosphere, people weaving between the old brewery buildings, and more things happening than I could take in at once.
I enjoy the festival too, but it’s not the version of Saijo I’d suggest to someone who mainly wants quiet photographs of the townscape. Choose based on what you want: a leisurely walk or a lively event.
I tried a cloudy festival sake
At one festival visit, I tried a special nigori sake—an unfiltered, cloudy-looking style. Trying something made for the occasion is a different pleasure from picking up a familiar bottle at the supermarket.
We could also look inside brewery spaces that are not necessarily open for ordinary walk-in visits. I remember the sheer scale of the big tanks. Suddenly the drink in a small tasting cup felt connected to a much larger operation.
Important: Festival access does not mean every brewery production area is open every day. Never enter work areas without permission; confirm scheduled tours or public openings.
When is the Saijo Sake Festival?
The 2026 festival took place on October 10–11, 2026 and has already finished. The organizer has not necessarily published the next confirmed schedule yet. For future dates, tickets, event zones and tasting rules, use the official Sake Festival website rather than old blog prices.
If you visit on a random weekend, expect the normal brewery street, not automatically a festival. I personally think that quieter version is just as worthwhile.
How to reach Saijo Brewery Street from Hiroshima
The easy part is the location: JR Saijo Station on the Sanyo Line, with the brewery area immediately nearby on foot. You don’t need a rental car to explore the central streets. Check current train times from Hiroshima Station, then simply walk into the brewery district.
If you intend to drink sake, don’t drive. Choose the train or a designated driver instead. In Japan the legal drinking age is 20, and local drinking and driving rules are strictly enforced.
For walking-route ideas and brewery details, see the local tourism association’s Saijo brewery walk. Its sample itinerary allows around 90 minutes, but your timing will depend on which shops are open and how long you spend inside.
Can non-drinkers enjoy Saijo?
Definitely. If tasting is not your thing, there is still architecture, a photogenic streetscape, souvenir shops and some cafes. The sight of those red-brick chimneys above the white walls is a good enough reason to walk here.
And if you *do* enjoy sake, leave some space in your schedule. I began one of my walks thinking, “I’ll just try a little.” After several stops, that plan had become somewhat optimistic.
Would I recommend it to overseas visitors?
Yes, especially if you’re already spending time around Hiroshima and want a small-town experience rather than another major-city landmark. Saijo is somewhere I can enjoy without a strict itinerary.
Come when the streets are quiet if you want to wander and photograph the breweries; come during an officially scheduled festival if crowds and lively tastings are what you prefer.
Read my original Japanese Saijo brewery walk for the full local account and photos.
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