Brew Together, Taste Together, Feel It Deeply
This is not just a tour—it’s an immersive, sensory experience that lets you connect with the true essence of sake. You will touch, smell, hear, and feel the transformation of rice into sake, and come away with something unforgettable: a drop that holds memory, craft, and connection.
In this experience, you do more than just observe. You join the process.
About the Program
This experience was born from our community space, BOKURA, at ITO Sake Brewery. It began in 2002 with a simple wish: “Let’s brew the sake we drink, with our own hands and care.” Since then, it has become a gathering of passionate sake lovers from all over Japan—and even from overseas.
This program is based on shared ownership and produces sake that is not for sale. Because it’s member-only and limited-edition, the experience is truly one-of-a-kind.
Participants use organic, pesticide-free rice and go through every step by hand. Under the guidance of our Toji (master brewer), you’ll wash rice, steam, ferment, bottle, and label the sake together. It’s the ultimate handmade sake.
The result is not just an easy-drinking sake. It’s a bold, flavor-rich Junmai Ginjo that lets you taste the essence of rice. The label bears the names of everyone who helped craft it—a bottle that is a journey in itself.
If you’re drawn to fermentation travel or cultural immersion, this is for you. Through your five senses, you’ll experience the rhythm of tradition, nature, and people woven together through brewing.
And you’re welcome to join again—many do. Each experience deepens the connection to sake, to culture, and to others.
What Makes This Experience Unique
Fermentation, Felt with All Five Senses
More than knowledge—it’s a feeling. The warmth of the room, the scent in the air, the whisper of steam. Your hands will shape what becomes a one-of-a-kind bottle.
A Drop Born from Shared Hands
This is a collaborative brewing experience in small groups. From washing rice to bottling and labeling, every task is done together under the guidance of our master brewer. Even waiting for the sake to mature becomes a memory in itself.
One Bottle, One Story
You won’t just taste it—you’ll claim it. Each bottle features the names of all participants and cannot be purchased anywhere else. It is sake that lives the story of its makers.
What Makes This Experience Unique
Fermentation, Felt with All Five Senses
More than knowledge—it’s a feeling. The warmth of the room, the scent in the air, the whisper of steam. Your hands will shape what becomes a one-of-a-kind bottle.
A Drop Born from Shared Hands
This is a collaborative brewing experience in small groups. From washing rice to bottling and labeling, every task is done together under the guidance of our master brewer. Even waiting for the sake to mature becomes a memory in itself.
One Bottle, One Story
You won’t just taste it—you’ll claim it. Each bottle features the names of all participants and cannot be purchased anywhere else. It is sake that lives the story of its makers.
Who It’s For
This experience is perfect for those who:
- Want to dive deeper into sake culture
- Are looking for something more than sightseeing
- Seek memorable gifts or meaningful experiences
- Are visiting Japan as a couple or small group
- Are curious about fermentation and traditional craftsmanship
- Wish to connect with local culture in a hands-on way
About the Program
- Season: Late October to mid-December (annually)
- Delivery: Sake is delivered in early to mid-December (Japan only / international by request)
- Process: Full experience from measuring rice to labeling the bottle
- Venue: ITO Sake Brewery / BOKURA space
- Language: Japanese only
This project began in 2002 as a community initiative among local sake lovers. Over the years, it has grown to welcome participants from across Japan and occasionally overseas.
Participant Benefits
- Personalized bottle of Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu with your name on the label
- Original commemorative goodie (changes yearly)
- Tastings during the event and informal chats with the master brewer
- Optional 720ml bottling and private label (at extra cost)
Membership Options
- A Member (Brewing Member): Participates in brewing and receives the sake
- B Member (Sake-Only Member): Doesn’t participate but receives the sake
All members’ names are printed on the final label. Nicknames or aliases are also accepted.
Both A and B members must register individually, though it is possible to purchase multiple bottles per person. You may also use a nickname or alias for your label if preferred.
Schedule & Registration (Tentative)
- Schedule: October–December (details published each October)
- Registration Opens: October
How to Register
- Contact us via email or fax with your name, number of bottles, and address
- We will send you the application and program details
- Complete and return the form with the membership fee
For A Members: On-Site Details
- Bring: Work clothes, boots, rain gear
- Recommended: Long gloves
- Meeting Point: ITO Sake Brewery / BOKURA
Before You Join
To ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all, please read and agree to the following:
①Registration, Meals, and Companions
- Registration, Meals, and Companions
- Each participant must be registered individually
- No children or pets allowed (exceptions possible upon consultation)
- Lunch is self-funded and arranged collectively
- Alcohol is only offered to those not driving
② Hygiene & Safety
- Please follow staff instructions at all times
- Avoid consuming natto, yogurt, or citrus fruits the day before and of the event
- Sanitize hands and maintain clean clothing for fermentation safety
- Avoid phone use during key processes unless necessary
③ Photography
- Photos and video may be used for public materials (e.g. website, newsletters)
- Please respect other participants’ privacy when taking pictures
A Final Note
To step into the brewery is to embark on a journey of your senses. The sake you help craft is not just a beverage, but a quiet act of creation—a memory in liquid form.
May your drop become a fermented expression of your story.