JR Kyoto Station → walk along Sumiyoshi river →  Sakuramasamune (lunch) →  Kikumasamune → Hakutsuru → the old site of well → Ishiyagawa Station

◆Sumiyoshi river
The river flows from the Rokko mountain of 900 meters above sea level and so the flow is very steep. Locals used this steep stream to mill brown rice for sake producing. There once were many undershot wheels.

◆Sakuramasamune
Founded in the 17th century in the neighbor city, but this brewery moved to this place in search of good quality water. It claims the first name of “Masamune” from the Budhist sutra. Since then, other breweries started naming Masamune to their sake. You can enjoy food cooked by sake and sake lees and free sake tasting.

◆Kikumasamune
This brewery was the first producer to deliver sake to Edo, now Tokyo in the 18th. The name of “Nada” sake began to be well known among people since then. It used the microscope to establish the modern brewing system in the 19th century. Exhibits are well arranged and follow the flow, and you can see the process of sake making. Free sake tasting is provided.

◆Hakutsuru
Founded in the 18th, Hakutsuru has many breweries and one of the biggest sake companies in Japan. Among the modern breweries there is the traditional big roofed museum. There you can see each step of the sake production by the monitor screen provided in English. After free sake tasting, enjoy photo time to wear Happy coat and aprons which craftsmen wore in those days

◆The old site of the well
In the local park, you can see the old site of sake water well. For the premium sake, high quality water is needed, and the spring water coming from under the Rokko mountains contains minerals and the best for the sake production. Thereused to be water wells and you could see them, but now each brewery strictly controls them.

◆Ishiya river
As well as Sumiyoshi river, this river also starts from the Rokko mountain and the flow is very steep. The name of this river comes from stonemasons who lined up the river. Enjoy walking the riverside, and imagine the time when people were busy at brewing sake there.