Planning a sake tasting day trip from Hiroshima? The easiest detail to get right is also the one most likely to cause confusion: Saijo Station and Higashi-Hiroshima Station are not the same station.
For the historic brewery district, your destination is JR Saijo Station on the Sanyo Main Line. The sake brewery street is within walking distance, making it an appealing excursion even if you are visiting Hiroshima without a car.
Which station should you use?
| Station name | Why travelers encounter it | For Saijo Sakagura-dori |
|---|---|---|
| JR Saijo Station (西条駅) | On the JR Sanyo Main Line from central Hiroshima | Choose this one for walking to the sake brewery district |
| Higashi-Hiroshima Station (東広島駅) | A separate station served by the Shinkansen | Do not assume it brings you directly to the walkable brewery street |
The two stations sound related, but Saijo’s breweries cluster near the conventional JR Saijo Station. Check the Japanese station name as well as the English name when planning your journey.
Step 1: depart from Hiroshima Station
From JR Hiroshima Station, take a train on the JR Sanyo Main Line heading toward Saijo. Hiroshima’s official tourism information gives a typical journey of about 35 minutes. Actual departure times, stopping patterns and travel duration depend on the train, so check the latest timetable for the day of your visit.
There is no need to select a Shinkansen solely to reach the sake brewery street. The separate Higashi-Hiroshima Shinkansen station is not the walkable center of the historic Saijo sake area.
Step 2: arrive at JR Saijo Station
Once you arrive, orient yourself toward Saijo Sakagura-dori Street. Official tourism information places the brewery district within walking distance of the station. One of the pleasures of this trip is how many different breweries are concentrated in the surrounding streets.
You can spend some time exploring the architecture before deciding whether to enter a brewery shop or join a guided tasting. If you want to taste sake, avoid driving afterward.
The local visitor information service also lists coin lockers on the second floor of JR Saijo Station, useful if you are stopping between destinations. Locker availability, size and fees may vary, so treat this as a convenience to check on arrival, not a reservation.
Step 3: decide how much time to allow
A simple return train ride is not a full day-trip plan. Allow time for:
- Walking from the station and finding the sake brewery street.
- Checking which brewery shops and tasting counters are open on your day.
- A meal or coffee break, particularly if you plan to sample sake.
- A guided tasting if you book one in advance.
- Returning to the station without rushing.
The local tourism association offers English-guided three-brewery and seven-brewery tasting tours. The published patterns are a weekday morning option for three breweries and Monday/Friday afternoons for seven breweries. These are not guaranteed departures: always verify the current seller availability for your own dates and party size.
Japan’s legal minimum drinking age is 20. Non-drinkers can still enjoy much of the architecture and town atmosphere, but don’t assume that a tasting-focused tour offers a reduced non-drinker price.
A frequent planning mistake: assuming all seven are open
Seven breweries are concentrated near the station, but the street being walkable does not mean seven tasting rooms are simultaneously open. The tourism association maintains a changing chart for brewery opening hours. Check it on your travel day, especially for weekend and holiday visits.
If a particular brewery is essential to your itinerary, verify its official information separately. For visitors who want an English explanation and a structured tasting, a guided tour may be the more convenient option.
A practical itinerary decision
Choose independent walking when you want flexible time and are happy visiting only whichever shops happen to be open. Choose a guided tasting when you prefer to reserve a defined experience with an English-speaking guide and clear start time.
If your sightseeing day in Hiroshima is already full, a short morning tasting may be a better fit than a longer afternoon experience. On the other hand, if sake is the main reason for your day trip, build the rest of your schedule around the activity you can actually book.
Explore SAKEWHERE’s Saijo walking guide and optional English tour bookings. SAKEWHERE includes affiliate links to some booking options; you can also plan an independent visit.