Highlights
- Tasting hundreds of sake from across Japan
- Strolling Saijo's historic sake-brewery district
- Local food stalls to pair with your sake
Background & story
Saijo's white-walled brewery district is one of Japan's three great sake-producing areas; the festival celebrates this heritage each October.
Saijo Sake Festival 2026 takes place October 10–11 (Sat–Sun) in Saijo, Higashi-Hiroshima — one of Japan's three great sake-brewing towns, home to eight historic breweries within walking distance of the station. The dates were officially confirmed on January 28, 2026.
Tasting and tickets
The centerpiece is "Sake Hiroba," a ticketed tasting plaza. As of the 2025 edition (2026 pricing not yet posted), the advance tasting pass cost ¥3,900, including 8 tasting tickets, a souvenir sake cup, and a bottle of chaser water (yawaragi-mizu). Sessions run in three fully-seated, timed slots each day (roughly 10:00–12:15, 13:00–15:15, and 16:00–18:15), and entry to the tasting plaza is restricted to guests aged 20 and over — minors may attend accompanied by a guardian but cannot taste. Hours for the wider festival are Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sunday 10:00–17:00.
Getting there
The festival grounds are a 1-minute walk from JR Saijo Station (Sanyo Main Line) south exit — about 40 minutes by local train from Hiroshima Station. If the area fills up, paid overflow parking is available at a Hiroshima University lot (¥1,000), connected to the venue by a free shuttle bus running roughly every 15 minutes.
Ticket price and access confirmed as of the 2025 edition; check sakematsuri.com closer to the date for 2026 ticket sales.
More regional festivals: Beyond Tokyo: regional matsuri guide
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Walk from JR Saijo Stn Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Festival free to enter; the 'Sake Plaza' tasting pass is paid. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- food lovers, groups of friends, culture seekers
Good to know
Pace yourself with the tastings and drink water between pours. Day trips from Hiroshima city are easy by train.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a tasting ticket cost at Saijo Sake Festival?
- As of the 2025 event (2026 pricing not yet announced), the advance 'Sake Hiroba' tasting pass cost ¥3,900, including 8 tasting tickets, a souvenir sake cup, and a bottle of chaser water. Sessions run in timed slots and entry to the tasting plaza is restricted to ages 20+.
- How do I get to Saijo Sake Festival?
- The festival is a 1-minute walk from JR Saijo Station (Sanyo Main Line), about 40 minutes by local train from Hiroshima Station. Paid overflow parking with a free shuttle is available at a Hiroshima University lot.
Getting there
Saijo, Higashihiroshima — Saijohonmachi, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima