Umeshu Making & Brewery Tour in Wakayama｜Just 30 Minutes from Kansai Airport

• Table of Contents
• Craftsmanship at a Historic Sake Brewery — Where Kishu’s Finest Ingredients Meet Traditional Brewing Techniques
• Tour Overview
• Take a Peek Inside the Tour!
• Umeshu (plum wine) making experience
• Brewery Tour
• How to contact us

Craftsmanship at a Historic Sake Brewery — Where Kishu’s Finest Ingredients Meet Traditional Brewing Techniques

In Wakayama, Japan’s premier plum-growing region, a long-established sake brewery is sharing the charm of its craft with the world through hands-on umeshu-making experiences. With roots as a soy sauce brewery, this unique maker has mastered fermentation and brewing techniques, now combining local Wakayama ingredients with its expertise to produce health-focused foods and beverages. Among its standout creations is umeshu made from premium Nanko plums, which proudly holds Japan’s first Geographical Indication (GI) designation for liqueurs — a mark of authenticity recognized worldwide. Actively expanding into global markets, this exceptional umeshu is a true taste of Wakayama’s heritage.

This special program offers a rare opportunity to see, learn, and experience the umeshu-making process firsthand. Don’t miss the chance to explore the craftsmanship that Wakayama shares with the world!

Tour Overview

This program combines two highlights: a hands-on umeshu-making workshop and a sake brewery tour.

In the workshop, you’ll use Wakayama’s famous premium Nanko plums to create your own umeshu (plum wine) or plum syrup. Best of all, you can take your prepared jar home the same day! Over the next six months, you’ll watch it mature and savor the anticipation as it transforms. During the brewery tour, you’ll get an up-close look at the production process for both sake and umeshu. Plus, enjoy tastings and shopping opportunities for authentic local products.

・Program Details & Pricing:

① Umeshu (plum wine) making experience (includes brewery tour): ¥2,600 per person (tax included)

② Plum Syrup Steeping Experience (includes brewery tour): ¥1,900 per person (tax included)

・Group Size: 1–80 participants (For groups of 81 or more, please contact us)

・Duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes　

・Regular Holiday: Every Monday

・Booking: At least 1 week in advance

For inquiries, please click here (Japanese, English)

Take a Peek Inside the Tour!

Now, let’s take a look at what the tour includes. The flow is as follows:

Plum-Steeping Experience → Brewery Tour

Umeshu (plum wine) making experience

No need to worry if it’s your first time — the process is easy to follow with a step-by-step video guide. The video includes subtitles in English, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, ensuring that international guests can enjoy the experience comfortably.

This experience uses frozen plums, so you can enjoy umeshu-making any time of year. Don’t miss the seasonal highlight: in June, enjoy a special workshop using freshly harvested Nanko plums — a rare opportunity to experience Japan’s plum culture at its peak. Availability depends on the harvest, so the program ends once supplies run out — but if you’re lucky, you’ll get to prepare your umeshu with that year’s freshly picked Nanko plums!

You’ll also learn fun facts about plums and discover tips for making your umeshu even more delicious — a great way to deepen your appreciation of these unique fruits while enjoying the experience.

Brewery Tour

Next, step into the “Umeshu-gura,” where plum wine is crafted. Wakayama produces about 60% of Japan’s plums, and here you’ll see the scale of umeshu-making up close. The brewery houses 42 massive tanks, each holding around 200,000 plums — about 8 tons in total. Plums harvested in early summer slowly transform into rich, amber-colored umeshu, creating a breathtaking sight of tradition and craftsmanship.

Through the small windows on the tanks, you might catch a glimpse of the plums steeping inside! Every stage — steeping, stirring, extraction, separation, and aging — requires precise timing. Dedicated umeshu master brewers carefully monitor each process, ensuring the perfect balance of flavor and aroma as the plums transform into exquisite plum wine.

The brewery grounds also feature an exhibition space, where you can learn about the philosophy behind sake-making and the dedication of the craftsmen. Through curated displays and video presentations, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the traditions and techniques that have been passed down since the brewery’s founding.

You can also take commemorative photos using traditional brewery props — a perfect way to capture your experience!

Between brewery tour stops, take a relaxing stroll through the expansive Japanese garden. Originally built in 1952 as a reservoir for cooling water used in shochu production, the pond is now a serene waterscape where about 100 vibrant koi carp swim gracefully. Two elegant white swans, carefully cared for, have become the garden’s iconic residents. If you’re lucky, you might even witness swans or wild birds gliding across the water — a truly picturesque moment.

The gift shop offers a wide variety of products — from alcoholic beverages made with Kishu’s finest ingredients to health-conscious foods. Whether you’re looking for a treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for someone special, you’ll find plenty of options. Take your time browsing and discover your favorite items to bring home.

A special experience packed with the charm of a traditional brewery — touch the craftsmanship, savor the aromas, and enjoy the flavors. International visitors are warmly welcome for tours and study visits. *Please note: an interpreter is required.

How to contact us

1. Please fill out the required information in the form below and submit your inquiry.

2. We will get back to you from "industrial.tourism@nankai.co.jp" within three business days.