Craft, Taste, and Celebrate: The Cultural Reach of Japanese Sake and Cuisine—Inspired by the Komodaru
Craft, Taste, and Celebrate: The Cultural Reach of Japanese Sake and Cuisine—Inspired by the Komodaru Authentic Japanese Culture Is Found in Everyday Life
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Amagasaki City is located in the southeastern corner of Hyogo Prefecture and is a core city with a population of about 450,000. Hanshin Electric Railway, JR, and Hankyu Railway run from east to west, and you can access Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara without changing trains, and you can travel to the three Kansai airports in less than an hour, making it a very convenient city. [A town with a castle] In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873. It was rebuilt in 2019 and has once again become the symbol of the town. [A town of human kindness] Amagasaki has many shopping streets and public baths that have been bustling since ancient times, and the atmosphere of the downtown area remains throughout the town. Talking to friendly, warm-hearted older men and women gives you a sense of nostalgia and warmth. [A town where industry and the environment coexist] Amagasaki took its first steps as an industrial city with the opening of a spinning mill in the Meiji era, and has since led the country's rapid economic growth. In recent years, the city has set high goals and taken on pioneering initiatives to realize a low-carbon society, including drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and was selected by the government as an "environmental model city" in 2012. *The Amagasaki Tourism Bureau was established in March 2018 with the cooperation of various stakeholders in Amagasaki to work toward creating a future-oriented tourism region unique to Amagasaki that attracts tourists, enriches the local economy, and fosters pride and attachment to the region by making the most of local resources.
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Tsukaguchi: The home of the special sake barrels vital to Japan's sake culture
Have you ever seen one of those special sake barrels, carefully wrapped in straw, used in Japanese festivals and ceremonies?
Called komodaru, these barrels safeguard the sake and create a pure, celebratory atmosphere—a symbol of Japan's traditional culture. They aren't merely vessels but crafted works imbued with the skill of the craftsmen and the Japanese spirit itself.
Tsukaguchi, in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, is where this beautiful tradition continues today. Located right beside Nada Gogo, one of Japan's most renowned sake-producing regions, Tsukaguchi has long nurtured a thriving craft of barrel-making to support sake brewing. Today, around 70% of these special sake barrels used throughout Japan are produced here.
Tsukaguchi isn't a sightseeing spot—it's a town where everyday life and the legacy of traditional industry run deep, making it one of the few places where you can experience Japan's authentic, everyday culture.
After the experience, it's worth visiting nearby restaurants to sample Nada's sake paired with seasonal dishes. In Tsukaguchi's shopping street, you'll find authentic sushi restaurants where chefs prepare each piece on the spot, along with Japanese dining spots serving Hyogo Prefecture's local sake and dishes made with regional ingredients.
Discover the traditions found only in Tsukaguchi—Japan's leading producer of komodaru—together with the flavors cherished by locals.
Recommended Experiences
From crafting komodaru barrels, which hold the top market share in Japan, to popular hands-on sushi-making experiences, Tsukaguchi offers high-value experiences that let you engage with authentic Japanese culture.
Just a short trip from Umeda in central Osaka, it's a rare opportunity to witness true Japanese local life.
Komodaru barrel-making
Craft your very own original komodaru!
Authentic, hands-on komodaru making with craftsmen and exploring the history and culture of Japanese sake
Duration: 120 minutes
A hands-on crafting experience that lets you connect with the spirit of the artisans. Learn the intricacies of komodaru barrel-making directly from active craftsmen at the long-established manufacturer Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten. Hear the history of komodaru, deeply tied to Japan's sake culture, and try painting your own original barrel with unique designs and lettering.
It's the perfect experience for those who value genuine craftsmanship and wish to devote time to experiencing Japanese traditional arts in depth.
Explore the komodaru workshop and receive a sake cup souvenir!
Take a glimpse into the world of artisans with this special komodaru workshop tour
Duration: 60 minutes
A condensed 60-minute tour showcasing traditional craftsmanship. This plan gives a lighter introduction to the deep history, background, and production process of komodaru covered in the 120-minute experience.
It's a great experience for those with limited time or who want to casually observe the craftsmen at work. In just a short time, you can soak in the unique atmosphere of Japan's top komodaru production region. At the end of the experience, take home an original cypress sake cup as a souvenir.
Local specialties
Master the art of sushi—a multi-sensory journey into Japanese cuisine!
Enjoy an authentic sushi-making experience at a historical restaurant, along with an exquisite meal
Duration: 90 minutes
This plan offers more than just sushi-making—you will also learn about the history of Matsuba Sushi, sushi etiquette, and the techniques of the craftsmen through videos. As an option, you can wear an original Matsuba Sushi samue (traditional work attire) while making sushi.
It's an immersive experience where you can enjoy the sushi and tempura you've made with the guidance of the craftsmen, offering a deep insight into Japanese food culture and dining etiquette.
Discover Hyogo Prefecture's terroir through its local flavors and Japanese sake!
Enjoy Hyogo's cuisine and local sake served from the world’s first brewery-direct komodaru-style draft sake server
Duration: 120 minutes
Where sake meets tradition. Enjoy a tasting course crafted specifically with international travelers in mind. Paired with dishes made from local ingredients—Hyogo vegetables and fresh seafood from Awaji Island—guests can also savor rare barrel sake served from a komodaru-style draft sake server, along with celebrated brews from the Nada Gogo region.
After experiencing the craftsmanship, enjoy the refined setting and local cuisine, enriching your time here.
Japanese sake and kaiseki bento tasting led by a mother-daughter duo of certified sake sommeliers!
Experience Japan's finest sake and seasonal flavors all in one experience. Savor a unique encounter with the essence of Japanese hospitality, pairing three sake selected by a mother-daughter team of sake sommeliers with a seasonal kaiseki bento (elaborate meal served in a box).
Duration: 120 minutes
Discover Japanese food culture through a kaiseki bento. Sake experts select three premium labels tailored to the season and the dishes, letting you enjoy a guided tasting.
You'll be served an authentic kaiseki-style bento—beautifully presented and filled with the essence of Japanese cuisine. It's a premium dining experience for anyone seeking a deeper appreciation of Japan's delicate flavors and artistic culinary sensibilities.
Access to Tsukaguchi Station(Hankyu railway)
Tsukaguchi offers excellent access from major cities in the Kansai region, and its compact layout makes it easy to explore.
• From Osaka:
About 15 minutes from Umeda Station (Hankyu Kobe Main Line) with no transfers.
• From Kobe:
About 30 minutes from Sannomiya Station (Hankyu Kobe Main Line) with no transfers.
• From Kyoto:
About 60 minutes by transferring between JR lines and the Hankyu Kobe Main Line.
Amagasaki City is located in the southeastern corner of Hyogo Prefecture and is a core city with a population of about 450,000. Hanshin Electric Railway, JR, and Hankyu Railway run from east to west, and you can access Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara without changing trains, and you can travel to the three Kansai airports in less than an hour, making it a very convenient city. [A town with a castle] In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873. It was rebuilt in 2019 and has once again become the symbol of the town. [A town of human kindness] Amagasaki has many shopping streets and public baths that have been bustling since ancient times, and the atmosphere of the downtown area remains throughout the town. Talking to friendly, warm-hearted older men and women gives you a sense of nostalgia and warmth. [A town where industry and the environment coexist] Amagasaki took its first steps as an industrial city with the opening of a spinning mill in the Meiji era, and has since led the country's rapid economic growth. In recent years, the city has set high goals and taken on pioneering initiatives to realize a low-carbon society, including drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and was selected by the government as an "environmental model city" in 2012. *The Amagasaki Tourism Bureau was established in March 2018 with the cooperation of various stakeholders in Amagasaki to work toward creating a future-oriented tourism region unique to Amagasaki that attracts tourists, enriches the local economy, and fosters pride and attachment to the region by making the most of local resources.
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