Nadagiku Sake Brewery

Tucked into Himeji away from the castle crowds, Nadagiku Sake Brewery is one of those quietly rewarding finds that rewards the curious traveller. The brewery produces two labels (Nadagiku and Kikunoshizuku), and opens its historic kura as a sake museum, letting visitors walk through the craft before browsing the direct-sales shop for bottles unavailable elsewhere. The same family of venues extends the experience to the table: a former front warehouse serves beef hotpot, while Nadagiku Kappa-tei pairs kushiage skewers and oden with the house sake.

When to go

The brewery welcomes visitors every day from 10 am to 5 pm, so an early-morning arrival gives you the kura largely to yourself before day-trippers arrive from the castle. Any season suits a sake visit, though the cooler months of autumn and winter feel especially apt for warming yourself with a bowl of oden and a freshly poured cup.