Follow the story of Urakasumi Junmai Ginjo ‘Sabusawa’ from rice-field to table!
Follow the story of Urakasumi Sake Brewery’s Junmai Ginjo ‘Sabusawa’.
The story begins in Shiogama City, where you will learn about the history of sake itself at 1200 year old Shiogama Shrine, and discover the deep connections between the sake brewery and local community as you visit the brewery itself and meet with the kurabito!
With this background fresh in your mind, journey to the stunning Urato Islands in Matsushima Bay, where you will spend two days living like a local, side by side with the farmers who produce the sake rice! Experience what it is like to live on a rural island in Japan – both it’s blessings and hardships – and lend your own time and two hands to support the farmers and local community!Be rewarded with warm hospitality, new experiences and new connections with the locals, who will make you feel right at home!
Finish the journey back on the mainland, and ‘Kampai’ with a glass of ‘Sabusawa’ paired with a meal of fresh local produce as you recall the faces of the ‘storytellers’ you’ve met along the journey of sake, from rice-field to table!
Day One
9：00
Meet your guide at JR Hon-Shiogama Station.
10：00
Visit the 1200 year old Shiogama Shrine and participate in a ‘Seishiki Sanpai’ blessing ceremony. Learn about origin of sake, the relationship between sake & Shinto religion, as well as relationship between Shiogama Shrine and Urakasumi Sake Brewery.
11：15
Visit Urakasumi Sake Brewery:
Take a short brewery tour, learning not just about the sake making process but the history and story of the brewery, including their support for Shiogama community (including Urato Islands).
12：15
Jump aboard the Urato Islands Ferry bound for Hojima.
Along the way, the ferry will stop at Katsurashima Island, Nonoshima Island, Ishihama Wharf and Sabusawa Island. Take in views of the local aquaculture – oysters, nori and wakame – as you pass through Matsushima Bay, and enjoy the scenes of island life as you watch locals and visitors ‘hop’ between the islands.
14：00
Arrive at Sabusawa island, where your guide, Togawa-san, will be waiting for you with a brilliant white smile beaming from his sun-tanned face!
Before exploring the island, sit down to some ‘shima-meshi’ (island food) prepared by Togawa-san’s wife Eiko-san! Return to ‘Togawa-ya’, the cosy minshuku (guesthouse) run by Togawa-san and his wife, Eiko-san. Tuck-in to a delcious meal featuring fresh ingredients from the land and sea of Urato Islands. Be blown away by the generous hospitality as Eiko-san tells you it’s ‘nothing much’ !
16：00
Spend the afternoon exploring the island with Togawa-san, discovering hidden spots that only a local would know as you learn about the fascinating history and culture of the Urato Islands.
Drop-by Togawa-san’s field to pick some fresh veggies to eat with dinner!
Settle in for the evening and enjoy the quiet of island life. Embrace the serenity of ‘island time’ and watch the sun go down over Matsushima Bay.
Day Two
Awaken to another beautiful day on the islands! Fuelled-up on a breakfast on more island blessings, it’s time to show your gratitude and get to work on the farm!
8：30〜
There are few young hands on the islands to support the local agricultural and fisheries industries. Use your visit to make a difference by providing support to the Togawa’s with your time and your own two hands.
Depending on the time of your visit, activities can include rice-planting (May), rice-harvesting (Oct) or other farmwork. Experience for yourself the hardwork and passion that goes into producing each grain of rice, the origin of Urakasumi’s ‘Sabusawa’ Junmai Ginjo.
Lunch
Take a break at one of Togawa-san’s favourite scenic spots, Maehama Beach, with a simple lunch of onigiri rice-balls made from the same sasanishiki rice!
1６：３８
Return to shore and ‘reality’ with a new appreciation of the islands, the producers, and the future of the Urato Islands!
‘Island time’ flies by, and before you know it you’ll hear the approach of the Urato Island Ferry heading back to the mainland.
Say goodbye to the islands – but not for long. Your new friends will be waiting to welcome you ‘home’ to Urato Islands soon!
1８：００
After cleaning up and saying goodbye to the Togawa’s, return to the mainland and celebrate your hardwork with a delicious pairing dinner at Chez Nous, featuring local ingredients paired with several varieties of Urakasumi sake (including Junmai Ginjo ‘Sabusawa’).
| Trial period | May 1, 2022 – October 31, 2022 |
| Size | 2 – 8 persons |
| Price | 2persons：35,000yen / person 4persons：30,500yen / person 6persons：29,000yen / person 8persons：28,200yen / person ※With through interpreter guide：＋30,000yen |
| Sign-up Deadline | Reservation accepted one month prior to tour date |
| Reserve | Request Reservation（Click here to request） |
| Contact | Inoutbound Sendai Matsushima Inc. tours@inoutbound.co.jp |
