Okayama Prefecture, known as the “Land of Sunshine,” has long annual sunshine hours and is very well suited to growing sake rice.
Sake has been brewed in this area for a long time, and among its regions, Bitchu is also a place where local sake has been cherished for many years, with breweries that have been in business for over 100 or even 300 years.
An event where visitors could savor this historic Bitchu sake, “Aboard the Ibara Railway! Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train,” was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
Drawn in by the phrase “a sake brewery on the move” on the flyer, I decided to take part.
Here’s a look at the event, which was a dream come true for sake lovers.
The information presented was accurate when this article was published in March 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train?
The Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train was an event held on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
On the local Ibara Line, which connects Soja City in Okayama Prefecture with Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture, local sake brewers board the Yume Yasuragi train, where you can compare Bitchu sake while hearing the brewers talk about their passion for sake-making.
The Yume Yasuragi train is an event train operated by the Ibara Line, and began service in 2005. It was designed by Mitoka Eiji, who was born in Okayama Prefecture and worked on projects including the “Kyushu Shinkansen” and “Seven Stars in Kyushu.”
For this event, it runs as a “brewery on the move.”
The train ride runs from Kannabe Station to Kiyone Station. Even after getting off the Yume Yasuragi train, you can enjoy the local specialty kibisoba noodles and local sake at Toraiya Honpo in the Bikan Historical Area, and buy souvenirs at Jizakeya, a sister shop of Toraiya Honpo. The event offers a full day of enjoying Bitchu local sake.
The event was jointly planned by Kurashiki City, Fukuyama City, and Shimoden Sightseeing Bus as part of the Takahashi River Basin and Bingo Region Tourism Collaboration Project.
With local sake as its theme, the event invites people to visit the Bitchu region, taste its sake, and experience the region’s charms with all five senses.
I took part in the event
On the day of the event, the skies over JR Fukuyama Station were brilliantly clear.
A map showing the meeting point had been mailed to my home in advance, so I checked it as I made my way to the bus.
The map was easy to follow, and I arrived without getting lost.
The bus was almost full. Some people were taking part on their own.
First, we took a bus from JR Fukuyama Station to Kannabe Station on the Ibara Line.
During the ride, the tour attendant explained the day’s schedule and precautions.
The warning that particularly stuck with me was: “There are many irrigation canals in Kurashiki City, so please watch your step when walking after drinking.”
I live in Kurashiki City, so I’m used to the irrigation canals, but it seemed that many of the participants were from Fukuyama City, and they were surprised to hear the announcement. It was a moment when I felt the differences between regions in an unexpected way.
About 30 minutes after setting off, we arrived at Kannabe Station on the Ibara Line and waited for the Yume Yasuragi train on the platform.
Boarding the Yume Yasuragi train, “a sake brewery on the move”
At last, the much-anticipated Yume Yasuragi train pulled into the platform.
Many people took commemorative photos, and the platform filled with a lively atmosphere.
As I admired the cute, retro train, I caught a glimpse through an open door of brewery staff preparing the local sake. Seeing the bottles lined up on the table made me even more excited.
The train’s calm interior had a warm, wood-paneled feel, and there was also a restroom near the entrance. It’s reassuring to have restroom facilities at an event involving food and drink.
When I went to my assigned seat, I found a brochure for each participating brewery, a purchase list, and a plastic bag containing a bottle of water and snacks at every seat.
There was also a guide to the local sake, which looked useful for recording my impressions.
If you write down the sake you like on the purchase list, you can pick it up later at the local sake shop we’ll be visiting.
Shipping is free for orders of four bottles or more, so you can shop without worrying about carrying them around.
Greetings from Shiragiku Sake Brewery and Kumaya Sake Brewery
The breweries aboard this train were Shiragiku Sake Brewery in Takahashi City and Kumaya Sake Brewery in Kurashiki City.
First, representatives from each brewery gave a few words of greeting.
Shiragiku Sake Brewery was founded in 1886 and is a long-established brewery with a history of more than 130 years.
Kumaya Sake Brewery celebrated its 308th anniversary in 2024 and is known as the oldest brewery in Kurashiki City.
I love sake and often go out drinking around Kurashiki City. Whenever I visit an izakaya that serves local sake, I almost always see sake from Shiragiku Sake Brewery and Kumaya Sake Brewery. I was very happy to meet the brewers in person this time.
The local sake sightseeing train ride lasts about an hour and a half. You can taste four kinds from each brewery, for a total of eight kinds of local sake.
The sake was promptly poured into cups and brought to our tables.
I was seated closest to the brewery representatives, and I found it heartwarming to see them setting everything up in such a friendly manner, saying, “We’d like to have a sip too.”
Tasting eight kinds of local sake
Sake was placed on every table, and at last the train set off.
First, Kumaya Brewery and Shiragiku Brewery each served two kinds of sake perfect for a toast.
A representative from Shiragiku Brewery began introducing the sake, adding a humorous remark that drew laughter: “I can tell you’re all eager to start drinking right away, but please bear with us a little longer.”
The first selection included the following local sakes. A full lineup of distinctive Bitchu sake.
- Junmai daiginjo made with Omachi rice, a sake rice variety native to Okayama Prefecture
- Lightly sparkling sake, perfect for a toast
- New sake freshly pressed in January 2024
- Sake made with Yamada Nishiki rice grown locally
Conversations like “Which one should I try first?” could be heard throughout the train. Discussing what order to drink them in made it clear this was an event bringing together sake lovers.
After everyone toasted together, representatives from each brewery came around to the seats and shared even more in-depth insights about sake.
When I asked, “Is there anything distinctive about Bitchu sake?” I was told that many Bitchu sakes are described as hojun umakuchi—rich and mellow, with a pronounced umami flavor.
I also learned all sorts of fascinating things about the types of rice used in Bitchu sake and how they differ, how sake is made, and the differences between sake bottles—the kind of knowledge you’ll want to share with someone. The brewery representatives really are sake professionals.
When we had finished drinking, four more kinds of local sake were brought out. An announcement introducing them followed.
At first I wondered, “Can I really drink eight kinds?” But the flavors vary depending on the rice and brewing water used, so I never got tired of tasting them.
We could also get refills of the local sake we liked.
As the brewery representatives made their rounds, the atmosphere in the train car grew livelier, and comments about the sake could be heard from all around.
I also struck up a lively conversation with the woman sitting across from me: “This is delicious,” and “Which one do you like?” It’s a special pleasure of this event that local sake brings people together in conversation.
Looking around the lively train car, I saw that many participants had brought their own snacks. Some were eating kamaboko, while one group was nibbling on small fried shrimp.
Most of the tables were shared, but conversations everywhere revolved around local sake.
By the time we were pleasantly tipsy, the train had arrived at its final stop, Kiyone Station.
After saying goodbye to the Yume Yasuragi train and everyone from the breweries, we headed by bus to the Bikan Historical Area.
A stroll through the Bikan Historical Area and dinner at Toraiya
On the way to the Bikan Historical Area, the tour conductor handed out walking maps of the area.
Since we had free time in the Bikan Historical Area before dinner, the tour conductor introduced sightseeing spots and recommended souvenirs.
Many of the participants at this event were from outside Kurashiki City, so it was nice to get this kind of information.
When we arrived at the Bikan Historical Area, we all first checked the location of Toraiya, where dinner would be served, and then our free time began.
We had about 40 minutes of free time, so I took a break at Kurashiki Ivy Square with a takeout cup of burdock root potage.
I passed some of the other participants along the way. Some were visiting souvenir shops and buying Kurashiki specialties, enjoying the shopping in the Bikan Historical Area. As a Kurashiki resident, I was happy to see people buying souvenirs from the area where I live.
Our free time was over in a flash. When we returned to Toraiya, we were shown to a tatami room on the second floor.
On the table, alongside three bottles of local sake, was a spread of locally sourced dishes, including matsuri-zushi, a Kurashiki regional specialty; kibi soba, a Toraiya specialty; and Chiyagyu Beef steak, made with Okayama’s branded beef.
The local sake served at Toraiya came from a different brewery than the sake on the sightseeing train.
I quickly exchanged pours with the person I was sharing a table with, and we toasted.
The sightseeing train had already brought everyone together in a friendly atmosphere, so the sake went down easily.
There were plenty of dishes, so we had ample opportunity to enjoy the food and sake pairings.
The matsuri-zushi came in a bento box, and anyone who couldn't finish it could take the rest home.
The writer was already full from drinking sake, so this thoughtful touch was much appreciated.
Some tables had sake left over, but in that case, it was fine to share the extra with other tables.
Once everyone was thoroughly satisfied with both the food and the sake, we split into small groups and set off for the local sake shop.
Buying Souvenirs at the Local Sake Shop
The local sake shop stocks a wide selection of distinctive sake made in Okayama Prefecture.
Here, you can shop for souvenirs and pick up the sake you wrote on your purchase list aboard the sightseeing train.
The shop sold not only local sake but also a wide variety of snacks to enjoy with drinks.
As I looked at the local sake lined up in the refrigerator, I spotted bottles from Kumaya Sake Brewery and Shiragiku Sake Brewery, which we had visited aboard the sightseeing train.
After hearing directly about a brewery's passion and dedication, you find yourself wanting to try its other brands, too.
Some people took their time deciding on their own which local sake to buy, while others shared recommendations with fellow participants. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely shopping break in their own way.
I also bought a bottle of local sake that caught my eye. Having learned about the different characteristics of local sake at this event made it easier to choose one that suited my taste.
After finishing our shopping, we returned to the bus with directions from the tour conductor.
Feeling happy about the weight of our souvenirs, we set off for JR Fukuyama Station, where we had first gathered.
From the Writer
The Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train was a wonderful event where we could learn about the appeal of Bitchu sake, not just enjoy drinking it.
I sometimes ride the Ibara Railway in my everyday life, but the sightseeing train felt like a little getaway, and I was thoroughly satisfied by how much it felt like a full trip despite being just a day trip.
True to its name, “the sake brewery on wheels,” the event offered excellent value, letting us enjoy 11 kinds of local sake in half a day. I also heard many people asking for a second event to be held.
I joined this event because I wanted to experience the local sake of the area where I live, and drinking while listening to the makers talk about their passion and share interesting facts gives the sake even more depth than usual.
I hope more events that introduce the appeal of local areas through their sake will be held in the future.
Details: Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train from Ibara Railway
| Name | Bitchu Local Sake Sightseeing Train from Ibara Railway |
|---|---|
| Date | February 24, 2024 (Saturday), from 1:00 p.m. |
| Location | Ibara Line and Bikan Historical Area |
| Participation fee (tax included) | ¥10,000 |
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