Higashikawa Rice & Sake Journey
This little-known land at the foot of Mt. Asahidake is known in North Hokkaido for its fresh water. And where there's good water, there's good rice... which means, good sake!
JR Biei Station,
JR Asahikawa Station
May ~ Mid Oct
09:00~ 6 hrs
Have you heard of Higashikawa? This small town tucked away at the foot of Mt. Asahidake is most well-known among hikers visiting to summit Hokkaido's tallest mountain. For residents of North Hokkaido, however, its name is synonymous with its fresh spring water, flowing from Daisetsuzan National Park itself. And as any Japanese will tell you, where there's good water, there's good rice... which means, delicious sake!
On this tour, we'll start by making our way to Daisetsuzan Gensui Park, a beautiful forest park in Higashikawa with a special feature... a freshwater spring, flowing from the peaks of the nearby mountains! We'll take a short walk through the forest to the source. A reusable water bottle will be gifted to you as part of this tour, which you can use to collect some of the fresh spring water to try for yourself.
This water is used to flood Higashikawa's vast rice paddies, which we'll enjoy a view of as we enjoy a picnic lunch, purchased on Higashikawa high street (please pay yourself on the day). After we enjoy the views, we'll make our way to a nearby sake brewery. Although we won't be allowed to go inside the warehouse, a window inside the shop looks in on the process. Of course, you can taste their goods for yourself - and make a purchase, if you wish!
After visiting the sake brewery, we'll head back to Biei or Asahikawa station and say our goodbyes.
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This experience is not available on Sundays or Mondays.
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Pick up is not available from JR Furano Station. If you are staying in Furano and wish to join this tour, please take the train from Furano to Biei.
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Participants under the age of 20 (the legal drinking age in Japan) or participants planning to drive immediately after the tour may not partake in sake tasting.
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There are no toilets at Daisetsuzan Gensui Park. Please use the facilities at JR Asahikawa Station or JR Biei Station before departing. There will be no toilets until we reach Higashikawa high street.
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The walk at Daisetsuzan Gensui Park is not challenging, but please wear comfortable shoes that you do not mind getting dirty (gum boots are available on rainy days if you wish).
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We can provide you with rental sun hats and rain ponchos if you do not have your own,
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In the event of rain, the picnic lunch will be changed to eating indoors at a public space in Higashikawa.
Price (Per Group)
¥30,000
*Maximum 4 People, Minimum Age 12
Included
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Services of your Dohoku Local
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Pick-Up & Drop-Off at JR Biei or JR Asahikawa Station
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Sun hats, ponchos or gum boots if needed
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Reusable water bottle gift
Not Included
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Picnic lunch costs (pay on the day)
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Purchases at the sake brewery
*Please make sure you wear comfortable shoes for this tour. Non-cotton socks are also advised to prevent blisters.
Terms & Conditions
We know, it's boring.
But if you'd like to join an experience, there are some particulars.
We appreciate your taking the time to read this before booking!
1. The minimum age for this experience is 12 years and above but your child must be happy to walk fairly long distances without sitting down. 2. The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old. Regardless of the drinking age in your country, anyone below this age may not participate in sake tasting. You may be asked to show your ID by staff at the sake brewery. 3. Lunch may vary depending on availability of shops on Higashikawa high street. 4. Bookings are accepted a minimum of 3 days in advance. Unfortunately we cannot accept bookings later than this. 5. Please let us know if you have any health or mobility issues that may affect you on this experience. 6. Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards your Dohoku Local or Higashikawa townspeople will not be tolerated. 7. The participant accepts that they bear responsibility for any accident or injury, except for those caused by negligence or poor behaviour on the part of their Dohoku Local. 8. We reserve the right to cancel the reservation on the spot with no refund given if any of the T&C are breached. 9. Cancellation Policy: Full refund if cancelled by you, the participant, more than 24 hours before the experience. 100% cancellation fee if cancelled within 24 hours of the experience. Unfortunately we do not accept illness or injury as mitigating circumstances. If we have to cancel the experience due to unforeseen circumstances on Dohoku Local's end, a full refund will be given.