Takayama Sake Brewery Row

Takayama's compact old town contains six sake breweries, identifiable by their cedar ball (sugidama) signs, all drawing from the pure mountain water of the Northern Alps. Each brewery has its own tasting room where visitors can sample seasonal and limited-edition sakes. The Hida climate, with its heavy snowfall and cold winters, creates ideal brewing conditions. The annual Sake Brewery Open Day in winter allows access to normally restricted brewing areas.