©kokunokura
HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Experience Sake Tasting in Usa
Go on a sake tasting journey at the Koku no Kura brewing facility in Usa City
Usa City, Oita Prefecture
Usa City in Oita Prefecture has been the region’s granary for centuries. Thanks to these abundant agricultural resources, Usa also has a thriving sake tradition, with seven breweries dotted around the area. The city is also the top producer of wheat shochu in Japan.
Sanwa Shurui, the largest brewery in Usa, established Karashima Koku no Kura, a sake experience facility, in May 2022. Here you can not only taste a variety of local sake for a small fee, but also participate in brewery tours to learn about the process of sake-making. The tours are for a maximum of 5 people, so be sure to reserve in advance.
Visitors who don’t drink are also well catered for at the stylish Mugi no Kura café located in the surrounding park, where you can enjoy delicious foods and beverages made with local ingredients. Afterwards, relax in the spacious garden, where younger guests are welcome to play outdoors.
How to get there
From Hakata Station, take the Sonic express train to Yanagigaura Station (about 1 hour 30 minutes). Then take the Oita Kotsu bus to Go Station, from which it is a four-minute walk to Karashima Koku no Kura.
4-3 Karashima, Usa-shi, Oita-ken
