What other travelers are saying about Shimomura Sake Brewery
During my year-end trip to Hyogo and Okayama, I stopped off at Shimomura Sake Brewery, known in Oku-Harima. Blessed with the cold weather and high-quality water of Harima, this historic brewery has continued to brew sake while placing importance on handcrafting. Visiting here, I was reminded of why Oku-Harima is so popular.
Since it was the end of the year, I was able to sample many new sakes, carefully examining the freshness, rice flavor, and range of flavors that only freshly brewed sake can offer. The brewer's explanations were thorough, and after listening carefully, I made my selection and purchased a limited-edition, freshly pressed new sake as a New Year's gift! I was so glad to be able to secure several bottles of seasonal varieties!
Since I had booked a hotel in Tsuyama that day, I headed straight there after touring the breweries. Thanks to my wife who drove, I was able to relax and enjoy tasting and shopping. It was a very satisfying visit to the brewery, where I was able to fully enjoy Harima sake and buy some souvenirs!
The brewery has used the same handmade production process since 1884 without introducing machinery. Since 2008, it produces only Junmaishu (pure rice sake) using rice, rice malt, and water with no additives. Staff members handle both brewing and sales.
Yes. The direct sales store offers tastings of most Okuharima varieties. The brewery produces approximately 22 to 23 different sake varieties using Yamada Nishiki and Hyogo Yume Nishiki rice.
By car, the brewery is about 10 minutes from Yamasaki Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway or 20 minutes from Yumesaki Smart Interchange. For public transportation, take the Shinki bus bound for Yamasaki from JR Himeji Station on the Sanyo Main Line for approximately one hour, then get off at Anji stop and walk about five minutes. Free parking is available on site for visitors arriving by car.
The direct sales store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no regular closing days. Admission to the store is free. Visitors can browse, taste, and purchase sake without any entry fee.
Located in Yasutomicho, which is 90% mountain and forest. The area provides clean mountain water, pure air, and locally grown Yamada Nishiki rice. Cold winter air from the Chugoku Mountains creates optimal fermentation temperatures.
Visited on December 9, 2025
They kindly explained the sweet and dry flavors and let me try a few.
I bought the Yamahai Junmai Strong Nama, which was delicious.
I'd definitely like to visit again.
It's within driving distance of my parents' house, and I finally got to Shimomura Sake Brewery, which I've always wanted to visit, and was able to buy some Oku Harima!
The atmosphere in the store was great, and the staff were very friendly and I was very satisfied.
I'll definitely be back every time I visit my parents' house (*^^*)
This brewery produces only unfiltered junmai sake. Various types of Okuharima were lined up in the spacious direct sales store, which also has a rest area.
After agonizing over my choice, I bought a junmai ginjo unpasteurized sake made with Yamadanishiki rice polished to 55%.
I enjoyed the refreshing taste, with a clear ginjo aroma, a tangy spiciness, a slight umami flavor, and a subtle bitterness that were well balanced.
I'm looking forward to trying their other sakes as well.
This brewery produces the highly acclaimed "Oku Harima" brand of sake, even in Hyogo Prefecture, a famous sake producing region. I stopped by here on my first visit of the year to Yasukamo Shrine, and bought some New Year's sake, "Hatsuhinode," and the Yamahai "Harumachi Kogarete."
