Culture & Traditions

OVERVIEW

Browse a cultural museum housed in the former estate of the region’s largest landowners and enjoy a tasting of sake that has been brewed in a traditional manner for more than a century. While visiting the Northern Culture Museum, you will gain insight into eight generations of the Ito family, who made their fortune through agriculture. Following World War II, their entire estate was donated to preserve its cultural importance. As you will discover, the complex includes multiple residences furnished with rare antiques, a banquet hall, tea house and granary that can hold 3,000 bales of rice. The surrounding Niigata Prefecture is still renowned for its rice, the main ingredient in the sake produced at the DHC Brewery. While touring this landmark institution, you will learn about the production of its Japanese rice wine and sample its main brand of sake, Koshino-Bairi. It is known for its smooth, clean finish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the former estate of the region’s largest landowners, which is now a cultural museum.
• Come away with an understanding of how the local culture changed over eight generations.
• Tour a brewery that has been producing sake from local rice for more than a century.
• Sample a selection of sakes that feature different characteristics.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.