This is not a fixed-schedule group tour. Each journey is privately arranged based on your interests and preferred travel dates. To respect the daily lives and work schedules of local hosts, brewers, farmers, and artisans, the itinerary is customized for every booking. Tours are available for groups of two or more guests. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your travel plans.
Sake, Nature, Food, and Local Connections in Rural Nagano
Sakuho is a small mountain town in Nagano Prefecture, blessed with clear water, rich forests, and fertile farmland.
The people you meet here are not simply sake brewers, farmers, guides, or artisans. They are people who have chosen to build their lives, work, and communities in this small mountain town.
A sake brewer who continues a family tradition while creating new connections within the community. A moss guide who shares the beauty of the forest he calls home. Farmers and producers whose work is shaped by the region’s water, climate, and seasons.
Rather than simply visiting attractions, this journey invites you to spend time with the people who shape everyday life in Sakuho.
Through food, nature, sake, and conversation, you’ll discover a side of Japan that most visitors never see—and meet people you’ll remember long after the journey ends.
＜Experience Hosts＞
Takao Kurosawa
6th-generation head of Kurosawa Sake Brewery
Takao Kurosawa is the sixth-generation head of Kurosawa Sake Brewery. After studying brewing at Tokyo University of Agriculture, he chose to first work at a pickle manufacturer, gaining experience in a different industry before returning to the family brewery in 2001.
Together with his younger brother, he has continued the tradition of sake brewing while also building new connections with the community. He launched the Yachiho Bijokai, a customer-participation sake owners’ club, and has been developing new products by applying his background in pickle production.
He also revived the Kurosawa Series, introduced innovative methods such as dam storage aging, and continues to balance tradition with innovation in sake brewing.
Yudai Yamaura
3rd-generation owner of Seitaiso & Moss Guide
Yudai Yamaura is the third-generation owner of Seitaiso, a mountain lodge in Northern Yatsugatake. Fascinated by moss, he even dyed his hair a “moss color,” earning him the affectionate nickname “Moss Uncle” among locals.
After graduating from high school, he worked at a local company, but when his father, Kiyoshi, fell ill, he took over the lodge at the age of 25. Since then, he has shared the beauty of moss and the Northern Yatsugatake region from his own unique perspective.
Living in the forest, he continues daily observations of moss and collaborates with experts through the Northern Yatsugatake Moss Association, contributing to research activities. Yamaura plays a key role in connecting the world of moss and the mountain lodge to the future.
Kiyoshi Suda
Suda Farm
Suda Farm – Producers of Fresh Prune and Apples
Suda Farm cultivates fresh prune and apples in Nagano Prefecture, which accounts for about 70% of Japan’s total Fresh Prune production. The farm’s head, Mr. Suda, is known for his kind and generous personality—he never says no when asked for help, and warmly welcomes Autabii tours even during the busiest harvest season.
Reflecting his character, the farm’s fresh prune and apples are gentle in flavor yet exceptionally delicious, making them a favorite among visitors.
Nobuyuki Sasaki
Yachiho Fisheries, Producer of “Shinshu Salmon”
Nobuyuki Sasaki of Yachiho Fisheries produces Shinshu Salmon, a brand that has become synonymous with Nagano. Shinshu Salmon is a hybrid of rainbow trout and brown trout, known for its sleek, silvery body and vibrant red flesh similar to salmon.
Sasaki’s Shinshu Salmon is highly regarded not only by local Italian and French chefs but also by long-established hotels and restaurants in Karuizawa, earning widespread trust for its exceptional quality.
Plan details
Kurosawa Sake Brewery – Brewery Tour
Kurosawa Sake Brewery was founded in 1858 (Ansei 5) by Risaemon Kurosawa. During the Meiji period, the brewery expanded into banking, textiles, miso and soy sauce production, and pharmaceuticals, supporting the development of the local community.
The sake business was passed on to the founder’s third son, Kashizo, and is now led by the sixth-generation head, Takao Kurosawa. Since its founding, the brewery has maintained its dedication to Kimoto-style brewing, producing sake using the soft waters of the Chikuma River and locally grown rice.
Normally closed to the public, the interior of Kurosawa Sake Brewery is personally guided by President Takao Kurosawa. He shares his deep passion for sake brewing and the traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Within the brewery grounds, visitors can also explore a small museum showcasing the history and culture of Japanese sake.
Observing Moss in One of Japan’s Premier Moss Forests, Northern Yatsugatake
At the entrance to Lake Shirakoma, a mysterious moss forest thrives with 519 different species of moss. From a distance, the moss appears like a green carpet, but when viewed through a magnifying glass, you can see the unique branching and leaf shapes of each species. The types of moss vary not only in appearance but also depending on where they grow, revealing a surprisingly deep and intricate world.
On this tour, moss guide Yudai Yamaura will lead you through the forest, introducing the hidden beauty and diversity of moss. Experience the calming atmosphere of Northern Yatsugatake as you encounter moss that changes its expression with the weather and light, offering a truly unique moment of relaxation.
Farm Tour and Apple Jam Making Experience
Guided by Mr. Suda, you will walk through the apple orchards, learning about the farm’s cultivation techniques and the care taken during harvest. After the tour, you can try your hand at making apple jam. This is a delightful experience where you can learn, taste, and take home your own creation.
A Special Experience at a Traditional Japanese House
At the experiential accommodation Furukusa, you will try traditional Japanese indigo dyeing (Aizome). Skilled artisans will guide you carefully, so even beginners can enjoy the experience with ease.
Experience cooking rice over a traditional kamado wood-fired stove
Note: During the experience, please change into the provided indoor clothing worn by guests and kindly cooperate with photo-taking.
Social Gathering with Locals
Enjoy a convivial evening with local residents, featuring dishes made from Shinshu Salmon and other local ingredients. You will also have the opportunity to taste and compare different sake from Kurosawa Sake Brewery.
Sample Journey
Day 1 – Meet the People of Sakuho Through Food, Craft, and Sake
Your journey begins at Saku-daira Station, where your guide will welcome you and accompany you into the countryside of Sakuho.
Start the day at Furukusa, a traditional farmhouse accommodation where you’ll experience everyday rural life through hands-on activities. Try traditional indigo dyeing, explore the historic property, and learn how to cook rice over a wood-fired kamado stove.
After lunch, visit Yachiho Fisheries to learn about Shinshu Salmon, one of Nagano’s local specialties. Hear directly from the people involved in its production and discover how the region’s clean water supports local food culture.
In the afternoon, join Takao Kurosawa, president of Kurosawa Sake Brewery, for a private brewery tour. Explore areas normally closed to visitors and learn about the history of sake brewing through the brewery’s collection of traditional tools and artifacts. Afterwards, walk through the historic Hozumi district, where generations of the Kurosawa family have helped shape the community.
The day concludes with a dinner gathering featuring local residents, seasonal cuisine, Shinshu Salmon, and a selection of Kurosawa sake. More than a meal, it is an opportunity to share stories and connect with the people who call Sakuho home.
Day 2 – Nature, Farming, and the Everyday Life of Sakuho
After breakfast at the ryokan, travel into one of the region’s most enchanting natural landscapes. Accompanied by local moss guide Yudai Yamaura, walk through an ancient moss-covered forest and discover the quiet beauty of this unique ecosystem.
Enjoy a lunch surrounded by nature before continuing to explore the culture and countryside of Sakuho. Depending on the season, visits may include local farms, cultural sites, and places that reflect the daily life of the region.
Later, visit Suda Farm for an orchard tour and hands-on jam-making experience. Learn directly from the farmer about apple cultivation in Nagano and create your own homemade jam using locally grown fruit.
In the afternoon, return to Saku-daira Station, bringing home not only memories of beautiful scenery, but also meaningful connections with the people of Sakuho.
Practical Information
| Dates | All year round (experiences available vary depending on the season) |
|---|---|
| Price | From ¥130,000 per person （English-speaking guide support included） |
| Minimum Participants | Minimum: 2 person Maximum: 6 people |
| Included in Price | • Private transportation during the experience • Accommodation • Meals listed in the itinerary • Experience and activity fees • English-speaking guide support • Coordination with local hosts |
| Meeting place | Sakudaira Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen) |
| Accommodation | Shino-ya Ryokan |
| What to Wear / Bring | ・Comfortable walking shoes ・Long sleeves and pants ・The moss forest gets chilly — bring a down jacket or equivalent |
| Payment Methods | Bank transfer or credit card (VISA, Master) |
| Additional Notes | ・Due to the nature of this being a monitor tour, some changes may occur. ・Please refrain from excessive perfume or hair products at the sake brewery. ・The tour is conducted in Japanese. |
| Travel Support | Travel Support During Your Journey To help you feel comfortable while traveling in rural Japan, support via WhatsApp is available throughout your journey for questions, coordination, and urgent matters. We primarily respond during business hours, though we will do our best to assist outside business hours whenever possible. |
| Language Support | Language Support English-speaking guide support is included throughout the experience. Italian-speaking support may be available upon request depending on availability and region. Please feel free to contact us for details. |
Meet the People of Sakuho
Want to learn more about the people you will meet on this journey?
Discover their stories and the passion behind each experience.
→ Discover their stories
