Satoyama Fermentation Cycling

5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English

A Refined Encounter with Nature and Fermentation Pedal through the gentle landscapes of Maniwa’s satoyama countryside on an e-bike, where every turn reveals a blend of natural beauty and cultural depth. Along the way, enjoy private visits to sake breweries and vinegar cellars, each steeped in tradition and excellence. Pause for a specially prepared fermentation-inspired lunch, savoring the harmony of local ingredients and artisanal techniques. This slow, guided journey combines wellness, culture, and indulgence – a unique cycling experience designed for the discerning traveler.

What's Included

Drinks not included
Use of bicycle
Transportation costs to the meeting place

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

A guide holding a “Katsuyama Fermentation Heritage Tour” sticker will be waiting in front of the ticket gates at JR Chugoku Katsuyama Station.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1

    Okayama Prefecture's Maniwa City is home to the "Katsuyama Preserved Streetscape District," a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where an atmospheric townscape dating back to the Edo period remains. The district is lined with white-walled storehouses and merchant houses with lattice windows, and the sight of uniquely designed "noren" (traditional Japanese curtains) adorning the eaves of each house captivates visitors. In this district, cafes, galleries, and souvenir shops utilizing historical buildings are scattered throughout. Visitors can enjoy a stroll while experiencing traditional Japanese culture and crafts. The ever-changing expressions of the noren over time are also one of its charms, making it a soothing tourist spot where you can feel the leisurely flow of time.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2

    "Hinoki Plant Dyeing and Weaving Studio Gallery," nestled in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, is a place where you can immerse yourself in the world of plant dyeing, born from the rich nature of the Hiruzen Highlands. Beautiful textiles and small items, dyed using traditional plant dyeing techniques that extract colors from cypress (hinoki) leaves and bark, as well as other plants, are exhibited and sold here, allowing visitors to feel the warmth of handcrafted goods. Please enjoy a special time touching upon the simple yet profound aesthetic woven from nature's bounty and the artisan's skill.

    10 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 3

    Would you like to experience the charm of traditional Japanese culture and food at "Gozen-shu Brewery Tsuji Honten," a long-established brewery with over 300 years of history, located in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture? Here, through a brewery tour, you can learn about the history of sake brewing and the profundity of fermentation, enjoy a tasting comparison of soft and hard water, and sample our proud sake. After the tour, please savor a special lunch at the restaurant attached to the brewery, featuring local ingredients and fermentation techniques. Afterwards, you can purchase limited edition sake, fermented foods, and other perfect souvenirs at the shop. Experience fermentation gastronomy at a brewery where tradition and innovation breathe.

    1 hour 40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    At "Kono SuMiso Manufacturing Factory," a long-established company founded in 1895 and located in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, you can observe the production site of vinegar and miso, which are integral to Japanese food culture. Here, you can learn firsthand about the traditional fermentation process, seeing how rice and soybeans transform into fragrant vinegar and umami-rich miso through the power of microorganisms. After observing the manufacturing process, filled with the craftsmanship and dedication of artisans, you can enjoy tasting and sampling their proud vinegar, miso, and processed products made with them. Experience the depth of Japanese cuisine with all five senses, and take home unique specialties that can only be found here as souvenirs.

    50 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by 真庭観光局

Tags

Mountain Bike Tours
Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Art Tours
Sake Tasting
Sake Brewery Tour
Bike Tours
Small Group
Food & Drink
Adventure Tours

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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