Poetry in Motion: Mizu-manju making, masu making, sake brewery and tasting tour in Ogaki
Ogaki, long known as the "City of Water," is a town where pure spring water and eternal history coexist in harmony. During the Edo period, it flourished as a post town on the Tokaido road, and even today traces of that time remain everywhere. Walking through the town, you will encounter famous spring water springs everywhere. Among them, along the Mizumon River, famous as the "place where the narrow road to the deepest depths is completed," you can enjoy the picturesque scenery while following in the footsteps of Matsuo Basho.
While making use of the ancient techniques of water transportation and sake brewing, you can experience a culture that has been nurtured together with water through traditional craft experiences such as making mizu manju (a type of jelly) and masu (a wooden box made with sake).
This is a town with a unique charm where the stories woven by water are closely linked to the lives of its people. Enjoy a special experience in this water city where tradition and innovation intersect.
Overview
- Season
- 2025/4/1～2025/10/31 (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri)
- Activity Time
- 6 hours
- Place
-
Funamachi Base (example)
2-1 Funamachi, Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, 503-0923
- Detail
-
[Departure point] JR Ogaki Station, South Exit
[Arrival point] JR Ogaki Station, South Exit
[Meeting time] 9:15
[Number of participants] 2 to 8 people
[Detailed Schedule]
・9:15 - Depart Ogaki Station
・9:30～10:15 - Mizu-manju making at Funamachi Base (introductions, preparations, kneading, steaming)
(A: Traditional sake brewery tour and sake tasting)
10:30～11:10 Walk to Miwa Shuzo Sake Brewery, tour interior of brewery, sake tasting
(B: Traditional masu making craft)
10:30～11:30 Walk to Masu Workshop Masuya, make a traditional masu with guidance and explanation from a craftsman
・11:40～13:00 - Light refreshments and dessert at Funamachi Base, including deliciously chilled mizu-manju.
* After lunch, you have free time to explore the Funamachi area (Oku no Hosomichi Musubi no Chi Memorial Hall, nearby natural spring water sites (jifunsui), Funamachi Port, Sumiyoshi Lighthouse and more).
Then, depart for Ogaki Station by taxi.
・13:30 - Arrival at Ogaki Station, dispersal
* This itinerary is an example
[Reference price] From 34,300 yen per person
[Recommended points]
● Dotted with fresh, gushing springs throughout its region, Ogaki lives up to its name, the “City of Water”, from days of old. It also features an epic history that blends seamlessly into the present, having flourished as both a post town and a castle town on the Tokaido Highway during the Edo period, with vestiges of a bygone era sketched into its visage, remaining to this day.
● Make your very own mizu-manju, a classic staple of summer in Japan, using fresh spring water. Learn about how the locals keep cool in the sweltering summer heat as you relish your handmade Ogaki dessert.
Choose between the following as part of this course, A or B
A: Traditional sake brewery tour and sake tasting
With traditional Japanese sake brewing designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024, the popularity of sake has continued to grow from strength to strength. Get to know all about the magic that goes into brewing bottles of delicious sake as well as its illustrious history and important place in Japan through this sake brewery tour at the renowned Miwa Shuzo Sake Brewery, which includes sake tasting. Only available for those 20 years or older.
B: Traditional masu making craft
Make your own masu through this very special workshop at Masu Workshop Masuya! Masu are wooden boxes that were used to measure an old and treasured Japanese art, and of course, a masu of your very own creation. rice in Japan during the feudal period, but are now largely used for drinking sake. Ogaki is Japan's largest masu producer, with 80% of the country's masu produced here. Hammer, glue, and shave fragrant pieces of Japanese cypress under the careful guidance of an experienced craftsman and walk away with new knowledge of an old and treasured Japanese craft, and of course, a masu of your very own creation.
● Enjoy a delicious, light meal of onigiri (Japanese rice balls) made of Gifu Prefecture-produced Hatsushimo rice cooked in the pure waters of Ogaki. You will also be having your very own handmade Ogaki specialty, the refreshing mizu-manjuu as dessert!
[Contact Information]
Discover GIFU
Phone number: +81-(0)58-265-4831 (weekdays 9:30-17:30)
Email address: customer@gifu-tj.jp
- Precautions
-
Please choose between the two activities available within this course.
A: Traditional sake brewery tour and sake tasting
B: Traditional masu making craft.
The chosen activity is done as an entire group (ie everyone).
Option A (brewery tour and sake tasting) is only available to participants who are at least 20 years old.
