Business
Experience Japan Through Sake: byFood and KOKUBU Launch Exclusive Brewery Journey for International Travelers
SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN, April 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A rare cultural experience combining a 200-year-old sake brewery, chef-crafted cuisine, and

About this update from Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.
[{"type":"text","content":"Selected guests are welcomed personally by the brewery owner Chefs from restaurants featured in famous gourmet guides show off their skills Enjoy a delicious pairing with treasured sake SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN, April 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A rare cultural experience combining a 200-year-old sake brewery, chef-crafted cuisine, and immersive storytellingTokyo, Japan — As international travel to Japan reaches unprecedented levels, a new premium experience is inviting global travelers to discover Japan through one of its most iconic cultural traditions: sake. Tablecross Inc., the company behind the global food tourism platform byFood, has partnered with KOKUBU Group Corp., one of Japan’s most historic food and beverage distributors, to launch an exclusive sake brewery journey designed for international visitors seeking deeper cultural experiences. Now available through byFood, this curated experience allows guests to step inside a 200-year-old brewery, meet the artisans behind Japan’s most celebrated drink, and enjoy a refined culinary pairing created by a renowned sushi chef. The experience was first piloted in November 2025 at Tamura Sake Brewery, a historic brewery founded in 1822 in Fussa, Tokyo, where participants described the tour as “one of the most authentic cultural experiences in Japan.” Why this experience is gaining global attentionJapan’s inbound tourism has entered a new era of growth.In 2025, the country welcomed 42.7 million international visitors, surpassing 40 million travelers for the first time in history. Visitor spending also reached a record 9.5 trillion yen, reflecting strong demand for experiential and culturally immersive travel.At the same time, interest in Japanese sake is expanding rapidly worldwide.According to Japan’s National Tax Agency, exports of Japanese alcoholic beverages surged in 2024, with sake exports growing by 106% in both value and volume.As a result, international travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that go beyond sightseeing—seeking opportunities to understand the craft, philosophy, and heritage behind Japanese food culture.This new program was designed specifically to meet that demand. A journey into the culture of sakeThe experience has been developed in collaboration with IRIS Inc., a company known for designing sake tours that focus on storytelling and cultur...