Daily Schedule

❖ Hotel Pick-up

09:30

The bus and English-speaking guide will pick you up at your accommodation within Tokyo’23 wards, and the journey begins as you board the Bar-on-Bus.

❖ Moriya Service Area Break

10:20 - 10:40 (20 min)

A 20-minute break at Moriya Service Area, which features a food court with six restaurants, a stylish bakery, a vegetable market, and shops offering delicacies, sweets and traditional Japanese confections, providing a shopping experience akin to a department store basement.

❖ Yasato Distillery: Whisky Tasting and Lunch

11:30 - 12:50 (1:20 h)

Located in the tranquil satoyama landscape of the Yasato area, with views of Mount Tsukuba, Yasato Distillery began operations in 2020. During the guided tour, expert staff walk you through the whisky-making process and offer an up-close look at the brewing and distillation of Hinomaru Whisky.

Lunch includes a plate of house-made prosciutto from the on-site Hitachino Ham Workshop BARREL SMOKE, natural-yeast bread made with buckwheat bran from Hitachi Aki Soba, grilled vegetables using fresh Ibaraki produce, and a seasonal soup, served within the distillery while gazing out at the scenic view of Mount Tsukuba.

After lunch, you can shop for limited-edition Hinomaru Whisky bottles, original glassware, and cured meats such as prosciutto, bacon and sausages produced at BARREL SMOKE.

Tasting: three varieties of Hinomaru Whisky, including distillery exclusives.

❖ Tomobe Service Area Break

13:20 - 13:40 (20 min)

A 20-minute break at Tomobe Service Area, known for its wide selection of local gourmet foods and souvenirs made with ingredients like Hitachi beef, Tsukuba pork, Okukuji eggs, natto, melons and sweet potatoes. It is a favourite among drivers for its delicious offerings.

❖ Nukata Brewery: Beer Tasting

14:15 - 15:15 (1:00 h)

Nukata Brewery is the production site for Hitachino Nest Beer. Equipped with state-of-the-art brewing facilities, it supplies beer not only domestically but also to fans in about 50 countries across America, Asia, and Europe. Although the brewery is not usually open to the public, this tour offers a special guided visit, including tastings.

Tasting: two varieties of Hitachino Nest Beer.

❖ Konosu Sake Brewery: Sake Tasting

15:45 - 17:00 (1:15 h)

Established in 1823, Konosu Sake Brewery is the heart of Kiuchi Brewery’s operations, producing not only sake such as Kikumori but also wine, shochu, plum wine and cider. Enjoy a guided tour and sake tasting led by knowledgeable staff.

The premises also house Nakaya, a soba restaurant built in the traditional kura style, and a shop where you can sample and purchase freshly brewed sake and original products.

Tasting: two to three varieties of Kiuchi Brewery’s sake.

❖ Hotel Drop-off

18:30

The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.

❖ About Bar-on-Bus

The bus features a bar counter with taps, allowing you to enjoy a variety of Kiuchi Brewery’s beverages, including Hitachino Nest Beer, Hinomaru Whisky, Hinomaru Gin Kura Fudo Soda Mix and Kiuchi Umeshu, in a free-flow setting during stops and while on the road.

The green exterior, adorned with the iconic owl logo reminiscent of Hitachino’s landscapes, was designed by Mitsuhiro Ikeda of DRAWER, known for numerous branding projects; the handcrafted feel reflects Kiuchi Brewery’s commitment to craftsmanship in sake-making.

The interior, inspired by a bird’s nest in homage to Hitachino Nest Beer, was created by Jamo Associates, renowned for sophisticated adult spaces like Trunk Hotel. Wooden elements run throughout the bus to create a cosy atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your drinks.

Menu offerings: Hitachino Nest Beer (two types), Hinomaru Whisky (straight, on the rocks, highball), Hinomaru Gin Kura Fudo Soda Mix, Kiuchi Umeshu (straight, on the rocks, soda mix) and soft drinks.

❖ About Kiuchi Brewery

Founded in 1823 in Naka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kiuchi Brewery is a long-established sake brewery producing sake, beer and whisky. Their flagship Kikumori Yamada Nishiki Shiboritate, made with the highest-grade sake rice Yamada Nishiki, is known for its floral aroma and crisp taste.

In 1996 they began producing the craft beer Hitachino Nest Beer, recognisable by its owl label, now sold in over 40 countries worldwide. Notably, Hitachino Nest Beer Nipponia, made with the revived Kaneko Golden barley, domestic hops and sake rice, has garnered significant attention.

Kiuchi Brewery ventured into whisky production in 2016, and their Hinomaru Whisky, distilled at the Yago Distillery in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, has won numerous awards at international competitions including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 and the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition 2025.