Attracxi: From Cask to Glass – Tohoku’s Craft Journey with Local Cuisine

Accompanied by a guide with an international sake sommelier qualification, you will visit three different types of breweries—whisky, craft beer, and wine. The experience culminates in a special dinner with the winery owner, who will share stories about the terroir of Tohoku’s food and drinks, making this a truly unique program.

OUTLINE

MEETING PLACE

TOUR COURSE

9：00

Your guide-driver, holding certifications as an International Sake Sommelier and Onsen Sommelier, will be there to welcome and pick you up.

A private luxury vehicle will be arranged.

14：30

Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery

As the factory tour requires advance application (from one month prior), we will arrange it after your booking is confirmed. If unavailable, your guide will provide a personalized tour instead.

Miyagikyo Distillery – Tour Highlight

• Founded by Masataka Taketsuru in 1969
  
  Nikka’s second distillery, located in a lush valley west of Sendai, chosen for its clean water, cool climate, and natural surroundings—ideal for whisky maturation. whiskipedia.com+3ニッカウヰスキー+3VISIT MIYAGI+3

• Unique Natural Environment & Water Source
  
  Surrounded by forest, with two pure streams (the Hirose and Nikkawa Rivers), the air is clean and humid, and the water has very low hardness. All of this contributes to Miyagikyo’s smooth, floral, and fruity whisky profile. ニッカウヰスキー+1

• Production Style & Techniques
  
  Uses pot stills heated by steam, with design features (bulging necks, upward lyne arms) to create delicate aromas and light-bodied malt. Also has Coffey stills for producing grain whisky used in blends and signature Coffey range expressions. ニッカウヰスキー+2whiskipedia.com+2

• Flavor Profile
  
  Miyagikyo whiskies are known for elegance: floral and fruity with orchard notes, gentle spice, and a soft, refined character—quite different from the bolder, smoky style of Yoichi. ニッカウヰスキー+2VISIT MIYAGI+2

• Visitor Experience
  
  Visitors can take a 70-minute tour that includes the founder’s story, the whisky-making process, pot stills, Coffey stills, and warehouse aging. Tasting included. Multilingual headsets available.

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The photos are quoted from this website:

https://www.nikka.com/distilleries/miyagikyo/visit/

 

16：40

Great Dane Brewing – Tasting

Great Dane Brewing – Tour Highlight

1. Craft Beer Heritage from Wisconsin, USA
   
   Founded in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994, Great Dane Brewing brings decades of brewing expertise and a strong reputation for quality craft beer.

2. First Overseas Location in Akiu, Sendai
   
   In January 2024, Great Dane opened its very first international branch in Akiu, a hot spring area near Sendai, creating a new attraction for visitors.

3. Brewpub Experience with Local Pairings
   
   The Akiu facility combines a brewery with a restaurant offering up to 16 freshly brewed beers on tap, paired with dishes that blend local Tohoku ingredients and Midwestern American flavors.

4. Scenic Location and Easy Access
   
   Situated in the natural surroundings of Akiu Onsen, the brewery is just 30 minutes by car from central Sendai. The design offers a touch of international flair while harmonizing with the local landscape.

5. Rising Recognition and Popularity
   
   Although new to Japan, Great Dane has already gained attention from local media and beer enthusiasts, with award-winning brews and an atmosphere that appeals to both craft beer lovers and casual travelers.

   

17：30

Akiu Winery – Winery tour with the owner

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Akiu Winery – Tour Highlight

• Rebirth After Disaster & Regional Revitalization
  
  Akiu Winery was established in 2015 in Akiu Onsen, Sendai, with the aim of reviving Miyagi’s wine industry after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. It also seeks to support local producers and connect people, culture, and industry through wine tourism. 

• Prime Terroir: Climate, Soil, and Location
  
  The winery and its vineyards are located about 30 minutes by car from central Sendai, on a south-facing slope in a valley between mountains, with the Natori River cutting through nearby. Cool breezes from the valley help moderate temperatures in summer, preserving acidity in grapes and aiding ripening. The soil contains tuff and gravel from local “Akiu stone” (a type of tuff/pyroclastic rock), giving wines a distinct mineral character.

• Variety of Grape Types & Innovation
  
  Akiu grows approximately 12 grape varieties, including Merlot (red), Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Albariño (white), and also trialing others for climate adaptability. They are testing new/hybrid varieties as well, aiming to find blends and grapes that best express the region’s terroir.

• Wine-Making Method & Quality Control
  
  The winery uses stainless steel tanks of various sizes, precise temperature control, high hygiene protocols (steam-boiler cleaning, ozone water), and selective viticulture to ensure healthy grapes. Their winemaking aims to highlight aromas, maintain freshness, and produce wines that pair well with local cuisine. 

• Food & Wine Pairing Experience
  
  There is a restaurant / tasting shop on site where visitors can enjoy wine tastings, shop wine and wine-related items, and dine with food sourced from local farms. The experience emphasizes pairing the wine with local ingredients, reflecting the flavors of Tohoku.

  The experience culminates in a special dinner with the winery owner, who will share stories about the terroir of Tohoku’s food and drinks, making this a truly unique program.