Shochu Brewery Tour in a Gold Mine – Ride the Trolley into a Historic Underground Cave in Kagoshima
Descend by trolley into the underground world of shochu.
Tucked away in Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, lies a brewery unlike any other in Japan: Satsuma Kinzangura. Built inside the tunnels of a former gold mine, it is a one-of-a-kind underground aging cellar where the legacy of Satsuma's gold rush meets the soul of authentic Japanese shochu.
Your journey begins above ground, where you board a small trolley that slowly carries you deep into the historic mine shaft. As the daylight fades behind you, the air turns cool and still — the tunnel maintains a constant temperature year-round, creating the ideal environment for shochu maturation. When you arrive at the underground brewery, rows of shochu barrels stretch into the dim light, as if you have stepped into a completely different world.
After the tour, enjoy a tasting flight of 8 different shochu and sake crafted by Hamada Shuzo — including barley, sweet potato, and rice-based varieties, plus a gold-leaf plum liqueur unique to this brewery. A professional guide will walk you through the depth and diversity of Kagoshima's world-renowned honkaku shochu culture.
Whisky and wine lovers will discover a new appreciation for the artistry of Japanese shochu — a spirit with centuries of history and a flavor profile shaped by the very earth it ages in.
Please note: this premium course is accompanied by a professional English-speaking interpreter guide, so guests can fully enjoy the tour and tasting even without any Japanese. The listed price is for the premium course (the 8-variety tasting experience with an interpreter guide); a tour-only course without tasting is also available on an inquiry basis. Reservations are made on an inquiry basis, and the listed price includes a service fee that differs from the on-site rate at the facility.
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Highlights
- A world-rare experience: ride a trolley deep into a former gold mine to reach an underground shochu cellar. The constant year-round temperature inside the tunnels creates the perfect environment for shochu maturation.
- Premium course with an English-speaking interpreter guide: after the tour, sample a flight of 8 different shochu and sake from Hamada Shuzo — including barley, sweet potato, and rice-based varieties — with expert commentary delivered through a professional interpreter guide, bringing Kagoshima's honkaku shochu culture to life even for first-time visitors.
- Original commemorative gift included: participants in the tasting course receive an original Satsuma Kinzangura souvenir (contents vary by season) — a memorable keepsake from your journey into Japan's deepest brewery.
Schedule
What's Included
- Professional English-speaking interpreter guide
- Trolley ride into the underground gold mine tunnel
- Guided tour of the underground shochu brewery and aging cellar
- Tasting flight of 8 shochu and sake varieties
- Original commemorative gift
Meeting Point
Satsuma Kinzangura (13665 Noshita, Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture)
The operator will provide the exact meeting point after booking
Important Information
Reservations on an Inquiry Basis
This experience is offered on an inquiry basis. Please contact us in advance to check availability and confirm your booking.
Operating Days and Departure Times
Tours operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only, with two departures per day at 11:00 and 14:00. Maximum capacity is 40 people per departure.
Pricing Notice
The listed price is for the premium course (8-variety tasting with an interpreter guide) and includes a service fee that differs from the on-site rate at the facility.
Tour-Only Course (Without Tasting)
A tour-only course without the tasting is also available on an inquiry basis. Please contact us for details and pricing.
Age Restriction for Tasting
The 8-variety tasting course includes alcoholic beverages and is limited to guests aged 20 and over.
Do Not Drink and Drive
Drunk driving is strictly prohibited by law in Japan. If you plan to participate in the tasting course, please arrange alternative transportation.
Professional Interpreter Guide
This premium course is accompanied by a professional English-speaking interpreter guide. The tour itself is conducted in Japanese by the facility, and the interpreter guide ensures you can fully understand and enjoy the experience in English.
Underground Environment
The mine shaft maintains a constant cool temperature year-round. A light jacket or blanket is recommended. The tunnels are dim and narrow in places, so please consider your physical condition before participating. There are no restrooms inside the mine shaft.
Contact us for booking details
Cancellation fees are calculated based on how far in advance you cancel, relative to the experience's start time. • 168 hours (7 days) or more before the start time: Free of charge (full refund) • Less than 168 hours and 72 hours (3 days) or more before: 30% of the booking fee • Less than 72 hours and 24 hours (1 day) or more before: 50% of the booking fee • Less than 24 hours before, or no-show without prior notice: 100% of the booking fee • Cut-off times are based on the experience's local time.
