As I type this I’m enjoying the taste of Hakushika Ginjo Namachozo sake, which was a free gift I got when I visited the Hakushika Memorial Sake Museum 白鹿記念酒造博物館 in Nishinomiya, Hyogo. Part of the Nadagogo region of sake breweries, this museum is divided into 2 parts, Sakagura-kan and Kinen-kan with a connected restaurant Hakushika Classics.
Sakagura-kan was the most interesting consisting of the authentic sake brewing tools, with good explanations written in Japanese and English. There is also a room which exhibits the damage done during the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in 1995.
Across the road, the large plain brick building hosts Kinen-kan. This is a more modern exhibition space with ancient documents related to trade of sake in the region, works regarding cherry blossoms in the region and seasonal exhibitions. When I visited there (March 2020), a large collection of traditional hina dolls were on display.
Hakushika Classics has a gift shop and restaurant with set meal prices form ¥1800.
Photography is allowed in Sakakura-kan. Entrance is a combined ticket and ranges from ¥200 to ¥500 depending on the exhibition. I paid ¥400 and got the free 180ml sake (I’m note sure if this is a continuous promotion or I just got lucky). Hakushika Memorial Sake Museum was an enjoyable spot to visit. Roughly 10 minute walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station.
