What if two flight attendants who have flown around Japan and overseas would guide you through Hiroshima before they fly away from Hiroshima Airport
Recommended for the following people
- People who want to buy special souvenirs
- People who want to experience the charm of the sake capital
- People who like delicious food and alcohol
Ms. Sato (left) / Ms. Phillips (right)
Japan Airlines Flight Attendant, JAL Furusato Support Team (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Ms. Sato
Born in Hiroshima, Ms. Sato joined JAL Express in 2006 and worked as a flight attendant on domestic flights. After the merger with JAL, she also worked on international flights. Her husband is an aircraft mechanic, and they enjoy eating out together.
Ms. Phillips
Ms. Phillips joined JAL in 2007. She has worked as a cabin attendant in first class on international flights and on domestic flights. Resident of Higashi-Hiroshima City since her marriage with her British husband, she is a mother of two children.
The JAL Furusato Support Team was established as part of JAL's "Furusato Project" to support the revitalization of local communities. Members selected are active in the 47 prefectures across Japan.
Ms. Sato and Ms. Phillips, who are members of the Hiroshima support team, travel around Japan and overseas as flight attendants, helping to uncover the charms of Hiroshima by planning and promoting local products and participating in events. They will guide you on your trip to Hiroshima in the Mihara and Higashi-Hiroshima areas near Hiroshima Airport. They will share with you some of Hiroshima's best-know and still-undiscovered products found in their daily work.
“What if two flight attendants who have flown around Japan and overseas would guide you through Hiroshima before they fly away from Hiroshima Airport”
Sakagura doori - Sake Brewery Street
Travel time : 30 minutes
1/6
Strolling around Saijo, one of the three most famous brewing regions in Japan, with Nada and Fushimi.
Nishijohonmachi, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima 739-0011
Take a photo on a picturesque street.
Learn about the different breweries and check out the snacks.
Although I was not born and raised here, I feel strangely nostalgic and relaxed when I visit the Sake Brewery Street. The black-and-white latticework of the “namako” walls and the sugitama (ball of cedar branches that is traditionally hung in the eaves of sake breweries) make it hard to resist photographing. (Sato)
As a resident of Higashi-Hiroshima City, the Sake Brewery Street is a must-see on a trip to Hiroshima! You can enjoy the differences of seven breweries, such as Fukubijin Shuzo, which has a display of colored papers of "Kuni-shu" tasted by successive prime ministers. Others include Kameari Shuzo, which has a full range of goods for sale, and Saijotsuru Shuzo, which has delicious “daiginjo” ice cream. (Phillips)
Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight AttendantSome of the breweries have wells where you can freely draw brewing water. You can try in the street bread, okonomiyaki, and other delicacies made from this water.
Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight AttendantIn Higashi-Hiroshima, close to the airport, you can see airplanes in “gear down” (the state before landing) up close. Don't miss the colored manholes with airplanes on them!
Nishijohonmachi, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima 739-0011
10-minute walk
Kamoizumi Sake Brewery - Shusenkan
Travel time : 60 minutes
2/6
Drink and compare sake at the Shusenkan,
Enjoy a wide variety of sake sweets.
Experience Kamoizumi's famous sake at the cafe, open on weekends and holidays.
The Kamoizumi Sake Brewery's cafe, "Shusenkan," specializes in sake and coffee, and offers a variety of sake sweets such as "Sake Manju and Green Tea Set" and "Sake Fruit Cake and Hojicha Set," which can be enjoyed even by those who do not drink sake.
We ordered a sake tasting set. You can enjoy "COKUN", "Junmai Umeshu" and "Junmai Daiginjo Namaishu" in this fruity tasting set, and you can taste a little of each to help you choose a souvenir.
- Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
If you want to buy souvenirs that aren't sake, how about pure rice wine beauty products such as sheet masks and bath salts? I once received one as a souvenir and was hooked!
- Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
My favorite is the "phantom sake jar" where you can buy a glass bottle and fill it with sake by weight. The bottles can be used over and over again, and I love that they are eco-friendly.
10-minute walk
Kamotsuru Sake Brewery Tour Room
Travel time : 45 minutes
3/6
Learn about sake brewing and take a commemorative photo as if you were a brewer.
Movie screenings and “toji” (master brewer) tours are also available.
Experience and shop at the newly renovated tour and direct sales area.
The Kamotsuru Sake Brewery has a spacious sales area where visitors can learn about the sake brewing process through exhibits and videos. Sake brewing tools such as vats and wooden barrels are also on display. There are also many photo spots where you can take commemorative photos as if you were a brewer. (Sato)
There are many points of interest, such as the sake brewing movies that constantly play, and the sake tasting space. Depending on the day, you can also take a tour of the brewery with a “toji” (master brewer), so check out the website for more information. The spot in front of the red brick chimney of the second brewery is my husband's favorite spot to take pictures! (Phillips)
- Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
The gold leaf in the "Gold Kamotsuru" is in the shape of my favorite cherry blossom! The sake cup with the cherry blossom motif is cute and makes for a gorgeous gift.
- Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
Note the brewery's limited-edition sake is only available here, such as "Kuradashi Genshu" and "Koukei Shu Sanjusango." The elegant “yuukyou” cups are also popular with our overseas friends.
3-minute walk
France-ya
Travel time : 60 minutes
4/6
Sake dining directly managed by Kamotsuru.
Let’s try the original "Bishu Nabe"!
Japanese-style set menu meal for lunch and a la carte for dinner, paired with sake
This is a wonderful restaurant with a machiya-style building and antique decor. As a flight attendant, I can learn a lot from the way the dishes are prepared and the attitude of the service. You can order the "Bishu Nabe" for lunch or dinner, which is seasoned with only sake, salt and pepper. (Sato)
Filled with locally grown vegetables, the "Bishu Nabe", a specialty of Saijo, is a must-try dish. The alcohol content of each dish has been removed, so children and those who don't like alcohol are welcome. They offer a wide variety of lunch dishes during the day and a la carte dishes to enjoy pairing with sake at night. (Phillips)
- Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
I have fond memories of a pep talk I received from a fellow mom friend when I returned to work after maternity leave.
The upscale décor is perfect for special occasions. - Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
Non-alcoholic sparkling Hiroshima lemon cider and apples are also available for those who do not drink alcohol.
45 minutes by car
Setouchi Brewery
Travel time : 60 minutes
5/6
Visit a local brewery for a meal.
Select wine and cider souvenirs.
1-5-26 Sunanishi, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 723-0032
For reservations and inquiries, please visit the website.
A wide variety of products made from local ingredients are available, so you can choose one that will support the local community!
The Setouchi Brewery was built on the site of a former shipyard, and has an excellent location with a view of the Seto Inland Sea and islands. The wine and cider lineup includes “Mihara New Berry A”, “Tojo Cidre”, and other wines and ciders made from locally grown fruit. The fact that the brewery was established for the purpose of contributing to the local community is also attractive. (Sato)
Of course, you can choose wine as a souvenir, but the "Restaurant mio", attached to the brewery, has a nice open interior. If you go to Mihara Pier from here, you can take a limousine bus to the airport, so you can enjoy a tea time at the end of your trip to Hiroshima. (Phillips)
- Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
As part of the Furusato Project Team, we were involved in the restoration of this vineyard that was damaged by a flood. We are looking forward to the wine that will be produce.
- Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
As a flight attendant, I have many colleagues who are certified sommeliers. They are also very knowledgeable about local wines, so they are very enthusiastic about choosing souvenirs.
1-5-26 Sunanishi, Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 723-0032
For reservations and inquiries, please visit the website.
45 minutes by car
Hiroshima Airport BLUE SKY
Travel time : 30 minutes
6/6
A souvenir store operated by an affiliate company of JAL.
It's a convenient place to buy items you forgot to buy before boarding.
64-31 Zeniriji Hiraiwa, Hongo-cho, Mihara City, Hiroshima 729-0416 Hiroshima Airport, 2F, in the domestic boarding area
0848-86-8620
This is a hole-in-the-wall shopping spot that only people with boarding passes can enter.
This is the last stop on our fun-filled trip to Hiroshima. Check at the airport to make sure you haven't forgotten anything or left any loose ends ☺. BLUE SKY, located in the area past the baggage checkpoint, is the perfect place to stock up on souvenirs. You can find a variety of Hiroshima products and JAL original goods. (Sato)
If you're tired of carrying heavy souvenirs to the airport, we recommend shopping at BLUE SKY. If you present your JAL card, you can get 5% off, which is a nice service. (Phillips)
- Ms. PhillipsJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
This Hiroshima-only “okonomiyaki” sauce, which is certified as an authentic Hiroshima brand, is not sold outside of the prefecture, so you will be happy to take it home as a souvenir.
- Ms. SatoJapan Airlines Flight Attendant
The "CA mirror" sold here is an essential item for flight attendants. It is light and unbreakable, and is useful for fixing your makeup and checking your teeth after meals.
64-31 Zeniriji Hiraiwa, Hongo-cho, Mihara City, Hiroshima 729-0416 Hiroshima Airport, 2F, in the domestic boarding area
0848-86-8620
Editor's Note
Higashi-Hiroshima is a compact city packed with history, tradition, and rich nature. The Mihara and Higashi-Hiroshima areas near the Hiroshima Airport are also full of delicious food. It is recommended to rent a car and drive around the area.
JAL Furusato Support Team will continue to passionately promote attractive locally made products and specialties to people all over Japan and the world.
Ms. Sato (left) / Ms. Phillips (right)
Japan Airlines Flight Attendant, JAL Furusato Support Team (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Ms. Sato
Born in Hiroshima, Ms. Sato joined JAL Express in 2006 and worked as a flight attendant on domestic flights. After the merger with JAL, she also worked on international flights. Her husband is an aircraft mechanic, and they enjoy eating out together.
Ms. Phillips
Ms. Phillips joined JAL in 2007. She has worked as a cabin attendant in first class on international flights and on domestic flights. Resident of Higashi-Hiroshima City since her marriage with her British husband, she is a mother of two children.