16 million yen per night! The most expensive sake brewery tour in the world* Luxury sake brand SAKE HUNDRED launches new service to enrich private jet travel July 23.

SAKE HUNDRED’s Hakuso sparkling sake served on tours exploring Aso area where Hakuso is brewed. Tours organized and sold by SKYTREK Co.

2024.07.23 05:00

株式会社Clear

SAKE HUNDRED, a Japanese sake brand (operated by Clear Inc.; Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryuji Ikoma), began offering a new service on July 23, 2024, to add a rich sake experience to overnight tours planned and marketed by SKYTREK Co. These tour plans include a visit to a SAKE HUNDRED partner sake brewery in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, where SAKE HUNDRED's sparkling sake Hakuso is brewed. The tour also includes an exlusive pairing dinner with SAKE HUNDRED brand owner Mr. Ryuji Ikoma. SAKE HUNDRED aims to continue to focus on providing real-world services, including travel, that bring sake experience to satisfy the spirit.

*Data based on survey conducted by company, based within scope of existing package tours

Exterior view of the private jet "Falcon 2000LXS (maximum 10 passengers)

At 16 million yen per night, this makes the tour package the world’s most expensive sake brewery tour.

SAKE HUNDRED, a sake brand whose brand purpose is "To Fill Hearts and Color your Life" of people around the world, launched the service in cooperation with SKYTREK, a company specializing in planning and marketing private jet tours, to provide consumers with a truly one-of-a-kind sake experience. These tours will visit Kawazu Sake Brewery, the brewer of Hakuso, in Aso.

Tour details here:

https://www.skytrek.co.jp/tours/aso_sakehundred/

SAKE HUNDRED’s Hakuso is brewed by its partner brewer in Aso

Private jet "Citation Mustang" (maximum capacity of 4 passengers)

SKYTREK which provides on-demand transportation services by private jet and other small aircraft. The two companies made for a natural fit through a shared desire to provide extraordinary experiences to their customers.

Hakuso

Cockpit of the private jet "Citation Mustang (maximum capacity of 4 passengers)

Background information on the tour, expectation of the expansion of affluent travel and Japan’s national policy emphasizing more spending and promotion of regional tourism.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, in 2019, affluent travelers from five Western countries, Australia, and China alone will account for 1% (287,000 people) of all travelers and 11.5% (approximately 550 billion yen, equivalent to 1.8 million yen per person) of total consumption in Japan.

The "The New Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan," approved by the government cabinet in March 2023, emphasizes traveler spending rather than the number of visitors, and is also focused on attracting visitors to regional areas. The reason for this is that tourists who travel to and stay overnight in rural areas have higher overall spending and are expected to have a positive impact on local economies. The national government's consumption target among foreign visitors to Japan is 5 trillion yen (4.8 trillion yen in the previous year), and 22 trillion yen for domestic travel (21.8 trillion yen in the previous year) by 2025.

(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "White Paper on Tourism," 2024 edition, with additional commentary by Clear)

However, the Kanto, Kinki, and Chubu regions with large cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya are still the most popular travel destinations. On the other hand, when looking at other regions, Kyushu is the next most popular destination for both domestic and foreign travelers, as shown in the survey results of the Tourism White Paper.

(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "White Paper on Tourism," 2024 edition, with commentary added by Clear.)

Kyushu is home to Aso, which is included in the government's "11 model regions for creating high value-added inbound tourism destinations.” Aso is home to Kawazu Sake Brewery, SAKE HUNDRED’s brewing partner for Hakuso.. SAKE HUNDRED believes that it can provide an experience that explores the gastronomy of the region and contributes to interest in the local community. These are particularly high interest areas for travelers.

(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "White Paper on Tourism," 2024 edition)

This tour will offer a special trip by private jet, and guests will be able to fully enjoy the world of SAKE HUNDRED, including an introduction to Hakuso by brand owner Ikoma*, a visit to the Kawazu Sake Brewery, and a pairing dinner with the full lineup* of SAKE HUNDRED. The program will also include a tour of the Kawazu Sake Brewery.

*Some contents may vary depending on the plan.

Private jet Hakuso toast

The trip starts with boarding the jet. Passing through the gate for private jet passengers, guests will enter the aircraft. The Citation Mustang (maximum capacity of 4 passengers) is the world's smallest jet aircraft and can take off and land on short runways, making it suitable for use at many airports in Japan. The Falcon 2000LXS (maximum capacity: 10 passengers) is an environmentally friendly aircraft. It is also equipped with facilities for enjoying food and beverages, and guests will be offered Hakuso as a toast beverage while enjoying the scenery from the sky.

*Some contents may vary depending on the plan.

View from the aircraft

Onboard the private jet Falcon 2000LXS

Hakuso brewing partner Kawazu Sake Brewery

Hakuso is brewed by Kawazu Shuzo, a sake brewery established in Oguni Town, Aso County in 1932. The original sake brewery has existed for about 150 years. The yeast used in brewing Hakuso is Kumamoto yeast, which was created in the area. It produces fresh fruit aromas that evoke apple and muscat. Kawazu Shuzo's third-generation brewer, who strives to create new value while using traditional methods, will give a guided tour of the brewery.

Kawazu Brewery

Close-up of the gentle effervescence of Hakuso

The Aso Caldera and Water

Aso volcano was created about 270,000 years ago and has been active since. Around the caldera, there are vast grasslands that have been maintained by people for more than 1,000 years. Aso's groundwater springs from beneath the cliffs at the foot of the mountains and has become something of a communal resource for people in the area. Water is an important and significant component of sake, and the water used for Hakuso is natural spring water from the headwaters of the Chikugo River, which is part of the Aso Kuju Mountain range. It is soft water with a hardness of 35mg, soft and smooth on the palate. Its subtle sweetness creates a synergy with the sweetness of the rice used in brewing Hakuso. The tour will take guests directly to the caldera to take in the area’s rich nature and the Aso Shrine built inside the caldera.

Scenery of Aso

Aso at night

Pairing dinner and overnight stay at Gekkoju Kurokawa

Kurokawa Onsen is a secluded hot spring located deep in Aso. Its secluded location makes it a gorgeous hideaway with one of the most notable moon views in Japan. SAKE HUNDRED’s lineup will accompany guests to their stay here. Guests can expect great food, great sake and a truly luxury experience surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.

Kurokawa Hot Spring

Gekkoju Kurokawa

Tour Outline

Tour Name:

“Tour around Aso, the birthplace of heart-warming sparkling sake”

Tour itinerary:

Two days and one night, according to the guest’s choice of itinerary

Places to visit:

- Kawazu Brewery

- Aso Caldera drive

- A Visit to Aso Shrine

- Kurokawa Onsen (stay at Gekkoju Kurokawa)

^ SAKE HUNDRED pairing dinner

Price:

Private Jet (Max. 10 passengers) 2 persons per room

　　　　　　　16,000,000 yen (including service charge and tax)

Private Jet (Max. 4 persons) 2 persons per room

　　　　　　　4,990,000 yen (including service charge and tax)

Without private jet, 2 persons per room

　　　　　　　990,000 yen (including service charge and tax)

*The lineup of sake pairings and guided services by the brand owner differs depending on each plan.

*Other tour details will be adjusted according to the number of guests and their requests.

Travel planning and execution:

SKYTREK Corporation, Registered Travel Agency No. 2029 / Regular member of Japan Association of Travel Agents

Tour details page:

https://www.skytrek.co.jp/tours/aso_sakehundred/

Positive feedback from early guests

Prior to the official release of this tour, the following comments were received from SKYTREK's VIPs:

“I think this tour is a must for sake lovers because you can learn about the history of sake in Aso and enjoy pairing the sake with meals.”

“I have never been to Kurokawa Onsen, and although I like sake, I am not familiar with sparkling sake, so I would like to enjoy it if I have the chance.”

Applications for the tour are being accepted from the official release of the tour on July 23, and details will be decided after consultation with each guest.

Comments from Mr. Keita Nagahori, Representative Director of SKYTREK:

“Our mission is to provide people with high-value experiences through air transportation. By traveling in the sky, we can see Japan from a three-dimensional perspective and imagine the history of each region, while actually touring the area on our own feet, we can view travel from a new perspective. This plan in partnership with SAKE HUNDRED makes that exact kind of experience possible”

Keita Nagahori, Representative of SKYTREK

Outline of SKYTREK

SKYTREK Corporation provides on-demand connections between Japanese regions and cities, accelerating private and business travel and making air travel more accessible for a new era of mobility.

Company Name : SKYTREK Corporation

Location: 2A KAIS, 6-13-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052

Representative ： Keita Nagahori, President

Establishment ： June 30, 2016

Capital ： 50 million yen

Business ： Travel agency, Registered travel agency No. 2029 by the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency

URL ： https://www.skytrek.co.jp/

Comments from Ryuji Ikoma, brand owner of the SAKE HUNDRED sake brand

“SAKE HUNDRED is moving on to a new stage. We will collaborate with the tourism business to meet the growing inbound needs in Japan and to convey the appeal of sake at an even higher level. A private jet is one of the most special of all experiences. Drinking SAKE HUNDRED's Hakuso several thousand meters in the air will surely be an unforgettable experience for guests. Flying in the sky, touring Aso where Hakuso was born, enjoying a pairing dinner, and relaxing at a hot spring ryokan traditional Japanese inn is bound to be an experience of a lifetime. We hope you will enjoy this special experience with SAKE HUNDRED sake.

SAKE HUNDRED Brand Owner Ryuji Ikoma

Outline of SAKE HUNDRED

SAKE HUNDRED is a sake brand that offers unparalleled value, with the brand's purpose of "To Fill Hearts and Color your Life" of people around the world. As a premier global brand, SAKE HUNDRED contributes not only to the taste buds, but also to the spiritual fulfillment of its customers, and aims to help build rich relationships between people. SAKE HUNDRED is committed to providing the physical, mental, and social satisfaction that comes from a superior experience.

SAKE HUNDRED Membership Registration:

https://jp.sake100.com/account/register

Outline of Hakuso

Hakuso is a light-colored sparkling sake evoking freshly-fallen snow and featuring a clean, pure aroma. With a gorgeous transparency and sweet flavor profile, Hakuso also boasts gentle, creamy effervescence achieved through in-bottle secondary fermentation..

Product name: Hakuso

Producer: Kawazu Brewery (Kumamoto Pref.)

Content: 720 ml

Price: 30,800 yen (tax included, shipping not included)

https://jp.sake100.com/products/hakuso