Top Kansai Sake Tasting

With so many varieties to choose from, learning to enjoy sake can feel intimidating. This guided tasting experience in Osaka is hosted by a former sake brewer who teaches you about the beverage's history and culture, as well as its brewing process, while you savor its diverse flavors through a curated flight of sake paired with seasonal dishes.

Sake—traditional rice wine—is Japan’s most famous drink, and Kyoto’s Fushimi District is renowned for its sake production, home to over 30 breweries. During this small-group experience, discover the wide varieties of sake and learn how to identify your preferences, led by a sake sommelier. Sample several different sakes, accompanied by tasty Japanese snacks, and leave with a cheat sheet to help you order your favorite sakes while in Japan.

This is not just a sake tasting — it’s a 3-hour experience that will completely change how you understand and choose sake in Japan. Led by a sake specialist, you’ll go beyond “sweet or dry” and learn how sake is actually made, why flavors differ, and how to identify your own preferences with confidence. Visit the historic Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, then enjoy a guided tasting of multiple styles of sake paired with traditional snacks — with clear, practical explanations you can use anywhere in Japan. By the end of the tour, you will know which type of sake you truly like and how to select it without hesitation - enjoy sake not just during your travels, but as part of your life.

Enjoy a delicious plate of Osaka’s most famous street food, takoyaki. Learn how to make your own grilled octopus balls in this cooking class. You’ll use your teacher’s secret recipe and special ingredients like Wagyu and cheese to make takoyaki that may be even better than what you can buy outside. Enhance the experience with a Japanese sake tasting led by a sake sommelier.

• Not just a tasting — learn how to choose sake like a local in Kyoto. • Taste 5 carefully selected sake varieties, including local Kyoto sake • Enjoy food pairings that highlight the unique flavors of each sake • Beginner-friendly explanations using simple and visual methods • Learn the basics of sake, including polishing ratios and brewing styles • Small group setting for a relaxed and interactive experience • Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and first-time sake drinkers

Learn all about the history and techniques of sake production—and taste a range of different sake styles—on this small-group Kyoto tour. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum for an immersive introduction to sake. Then, follow your guide to an atmospheric local bar where you can sample a range of different sake varieties. Learn all about sake—from its history and brewing processes to distinguishing its different tastes.

Ever wondered what your own taste in sake looks like—literally? At My Sake World Kyoto Kawaramachi, you don't just taste sake, you create it. Never tried sake before? Even better—our friendly English-speaking guides walk you through eight distinct sakes, then help you blend an original bottle using lab-style flasks and pipettes, no experience needed. This isn't a "watch the master" show. It's yours to shape: adjust sweetness, dryness, and aroma until you land on a flavor nobody else has ever made. Take it home in a bottle with a label you designed yourself—a memory made with your own hands, not bought off a shelf. Set in lively Kawaramachi, steps from Nishiki Market and Kiyomizudera, this fully indoor studio reimagines a centuries-old Kyoto blending tradition for today's traveler. Perfect for couples, friends, and curious first-timers who want a hands-on story to tell, not just a photo to post. Come curious, leave with a Kyoto memory only you could have made.

Osaka is nicknamed "Japan's Kitchen" thanks to its incredible food scene. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick which spots to go to. Skip the research and leave the navigation to your guide on this group tour, where you'll try a variety of dishes and two drinks throughout the evening.

Discover the authentic food, drinks, and nightlife loved by locals. Explore hidden gems tucked away around Dotonbori, the heart of Osaka, where locals gather after work. These spots rarely have English menus or English-speaking staff, but your local guide will be with you every step of the way, making the experience easy, enjoyable, and truly memorable. Immerse yourself in Japan's unique izakaya culture (Japanese-style pubs) as you eat, drink, and discover a side of Osaka beyond the usual tourist experience. With a maximum of just 3 guests per tour, you'll enjoy a personal and relaxed experience.

Supercharge your souvenirs during an *umeshu* and syrup-making workshop that helps you create your own bottle of stone fruit wine or syrup to take home. A small group promises personalized attention from your instructor as you learn about the heritage of the drink, which dates back a thousand years, and taste different types of umeshu to see which one you like best.

Private experience for 1–4 people — always your group only. Enjoy a relaxed and authentic experience in the heart of Kyoto. Discover the world of sake with Kenji, a certified international sake sommelier who spent many years working at a sake brewery in Hyogo. During the two-hour tasting, you'll have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of sake production from a professional insider. Kenji will guide you through how to order, enjoy, and appreciate Japan’s national beverage — while tasting several hand-selected sakes from across the country. Please join Kenji for sake and snacks at a very cool standing bar (no seats) in central Kyoto! Group size: 1 - 4 people

Nara's Great Buddha and free-roaming deer are the reason most travelers make the trip from Kyoto, and this private tour starts early enough to reach them before the tour buses arrive. Walk through Nara Park to Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and the hilltop hall of Nigatsu-do with a local guide, then round off the tour with a sake tasting at the Harushika brewery (own expense).

When visiting Osaka, it can be challenging to discover where the locals go to eat and drink. Join some Osaka residents for a night out, and come home feeling like you’ve made new friends. Your personable guides navigate a small group of eight or fewer to the izakayas and backstreet bars of Namba and Shinsaibashi, where you sample local food and drink throughout the evening.

Become truly immersed in traditional Japanese culture as you and your party members will enjoy the entire 300-year old historic property to yourselves. We serve organic matcha locally sourced from Kyoto, Uji in a traditional tea room. Enter into this space separate from the rush of life and truly experience the serenity of tea ceremony. Adorn an authentic silk wedding Kimono or wield a Samurai Katana to commemorate your visit to Kyoto! You are welcome to take photos during your visit. You can even bring the experience home with you as we offer a large array of Matcha Chawan (Matcha Tea Bowl) and authentic silk Kimono for purchase. An experience like no other being the only Samurai house in Kyoto with such offerings. We are able to offer this traditional space and still be very conveniently located only an 8 minute walk from Kyoto station, making this experience a seamless addition to your time in Kyoto.

Strap in for an electrifying tour through Fushimi’s sake paradise! Start at Gekkeikan, where tradition meets innovation. Dive into the Gekkeikan Museum to uncover the secrets of sake-making with interactive exhibits and ancient tools, then savor their top-notch sakes and snag some quirky souvenirs. Next, visit Kizakura, famous for its smooth, crowd-pleasing brews. Meet their playful "kappa" mascot and taste their smooth, approachable sakes while soaking up their fun, historical vibes. The grand finale is Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley—a tasting extravaganza featuring 18 different sakes! From bold to light, this spot has it all, promising a wild ride of flavors and unforgettable sips. Prepare for a thrilling sake adventure that’s packed with flavor and fun. Can you handle the ultimate sake challenge?

Some of Osaka’s best nights begin behind a door you might never open alone. After dark, Namba is full of tiny izakayas and standing bars with just a few seats and little English. These are not places built for tour groups, which is exactly why they feel personal. Your local guide helps you order, explains the drinks and brings you into the conversation. Visit three or four bars, starting with two included drinks at the first stop. Choose sake, a highball, a Japanese sour or whatever suits the night. After that, order only what you want at local prices, from regional sake and craft beer to each bar’s specialty. With no more than eight guests, the group can enter small bars that large pub crawls cannot. A great fit for travelers who want • A genuine night out • Small local bars that are hard to enter alone • New drinks explained by a local guide • A closer look at Osaka nightlife Budget about ¥2,500 for additional drinks. Same-day bookings are welcome.

Ride a recreation of the canal boat, once used to transport the barrels of Sake and Rice between Osaka and Kyoto Fushimi during the Edo period. Drift along the serene river while admiring the picturesque sake breweries that line the bank. A visit to the Gekkeikan Museum enriches your experience with insights into the local sake culture, followed by a delightful tasting of sake, giving you a true taste of tradition. - Cruise on the historic canal boat while enjoying scenic views - Discover the history and culture of sake at the Gekkeikan Museum - Experience a tasting of authentic sake Perfect for culture enthusiasts and sake lovers alike Explore the rich history of Japanese sake on this unique tour.

Osaka is home to some of Japan's best food, and this group sushi-making session is a great way to sharpen your culinary skills. Instead of just going out for sushi, why not learn how to make it at home, too? Eat when you're hungriest with classes in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Kobe: Nada-Gogo Sake Brewery Tour & Local Izakaya Dinner in Sannomiya Discover Kobe through sake, local food, and izakaya culture on this guided experience. In the afternoon, visit sake breweries in the famous Nada-Gogo area, a celebrated sake region. Learn the basics of Japanese sake, how it is made, how to enjoy it, and how it connects with local food culture. After the brewery visits, return to Sannomiya for dinner at a long-established local izakaya. Enjoy the warm atmosphere of a Japanese dining spot, order food and drinks with your guide’s support, and experience the evening like a local. Your guide is a Kobe-based Japanese language teacher who will explain everything in English, including sake basics, izakaya etiquette, toast expressions, how to order food, and the culture behind Japanese drinking and dining. This tour is perfect for travelers who want more than sightseeing — a mix of cultural learning, local flavors, and an authentic Kobe dining experience.

Discover the flavors of Kyoto on a guided tour through Nishiki Market, the city's famous culinary destination known as the "Kitchen of Kyoto." Explore over 100 local shops with a knowledgeable guide, sample authentic Kyoto specialties, and learn about the history, culture, and traditions behind the city's unique cuisine. Visit Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine before strolling through the vibrant market, where you'll discover local favorites, seasonal ingredients, and hidden gems that many visitors overlook. Your guide will also share insider recommendations to help you make the most of your time in Kyoto. ● Explore Kyoto's famous Nishiki Market with a local guide ● Sample authentic Kyoto specialties and seasonal delicacies ● Learn about Kyoto's food culture and culinary traditions ● Visit Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine and discover local hidden gems

Joining this tour will give you an insight into Japanese history and sake. SAKE Master will tell you the secret of excellent SAKE. You will know the difference with your tongue. Let's have fresh SAKE! You can also enjoy a set of 17 kinds of drinks compared with the top image that is famous on SNS. Why not embark on a journey to find the best sake while walking the streets of Kyoto with a local guide? Enjoy a very scenic view. Let's go together. ・Discover Fushimi's rich sake culture with a local guide. ・Visit three diverse sake breweries for tastings. ・Explore the historic Fushimi sake district, one of Japan's top regions. ・Uncover centuries-old sake-making secrets. ・Gain insights into sake production at the Gekkeikan Brewery, established in 1637.

Master the art of Japanese home cooking in the heart of Osaka with a cozy evening dedicated to izakaya-style dishes and sake pairing. This unique experience begins with a grocery run in a local supermarket, where you'll discover intriguing ingredients and brainstorm creative takoyaki fillings. Under the guidance of an English-speaking local, prepare savory dishes like crispy takoyaki, wasabi-marinated tuna, and chicken with mayo & ponzu, all while sipping on handpicked sakes. Enjoy the full spread of your creations in a relaxed, friend-like atmosphere, and take home a downloadable recipe pack to recreate the magic at your own gatherings.

Delve into Kyoto's vibrant culinary scene with an exclusive night food tour in the iconic Kiyamachi neighborhood. This all-inclusive experience invites you to savor local delicacies while immersing yourself in the cultural traditions that shape Kyoto's gastronomy. With a small group capped at six, you’ll enjoy personalized insights as you wander the charming streets, hear captivating stories, and taste dishes unique to the area. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll visit three carefully selected restaurants, each offering a distinct flavor of Kyoto—from traditional Kyoto-style tapas to seasonal specialties and locally brewed drinks. This journey through history and flavor ensures an unforgettable evening. All-inclusive tour: Dinner and three drinks provided Visit three local restaurants with unique Kyoto-style menus Small group size (maximum of 6) for an intimate experience Explore Kiyamachi's rich food culture and history Meet at the Family Mart near Gion-Shijo Station

Discover a slower, more personal side of Kyoto on this small-group bento and bicycle tour. Begin your day with a hands-on bento-making class, preparing a traditional lunch of tamago-yaki, onigiri, and octopus sausages, packed in eco-friendly furoshiki. Vegetarian and vegan options available with notice, or receive a discount if you skip lunch prep. Then hop on a comfortable bike and explore Kyoto’s quiet backstreets, riverside paths, and peaceful spiritual sites — far from the crowds. The tour is led by a warm older couple: a Japanese local woman and her German husband, a veteran Kyoto cycling guide who speaks four languages. Choose from two routes: Route A visits Yoshida Shrine, Philosopher’s Path, Nanzenji, and Heian Shrine, with lunch in Okazaki Park. Route B heads north to Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, and Kamigamo Shrine, with lunch among the flowers. Both end with an optional sake tasting and a café wind-down.