Top Kyoto Prefecture Sake Tasting

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.

• 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

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.

Discover the best of Nara on our PRIVATE morning tour, before the popular spots get crowded! Meet the friendly deer, admire Japan’s largest Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, and enjoy a sake tasting to experience local flavors. Explore Japan’s first capital in a fun, relaxed, and efficient way — perfect for a half-day trip from Kyoto or Osaka!

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

This is not a typical sake tasting. The Advanced Kyoto Insider Sake Experience explores sake that challenges conventional ideas of how sake is made. You will taste rare and exceptional sakes brewed using ancient methods, innovative fermentation techniques that highlight the power of microorganisms, and sake made with local wood that gives each brew a distinct regional character. Through these tastings, you will discover how dramatically flavor can change depending on philosophy, materials, and brewing choices — revealing the true depth and creative potential of sake. While this experience also covers the fundamentals of sake production and categories, it is designed for those who want to go beyond the basics and explore a deeper, more creative side of sake.

See the heart of downtown Kyoto and experience the city’s nightlife in a bar hopping adventure through the Kawaramachi and Kiyamachi areas. Visit hidden bars and izakaya where you can try different food and drinks and connect with local people. See a different side of Kyoto in the evening as you explore authentic spots that would be difficult to find on your own.

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.

If you’re interested in learning more about geisha culture, this small-group walking tour in Kyoto is an excellent choice. Explore the historic Gion district with a guide to provide cultural context and tips on where you might spot a geisha. Along the way, hear stories about samurai culture, Zen meditation, and stop by key landmarks such as Yasaka Shrine. As a bonus, the tour also includes a local sake tasting.

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.

Your group only — a relaxed, private evening enjoying Japanese food, sake, and the local bar-hopping culture. Pub crawls — or "nomi aruki" in Japan — are a great way to see a lively side of Kyoto most tourists miss. Kenji, a certified international sake sommelier, will take you to two or three specially selected bars with food and drinks tailored to your preferences. He spent many years at a sake brewery in Hyogo, tasting over 1,000 sakes from Japan and around the world. Explore Japan’s sake, craft beer, and food culture in the city — with Kenji, a knowledgeable local guide. Even if you don't drink alcohol, you're welcome to enjoy Kyoto's cuisine, but all guests must be at least 20 years old. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions when you make your reservation. Group size: 2–4 people

Explore the heart of Fushimi, renowned for its rich sake culture, on this immersive 3.5-hour tour. Begin at Gokōnomiya Shrine, where you can taste legendary spring water used in sake production for over 1,200 years. Then, delve into the history of brewing at Gekkeikan, the oldest sake brewery in the area. Conclude your journey with a tasting of 17 distinct types of sake, experiencing the unique flavors and aromas crafted by local breweries. This tour is perfect for sake enthusiasts and those eager to learn about Japanese traditions. - Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes, from 9:45 AM to 1:15 PM - Limited to 8 participants for an intimate experience - Includes guided tours and tasting of 17 sake varieties - Ages 20 and older only, due to alcohol consumption regulations - Dates: November 18, 25; December 2, 9, 2025 (Tuesdays)

Explore the heart of Kyoto's historic sake district and uncover the art of sake production at a renowned brewery. This engaging tour invites both beginners and enthusiasts to delve into the intricacies of sake-making while savouring light bites tailored to enhance the drink's unique flavours. As a special bonus, each guest receives a sake taste analysis guidebook to enrich their experience throughout Japan. The tour offers a blend of cultural insight and culinary delight, making it a must for anyone interested in Japanese traditions. - Visit a prestigious sake brewery and learn about the brewing process - Sample expertly paired light bites to complement your sake tasting - Ideal for both sake lovers and those new to the experience - Receive a guidebook for further exploration of sake in Japan

• Explore a historic Kyoto sake brewery • Taste 4 carefully selected Japanese sakes • Learn the sake-making process • Experience authentic Japanese sake culture Learn how sake is brewed from rice to bottle, and understand the role of the toji (master brewer) in preserving centuries of craftsmanship. Feel the aroma of steamed rice and fermentation as you explore the brewery. After the tour, enjoy a guided tasting of four carefully selected sake varieties. From crisp and dry to smooth and aromatic, you’ll learn how to taste sake properly and how it pairs beautifully with food. This immersive cultural experience offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s sake heritage — perfect for travelers who want more than sightseeing. Please note that start times may be subject to change depending on the brewery’s schedule. We will inform you in advance and offer the closest possible alternative.

Led by a Fushimi local and former brewery worker, this tour combines authentic sake tastings with insider stories you won’t find in guidebooks. From the Gekkeikan Sake Museum to hidden cafés and specialty shops, guests discover the history, culture, and flavors of Kyoto’s sake district in a truly local way.

Many travelers to Kyoto make a visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest without exploring the surrounding area. This small-group walking tour ensures you don't make the same mistake. Go beyond the bamboo and discover such serene spots as the private Okochi Sanso garden, where matcha is served in a former tea house; Tenryu-ji temple; Arashiyama shopping street; Togetsukyo Bridge; and Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama.

Explore the vibrant Nishiki Market in Kyoto, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” on a guided walking tour that unveils the city's culinary treasures. Discover authentic Japanese street foods and learn about the cultural stories behind each dish from a knowledgeable local guide. This small-group experience allows for personal interactions with vendors and deeper insights into Kyoto's unique cuisine. Perfect for food enthusiasts and first-time visitors looking to step off the beaten path. - Guided tour through the historic Nishiki Market - Sample 4–6 authentic food tastings from local vendors - Learn about Kyoto’s culinary traditions and unique ingredients - Enjoy a small-group setting for a personalized experience

Kyoto is a city where tradition and elegance come to life, and there’s no better way to experience it than through its rich sake culture. From the enchanting world of geisha, which has flourished for over 400 years, to the charm of Machiya townhouses and the refined flavors of Kyoto-brewed sake—this tour is a feast for the senses. Wander through several historic geisha districts as you explore the world of sake, tasting a variety of premium brews along the way. At each stop, you’ll visit local establishments where knowledgeable sake experts and staff serve carefully selected sake. They are happy to answer any questions you have, offering professional recommendations and insights when you seek them. Whether you’re curious about the fermentation process, the unique flavor profiles, or ideal food pairings, their guidance enhances the experience, helping you discover new dimensions of each sake.

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.

Embark on a 3.5-hour immersive journey through Kyoto's historic Fushimi district. Glide along serene canals on a traditional Jikkoku-bune boat, explore the tranquil Chokenji Temple, delve into the art of sake brewing at the renowned Gekkeikan Sake Brewery, and savor a curated sake tasting experience. This tour offers a harmonious blend of cultural exploration and sensory delight, providing an authentic glimpse into Kyoto's rich heritage.

A trip to meet your favorite sake by visiting the sake brewery or tasting, tasting the sweets made with sake, is a premonition that any liquor master will discover "something". On this tour, you will also take a Fushimi Jikkokubune Boat Cruise where you can enjoy the port town of Fushimi while being blown by the gentle breeze. ★Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a renovated sake brewery in the late Meiji era, where you can learn about the history of Fushimi sake brewing and the laurel wreath. There are various highlights such as an exhibition of sake action tools designated as a tangible folk cultural property of Kyoto City! ★"Fushimi Jikkokubune Boat Cruise": You can enjoy a waterside trip with a row of sake breweries and willow trees as if you had traveled back in time to the Edo period. ★Kizakura Kappa Country is a traditional izakaya operated by a famous brewery. Here you will experience a comparison of 9 types of Kizakura-Sake.

What sets this experience apart is the combination of Kyoto’s hidden beauty and a genuine cultural encounter. As a local, I’ll guide you through quiet backstreets and shrines that most visitors miss — places full of history and stories passed down through generations. After the walk, we’ll visit a long-established sake shop where the staff will introduce you to rare regional varieties and the meaning behind them. You won’t just taste sake — you’ll understand its role in Kyoto’s culture. This is more than sightseeing; it’s a deeper, more personal way to experience the heart of the city.

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.