Top Kyoto Prefecture Wine Tasting Tours

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.

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.

Get a deeper experience of Kyoto food culture than would be possible on your own by joining this guided food tour. Stroll through the districts of Gion and Pontocho, stopping into small bars and restaurants to sample traditional drinks and food that have been carefully chosen to make up a full meal. The experience also includes the opportunity to try three different types of local sake too.

What is Japanese whisky? Is it different from Scotch? Why is it so popular? Find out at this small-group whisky tasting experience in Kyoto! Enjoy a curated selection of 5 Japanese single malts in this friendly, interactive experience. Tastings are hosted by a certified whisky expert, and are limited to 4 participants, giving you plenty of opportunity to ask anything you want to know about Japanese whisky. Tastings last for approximately 90 minutes and are held at a dedicated venue in the Nishijin area (easily accessible from Nijo Castle or Kinkakuji), giving you a chance to experience a part of Kyoto off the usual tourist track. *** This experience will be moving to a new location in summer/autumn 2026. Until then, tastings will only be offered (very) sporadically on Tripadvisor. If you're looking for a whisky tasting in the second half of 2026, please check back later. Thanks!

•Explore hidden alleys in Kyoto at night •13 dishes & 3 drinks including sake •Led by a former chef (not just a guide) •Small group experience •Learn food culture, not just eat About your guide Your guide is not just a local — she is a former chef who worked in Europe. With deep knowledge of flavors, ingredients, and Japanese food culture, she brings each dish to life through storytelling and explanation.

As a passionate foodie fluent in Japanese, I love dining out and can guide you around the most local bars in downtown Kyoto, as well as explain the cultural background of the drinks. Japanese food can be intimidating. As a chef, I love talking about food and making it easy to understand for visitors. Note, reservations cannot be made at standing bars, so venues may change depending on availability.

This experience combines two sides of umeshu that are rarely explored together: crafting and nightlife. Rather than simply tasting “Japanese plum wine,” you begin by creating your own personalized umeshu at CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, guided by one of Japan’s most established umeshu producers. You’ll explore the differences between ume and Western plums, sample various ingredients, and design a blend that will mature at home. Then, instead of ending at the workshop, you step into Kyoto’s evening culture. In the lively Kiyamachi area, you’ll experience how umeshu is actually enjoyed by locals—served in different styles, paired with savory dishes, and shared in the relaxed atmosphere of an izakaya. This tour is not just a tasting session or a bar crawl. It connects tradition with modern enjoyment, offering both a handcrafted bottle for the future and a flavorful night out in Kyoto’s vibrant dining scene.

Join this guided food tour to dive deeper into Kyoto’s culinary culture—an experience you simply couldn't find on your own. Wander through the historic districts of Gion area, stopping at hidden bars and restaurants to savor traditional drinks and dishes carefully curated to leave you feeling fully satisfied. You will also have the chance to sample three varieties of local craft sake. - Discover Kyoto’s authentic food scene and hidden backstreets. - Learn about local culture and history from your expert guide. - Small group sizes ensure a personalized and intimate experience. - Sip & Sightsee: Enjoy a seamless blend of temple visits and local drink tastings. - Hidden Gems: Explore secret local bars and breweries tucked away from the tourist crowds. - Diverse Selection: Taste a wide variety of authentic Kyoto-made beers, spirits, and more. - The Insider’s Kyoto: Learn the history of the city and its drinks from local experts.