Top Takayama Wine, Beer & Spirits

We walk and the guide will explain about the local history of Takayama and let you taste Japanese local sake! One of the best in Takayama. Takayama and its surrounding with traditional houses and history and sake breweries all around. Here there are more than six within downtown. We are going to taste local sake, the history of sake and this town, how sake is made and much more. The guide will explain in detail how sake is made in a clear, simple and step by step explanation. For sake lovers, for Takayama lovers!

Learn more about sake, the traditional Japanese drink, on a tasting tour of six to seven sake breweries in Takayama. Your guide is an experienced sake brewer who can answer your questions and give insider tips as you taste a variety of sake samples at each brewery. When available, you can take an optional behind-the-scenes tour to learn even more.

Learn more about traditional Japanese sake on a brewery tour in Takayama. While the city is home to several sake breweries, you’ll visit the oldest, which is also the largest. See how the alcoholic drink is made, and learn some of the tricks that go into making it. This is a great rainy or snowy-day activity in the mountains.

[PRIVATE TOUR] If you're seeking an authentic connection with a local family, this is for you! We are a warm, fun-loving family of four, deeply rooted in Takayama. Here, you won’t just learn to cook Japanese food—you’ll experience how locals live and savor life together. Our 200-year-old wooden townhouse stands on Old Town’s main street, yet stepping inside feels like entering a quiet world where time slows down. Its small quirks remind us of its beauty and history. We’ll welcome you with Japanese tea and snacks before guiding you in preparing a traditional meal in our kitchen. As we cook side by side, we’ll share stories of life in Takayama and living in harmony with nature and the seasons. Hisa and Bob pour their hearts into every class. This is more than a cooking lesson—it’s a moment of connection, culture, and feeling at home far from home. Feel free to write us your request on food or any restrictions, we are happy to accommodate as much as possible!

You can experience not only History and culture but also local food & Sake brewery of Takayama. include food fee and experience of making Rice cracker and Sake tasting in Hirase brewery. sometimes Rice cracker factory suddenly rest, so we need confirm if it's possible to do making rice cracker This is walking tour around in Takayama city. local guide could satisfy you! If you need other language guide, please let us know. If you wanted to private tour let us know. Not less than 2 person. Please call us if you want to do our tour within few hours. If it's raining possible to do this tour.

Hirata Sake Brewery, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, offers tours of its new brewery, which relocated in 2024. Each tour is limited to a small number of participants, and staff members will guide you through the brewery and offer tastings, allowing you to learn more about sake brewing up close. The roots of Hirata Sake Brewery were put down way back in 1769 during the Edo period. It was started by a merchant who ran a bintsuke oil and candle shop in the center of Hida Takayama. In 1895, during the Meiji era, the 5th generation owners converted this to a sake brewery which then was the beginning of Hirata Sake Brewery. The source of Japanese spiritual culture and the distinct advantage of Hida with its severe winters and rich tradition of sake making brings forth a fine range of exquisite sake. That is Hirata Sake Brewery.

Discover Takayama’s old town through its sake, culture, and history. On this guided walking tour, visit local sake breweries, taste authentic Hida sake, and learn how the region’s cold climate, clean mountain water, and long brewing traditions shape its unique flavors. Along the way, explore charming historic streets and hear stories about Takayama’s merchant culture, festivals, and local life. A relaxed and enjoyable experience for travelers who want more than just sightseeing. Please note that the breweries visited may change depending on the operating status of each sake brewery on the day of the tour. In such cases, we may guide you to other local sake breweries instead.

Immerse yourself in the world of sake on this guided tour through Takayama's renowned sake breweries. Begin at Nakabashi Park, where you’ll learn about the region’s rich sake culture and the significance of local ingredients. Visit three historic breweries, Harada, Funasaka, and Hirase, each showcasing unique flavors and brewing techniques. Conclude at the Hida Local Sake Store, exploring a variety of local beverages. This tour provides a comprehensive understanding of Hida–Takayama sake, known for its clean taste and quality ingredients. - Start your day with a tour starting at Nakabashi Park, available at multiple times - Explore three different sake breweries and their signature offerings - Learn about the unique climate and water that influence Hida sake production - Enjoy insights into local drinks including sake, wine, and whisky

Experience the charm of Takayama on a fully customizable 4-hour private tour tailored to your interests. Start your journey at a time that suits you—8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, or 12 PM. Your guide will meet you at your hotel or, if preferred, at the Takayama Tourist Information Center next to JR Takayama Station's East Exit. Work with your guide to craft the perfect itinerary, selecting from a variety of must-see destinations and cultural highlights. Whether you're drawn to Takayama's historic streets, vibrant markets, or tranquil walking paths, this tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Possible stops include:

Step back in time on this 2-hour private guided walking tour of Takayama’s beautifully preserved old town. Your journey begins at Takayama Jinya, the only remaining government office of its kind from the Edo period, where you explore tatami-lined rooms and learn how officials oversaw regional governance under the Tokugawa shogunate. From there, wander into Sanmachi Suji—Takayama’s iconic old town district filled with wooden merchant houses, traditional crafts and atmospheric sake breweries. Enjoy opportunities to photograph the centuries-old streetscapes and learn how the town prospered as a key mountain settlement. To complete your experience, visit a historic brewery for a sake-tasting session featuring locally brewed varieties. Your guide explains how Takayama’s cold climate, clear water and long-standing craftsmanship influence the flavors. Combining history, architecture and food culture, this private tour offers a rich and personal introduction to Takayama.

Avoid the language barriers and guesswork of choosing what to order at local restaurants in Takayama and opt for this private food tour instead. Get invaluable advice on the city’s best dishes, and learn about the history behind the different foods you try. The trip focuses on the Old Town area, and best of all—snacks are included along the way.

Explore the art of sake at Funasaka Sake Brewery, where tradition meets innovation. Begin your visit with a guided tour through the brewery’s production areas and uncover the rich history and techniques that shape each bottle. The highlight is a tasting session featuring a variety of Funasaka sakes, from smooth junmai to fragrant ginjo and regional specialties. Guided by knowledgeable staff, deepen your understanding of flavor profiles and brewing methods while discovering your personal favorites. With three daily time slots—11:30, 13:30, and 16:30—you can easily fit this enriching experience into your Takayama itinerary. - Guided tour of Funasaka Sake Brewery’s production areas - Sample a selection of various sakes, including junmai and ginjo - Learn about the history and craftsmanship behind each bottle - Choose from three convenient daily time slots for your visit

Rather than simply visiting sake breweries, this experience offers a deeper understanding of “jizake,” or locally rooted sake culture. Your guide tailors the tour to your preferences, selecting breweries based on your interests and curiosity. You will step inside working breweries, including areas not typically open to the public, and gain insight into traditional brewing methods and seasonal processes. At one brewery, you will taste multiple varieties in the place they were made, with guided explanations that help you understand differences in flavor, style, and craftsmanship. This is not just a tasting, but an experience that connects what you drink to where you are. As a fully private tour, it also allows you to explore at your own pace in a relaxed and personal setting.

Discover the Art of Japanese Sake in Takayama Join a guided tour of historic sake breweries in the heart of Takayama’s old town. Learn the traditional brewing process, explore normally off-limits areas inside the breweries, and enjoy tastings of carefully crafted sake, from time-honored classics at Hirata Brewery to modern flavors at Funasaka Brewery. With an English-speaking guide, deepen your appreciation for Japan’s iconic drink in a truly immersive setting.

Begin your evening with hotel pickup in Takayama and set out into the city’s cozy nighttime streets for a private bar-hopping experience. Your guide leads you to several local izakaya—small, atmospheric eateries where you’ll sample regional dishes such as Hida beef skewers, mountain vegetables and classic Japanese comfort foods. Along the way, enjoy tastings of locally brewed sake and learn about the area’s brewing tradition, which has developed through the region’s cold climate and pure mountain water. Each stop offers a different flavor of Takayama’s nightlife, from hidden counter-style bars to lively, family-run taverns cherished by locals. This tour is designed to offer an intimate and relaxed evening, allowing you to interact with residents, discover small establishments you might not find alone and experience Takayama after dark in a warm and personal way. Comfortable clothing is recommended, as you will be walking between venues over the course of the night.

Experience Takayama’s nightlife on a private tour, immersing you in the city’s unique atmosphere and flavors. Night Walking & Dinner Option Start at Takayama Jinya with an overview of the tour. Stroll through the Sanmachi Suji district, including Nakabashi Bridge, East Mountain Trail, and Dekonaru Yokocho, while capturing the night views. Afterward, enjoy a 2-hour dinner at a local izakaya, savoring Takayama’s specialties. Your guide will share insights into the city’s drinking culture, providing a memorable experience of Takayama’s vibrant nightlife. Barhopping Tour Join us for a unique Takayama barhopping experience, starting with a meet-up at your hotel. Enjoy a cozy local bar, sampling Takayama’s signature drinks and snacks. Head to a second venue to explore more of the city’s nightlife. Your guide will introduce local drinking customs and must-try dishes. The tour is offering a deeper appreciation of Takayama’s hidden bar scene and nightlife culture.

A skilled guide will give you this tour of the taverns and charming Takayama nights that only locals usually enter. You will learn about the local culture and history as well as the nightlife of the locals. You may also take this opportunity to ask your guide any questions you have about Japan or anything else you would like to know. The tour will stop at no less than 3 Izakaya or Bar. For safety reasons, we cannot accept groups of men only when a female guide is available. Sometimes Izakaya or bar we are planning to visit is not open, in which case we will go somewhere else. Please contact us in advance if you have any allergies or food restrictions or the case only table seat available.

Get to know Nagano with insights from a local guide on this private tour from Tokyo. An English and Japanese-speaking driver is included, so you won't have to worry about navigating public transportation on your own or dealing with language barriers. Customize the tour to your preferences or stick with the suggested itinerary.

If you’re interested in learning how sake is made, then this is the tour for you. In the company of an English-speaking guide, you'll visit the historic Tenryo Sake Brewery, one of the oldest sake breweries in the Hida region. A sake brewer will show you the step-by-step process of making sake, and take you on a behind-the-scenes tour. A highlight is being able to taste different sakes; all tastings are included in the tour cost.

Get an experience of making a hanficrafts of Takayama and taste Japanese sake at a sake brewery! You can experience one of unique handicrafts of Takayama, Kumihimo, is a traditional Japanese artform for making decorative things for such as kimono and makimono(Japanese scroll). Also, this tour offers sake taste time at Funasaka Sake Brewery, which is not just a brewery but a theme park of Japanese sake. Here is the best choice to search for a new-style Japanese sake.