Private Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Certified Expert & Inside Access

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Kyoto, Japan

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Trade Kyoto's crowded streets for a relaxed, private sake tasting in one of Japan's most important brewing regions. Learn about the different grades of sake, visit a 400-year-old historic brewery as well as a more modern one, to see how the drink has evolved over the centuries. Learn about aromas, flavors, and brewing techniques as you sample a variety of sake with insights from an expert.

Learn about the soft water around Kyoto, which gives the local sake its flavor
Enjoy a more personalized experience on this private tour
Discuss your favorite sake brands and flavors with an expert
Discover how sake has been closely connected to Kyoto’s history

What's Included

Alcoholic Beverages
Local guide
Culture and history
brewery tour and tastings

Extra Food and drinks
Public transportation

¥780.00 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Chushojima Station
Yoshijima Yaguracho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8224, Japan
In front of ticket gate in Keihan Chushojima station. North ticket exit Gather in front of the sake barrel sculpture

End point

Demachiyanagi Station
32-1 Tanaka Kamiyanagichō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8205, Japan

Start time
.1:00 pm

Itinerary

Chushojima Station (Pass By)

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Fushimi-Momoyama Station (Pass By)

Matsui Sake Brewery

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Demachiyanagi Station (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Alcohol cannot be served to guests under 20, as drinking under 20 is prohibited by Japanese law.
Guests entering the brewery production area may be asked to follow basic hygiene rules, such as wearing provided caps and shoe covers and avoiding strong scents.
If you wish to spit during the tasting as part of professional evaluation practice, please let us know in advance.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Nancy_B

Seigo was an excellent host. Very knowledgeable and personable. Great sense of humor. Very good English. The small size of our group (5 people) allowed a wide ranging and intimate conversation. The stops were informative with a mix of old and new sites. Lots of opportunities to try different sake.

Reviews

4.9

based on 16 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Good times with history of sake and tasting

Parish_H, Jun 2025

Very informative guide that walked us through sake brewery and relaxing atmosphere with good sake. Even Better if you like sake

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you so much for your review! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and learned more about sake during the tour. It’s true — if you love sake, this experience becomes even more special! We’d love to welcome you again on a tour in Kyoto, Nara, or Nishinomiya as well!　Kampai🍶!!

Prefect day out in Kyoto on a rainy day!

Mark_T, May 2025

Great guide and trip. The guide's knowledge of sake was impeccable. We picked this trip to coincide with a rainy day in Kyoto and it was the perfect thing to do in such weather. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re so glad you found the tour enjoyable — even on a rainy day in Kyoto. Our guide will be happy to hear that their sake knowledge made a great impression. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in Kobe, Nara, or Nishinomiya! Kampai🍶!!

Great sake tour!

Nancy_B, Apr 2025

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Seigo. He will be very happy to know that his humor, knowledge, and warm personality made the experience even more enjoyable for you. The small group setting definitely allows for deeper conversations and a more personal touch. We’re also glad you appreciated the variety of sake and the mix of traditional and modern stops. In addition to Kyoto, we also offer tours in Kobe, Nishinomiya, and Nara—each with its own unique sake culture and charm. We hope to welcome you again on another tour!　Kampai🍶!!

Amazing time with our guides

Marsha_C, Oct 2024

What a great time. Our guides TaM and Aya were very friendly and made the experience so much fun. Definitely would recommend them.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

"Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour. Providing a memorable experience for our guests is always our top priority. We hope to welcome you back again soon!"

Wonderful!

Nina_L, Sep 2019

We had a wonderful guide who was very informative and passionate. It started to pour rain and she very quickly changed things around to accommodate an inside venue rather than outdoor one. We also had our 3 year old with us and she was lovely with her! I found it so helpful to have a guide and just follow, rather than try to find my way around! My husband lived all the sake and we rolled him home. At one place he got to try 18 sake!!

Excellent tour. I highly recommend it

Vianey_A, Jul 2025

Shinobu was our guide and was very friendly and punctual. It was very hot and Shinobu gave us a cold drink and a towel. We really enjoyed the explanation. Shinobu knows a lot about Sake and always answered all questions and doubts. I highly recommend this tour.

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Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re so glad to hear you had a great time with Shinobu during the tour in Kyoto. We truly appreciate your warm words about him sake knowledge and thoughtful explanations — it means a lot to us. We’d love to welcome you again on another tour, perhaps in Nara, Kobe, or Nishinomiya next time! Kampai🍶!!

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