Kyoto Insider Sake Experience offers three guided sake tastings in Kyoto's historic Fushimi brewery district,
from a 1.5-hour introduction to a 3-hour brewery tour, priced from ¥9,800 — plus private experiences for groups.
Whether you're discovering sake for the first time or looking to explore it more deeply, we have an experience that's right for you.
Our step-by-step approach helps you do more than taste sake—you'll understand it, and carry that understanding to every glass you order, long after you've left Kyoto.
5.0 Google Rating
40,000+ Guests
Guests from 80+ Countries
Certified Sake Specialists
Find the Right Experience for You
Not sure where to start?
Our 3-Hour Sake Brewery Tour offers the most complete introduction to Kyoto's sake culture, combining history, brewing, and guided tasting in one immersive experience.
If you're short on time, the 1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience is a perfect way to discover the basics and find your favorite sake.
Already know your Junmai from your Daiginjo? The Advanced Sake Tasting Experience goes deeper into rare and traditional styles.
| Experience | Best For | Insider Sake Brewery Tour | Sake Tasting | Food Pairing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour | Culture lovers who want to learn deeply | Yes 10 am / 11 am Less Crowded | 10 kinds | Yes | ¥12,300～ (USD $78.86～) |
| 1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience | First-time visitors and casual travelers | 7 kinds | Yes | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $62.83〜) | |
| Advanced Sake Tasting Experience 1.5–2 hours | Sake lovers and returning guests | 10 kinds (Special sake) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $69.24〜) | ||
Private Sake Experience 1.5-3 hours | Companies, universities, families, and groups | Depending on the plan | 7~10 types + Additional tastings depending on the plan | Yes | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $62.83〜) |
| Experience | 3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour | 1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience | Advanced Sake Tasting Experience 1.5–2 hours |
| Best For | Culture lovers who want to learn deeply | First-time visitors and casual travelers | Sake lovers and returning guests |
| Insider Sake Brewery Tour | Yes 10 am / 11 am Less Crowded | ||
| Sake Tasting | 10 kinds | 7 kinds | 10 kinds (Special sake) |
| Food Pairing | Yes | Yes | |
| Price | ¥12,300～ (USD $78.86～) | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $62.83〜) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $69.24〜) |
Looking for a private experience? We also offer Private Sake Experiences for groups.
→ Explore Private Sake Experiences
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3-Hour Sake Tasting +Brewery Tour
OUR SIGNATURE TOUR
History, Brewing & Tasting in One Experience. Discover Kyoto's Sake Culture.
Discover the history and craftsmanship behind Kyoto's famous Fushimi Sake District before enjoying a guided tasting that brings everything together in your glass.
This experience is perfect for:
- Culture lovers
- Anyone who wants a deep, well-rounded understanding of sake
- Guests who come with plenty of questions
What's Included
Visit a historic sake museum
Taste up to 10 different sake
Food pairing included
Led by Certified Sake Specialists
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience
BEST FOR BEGINNERS
From Just Curious to Confident in 90 Minutes
Learn the basics step by step, discover different styles, and find the flavors you enjoy most.
Perfect for first-time visitors who want to enjoy and choose sake with confidence.
This experience is perfect for:
- First-time or casual sake drinkers
- Visitors with limited time in Kyoto
- Travelers wanting a sake foundation before continuing their Japan trip
- A perfect indoor escape on rainy, freezing, or extremely hot Kyoto days
What's Included
1.5-hour guided experience
Taste 7 carefully selected sake
Food pairing included
Led by Certified Sake Specialists
Advanced Sake Tasting Experience
FOR SAKE LOVERS
Go Beyond Junmai Daiginjo
Many people begin their sake journey with Junmai Daiginjo. This experience takes you further, exploring traditional brewing methods, unique rice polishing ratios, and distinctive styles—including natural sake—through a carefully curated tasting.
This experience is perfect for:
- Sake enthusiasts
- Wine & whisky lovers exploring sake
- Returning guests
What's Included
Taste premium and unique sake
Discover traditional brewing techniques
Compare distinctive sake styles
Food pairing included
Led by Certified Sake Specialists
Private Sake Experience
For Companies, Universities, Families & Friends
A Private Sake Discovery for Your Group
Whether you're traveling with family, friends, colleagues, or students, enjoy the same engaging sake experience in an exclusive setting reserved just for your group.
This experience is perfect for:
- Companies
- Universities
- Families and friends
- Incentive and corporate groups
What's Included
Exclusive private tasting rooms
Up to 60 guests
Food pairing included
Led by Certified Sake Specialists
Two experience options available (Gekkeikan or Kizakura)
Why Choose Kyoto Insider Sake Experience?
A Tasting Designed to Build Real Understanding
Each tasting moves from the basics to the details, giving you a clear framework for exploring sake long after you leave Kyoto.
Led by Certified Sake Specialists
Our guides are certified sake specialists who make Japanese sake approachable, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone—from complete beginners to passionate enthusiasts.
Dedicated Private Sake Tasting Rooms
Enjoy your experience in a quiet, comfortable space designed specifically for learning about sake—away from the crowds.
Trusted by 40,000+ Guests from 80+ Countries
Join thousands of travelers from around the world who have discovered Kyoto's sake culture with us. We're proud to maintain a 5.0 Google rating through consistently memorable experiences.
Learn Through Food Pairing
Discover how different foods transform the flavors of sake and gain practical knowledge you can use long after your journey in Japan.
The Only Sake Tour Company Based in Kyoto's Historic Fushimi Sake District
We don't just visit Fushimi—we're part of it. Our local knowledge and close relationships with breweries create a more authentic experience.
Loved by Travelers from Around the World
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Informative and delicious! - Highly recommend this tour if you’re even remotely interested in sake (or wine in general). I learned so much about how the process of making sake highly influences the final... read more taste, which is VERY different from wine-making! I didn’t expect sake to be able to taste strongly of different fruits just from changes in the processing (no fruit additives)! The tasting/food pairing was a great way to experience those differences firsthand. Honestly after this tour I’m convinced more people wordwide need to get on board with sake, especially if you’re a wine person, because it’s such a versatile drink. Our sake sommelier Kotaro-san was an incredible host and extremely knowledgeable. If I’m ever back in Kyoto I’ll definitely be going back here for the advanced tasting tour! 
Lauren L
2026-09-05Great experience - A great tour/experience. Our guide, Kyoko was fantastic. Her English is fluent so she was able to fully explain all the nuances of the many different options with sake.... read more I highly recommend doing this tour. 
John B
2026-09-04A Fantastic and Informative Sake Experience in Kyoto! 🍶 - A fantastic sake experience in Kyoto!
I really enjoyed this experience. The guide was excellent and created a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Everything was explained through interesting stories in... read more a very clear and easy-to-understand way. We also had a very nice group, which made the sake tasting even more enjoyable. I learned much more than I expected about sake—its history, how it is made, the different types, how to taste and appreciate it, and especially how different sakes pair with different foods. I can now share a lot of interesting information about sake with my friends. Highly recommended! 
Emeliane K
2026-09-04 - Sake Tasting Beginners - Loved it!!! Kiyomi explained everything clearely & passionately was a perfect experience!
Matthias F
2026-08-31Great attraction in Kyoto - I went with my husband and adult daughter and we had the best time. The guide, Mayo, was so nice and funny and explained the Sake process so well. I... read more would highly recommend this attraction. One of the highlights of our trip. 
Seaside314848
2026-08-30Sake wonderful tour - Very educational and informative, learn so much about sake 
Erika T
2026-08-25 - I have become more knowledgable about sake! - I had such a great time attending the sake class. Before the class, I only knew what sake taste like. After the class, I now have a much better appreciation... read more of how sake is made and the many different kinds of sake I can get in the store and how they will taste. I gain so much knowledge by this class. Next time I am in Kyoto, I will definitely attend the advanced class to continue the learning.
HohoSummit_NJ_USA
2026-08-20A must for anyone who wants to learn about and try sakes! - My husband and I absolutely LOVED this experience! Kotaro, our sake tasting guide (who was assisted by Mitch), was so knowledgeable. He led us through a tasting of more than... read more 10 sakes, and along the way taught us so much about sake's history; how variations in the production process and ingredients impact the taste; how to read sake bottles so we can choose ones we most enjoy; and ideas for how to pair different sakes with different foods. We have so much insight to take with us to purchase sake or order it at restaurants, or to purchase bottles for ourselves or others. This was far better than many wine tastings we have done (and we have done a lot!). Thanks, Kotaro! 
Anne F
2026-08-12Excellent sake tasting class! - I loved this class! Such wonderful information, the sake and food together were delicious, and the whole experience was very personal. I have an even greater appreciation for... read more sake now, and know a lot more about it. One of my trip highlights! 
Lori S
2026-08-11
Frequently Asked Questions
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