When exploring Fushimi, Kyoto’s historic sake district, Kizakura Kappa Country is one of the most accessible places to experience both sake and craft beer in one setting.
Our Kyoto Insider Sake Experience tasting rooms are located just a one-minute walk from Kizakura Kappa Country, and through our daily work in Fushimi we have developed a close understanding of their brewing philosophy and approach to quality. While you’re in Fushimi, Kizakura Kappa Country is well worth adding to your visit — a unique brewery complex where you can taste sake, enjoy Kyoto craft beer, dine on local specialties, and explore Japanese alcohol culture in one place.
Why Visit Kizakura Kappa Country?
Kizakura is one of Kyoto’s most well-known sake breweries. In addition to premium Japanese sake, the company also produces craft beer and whisky, making it one of Japan’s leading comprehensive alcohol manufacturers.
Kappa Country combines:
- A sake and craft beer shop
- A restaurant serving local Kyoto dishes
- A Kappa Museum
- Access to a nearby working brewery
Few places in Kyoto allow visitors to move so seamlessly between tasting, dining, and learning about brewing culture in one location.
Location & Access (How to Get to Kizakura Kappa Country)
Kizakura Kappa Country is located in the quiet streets of Fushimi, Kyoto.
- 7-minute walk from Keihan Chushojima Station
- 7-minute walk from Keihan Fushimi-Momoyama Station
- 8-minute walk from Kintetsu Momoyama-Goryomae Station
Look for the lantern-style decoration on the roof and the large cedar ball (sugidama) hanging under the roof — a traditional symbol of sake breweries in Japan.
Sake & Craft Beer Shop in Fushimi
The shop offers a wide selection of:
- Japanese sake (including limited editions)
- Kyoto craft beer (20+ varieties)
- Kizakura whisky
- Sake cups, glasses, and souvenirs
Local pickles and snacks that pair perfectly with sake
Sake & Beer Tasting Experience
Visitors can enjoy tastings starting from 11:00 AM.
This makes it one of the most convenient options for sake tasting in Fushimi without advance reservation.
- 3 types of sake
(Selection changes seasonally) - 3 types of craft beer
(Selection changes seasonally)
Sake tasting set (3 types): 600 yen
Single tasting: from 200 yen
Cash only. Tastings are held in the inner courtyard and may be unavailable on rainy days.
A unique highlight:
You can purchase canned or bottled craft beer or sake in the shop and immediately enjoy it in the adjacent garden. It’s a relaxed and authentic way to experience Kyoto’s local alcohol culture.
While Kizakura’s tasting space offers a relaxed and flexible way to sample sake and craft beer at your own pace, those who want to understand the differences between brewing methods, rice polishing ratios, and flavor profiles in greater depth may find value in pairing their visit with a guided tasting experience.
Recommended Sake (Seasonal Selection)
Based on seasonal availability and what we often recommend to our guests, these selections are worth looking for.
1. Rosanjin Shiboritate Namagenshu
Freshly pressed, unpasteurized, undiluted sake. Light and crisp with a subtle pear aroma. A clean and refreshing introduction to Japanese sake.
2. Hanakizakura Junmai Daiginjo
Made using Kizakura’s original flower yeast. Delicate floral aroma with smooth sweetness. Low alcohol (12%), making it easy to drink — even for beginners.
3. Yamahai Honjozo Namagenshu
Rich and full-bodied, yet surprisingly clean for a Yamahai-style sake. Slight bitterness adds complexity. Excellent as a food-pairing sake.
Casual tastings are a wonderful starting point. However, understanding why a Yamahai style feels richer, or how yeast selection influences aroma, requires deeper context — something we explore in detail during the Kyoto Insider Sake Experience through guided comparison and structured tasting.
Restaurant: Kyoto Cuisine with Sake & Craft Beer
If you want a full meal, visit the spacious restaurant (100+ seats).
Note: You must enter through the shop to access the restaurant.
Popular Menu Items
Kizakura 9-Sake Tasting Set
Compare nine different sake varieties, each served in a different cup. Flavor profiles and aroma details are provided, making it ideal for discovering your favorite style.
Sake Lees Ramen
Ramen made with sake kasu (sake lees), the creamy byproduct of sake brewing. The broth is rich, slightly sweet, and full of umami — a true Kyoto brewery specialty.
Craft Beer Curry Udon Set
Udon noodles served with curry simmered in Kizakura craft beer. Deep, malty richness with a Japanese twist.
Restaurant Hours
11:30–14:30 (L.O. 14:00) / 17:00–21:30 (L.O. 21:00)
Kappa Museum: A Unique Japanese Folklore Experience
Located inside Kizakura Kappa Country in Fushimi, the Kappa Museum is a small but fascinating cultural spot for visitors interested in Japanese folklore and sake brewery history in Kyoto.
Kizakura’s iconic brand character is the Kappa, a traditional Japanese water spirit said to live only in clean rivers and ponds. In the museum, you can learn about the origins of Kappa legends, their personality traits, and even what they like and dislike. These playful and sometimes mischievous characteristics make the visit both educational and surprisingly fun.
The museum also showcases vintage Kizakura commercials from the 1950s to the present, offering insight into Japan’s Showa-era pop culture and advertising history. It’s a unique combination of folklore, branding, and Japanese cultural storytelling.
Please note that all explanations are written in Japanese. If you do not read Japanese, we recommend using a translation app to better understand the exhibits and fully enjoy this unique museum experience in Kyoto.
Brewery Viewing & Sake Production Learning Space
Across the street stands Higashiyama Sake Brewery, part of the Kizakura Group. Nearby, an open exhibition space explains:
- Sake rice
- Traditional sake brewing methods
- Historical tools
Through large windows, visitors may glimpse the active brewery, though visibility depends on the production season. (Explanations are primarily in Japanese.)
Our Perspective: How to Experience Kizakura Kappa Country
Is Kizakura Kappa Country worth visiting?
Yes — especially if you’re looking for a relaxed and accessible introduction to sake and craft beer in Fushimi.
Kizakura Kappa Country offers a casual tasting environment, a spacious restaurant, and a small cultural museum all in one location. It’s one of the few places in Kyoto where you can sample sake, try Kyoto craft beer, and enjoy local dishes without booking a formal tour. For travelers who want flexibility and variety, it’s an easy and enjoyable stop in the Fushimi sake district.
Is it better to visit on your own or with a guide?
Kizakura is designed to be enjoyed independently.
The tasting system is informal, allowing you to sample sake or craft beer at your own pace. The restaurant offers detailed menus, and the shop staff can answer basic questions. For many visitors, this self-guided format is more than enough to enjoy the atmosphere and flavors.
However, while you can taste a Yamahai sake or a flower-yeast Junmai Daiginjo here, the reasons behind their differences are not deeply explained on site. Explanations of brewing techniques, yeast types, rice polishing ratios, and fermentation styles are limited, and most materials are in Japanese.
If you are simply looking to enjoy a drink, visiting on your own works perfectly well.
If you would like to understand what you are tasting — and why each style expresses different aromas and textures — a guided experience adds meaningful context.
How does this compare to the Kyoto Insider Sake Experience?
Kizakura Kappa Country offers sampling and dining in a casual setting.
The Kyoto Insider Sake Experience focuses on structured tasting and clear explanation in English.
During our guided sessions, we compare multiple sake styles side by side, explain brewing methods in accessible English, and help you identify your personal flavor preferences. This deeper understanding often changes how visitors experience places like Kizakura — turning a pleasant tasting into a more informed one.
Many of our guests choose to visit Kizakura either before or after joining our tour. After developing a framework for tasting and evaluating sake, they find it easier to navigate menus, select bottles confidently, and appreciate seasonal offerings more fully.
Who is Kizakura Kappa Country best suited for?
Kizakura Kappa Country is ideal for:
・Travelers who want a relaxed tasting experience
・Visitors interested in both sake and craft beer
・Groups looking for a restaurant setting
・Those exploring Fushimi at their own pace
If your goal is casual enjoyment, it works beautifully.
If your goal is deeper understanding, pairing your visit with a guided tasting experience will elevate it further.
FAQ
How long does the visit take?
Most visitors spend about 30 minutes exploring the shop, tasting area, and small museum. If you plan to enjoy a meal at the restaurant, allow an additional 45–60 minutes, depending on how relaxed you would like your dining experience to be.
Do I need to make a reservation?
No reservation is required. Tastings and shop visits are walk-in, though seating at the restaurant may require waiting during busy hours.
Can I taste both sake and craft beer?
Yes. Kizakura produces both Japanese sake and Kyoto craft beer, and visitors can sample seasonal selections of each starting from 11:00 AM. Tastings are casual and self-guided.
Is English support available?
English support is limited. Most exhibits and explanations are in Japanese, and staff English ability may vary. Using a translation app can help when visiting the museum.
Can I learn about how sake is made here?
You can view basic explanations and glimpse the brewery depending on the season, but detailed instruction about sake production methods and tasting techniques is limited. Visitors seeking a deeper understanding often combine their visit with a guided sake tasting experience.
Final Thoughts
Fushimi is not just a place to drink sake — it is where Kyoto’s water, rice, craftsmanship, and history come together in a single glass. Kizakura Kappa Country offers an accessible and enjoyable introduction to this world.
But tasting is only the beginning — understanding what you are tasting is where the experience deepens.
Want to Experience Kyoto Sake More Deeply?
Kizakura Kappa Country offers a relaxed introduction to Kyoto’s sake culture. If you would like to go further — understanding how sake is made, how to evaluate aroma and texture, and how to pair it confidently with food — many visitors choose to complement their time at Kizakura with a guided Kyoto Insider Sake Experience.
Our tours are led by certified sake sommeliers and designed for travelers who want more than a casual tasting. We guide you through Fushimi’s sake district, explain brewing techniques in clear English, and help you discover the flavor profile that suits you best.
| Name | Kizakura Kappa Country |
| Region / District | Southern Kyoto |
| Opening Hours | ・Shop: 10:00–20:00 ・Restaurant: 11:30–14:40 / 17:00–21:30 ・Museum: 10:00–16:00 |
| Address & Map | 228 Shioyamachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, 612-8046 Map |
| Website | https://kizakura.co.jp/restaurant/country/ |
| Shop / Purchases | Available |
| Tasting | Available (AM11:00 -) |
| Guided Tours | Not Available |
| English Support | Not Available |
| Reservation | Not Required |
| Notes | No admission fee |
Your Japan Trip Gets Better Once You Understand Sake
Start with Kyoto Insider Sake Experience in Fushimi.
Fushimi is Kyoto’s sake district — but simply visiting a bar or shop won’t help you understand which sake to choose or why it tastes the way it does.
At Kyoto Insider Sake Experience, you’ll join an expert-led sake tasting and food pairing session designed to help you taste with confidence. By comparing different styles side by side, you’ll clearly understand the differences in aroma, flavour, and structure — and discover what you truly enjoy.
This experience is the perfect introduction to sake at the beginning of your trip in Japan. Not just tasting sake, but learning how to choose it — anywhere, anytime.
Discover Japan’s real sake & food culture in Fushimi.
Written by Kiyomi, a sake tour guide
Qualifications： Sommelier of sake
About me：
When I lived abroad, I enjoyed wine, but after returning to Japan, I became completely fascinated with sake. Sake has incredible depth. Through the tour, I hope to provide an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through sake and help create wonderful memories of your time in Japan.