Great Sake Bars Loved by Locals in Kyoto -1-

Visitors staying over in Kyoto may wonder what to do at night as most of tourists spots like temples closes in the evening. Here is something unique for you. Kyoto has many cozy and hidden sake bars with different styles. We will introduce some of them and hope you enjoy exploring local sake bars.

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Masuya Saketen – 益や酒店

This popular and trendy sake bar can be reached within 4 min walk from Hankyu-Kawaramachi station. As soon as you enter the bar you’ll notice the different kinds of sake bottles are displayed all over the black wall in the bar. They are always ready to serve more than 20 high-quality sake from different locations in Japan.

Staff is happy to help you choosing a bottle and how you drink it too. The smallest amount you can order is an half glass (90ml / hango) and you can choose you want to drink it cold or hot. If you are not sure, the best way is follow what friendly staff tells you!

All of their small dishes match the sake so well. The kitchen is always ready to serve Kyoto’s specialties as well. Again, ask for ‘osusume’ (recommendation to get locals favourite). Food there is more like tapas so trying different kinds of dishes with different kind of sakes is the way it is in this bar.

Masuya Saketen
Opening hours| Weekdays 15:00 – 0:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 12:00 – 0:00
Address| 〒604-8044 426 Dainichicho, Shijo Agaru, Gokomachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Website
Google Map

Sakehall Masuya – サケホール 益や

The sake-hall, which is housed in a renovated old townhouse, offers table seating with a view of the garden, counter seating, a private room with a special atmosphere in a storehouse, and standing seating.
With 60 seats, the restaurant can be easily used for various types of dinners, or even for a single person to relax and have a drink.


They offer a varied menu using seasonal ingredients from all over Japan as well as Kyoto, and a large selection of special sake.

Sakehall Masuya – サケホール 益や
Opening hours| Weekdays 5:30pm-11:00pm (until 0:00am on Fridays only)
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 3:00pm-11:00pm (until 0:00am on Saturdays only)
Shop holiday| Thursday (open on public holidays)
Address| 298-2 Ichirenshacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8146
Website
Google Map

Nihonshu Bar ○△□

A standing-style sake bar located a 10-minute walk from Karasuma Station.

The bright, woody interior has a counter and an at-home atmosphere. The bar offers a wide variety of sake, from the most popular brands to rare brands, and a blackboard in the bar lists the recommended local sake of the day.

There is also a sake tasting set that allows you to try 30 to 50 ml each of three different types of sake of your choice. They also offer a 45-minute all-you-can-drink sake course, which allows you to taste more than 15 different types of sake imported from all over Japan.

The variety of sake changes each season, so no matter how many times you visit, you will always find something new to enjoy at this sake bar.

Nihonshu Bar ○△□
Opening hours|Mon-Fri 5:00pm-0:00am (L.O.11:30pm), Sat & Holidays 3:00pm-0:00am (L.O.11:30pm)
Address |〒604-8216 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Ikesucho, 423-2 2F
Website
Google Map

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.

Our Sake Tours

ExperienceInsider Sake Brewery TourDiscoverSake TastingFood PairingPrice
3-Hour Insider Sake Brewery Tour + Sake Tasting + Food Pairing
3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour




10 am / 11 am Less Crowded
Sake Basics
+
Making Process
10 kinds10 am / 11 am JPY ¥12,300~
(USD $77.50~)
————————-
1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000~
(USD $81.92~)
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience in Kyoto
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience
Sake Basics7 kindsJPY ¥9,800〜
(USD $61.75〜)
sake tasting
Advanced Sake Tasting Experience

(Duration:1.5〜2 Hours)
Sake Basics
+
Advanced Sake Insight
10 kinds
(Special sake)
JPY ¥10,800〜
(USD $68.05〜)
Experience3-Hour Insider Sake Brewery Tour + Sake Tasting + Food Pairing
3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour
sake tasting
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience
sake tasting
Advanced Sake Tasting Experience

(Duration:1.5〜2 Hours)
Insider Sake Brewery Tour10 am / 11 am Less Crowded
DiscoverSake Basics
+
Making Process
Sake BasicsSake Basics
+
Advanced Sake Insight
Sake Tasting10 kinds7 kinds10 kinds
(Special sake)
Food Pairing
Price10 am / 11 am JPY ¥12,300~
(USD $77.50~)
—–
1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000~
(USD $81.92~)
JPY ¥9,800〜
(USD $61.75〜)
JPY ¥10,800〜
(USD $68.05〜)

If you have any questions about our sake tasting tours, feel free to contact us.

Who Wrote This Article
mio

Written by Mio

Co Founder of KYOTO INSIDER SAKE EXPERIENCE / Travel Specialist / Airbnb Host since 2015.

About me:I have travelled to nearly 50 countries, and since 2015, I have been hosting travellers from all over the world—and loving it. Drawing on my experience of visiting many different countries, I help tourists visiting Japan have a richer, more meaningful experience.

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