Expert-Guided Sake Tasting
+ Food Pairing
A fun and eye-opening 90-minute experience in Kyoto that changes how you taste and understand sake.
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- Best price when booking direct on our official website
- Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance
- All tours are guided in English by certified sake specialists
What You will Experience
Learn the Basics of Sake
Discover everything you need to truly enjoy sake. You’ll learn its ingredients, how it’s made, and it’s categories. We’ll also teach you how to read Japanese sake labels, giving you the confidence to choose wherever you go. Once you understand these basics, every glass of sake will allow you to fully appreciate sake in the future.
Sake Tasting with an Expert
You'll taste 7 types of sake with guidance from our expert, learning what makes each one different in taste and aroma. By the end of the session, you'll know which style you like best, and you'll be able to find it again on a menu or bottle label.
Food Pairing
Taste the same bites with different sake and notice how the flavor shifts each time. We'll give you a few go to pairings you can try that same night at a restaurant in Kyoto, no need to remember anything complicated.
What Sets Us Apart
Led by Certified Sake Professionals
Because our tours are led exclusively by certified sake experts, we are able to answer your questions, find your sake preferences, and guide you deeper into the world of sake in just 90 minutes. Our team of sommeliers and sake specialists is ready to welcome you.
The Benefits of a Private
Sake Tasting Room
Immerse Yourself in Sake
Settle into a quiet, private room built just for tasting sake. No crowds, no rush, just 90 minutes where every sense can focus on the aroma, flavor and finish of each pour.
Private Space, Personal Attention
- Feel free to ask any questions without hesitation
- Go at your own pace for the full 90 minutes
- Enjoy a relaxed, one on one conversation
- Get to know your sake guide personally
What You Will Discover
in This Sake Experience
- How Sake Is Made – A Simple Guide
- About Ingredients
- Sake Categories
- Characteristics of Each Category
- Pairing with Food
- What Type of Sake goes well with Sushi?
- Hot vs Cold
- Q&A
After Taking This Sake Experience, You Will..
- Be able to find your favorite type of sake
- Be able to order sake at restaurants or bottle shops with confidence
- Know what type of sake good to pair with sushi
- Be ready to explore the deep world of sake
This Experience is for ...
- Those who are interested in sake and want to learn the basics.
- Those who are new to sake but want to enjoy it with confidence during their trip in Japan.
- Those who want to gain more knowledge about sake before traveling around Japan.
- Those looking for a perfect indoor activity on rainy or extremely hot days in Kyoto.
- Wine, beer and whisky lovers who also want to understand the basics of sake.
- Professionals in the hospitality industry who would like to learn the basics of sake.
- In-house training in the hospitality industry
- Private courses for companies and groups are also available. Please contact us.
Please Note
This class is also included in the 3-hour tour. If you wish to experience the sake brewery tour as well, please consider booking the 3-hour sake tasting experience.
〒612-8365 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Fushimi-ku, Kurumamachi, 271-1
● Access
By Public Transportation
- 25 min from JR Kyoto Station: Take a train on the Kintetsu Line to Momoyamagoryo-Mae Station. Walk for 10 min from the station.
- 20 min from Gion-Shijo Station: Take a train on the Keihan Line to Chushojima Station. Walk for 5 min from the station.
From Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line)
Take the Limited Express (red) or Rapid Express (purple). Avoid the Sub-Express (blue) and Local (black) - these take much longer
- 20 min from Fushimi-Inari Station: Take a train on the Keihan Line to Chushojima Station. Walk for 5 min from the station.
By Taxi
- Allow around 30 minutes from Kyoto Station or 35 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station (map apps may show less).
Which Sake Experience
is Right for You?
| Experience | Insider Sake Brewery Tour | Discover | Sake Tasting | Food Pairing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour | 10 am / 11 am Less Crowded | Sake Basics + Making Process | 10 kinds | 10 am / 11 am JPY ¥12,300～ (USD $77.80～) ------------------------- 1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000～ (USD $82.23～) | |
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience | Sake Basics | 7 kinds | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $61.99〜) | ||
 Advanced Sake Tasting Experience （Duration：1.5〜2 Hours） | Sake Basics + Advanced Sake Insight | 10 kinds (Special sake) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $68.31〜) |
| Experience | 3-Hour Sake Tasting + Brewery Tour | 1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience | Advanced Sake Tasting Experience （Duration：1.5〜2 Hours） |
| Insider Sake Brewery Tour | 10 am / 11 am Less Crowded | ||
| Discover | Sake Basics + Making Process | Sake Basics | Sake Basics + Advanced Sake Insight |
| Sake Tasting | 10 kinds | 7 kinds | 10 kinds (Special sake) |
| Food Pairing | |||
| Price | 10 am / 11 am JPY ¥12,300～ (USD $77.80～) ----- 1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000～ (USD $82.23～) | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $61.99〜) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $68.31〜) |
Latest Reviews
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Great experience - Great educational experience about the making of sake. Chika did a great job detailing the various differences between the variations of sake. The tasting was fun and worthwhile. 
BryanBremerton
2026-09-22Amazing. - Wonderful experience. Learned so much about sake. Just fantastic. 
Christopher W
2026-09-19Great sake learning experience - A great way to learn about the history of sake and understand the basic differences between the various types. Kyoko was very friendly and knowledgeable, and we enjoyed plenty of... read more samples to compare during the tasting. Definitely recommend this for anyone new to sake. 
HowickNZ
2026-09-18 - Totally recommend - One of the best alcohol brewery tours I’ve ever done. Very enlightening and the sake was delicious. Came out with a deeper appreciation and understanding. Both your guides were incredible... read more and would do it again.
Carlos M
2026-09-16Kyoto Sake Tour - It was a wonderful tour. The guide was very informative and helpful. 
Bay Area J
2026-09-11Excellent - Amazing experience! Rieko was patient, organized, thoroughly fun/engaging. Small group size meant a lot of time for her to answer our questions! Tasted 7 types of sake plus a few... read more bonus ones! Well worth your time if in Kyoto and want to learn the basics on sake. Highly recommend!!! 
Cruiser177246
2026-09-08 - 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