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
In 90 minutes, you'll move from sake basics to tasting and food pairing, guided by a certified sake professional. Our guides are sake sommeliers and specialists who explain each pour clearly and are happy to answer any question along the way.
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
- What Sake Is Made From
- The Main Types of Sake
- What Makes Each Type Taste Different
- Pairing Sake with Food
- Choosing Sake to Go with Sushi
- How to Choose Warm or Chilled
- Ask Your Guide Anything
After Taking This Sake Experience, You Will..
- Know which type of sake you like best
- Order sake with confidence at restaurants and bottle shops
- Know which sake goes well with sushi
- Feel ready to keep exploring sake on your own
This Experience is for ...
- Those who want to learn the basics of sake in a short time.
- Those who are new to sake but want to enjoy it with confidence during their trip in Japan.
- Those who want to understand sake before exploring restaurants and bars in Japan.
- Those looking for a perfect indoor activity on rainy or extremely hot days in Kyoto.
- Wine, beer and whisky fans who are curious about sake.
- Hospitality professionals who want a quick introduction to 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 $77.90～) ------------------------- 1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000～ (USD $82.34～) | |
1.5-Hour Sake Tasting Experience | Sake Basics | 7 kinds | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $62.07〜) | ||
 Advanced Sake Tasting Experience （Duration：1.5〜2 Hours） | Sake Basics + Advanced Sake Insight | 10 kinds (Special sake) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $68.40〜) |
| 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 $77.90～) ----- 1 pm / 3 pm JPY ¥13,000～ (USD $82.34～) | JPY ¥9,800〜 (USD $62.07〜) | JPY ¥10,800〜 (USD $68.40〜) |
Latest Reviews
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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 bonus ones! Well worth your time if in Kyoto and want to learn the basics on sake. Highly recommend! 
Cruiser177246
2026-09-01Highly Recommended! - Kiyomi passionately taught us everything about sake that you need to know as a beginner! Highly recommended! 
Lena P.
2026-08-01Loved it!!! - Kiyomi explained everything clearly & passionately was a perfect experience! 
Matthias F.
2026-08-01 - Great experience! - 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 would highly recommend this attraction. One of the highlights of our trip.
Lynn J.
2026-08-01I have become more knowledgeable 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 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
2026-08-01Kiyomi passionately taught us everything - about sake that you need to know as a beginner! Highly recommended! 
Lena P.
2026-08-01 - 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 would highly recommend this attraction. One of the highlights of our trip.
Lynn J.
2026-08-01I had such a great time attending the sake class. - Before the class, I only knew what sake tasted like. After the class, I now have a much better appreciation of how sake is made and the many different kinds of sake I can get in the store and how they will taste. I gained 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
2026-08-01