6 Best Sake Tasting Experiences in Kyoto

Kyoto, a city steeped in tradition and rich in culture, is also a haven for sake tastings. Renowned for its high-quality sake, the city boasts numerous breweries that offer unique insights into the art of sake-making. From the fragrant waters of Fushimi to the meticulously crafted brews in local distilleries, visitors can embark on a flavorful journey through the world of sake. Participating in sake tastings in Kyoto not only allows you to sample a diverse range of flavors but also immerses you in the history and craftsmanship behind this beloved Japanese beverage.

To enjoy its special qualities, a trip to one of the notorious sake production regions in the country is an unbeatable way to enter the delicious world of sake. You can learn everything there is to know about premium-crafted sake in Japan’s ancient capital city, Kyoto! It officially ranks second in sake production and is only a 2.5-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo.

New to the world of sake? Up your sake knowledge with this extensive guide to Japanese sake, or learn the differences in types of sake. 

Want to know where to go for the best sake experiences Kyoto has to offer? Let’s explore Kyoto’s sake scene!

The Fushimi district is home to nearly 40 sake breweries renowned for its abundance of expertly brewed sake. Due to its proximity to the Horikawa River, the local water is exceptionally pure spring water, making it the best base for high-quality sake. For sake enthusiasts and curious folks, join this sake tour in Fushimi to learn more about the sake-making process and the nuances between different producers' brewing methods. 

Over a 3-hour tour, your guide will stroll with you through this charming area of traditional wooden buildings and shops. First, visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, established in 1637, to learn about the rich history of the beloved drink. Afterward, you’ll explore the district and partake in several sake tastings to enjoy the fruit of the master brewer's labor. The tour will end with lunch at a hand-picked local Japanese restaurant. 

Kyoto is home to Japanese traditions and crafts, but one of our favorite experiences that blends a love of sake and craftsmanship is this 5-hour excursion to a Kyoto sake brewery and sake cup workshop.

Visit a local sake brewery and watch as an expert woodworker walks you through how to make your own sake cup from sugi (cedar), hinoki (cypress) or another wood depending on the season. There’s nothing better than creating something with your hands — this is the gift that keeps on giving.

Once you work up an appetite, your guide will take you to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional teishoku set meal. Complete this sake brewery tour by sipping sake out of your new cup, fresh from the barrel. 

Want more Kyoto breweries worth visiting? Check out our list of the best sake breweries in Kyoto.

The fragrant and sweet Gokosui water from Kyoto's Fushimi district has long been key to the area’s reputation for premium sake. Beyond Fushimi, Kyoto is home to numerous traditional breweries dedicated to the craft of sake-making. In this central Kyoto tasting, you’ll sample six varieties of local sake, each paired with curated dishes at a restaurant with over 60 years of history.

Hosted by Akane, an expert in the field, the experience starts with a welcome drink and an introduction to sake’s rich flavors and brewing techniques. Each sake is carefully chosen to complement its paired dish, offering a harmonious exploration of taste.

Ready to experience a side of Kyoto that many tourists don’t get to see? This unique tour will give you an insider’s glimpse at the geisha district in Kyoto at night.

Go on a tailored whisky and sake tasting in Kyoto that will delight your eyes and taste buds. The 3-hour tour will walk you through Kagai, or “Flower Town,” where you’ll enter a hidden award-winning cocktail bar. Here, a professional mixologist will make a drink based on your mood. Don’t worry if you don’t want sake or whisky; alternative drinks are provided for those who request it.

The tour will continue through Gion, showing off a dazzling view of Kyoto at night that begs to be photographed. For a more exclusive sake-tasting experience, the group will head to a local restaurant inside a family’s home. As you listen to the owner’s stories you will savor Kyoto’s speciality dishes. A Japanese whisky-tasting and chocolate pairing in Pontocho will be your nightcap. 

The best way to find your new favorite sake is to sample a wide range of award-winning nihonshu including junmai sake, amazake (sweet sake) and sparkling sake from a 142-year-old brewery.

Found in a quaint family-owned pottery shop, Kidoairaku is located inside a market on Nishiki Street in Kyoto. Walking distance from Gion and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this shop displays a husband and wife duo’s handmade pottery and doubles as a sake-tasting shop. The top sake producer in Kameoka City, Tanzan Sake Brewery crafts all the sake.

Enjoy an exclusive view of the couple creating new pottery in their workshop. Plus, if you find a bottle of sake you can’t return home without, you can request shipping for yourself or send the best Japanese omiyage (souvenir) to a loved one.

Hidden near Gion on a quiet street is Sake Bumpy, an LGBTQ+ friendly sake-tasting bar. Not only is its namesake unique, but so are the over 30 sake labels you can sample during an exclusive tasting course. 

The fun-loving owner makes guests feel at home and can help recommend great sake pairings based on your preferences. The intimate space is filled with bottles of sake from all over Japan which may be sampled during a 2-hour tasting session. This is an “all-you-can-taste” experience and pairs best with the recommended daily special. Each night is different and the bottles of sake are on rotation, so it’s best to go in with an open mind and empty stomach! 

This is also the perfect casual bar for travelers who don’t drink or want to try sake-infused cocktails and other alcohol-based drinks. If you like what you taste, you can buy your favorite bottle off the shelf.

Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It is often referred to as rice wine, but the brewing process is more similar to beer.

Sake production involves polishing and washing rice, fermenting it with koji mold, yeast, and water, and then filtering and pasteurizing the resulting liquid. The process requires precision and expertise to achieve the desired flavor profile.

Sake can have a wide range of flavors, from light and floral to rich and robust. The taste can be affected by factors such as the type of rice used, the brewing process and the water source. Some sake are smooth and clean, while others are bold and complex.

Sake can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on personal preference and the type of sake. High-quality sakes are often best served slightly chilled to bring out their delicate flavors, while lower-grade sakes may be heated to mask any off-flavors.

Absolutely! Sake is a versatile beverage that can complement a wide variety of dishes, from sushi and sashimi to grilled meats and cheese. The subtle umami notes in sake can enhance the flavors of food and create an even more harmonious dining experience.

Did you know? You can book sake tastings and sake brewery tours on byFood. Browse our catalog of tastings in Kyoto, including sake and tea tastings! Or, if you're traveling to Tokyo, check out our list of the best sake experiences in Tokyo for more sake-tastic activities.