5 Best Sake Tasting Experiences in Tokyo

Just like Japanese sake itself, there are many different types of sake experiences in Japan. From sake brewery tours and sake tastings to traditional Japanese food paired with only the finest of sake, there’s no end to the sake-inspired memories you can make when you’re next in Tokyo. If you want to be the teacher’s pet when you join one of these sake tours or tastings, learn about the different types of sake and we’ll raise a glass to the new sake expert in the making.

For travelers and food enthusiasts alike, Tokyo offers a unique opportunity to delve into Japan's rich sake culture. Whether you’re new to sake or a seasoned connoisseur, exploring the different varieties—ranging from crisp, dry junmai to fruity daiginjo — can reveal a whole new side of Japanese cuisine. Each sip tells a story of the region it comes from, the ingredients used, and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. A sake experience or sake tasting is a must for those who want to learn about the vast and diverse Japanese sake. Yes, it goes far beyond the warm alcoholic drink that you might have encountered overseas. Keep reading for byFood's top sake tasting experiences in Tokyo, all with their own perks. 

Traveling to the cultural capital? Check out our list of the best sake tasting experiences in Kyoto.

Thirsty for more sake knowledge? Join one of these Tokyo sake tastings, and you’ll have one of Japan’s most historical beverages in the palm of your hand. Explore the depths of different sake flavors while chatting to local sake experts.

Located on the basement floor of Shibuya Parco, Kubota Sake Bar is exactly where it should be, promising to take you down into the depths of Japan’s intricate sake culture in this sake tasting and all-you-can-drink experience. Guided by the cheerful Eriko, you’ll be led through five different kinds of sake that hail from different regions of Japan, each bringing their own flavors, ingredients, smoothness and aromas. 

As is custom, nibble on otsumami (snacks that pair well with drinks) while learning all the insider info of sake. What's the difference between junmai, ginjo, and namazake? Should sake be served chilled or warm?  Once you’ve had your guided sake tasting, stick around for another hour of all-you-can-drink sake and conversation with Eriko, who’ll even use AI to recommend sake you’ll like based on your preferences so far. Is this the future of sake?

Buy a souvenir: Once you’ve found your favorite sake, why not buy a bottle to take home from the bar’s shop?

The art of omakase, in which the expert decides the menu based on their own knowledge, seasonal ingredients and the diner’s own preferences, is usually associated with omakase sushi. However, here you’ll get to experience an omakase sake tasting led by sake sommeliers — yes, it’s as fancy as it sounds! Certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association (JSS), your accredited sommelier guides have thousands of tastings behind them. All of this expertise will be poured into your sake tasting, used to explain the differences between seven sake, each served at different temperatures and in unique drinkware, changing the flavor in subtly sensational ways.

Multi-lingual mastery: This experience is offered in native-level English, Japanese, Chinese, and German. Also don't be shy to ask your hosts where to buy sake in Tokyo! They will point you to trusted shops that house beloved labels to take home.

History, culture, spiritual significance, and brewing methods — you’ll learn it all in this private sake-tasting experience in central Tokyo, where a leader in the complex field of sake will take you through six completely different types of sake. Sample an oaky sake here, a fruity sake there, before moving on to cloudy, amber, and clear varieties. Learn what food pairs with each sake, ask any sake questions you’ve been holding onto, and then try your luck at a fun-tastic quiz.

You’ll also be given a souvenir and printed materials of everything you’ve learned, meaning you’ll never forget how to traverse the complicated waters of sake.

Japanese sake, brewed from fermented rice, holds a special place in Japan's culture, from weddings to casual izakayas. With a wide variety of sake available, certified sommelier Mizuki offers expert guidance to help you discover your perfect sip. Mizuki, with over a decade of experience and fluency in English, leads an engaging tasting experience featuring twelve sakes from across Japan, including sparkling, cloudy, and unpasteurized varieties. You’ll learn about sake production, flavor profiles, and label reading, all while enjoying light food pairings. This immersive experience deepens your appreciation for sake with Mizuki’s expert insights.

Sake, a traditional rice wine crafted through the careful process of polishing and fermenting rice, is a staple at many celebrations in Japan. Its unique brewing technique creates a wide range of flavors, from dry and crisp to fruity, floral, or even a touch bitter. In a guided tasting, you'll have the opportunity to explore these intricate taste profiles and learn to appreciate every sip.

This tasting experience is led by Hiromi Yamaguchi, a seasoned food and table coordinator, dashi sommelier, and certified sake navigator. With a passion for exploring global cultures through food and drink, Ms. Yamaguchi will take you on an immersive journey into the fascinating world of sake, helping you uncover its many layers and savor each drop.

Bonus: This experience includes a unique souvenir!

Thirsty for more? Pour some extra knowledge with our blogs on Japanese wines, umeshu plum wine, Japanese sake, and a unique type of ramen: sake ramen!

Sake, also known as nihonshu (Japanese rice wine), is a type of alcohol made by fermenting rice and water into alcohol. It is not only made in Japan, but is often considered a traditional Japanese form of alcoholic beverage.

Fun fact: In Japanese, sake refers to all forms of alcohol — including beer, wine and spirits — while nihonshu specifically refers to Japanese rice wine, served in the small cups that people associate with sake.

Sake has many different flavors, depending on the ingredients used, the region where the rice is grown, and the temperature at which the alcohol is served. For example, junmai sake is said to be heavier and richer than other sake while ginjo sake is subtle and light; daiginjo sake is full-bodied, while honjozo sake is light and dry. Explore the different types of sake to understand the true range of sake flavors out there!

Depending on the type of sake or the establishment where you enjoy the sake, it may be served in a variety of ways. It can be served hot or cold, and is most frequently served in a tall bottle known as a tokkuri, poured into a small cup called an ochoko. Alternatively, more traditional restaurants may serve sake in a wooden box, called a masu. But, as long as you’re enjoying the sake — and ideally pairing it with delicious food — there’s no wrong way to drink sake. 

For more sake experiences, see byFood's list of sake tastings around Japan.