Guided Sake or Shochu Tasting in Central Tokyo (Shimbashi)
Ease into Japan’s national beverage, sake, in this beginner-friendly guided tasting in central Tokyo that includes a fun tasting quiz. Shochu tastings are also available!
Highlights
Venture into the fascinating world of Japanese sake, and enjoy tasting six different varieties, from sweet to dry and clear to cloudy, sourced distinguished sake breweries across Japan.
Learn about the history, culture, and spiritual significance of sake, as well as how to pair sake with food, from a leading sake expert.
Easy to access: This experience takes place at the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association in Shimbashi, central Tokyo, only a short train ride from Tokyo Station.
Test your new sake knowledge with a fun sake tasting quiz at the end and take home a sake-related souvenir and printed materials to guide you on your sake journey!
Shochu tasting is also available (see Options below).
10 meals
Experience Details
While many Japanese foods and drinks enjoy widespread popularity, sake remains largely misunderstood. A clear beverage often served in a small cup, sake can easily be mistaken for a strong spirit like vodka, but is actually a brewed drink made of fermented rice, both complex and delicate in taste. Sake has multiple varieties, with flavor notes ranging from sweet, dry, sour, and bitter.
Also known as Japanese wine, its production is more similar to beer than vodka, while still different from all three — and any other drink, for that matter. Curious to take a sip? Then, this guided tasting in Shimbashi (central Tokyo) is for you!
You’ll learn about the history, culture, spiritual significance, and brewing methods of sake from a leading expert in the field while sampling six kinds sourced from across Japan. Sip your way through oaky, fruity, cloudy, amber, and clear varieties of sake, and find your new favorite as you explore the depths of Japan's national drink.
Your guide will teach you what foods pair with what kinds of sake and answer all your sake-related questions before you wrap up with a fun tasting quiz. You’ll also receive a souvenir to kickstart your new life as a sake connoisseur.
Itinerary:
-Arrive at the venue and greet your guide
-Sit down and relax as you learn about sake, its cultural significance, and brewing processes from your guide
-Taste different kinds of sake while learning about their characteristics, origins, and brewing methods
-Put your newfound knowledge to the test in a fun tasting quiz
-Wrap up the experience and take home a souvenir and printed materials to help you on the next step of your sake journey!
Shochu is another traditional Japanese drink, a distilled spirit made from a variety of ingredients like sweet potato and barley. Shochu can be enjoyed alone, with hot water or soda, or used as a base for cocktails. If you’re curious to taste shochu and learn about its production and regional variations, see the Options below.
Inclusions
Guided sake tasting, including 6 different types of sake
Tasting quiz
Souvenir
Printed materials
Exclusions
Snacks and foods
Additional sake or shochu available for purchase
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host at the venue, Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association. It is a 5-minute walk from Toranomon Station (Exit 9), Kasumigaseki Station (Exit C3) and Uchisaiwaicho Station (Exit A4). More detailed information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
Please note that no food pairings are available for this experience.
Participants must be over 20 years of age to drink alcohol. Underage guests can join for free without drinking (upon booking, please let the host know how many underage guests will join).
A shochu tasting is also available. If interested, please select it from the options menu.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
Over 14 million residents call Tokyo home. Functioning as Japan's economic and cultural center, it's no surprise the metropolis often appears at the top of travelers' bucket lists. Here, you can find everything from traditional tea houses to futuristic skyscrapers.
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
10 meals
Discover Japan’s National Drink in this all-you-can-drink sake tasting led by an English-speaking sake sommelier in a modern bar near Shibuya Station. Learn the history and culture of sake as you sample your choice from 60 bottles.
A private dining experience in the heart of Tokyo, enjoy an omakase course with Chef Imai featuring 15 pieces of sushi and a sake pairing. Seasonal appetizers, soup, and dessert are also included in this intimate sushi counter experience.
Indulge in a four-dish omakase dinner expertly paired with sake in this Shibuya dining experience. Enjoy four different dishes, each paired with a specific type of Japanese sake, while learning about Japanese cuisine and history from a sommelier.
The perfect tea ceremony experience for beginners! Enjoy making seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) and learning the art of the Japanese tea ceremony. The tea master will perform the ceremony, and then you’ll get to prepare the matcha yourself!