Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links and I may get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Ready to book one of the best Kyoto sake tours for your upcoming trip?
Well, you are on the right site!
Chances are you are intrigued by the long-standing Japanese sake history and the unique brewing process.
Or maybe you started to get into the world of sake and want to learn about sake directly from an experienced local sommelier while in Japan.
Or maybe you are looking for something unmissable to do in one of the top sake-producing cities in Japan.
No matter which group you are in, I have got your back.
Check out this detailed article on the top 8 Kyoto Sake Tours that I researched extensively so all you have to do is to choose the one that suits your preference best and be ready for the exciting tour!
Let’s dive right in.
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Best 8
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
- Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Advanced Sake Tasting Experience
- Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour
- 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour
- Private Guided Sake Tasting Walking Tour
Our Top 3 Picks: Kyoto Sake Tasting Tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
✔️Local English-speaking guide
✔️Sample 10 different sake types
✔️Cheat sheet and tasting notes provided
Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
✔️Friendly English-speaking guide
✔️Sample up to 22 sake drinks
✔️Sightseeing around Fushimi district
Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour
✔️Experienced English-speaking guide
✔️Indulge drinks at hidden local bar & century-old restaurant
✔️Not your typical Kyoto sake tour
Kyoto Sake Tour
1. 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
⭐Ratings: 5/5 (309 Reviews)|🥃Duration: 3 hours |🕒Starts at: 10 am / 3 pm | Book Now at Viator
One of the top Kyoto sake tours that you can sign up for is the 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience.
This guided tour is designed to give travellers a unique look into one of Japan’s iconic drinks – sake!
Helmed by an experienced English-speaking guide, you will get to explore one of Fushimi’s largest breweries, Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum.
Over here you can learn about the interesting sake history, the tools used, and the production process of sake as you tour around the brewery site.
And no sake tour is complete without getting your hands on the sake tasting!
This is an excellent tour that teaches both history, manufacturing methods, and types of Sake. We especially enjoyed learning how to read the label on a Sake bottle – even in Japanese. We tasted 10 types of Sake and learned how to pair with food – tasted with and without food. Kotaro and Mikoko were excellent guides and teachers. We highly recommend this tour!
-Ricardo (See more reviews)
Each participant of the 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience can try on 10 different sake types of varying categories.
Some of the sake drinks that you can expect to sample are sweet, dry, and cloudy sake.
This highly-rated Kyoto sake tour also comes with delicious traditional Japanese snacks or otsumami that go very well with Japanese rice wine.
To ensure the sake knowledge stays with you, a cheat sheet and tasting note are provided to all participants too.
These notes will also come in handy when you are shopping for your favourite sake drink.
Tip: Make sure to have some food before joining the sake tour.
BOOK 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience NOW ➡️
2. Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (95 Reviews) | 🥃 Duration: 3 hours| 🕒 Starts at: 1.30 pm | Book Now at Viator
Want to combine Kyoto food and sake-tasting activities together in one tour?
I have got your back- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour is the one to join!
With a maximum of 6 participants, Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour allows travellers to have an immersive experience with more personalised attention from the guide.
This 3-hour sake tour offers a chance to participants to learn more about sake history and production while also sightseeing the beautiful scenery around Kyoto’s brewery district, Fushimi.
Fantastic tour. Loved spending the afternoon learning about sake making and finally sake tasting. Thank you to Hikari for a fabulous tour. She was excellent and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended tour!
-Manda (See more reviews)
You will start with a visit to Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest Kyoto sake breweries.
Over here, you will be able to learn more about the traditional methods used in brewing sake as well as have a glimpse of the tools used for the crafting process.
And that’s not all.
You will also get to immerse into the world of sake by sampling up to 18 sake types at this huge brewery!
The friendly English-speaking guide will then bring all the participants to a local bar to continue the sake-tasting spree.
Delicious snacks are provided at the bar, so you can mingle and have a fun and relaxing conversation with other travellers and snack away.
All in all, you will get to taste a whopping 22 sake drinks in this amazing Kyoto sake tour!
Tip: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old.
BOOK Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour NOW ➡️
3. Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (4 Reviews) | 🥃 Duration: 3 hours | 🕒 Starts at: 5 pm | Book Now at Viator
Does spending the night drinking luxury sake and one-of-a-kind cocktail drinks while sightseeing sound like a good outing to you?
If you are nodding your head, then this Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour is for you.
Our tour guide, Thomás, was fantastic and we were lucky enough to have him to ourselves for the evening for this experience. We visited 4 bars and restaurants, each of which had its own vibe. My husband, the more adventurous of the two of us, enjoyed all of the recommended foods and beverages. I, on the other hand, am not very adventurous and still had a great time. I had the best drink I have ever tasted at Bar Kingdom. The food establishment we went to was touted as rarely visited by tourists and we dined on local specialities from Kyoto. Thomás was friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks, food and the area in which we toured.
– A satisfied traveller (See more reviews)
Starting at 5 pm, this 3-hour sake tour kicks off by exploring the quaint alleys and backstreets as you walk to get to the first stop- a hidden cocktail bar.
This laid-back bar is famous for its unique drink creations with skilful bartenders, so you can wind down while enjoying your cocktail drink of choice.
Once you are done with the cocktail drink, the English-speaking guide will lead you to a century-old restaurant located in a family home for the second stop of the night.
The host will be there himself to greet you and share the old local true stories while the participants are indulging in speciality food and Kyoto sake, making it a rather immersive experience.
You will also get to try unconventional mochi over here as dessert!
For the last stop, you will be heading to a whisky bar in the vibrant Pontocho district.
You can continue your drinking spree by ordering a whisky drink and pairing it with some local sweets or snacks of your choice.
And since you are in the lively nightlife district, you can end your day by having an atmospheric stroll around the area and admiring the night view before going back to the hotel or ryokan.
Tip: This sake tour caters to vegan and gluten-free participants.
BOOK Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour NOW ➡️
4. 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (81 Reviews) | 🥃 Duration: 1.5 hours | 🕒 Starts at: 1.30 pm | Book Now at Viator
If you want to dedicate a short 1 to 2 hours to learn about the sake making process while sampling the drinks, then you would not want to miss the next top Kyoto Fushimi sake tour.
The 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience is a fun and educational sake tour that allows you to dive into the world of sake even when you do not know Japanese.
Taught by an English-speaking sake sommelier, this tour will give you insight into how sake is made, what are the different sake types, and which sake goes best with certain occasions.
Our guide was very nice and friendly, we had a great time with her. Her English was very good and she shared a lot of knowledge about sake. We did the 1.5h tour so it was not too much, just the right amount and she presented it quite interestingly. The sake for the tasting is very well chosen, so in the end you can write your preferences on a tasting sheet and you will be able to buy the sake you prefer on your own. You can try the sake and later you try it paired with food and you can see how the flavour changes. We had a really great time with our group and it was worth every penny. I can only recommend it.
-Justyna (See more reviews)
You will also get to sample up to seven types of sake drinks, including one that can only be found in Japan!
The sommelier will also share which otsumami or snacks goes well with a certain sake drink, so it is truly an eye-opening experience for newbies who are new to sake drinking.
To make your tour more worthwhile, the organiser provides a cheat sheet to the participants too, so they can jot down their favourite sake type easily after the many sake samplings.
And if joining a big tour is not your thing, worry not.
This 1.5 Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Experience caters to only 12 participants at a time, so you can have a more immersive experience and more attention from the sommelier.
Tip: Vegetarian snacks are available upon request during the booking session.
BOOK 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience NOW ➡️
5. Advanced Sake Tasting Experience
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (6 Reviews) | 🥃 Duration: 1.5 hours | 🕒 Starts at: 1 pm | Book Now at Viator
If you want to deepen your knowledge of Kyoto sake and learn more about this Japanese craft, then you will be glad to join Advanced Sake Tasting Experience.
Conducted in a relaxing environment, this tour is slightly different from the basic sake tours mentioned earlier in the article.
Honestly I did know what to expect from this sake tasting but it blew me away! Kotaro taught it so well and his presentation was so well done! I learned much more than expected and the sake all tasted so good! I highly recommend this class, If I come back to Kyoto I will take this class again! Thank you so much, Kotaro!
-A satisfied participant (See more reviews)
This interesting 1.5-hour sake tour offers participants a chance to sample ten specially-crafted Japanese sakes using lesser-known ancient methods, giving them a distinct aroma and taste.
Some of the unconventional brewing methods used to brew the sampled sakes involve certain microorganisms or ageing using local wood.
Tasting notes are provided too, so you can write down your preferred sake type and taste and pamper yourself by getting one after the tour ends! #selflove
You will also learn how to read the sake label from the English-speaking sake sommelier even if you are not fluent in Japanese.
To make sure each participant is getting ample attention from the sommelier, the sake tour is limited to 10 participants only.
Tip: The location is near public transportation so you can get there easily with public transport.
BOOK Advanced Sake Tasting Experience NOW ➡️
6. Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (1 Review) | 🥃 Duration: 6 hours | 🕒 Starts at: 9.30 am | Book Now at Viator
Looking for a Kyoto tour that combines food hunting, walking, sake sipping, and history learning in one day?
Well, it seems like Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour is created just for you!
Led by an experienced local guide, this sake tour will take you through some of the most iconic sites in the Fushimi district.
Some of the stops included in the tour are the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Canal of Fushimi and Battle of Fushimiguchi Battlefield.
Aimu did an amazing job showing Kyoto, helping us understand the history and we had an informative tour of the market and a great lunch. She was engaging and answered all of our questions and was very helpful for our future activities. We could not have asked for a better guide. We highly recommend it!
-Liveforwater (See more reviews)
Away from the typical tourist crowd, you will get to explore and immerse yourself in the tranquil scenery and relaxing environment that Fushimi offers.
Throughout the tour, you will also get to try on local snacks like Taiyaki (fish-shaped waffle with red bean paste) and traditional Japanese sweets, making the tour extra enjoyable.
But that’s not all!
To quench your sake knowledge thirst, you will head over to the old distillery at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi.
Over here, you can dive into the sake-making process and learn a thing or two about the tools used for the brewing process.
The last stop of this Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour would be Ryoma Shopping Street, the equally amazing but minus the crowd alternative to Nishiki Market.
Aside from mingling with the locals, you can try out various kinds of Japanese food and snacks here at your own pace.
Travel tip: All the entrance fees are already included in the tour so you just have to enjoy yourself and immerse in the local amazing vibes!
BOOK Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour NOW ➡️
7. 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (1 Review) | 🥃 Duration: 7-8 hours | 🕒 Starts at: 9 am | Book Now at Viator
If visiting not one but two sake museums in Kyoto sounds enticing to you, then you would love to join this 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour.
Led by an experienced English-speaking guide, this sake tour will take you to one of the most iconic shrines in Japan and immerse you in the unique craft of sake brewing.
The 8-hour tour starts with a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, a beautiful Instagrammable spot in Kyoto.
Thanks Toyoda-san for informative and flexible tour. We enjoyed the Fushimi Sake Tour time and your dropoff/pickup very helpful! We look forward to calling on you next time we are in Kyoto!
-Lawrence (See more reviews)
Over here you will get to marvel at the thousands of vermilion torii gates, admire the stunning shrine architecture and just soak up the Zen vibes.
Once you are done with taking the Instaworthy shots of the torii gates, it is time to visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to learn about the sake crafting process.
You will also get to see the tools used to brew sake, as well as its rich history and culture in one of the largest sake breweries in the Fushimi district.
Another sake brewery stop that is included in this Kyoto sake tour is Kizakura.
You can visit its Kappa Gallery and Sake and Beer Museum to learn about sake and beer brewing production.
Tip: Yes, Kizakura produces and supplies its own brand of beer called Blue Nile!
This is also where you can get a cheap, hearty lunch at its restaurant.
And if you are feeling happy hour comes early, feel free to order some beers or sake to go with the meal!
Travel tip: Lunch and entrance fees are not included in the sake tour so you will need to budget extra.
BOOK 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour NOW ➡️
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Tour
8. Private Guided Sake Tasting Walking Tour
⭐ Ratings: 5/5 (4 Reviews) | 🥃Duration: 2 hours |🕒 Starts at: 1 pm or 3 pm | Book Now at Get Your Guide
Speaking French and would love to join a private Kyoto sake tour for a more intimate experience?
This Private Guided Sake Tasting Walking Tour will suit you the best.
With a French-speaking guide leading the way, you will have a great time diving into the world of sake, especially if you just started.
Great experience I recommend! The explanations were clear and we were able to ask all our questions. The guide and the owner were both very nice. Thank you both for this beautiful moment.
-GYG participant (See more reviews)
You will be brought to a beautifully-preserved machiya where it used to be a sake brewery site.
Over here you will get to spend some time with the host to learn more about this Japanese rice wine history and crafting process.
Each participant will be able to sample some sake drinks too, tasting the different sake types and understanding more about the nuances in flavours.
Once the sake sampling activity concludes, the guide will bring you to explore the lovely district for sightseeing, sharing stories about the city and the local rich heritage.
BOOK Private Guided Sake Tasting Walking Tour NOW ➡️
FAQs: Sake Tasting Tour In Kyoto
What Japanese city is known for sake?
Japan has three top sake-producing regions. These include Hiroshima, the Fushimi district of Kyoto and the Nada district of Kobe.
Is Kyoto known for sake?
Yes. Being one of the sake capitals of Japan, Kyoto’s Fushimi district has a source of underground spring water called Fushimizu that is ideal for brewing sake.
What is the most popular Japanese sake?
Dassai sake. This sake brand is famous both locally and internationally. If you are new to the sake world, consider trying Dassai 23. This high-quality sake exudes a pleasant fragrance of melons and peaches with a refined dry finish.
Why is Japanese sake so expensive?
Expensive sake typically has a higher policing rice ratio, is made of great rice quality or is brewed using labour-intensive methods. It also offers a more flavourful profile with subtle and fruity fragrances.
Can tourists buy alcohol in Japan?
Yes. Unlike certain countries, tourists can buy alcoholic drinks anywhere in Japan. It is also worth noting that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old. Foreign minors are not allowed to drink or purchase alcohol in Japan.
How do you ask for sake in Japanese?
If you want to order sake in Japan, you need to ask for nihonshu. That’s because, in Japanese culture and tradition, sake is a term used to label alcoholic drinks in general and not fermented rice wine.
Do you sip or take shots of sake?
Sip on sake. Even though sake is served in small shot cups, sake is not to be taken as a shot. Think sake more like wine- you enjoy the drink by sipping it little by little.
What is sake etiquette?
If your superior is pouring sake into your cup, make sure to receive it with both hands. You can place one hand under the cup while the other wants to stabilize the cup by holding the side. Have a sip of sake before putting it down on the table.
5 Useful Tips To Know Before Joining A Sake Tasting Tour In Kyoto
Wear Comfortable Clothing and Shoes
Some of the Kyoto sake tours include sightseeing and walking for extended periods as part of the tour itinerary.
So it is recommended to wear comfortable, loose clothing and covered shoes for a more enjoyable tour experience.
Eat Before Joining The Tour
If you get intoxicated quickly, then make sure to eat something before going for any sake tour that includes sake sampling.
Know Your Alcohol Limit
Though sake is made by rice fermentation, it still contains alcoholic content.
So know your limit and pace yourself accordingly if you start to feel tipsy while drinking sake during the tour.
Bring Cash
Japan is a modern country but there are still establishments that do not accept card payment.
So bring along some cash in case you want to buy your new favourite sake or ceramic sake set back home after the Kyoto sake tour ends.
Don’t Wear Strong Perfume
We all want to smell nice all the time but spraying strong perfume on yourself before joining the sake tour can affect the sake aroma.
So if you really want to dive deep into the different sake types and tastes, you might want to put away the perfume just for a short few hours.
Best Sake Tour Kyoto
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
- Kyoto Luxury Sake, Whisky and Cocktail Tour
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Advanced Sake Tasting Experience
- Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour
- 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour
- Private Guided Sake Tasting Walking Tour
Fushimi Sake Tour
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
- 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
- Advanced Sake Tasting Experience
- Kyoto Fushimi District Food and History Tour
- 1 Day Fushimi-Inari Taisha & Sake Breweries Tour
Kyoto Sake Brewery: Top 5
- Gekkeikan Sake Brewery
- Kizakura
- Kitagawahonke Sake Brewery
- Kumano Brewing
- Takara Shuzo
Final Thoughts: Kyoto Sake Tours
Regardless of whether you have a short few hours or a day to spare to immerse in the local culture, you can have so much fun joining a sake tour in Kyoto.
And if you are looking to join the best Kyoto Sake Tours, you will not get disappointed with this highly-rated 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience!
Remember the do’s and don’ts before joining a sake tour and you will be just fine.
So have fun learning how to read the sake bottle label even if you do not know Japanese and impress your loved ones with the sake knowledge you gain from the tour!
Sam Lee, founder of Sam Lee Travel, is a seasoned traveler with over 10 years of experience exploring various Asian countries. Having lived in Singapore for almost a decade, Sam has developed a deep understanding of the culture, customs, and attractions in the region.
With a passion for outdoor travel adventures and water sports, Sam has helped over 25K readers per month plan their trips around Asia, including off-the-beaten-path destinations, offering helpful travel tips and unfiltered personal travel experience.