Sake Tasting in Central Kyoto

Indulge in a private 2-hour Kyoto sake tasting experience with a certified international sake sommelier. Sample 6 different kinds of sake and learn about the production process and how to enjoy this unique beverage.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation - Kyoto Branch - Guided by a certified international sake sommelier, you’ll experience a cool standing sake bar in central Kyoto. While sampling some traditional Japanese snacks, you’ll taste a wide range of sakes, with the goal of finding some new favorites.
What's Included
  • Tasting 6 different kinds of sake
  • Accompanied by complementary snacks
What's Not Included
  • Insurance of any type
Additional Information

Discover the world of sake with Kenji, a certified international sake sommelier who spent many years working at a sake brewery in Hyogo.

During the two-hour tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of sake production from a professional insider. We’ll cover how to order and enjoy this quintessential Japanese beverage while we taste several different kinds of sake. Please join Kenji for sake and snacks at a very cool standing bar in central Kyoto!

Group size: 2 - 4 people

  • Not suitable for individuals under 20 years of age, due to the legal drinking age in Japan
Location
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation - Kyoto Branch
Go to the intersection of Shijo and Karasuma streets. Look for the imposing Mitsui Building on the northeast corner of the intersection. There's a photograph of this building in the photos above. I'll be standing out front. You'll know me by my LINNELL'S backpack.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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Wanderer29716948488
Jul 7, 2024
Sake-tasting in Kyoto - We spent a wonderful afternoon with Kenji at a Sake-bar in Kyoto. We had a great conversation regarding sake and the culture of Japan. Very interesting to learn about sake-production, and to be introduced to different tastes an ways of making it. Kenji is a really nice guy, professional and knowledgable. Recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kmkearsey
Jun 10, 2024
A+ sake tasting with Kenji - My husband and I had a wonderful time learning about sake with Kenji! He is kind and very knowledgeable, and he selected a bunch of tasty sakes for us to try. We're relatively new to sake, and he was able to answer all of our questions and provide a lot of insights into the brewing process and sake as a category in general. We left with a better understanding of how to talk about what we like and dislike, and we were able to purchase a bottle of the sake we liked best, too. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn more about sake while in Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G1373drdennisp
Jun 10, 2024
Informative and Memorable Sake Tasking With Kenji! - Kenji is the best! He was extremely prompt in all communications, a real professional, and very knowledgeable about sake. We met at a very convenient sake bar in central Kyoto and Kenji walked us through the similarities and differences in various sakes (rice used, milling process, yeast selection, etc.). As people who are very into wine, we were naturally curious about the details of sake production. We had many questions, and Kenji answered all of them. If you want a real highlight during your trip to Japan, seek out Kenji. You won't regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tmoorak
Jun 5, 2024
Great tailored sake tasting at a fun sake bar - Our hotel arranged a sake tasting with Kenji and we had a great time. We met at a sake bar he selected with a wide variety of sakes and he tailored the tour to our requests and then added in a few of his favorites. We had seen articles on up and coming female sake brewers and Kenji selected a variety of them for us to try and the side by side tastings were great. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindseyc430
May 3, 2024
great time with at sake with Kenji in Kyoto - Kenji was incredibly knowledgable and attentive. We learned so much during our tasting. We were able to taste so many different types of sake and break each one down. I really discovered what qualities I like and why and what's drive that inclination. We also learned what to look for on the bottle which is knowledge we will definitely use in the future. Thank you Kenji!! We are so grateful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Afl1765bb
Apr 24, 2024
Great experience, very enjoyable. - In short: great experience! Highly recommended! We met at a neat sake bar in central Kyoto which is super convenient to get to. We had a very informative, relaxed and enjoyable conversation with a great host. Time just flew by. Kenji knows a ton about sake, but also a whole plethora about many other interesting topics as well. Thanks again, Kenji !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jegibson10
Apr 13, 2024
Must Do: Sake Tasting with Kenji in Kyoto - We had an amazing time sake tasting with Kenji. We learned so much, not just about sake but also about Kyoto and Japanese culture. Kenji happily answered all of our questions and we had a fun afternoon hanging out with him. Looking back on our trip this sake tasting was something that really elevated our experience. We will definitely book with Kenji again on our next trip to Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
106aprilq
Apr 11, 2024
Knowledgeable sake sommelier, excellent English, great cultural resource, and convenient time/location - We had a party of four (two couples), three of whom LOVE sake, and were very excited to learn more about the varieties, brewing process, history, sake terms/jargon, etc. Kenji was able to pencil us in at the last minute and met us at a very cool, convenient sake bar near Nishiki market. It was a perfect option as we were staying in Gion/downtown Kyoto. Many sake tours are in Fushimi, which is a bit of a hike, which doesn't always fit tight travel schedules. We tasted several flights of sake from different regions, and Kenji provided rich context for each, and kindly jotted down notes for us to take home. He was a wonderful host, spoke excellent English, and shared some great Kyoto/Kansai travel resources with us as well. He helped us pick out sake to take home and even took us to Nishiki market to buy delicious Japanese pickles because we expressed an interest during our tasting session. Will definitely be recommending him to our friends in the future. He's a knowledgeable resource regarding sake, the region, and Japan in general. Highly recommend, and the cost is a great bargain for what you get. Thank you, Kenji!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire05941561922
Mar 4, 2024
Amazing Sake tasting afternoon - We had a brilliant Sake tasting afternoon with Kenji, he was so knowledgeable and informative. My husband and I came away with a lot of information about Sake, from how it is made, different types, flavor profiles and understanding the labels. In total we tried about 12 sakes and had a couple of traditional Japanese side dishes. The venue we went to was very modern and Kenji himself was a kind and lovely person to talk to too. It was a real highlight of the trip, and we would love to do Kenji’s food and sake tasting course next time we are in Japan. Thank you for a wonderful Evening Kenji, we will be recommending this to everyone, and we look forward to seeing you in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N3440yclisaa
Feb 12, 2024
Amazing Sake Tasting Experience in the Heart of Kyoto - We had previously experienced a sake tasting in Fushimi, the brewing district of Kyoto, but this time we were eager to try something different and opted for Kenji's sake tasting at a standing sake bar. Kenji, our guide, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, drawing from his extensive experience working in a sake brewery. The standing sake bar boasted a wide variety of sake from various regions, and we were particularly impressed by the unpasteurized sake, which tasted exquisite. I highly recommend Kenji's sake tasting experience in central Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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