Sake Tasting: Private Experience in Kyoto

32 Ratings

Kyoto

Save

View Gallery (16)

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: 24 hours

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

Alcoholic beverages

Additional Information

Private experience for 1–4 individuals — exclusively your group. Delight in a serene and genuine experience in the heart of Kyoto.
Explore the realm of sake with Kenji, a certified international sake sommelier with extensive experience at a sake brewery in Hyogo.
During this two-hour tasting session, participants will gain insights into the intricacies…

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

(32 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Bknygal

Nov 16, 2025

One-of-a-kind sake sommelier experience! - Kenji was a fabulous guide with an amazingly broad knowledge of the history, traditions and current trends around Japanese nihonshu (or sake). His patient explanations, including his experience in international sake sales, was a great privilege to hear about, alongside of great suggestions for very different types of sake. We tasted sake types that paired well with foods and types that were best to drink on their own. Great experience being guided by an expert who is also super interesting to talk to about Japanese culture and society :) Highly recommended for sake-lovers and for anyone who wants to learn more.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sara_s

Oct 29, 2025

Lovely experience - What a great experience. We learned so much from Kenji and enjoyed ourselves immensely. If you're interested in learning about Japanese sake & nihonshu, then this is the tour for you!

Review provided by Viator

Aaron

Oct 29, 2025

Kenji is a good time and... - Kenji is a good time and very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend this experience for anyone looking to learn it all about sake!

Review provided by Viator

Alanfx8278ni

Oct 2, 2025

A delightful sake experience - My time with Kenji was exceptional from beginning to end. There wasn’t a single question I had that he did not have a meaningful answer or insight for. The selections Kenji made for the tasting were excellent, and he even helped select some bottles for me to take home. After we finished, Kenji was kind enough to share recommend a fantastic restaurant for dinner.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Kaylah199

Sep 22, 2025

Amazing experience - This was a lovely experience, sake was amazing and plentiful. Kenji was very accommodating of our children we would definitely recommend

Review provided by Tripadvisor

79denab

Sep 22, 2025

Enjoy the world of nihonshu "sake" - We had such a delightful and educational experience with Kenji. He walked us through the basics of sake or Nihonshu including how to read the bottle, the different types, and the various regions of the breweries. We tasted several different varieties and brands. He is also a Japanese teacher so we were able to ask him questions about Kanji. He is friendly and has an excellent command of English. I'd highly recommend this tour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Q324ixamyl

Mar 31, 2025

Great sake tasting experience - We met Kenji for a sake tasting. It was a great experience for first time sake drinkers. We learned so much from Kenji about the process to brew sake and the different varieties. Kenji was very personable, and he answered all our questions. It was a pleasure to meet him and also talk with him about our travels in Japan. A fun and memorable experience - we highly recommend Kenji for sake tasting and tours.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Amy_l

Mar 29, 2025

Great Sake Tasting Experience - We met Kenji for a sake tasting. It was a great experience for first time sake drinkers. We learned so much from Kenji about the process to brew sake and the different varieties. Kenji was personable, and he answered all our questions. It was a pleasure to meet him and talk about sake as well as our travels in Japan. We highly recommend Kenji for tours and for sake tasting.

Review provided by Viator

108caitlink

Mar 25, 2025

Recommend! - We had a great time tasting sake with Kenji in Kyoto! He is very knowledgeable. We loved learning about sake in a relaxed and authentic environment. Definitely recommend!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Roberto_s

Mar 17, 2025

This should be a must in Kyoto - The experience was great Kenji explain my wife and me all about the production of sake, types, materials, etc. Without let out any detail, and answering the questions we made, that were a few. The tasting also great, he explain how to taste and the types we tried to have a great experience, definitely 100% recommended! Thank you Kenji!

Review provided by Viator

Check Availability

From $82

up to 4 guests

1 - Adult