Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour

Discover the centuries-old sake brewing tradition of Kyoto’s Fushimi district on an immersive 3-hour tour. Explore both small and large sake breweries, learning the production process and sampling a variety of flavors. Enjoy a local lunch as you explore the rich history and culture surrounding this iconic Japanese beverage. With limited group sizes and accommodations for dietary needs, this guided experience offers an authentic and memorable glimpse into Kyoto’s vibrant sake scene.

Key Points

• Explore Kyoto’s Fushimi district, known for its 400-year-old sake brewing tradition, during a 3-hour guided tour.
• Visit both small and large sake breweries, including the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, to learn about the sake production process.
• Enjoy several sake tastings and a local lunch as part of the tour experience.
• The tour is conducted in English, accommodates dietary restrictions, and has a maximum group size of 6 participants.
• The tour meeting point is conveniently located near Fushimi Momoyama and Momoyama Goriyo stations, making it easily accessible by public transportation.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The tour lasts 3 hours and costs $180.93 per person. Group size is limited to 6 participants, and the tour is conducted in English.

Cancellations are free up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve your spot without upfront payment.

During the tour, you’ll explore Kyoto’s Fushimi district, visit both small and large sake breweries, and enjoy a guided tour at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum.

You’ll learn about the sake production process and have the opportunity to taste several sake varieties, along with a local lunch.

Experience Highlights

During the sake brewery tour, visitors will explore Kyoto’s Fushimi district and gain an inside look at both small and large sake breweries.

The tour includes a guided visit to the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where guests learn about the sake production process, from natural spring water to steamed rice and fermentation.

Visitors can enjoy several sake tastings and a local lunch, seeing Fushimi’s 400-year-old sake brewing tradition.

The tour provides an opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship and history behind this iconic Japanese beverage.

Sake Brewing Tradition

Fushimi, a district in Kyoto, boasts a 400-year-old sake brewing tradition.

This heritage is attributed to the region’s natural spring water, which has low levels of magnesium and calcium – ideal for producing high-quality sake.

The brewing process typically takes place during the cold months after the rice harvest, filling the air with the scent of fermenting rice.

Gekkeikan, one of the oldest sake breweries, has been in operation since 1637, showcasing nearly four centuries of refined brewing practices.

This deep-rooted tradition solidifies Fushimi‘s reputation as a premier sake-producing region in Japan.

Meeting Point and Transportation

Where’s the meeting point for this sake brewery tour? The tour begins at the front of the SoftBank shop in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto.

From there, the tour group can easily access the Fushimi district and visit the various sake breweries.

To get to the meeting point, visitors have a few transportation options:

• Take the Keihan Train Line and get off at Fushimi Momoyama Station
• Use the Kintetsu Line and exit at Momoyama Goriyo Station

The tour meeting point is conveniently located and accessible via public transportation.

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Group Size and Languages

The tour group size is limited to 6 participants. This ensures an intimate and personalized experience.

The tour is conducted in English, making it accessible to international visitors. With a small group, guests can engage directly with the guide and ask questions throughout the tour.

The intimate size allows for a more immersive exploration of the sake breweries and a deeper understanding of the centuries-old tradition.

The tour’s language and group size cater to those seeking an authentic and informative introduction to Kyoto’s sake brewing heritage.

Cancellation Policy and Payment Options

Travelers can cancel their reservations up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing flexibility in their plans.

Alternatively, for those who prefer to lock in their spot without an upfront payment, the tour offers a "reserve now & pay later" option. This allows participants to secure their place on the tour and pay at a later date, making it easier to budget and plan their Kyoto adventure.

The tour has a minimum group size of 2 people, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience for all attendees.

• Flexible 24-hour cancellation policy
• Reserve now & pay later option
• Minimum group size of 2 people
• Full refund with timely cancellation

Dietary Restrictions and Age Requirements

Participants can communicate any dietary restrictions when booking the tour.

The tour accommodates various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. The tour provider works to ensure all participants can fully enjoy the sake tastings and lunch.

Children aged 10 and older are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum drinking age for the sake tastings is 21 years old.

All participants must provide a valid passport or ID for verification.

The tour requires a minimum of two people per booking, so solo travelers may need to book separately or find others to join.

Customer Reviews

Reviews for the Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour offer a mixed perspective on the experience.

The tour has an overall rating of 4/5 based on 5 reviews. While some customers praised the quality of the guide and their overall enjoyment, others noted disappointment due to closures of factories and museums during holidays.

Plus, there were mixed feelings regarding the value for money and learning experiences.

Key takeaways from customer feedback include:

• Positive comments on guide quality and overall enjoyment
• Disappointment due to closures of factories/museums during holidays
• Mixed views on value for money and depth of learning experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food on the Tour?

No, you can’t bring your own food on the tour. The tour includes a local lunch, so outside food and drinks aren’t allowed. It’s best to let the tour provider handle the catering to fully enjoy the sake tasting experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour’s standard duration is 3 hours, but you can’t extend it. However, if you’d like a longer experience, the tour operator may offer an option to add an extra brewery visit or tasting for an additional fee. You’ll need to inquire about this when booking.

Do the Sake Tastings Include Food Pairings?

The sake tastings on this tour include food pairings to enhance the flavor experience. Guests can expect to sample several types of sake alongside local Japanese dishes that complement the unique characteristics of each variety.

Is There a Discount for Group Bookings?

No, the tour price doesn’t offer group discounts. It’s a fixed per-person rate regardless of group size, which is limited to 6 participants. However, booking with others can split the overall cost per person.

Can I Purchase Sake Directly From the Breweries?

Yes, visitors can purchase sake directly from the breweries visited on the tour. The tour includes guided tastings at both small and large sake producers, providing an opportunity to buy bottles of your favorite varieties.

The Sum Up

The Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the centuries-old sake brewing tradition of the Fushimi district. With a small group size, personalized attention, and a chance to indulge in tastings and a local lunch, this 3-hour experience provides an immersive and educational exploration of one of Japan’s most celebrated alcoholic beverages. Catering to dietary restrictions, the tour ensures an enjoyable and memorable experience for all.

You can check availability for your dates here: