Best Sake Tasting Experiences in Kyoto

Sake is a Japanese rice wine that is famous for its intoxicating properties. Be careful, no matter how large a tolerance you think you have for alcohol. Sake is potent and will leave the most experienced drinkers with a tremendous hangover.

 

Maikoya The Best Sake Advice in Kyoto

As always it’s a good idea to drink responsibly and take the advice of locals. Sake is a drink rich in history and full in flavor. Kyoto is home to many sake tasting experiences. Giving you the chance to learn about the many varieties of sake available. Our advice, if you do indulge, call a taxi back to your hotel.

The English refer to rice wine as sake. However, sake is the Japanese word for alcohol. The actual Japanese word for rice wine is Nihonshu. This is a good tip for tourists. If you want to surprise your waiter, then use the word Nihonshu. The next time you order rice wine.

There are over 10,000 Nihonshu products in Japan, produced by over 2,000 breweries. In Japan Nihonshu, or rice wine is big business. In a similar way to how French people are obsessed with wine. The Japanese are incredibly proud of their Nihonshu.

If you would like to learn more about Nihonshu. You can get advice on the best bars and brewers to visit by visiting. The Maikoya tea ceremony in Kyoto. Maikoya is a cultural space that offers expert advice on the best experiences and safest places to visit in Kyoto.
While you are visiting Maikoya, you can get the best advice in town and join one of their informal tea ceremonies.

 

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

This is a traditional sake brewery, soaked in history. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is one of the oldest sake of producing establishments in Kyoto. Here you can learn about the history of sake and witness the traditional way of making rice wine.

Naturally, you will have the opportunity to do some tasting. Each brand of sake has its own distinct taste and aroma. The museum has helpful tour guides who will explain the brewing process and help you understand the history of rice wine in Japan.

 

Kizakura

Kyoto is regarded as the oldest sake brewing city in Japan. This is a city with a rich history that impacts on most areas of Japanese culture. Fushimi is seen as one of the most respected brewing regions in Japan. As it is regarded as the spiritual home of sake.

One of the reasons Fushimi is held in such high regard is the underground water source. As it is seen as the best for brewing in Japan. Kizakura Brewery will help tourists get a deeper understanding of sake and its history.

The Kizakura Brewery makes local sake the traditional way and also brews a local beer. You can visit the facility and see production taking place and taste the end product. The Kizakura Brewery also has an excellent shop where you can buy their products to take home.

 

Matsui Sake Brewery Kyoto

As with the many other sake breweries in Kyoto, Matsui Sake Brewery offers the chance to witness sake being made traditionally. You can taste the product at their very own sake bar.

The best thing about Matsui Sake Brewery is its location. Unfortunately, many breweries are based outside of Kyoto’s center, making them difficult to visit and even more difficult to return from, after a few drinks.

Matsui Sake Brewery is situated in the center of Kyoto, making it easy to access and return to your hotel. The brewery is very tourist-friendly and offers an excellent guided tour and introduction into the intoxicating world of sake.

If you are lucky, the owner Jiemon Matsui will guide you through his sake brewery and explain every aspect of the production process before letting you indulge in some tasting.

If you have a thirst at the end of this experience, there are plenty of downtown bars surrounding the Jiemon Matsui brewery.

 

Fushimi Yume Hyakushu

There is more to Fushimi Yume Hyakushu than just sake tasting. The former headquarters is now a Kyoto tourist attraction, where you can learn about sake and much more. Did you know you can eat sake flavored cake? This might sound a little strange, but it tastes delicious with coffee.

At Fushimi Yume Hyakushu you can enjoy your sake cake along with a coffee and get the full tour of this former brewery. You can learn the history of sake and taste some of the many varieties. The tour is excellent, and your guide will speak a good level of English. Helping you understand the rich culture of sake.

You will find many different sizes and varieties of sake bottles for sale. Some of the bottles look fantastic and will make the perfect gift for friends and family back home. The snacks on offer are delicious making this a fun way to spend a few hours while visiting Kyoto.