Advanced Kyoto Insider Sake Tasting Experience
Description
This is not a typical sake tasting. The Advanced Kyoto Insider Sake Experience explores sake that challenges conventional ideas of how sake is made. You will taste rare and exceptional sakes brewed using ancient methods, innovative fermentation techniques that highlight the power of microorganisms, and sake made with local wood that gives each brew a distinct regional character. Through these tastings, you will discover how dramatically flavor can change depending on philosophy, materials, and brewing choices — revealing the true depth and creative potential of sake. While this experience also covers the fundamentals of sake production and categories, it is designed for those who want to go beyond the basics and explore a deeper, more creative side of sake.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- For safety and legal reasons, alcohol will not be served to guests who arrive by car or bicycle (non-alcoholic drinks available). No refunds if unable to participate in the sake tasting.
- Legal drinking age in Japan is 20; customers under 20 years of age will only be served non-alcoholic drinks
- Guests without a reservation (including children and non-drinkers) will not be allowed to join the tour
- Indoor air-conditioned venue — perfect for rainy days, hot summer days, or any weather
Reviews(47)
This was really special. I love sake and Kiyomi the sake sommelier was just so knowledgeable and interesting. The tasting was also really special - no way would I ever get to experience the bottles any other way.
A comprehensive discussion on brewing meghods of Sake, along with a delightful tasting experience.
Kiyomi is a helpful and acknowledged tutor. Really enjoy the time experiencing variety type sake.
Kiyomi’s sake tasting was one of the most enjoyable, well structured experiences on my trip. From the start, she set a welcoming tone and made the whole session feel accessible, even for people who are newer to sake. What stood out most was how clearly Kiyomi explained the “why” behind what we were tasting. She walked us through key differences in polishing, aromatics, sweetness versus dryness. Each pour had context. not just the style and region, but what to look for on the palate.
Insightful lesson on a fascinating topic by an excellent teacher. Sake was also delicious! Sake tasting with family was an excellent way to spend 2 hours. Would highly recommend.
Absolutely fantastic experience. Kiyomi was so lovely and bubbly, the whole session was so informative! Definitely recommend for anyone wanting to try sake or already has a good knowledge of sake (Nihonshu!).
Super Great! We had Kiyomi, and she was the best! Sooo knowledgeable, warm and enthusiastic. We learned so much, she even taught us how to identify bottles in the store and read the kanji labels. Overall 10 out of 10. So nice, as someone who doesn’t drink much alcohol I stilled enjoyed it and would recommend. I learned so much. Thank you Kyoto Sake Experience!
Kiyomi was our extremely knowledgable and friendly Sake sommelier. We learned so much and were able to specify our interests based on the information. I would recommend this to anyone, including people without prior interest in Sake.
This was a great experience in Kyoto! Kotaro is excellent and very knowledgeable on sake (he's a sommelier) and we were fascinated to learn so much and how complex the whole sake making process is and so many styles that exist. He goes into lots of detail but it's just the right amount to leave informed but entertained as you get to try 10 different types of sake. Highly recommend the experience, it's a small group so it's very personal and lots of fun!! You will leave with a new appreciation of the sake world and sample some great sake too!
The event was planned and booked in the expectation of a rather touristic, short event. However we were very positively surprised by a great event in which we learned more then we ever dreamed of in a very cosy setting and had excellent and rare sakes we could taste. The host presented enthusiastically and with drive and experience. She really was knowledgeable on the topic! I learned a lot and had great fun and had some real excellent sake in a great variety. When I do get back, I'll do it again
