Tours/Kyoto/Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access
4.9(17)Kyoto4 hours
VIATOR4.9(7)TRIPADVISOR5.0(10)
+28 photos
At a glance
Duration
4 hours
Price from
$147 / person
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 17 reviews
Languages
JA, EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Kampai Sake Tours
Meeting point
Meet in front of the North Ticket Gate at Keihan Chushojima Station, beside the sake-barrel display. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts. Your guide will be wearing a Kampai Sake Tours name tag.
Description
Most Kyoto sake tours focus on a museum or tasting room. This private tour goes further with a reserved visit to Matsui Sake Brewery, a small working brewery founded in 1726, where guests can enter the actual production area when brewing conditions allow. Start in Fushimi at Gekkeikan, founded in 1637, then experience a very different side of Kyoto sake at Matsui and compare history, scale, brewing methods, and flavors.
Kampai Sake Tours has specialized in sake tours since 2017, with 1,000+ tours operated. Our team includes National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters, certified sake professionals, and even a former toji (sake brewmaster). Every guide completes rigorous KST training, so the experience is detailed enough for sake lovers but relaxed and easy to enjoy for beginners. All scheduled sake tastings and brewery admission fees are included.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
Start times
1:00 PM
Next available
Wed, Oct 28
Adult (ages 20–90)
$147
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $295.
In demand: 9 of the next 26 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 20.
Tour Options
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access
Itinerary
Pass by
Meet at the north gate in front of small sake barrel monunent.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Admission included45 min
Begin in Fushimi, one of Japan’s most important sake-producing districts, at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. Gekkeikan was founded in Kyoto in 1637, and the museum is housed in a historic sake brewery building dating from 1909.
Explore traditional brewing tools, learn how sake production developed in Fushimi, and discover why the area’s famous groundwater is so important to its sake. Your guide brings the exhibits to life and explains the brewing process in an easy-to-understand way before you enjoy a tasting of Gekkeikan sake.
This first stop gives you the historical foundation to better understand what you will see later inside a modern working brewery.
Pass by
take trains to visit next brewery and get off at Demachiyanagi
station.
Matsui Sake Brewery
Admission included60 min
Visit Matsui Sake Brewery, a small working Kyoto brewery founded in 1726 and run today by a small team led by the brewery owner and toji.
Unlike a museum-only visit, Matsui has no dedicated visitor route. When brewing and safety conditions allow, you enter the actual production area where sake is made and see up close how traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques come together.
Learn about rice preparation, fermentation, temperature control, and the decisions brewers make throughout the process. Then taste Matsui’s sake with your guide and compare its aromas and flavors with what you experienced earlier in Fushimi.
By the end of the tour, you will not only have tasted Kyoto sake—you will understand how it is actually made and what to look for when choosing sake during the rest of your trip.
Pass by
Tour finish at this station.
What's included
Included
Brewery Admissions
Scheduled sake tastings at Gekkeikan and Matsui Sake Brewery. All scheduled tasting fees are included.
Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Visit
Expert Local Japanese Guide
Not included
Train fare between the brewery areas is not included (approximately ¥780 per person).
Additional food, drinks, and sake purchased outside the scheduled tastings are not included.
Personal Purchases and Souvenirs
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
17 reviews
5
16
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Kyoto
Starting price $147 is 20% above the typical $123 for tours of similar length in Kyoto
Excurgo comparison of 1,626 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Alcohol cannot be served to guests under 20, as drinking under 20 is prohibited by Japanese law.
Guests entering the brewery production area may be asked to follow basic hygiene rules, such as wearing provided caps and shoe covers and avoiding strong scents.
If you wish to spit during the tasting as part of professional evaluation practice, please let us know in advance.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access take?
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access cost?
Prices start at $147 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $295. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 1:00 PM.
Does Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access sell out?
It can: 9 of the next 26 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet in front of the North Ticket Gate at Keihan Chushojima Station, beside the sake-barrel display. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts. Your guide will be wearing a Kampai Sake Tours name tag. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 17 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Kampai Sake Tours.
Reviews(17)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
N
npanepinto
September 30, 2026 · via Viator
Perfect afternoon exploring the world of Sake!
Shinobu our guide was so sweet and a delightful man to spend the afternoon with! He even had a few bottles of sake to enjoy while on the train between breweries. He was very passionate! We really enjoyed the second brewery, Matsui Sake brewery where we were able to see the production area and have a large tasting of aged fresh unpasteurized sales.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re very happy to hear that you had such a wonderful afternoon with Shinobu and enjoyed his passion for sake.
It’s great to know that Matsui Sake Brewery was a highlight and that you enjoyed seeing the production area and tasting such a variety of sake.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back someday!
R
R6992ISandyj
December 3, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Kyoto Sake tour
Despite it being a wet rainy day the tour was a great experience our guide spoke English well and was very knowledgeable about both the breweries and sake it self . Hiroman ( our guide) treated us well and every brewery was pleased to see us . I recommend this tour .
Operator response
Thank you so much for joining our tour and for your kind and thoughtful review!
We’re truly happy to hear that, even on a rainy day, you still had a wonderful time.
Our team of guides is made up of passionate professionals who love sake and Japanese culture. Many of us hold certifications such as Sake Sommeliers and National Licensed Guides, and we are always striving to improve.
But more than anything, our greatest joy is providing warm hospitality and creating memorable experiences for every guest.
We truly appreciate your words and hope to welcome you again on another tour someday! Kampai🍶!!
V
Vianey_A
July 12, 2025 · via Viator
Excellent tour. I highly recommend it
Shinobu was our guide and was very friendly and punctual. It was very hot and Shinobu gave us a cold drink and a towel. We really enjoyed the explanation. Shinobu knows a lot about Sake and always answered all questions and doubts.
I highly recommend this tour.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re so glad to hear you had a great time with Shinobu during the tour in Kyoto.
We truly appreciate your warm words about him sake knowledge and thoughtful explanations — it means a lot to us.
We’d love to welcome you again on another tour, perhaps in Nara, Kobe, or Nishinomiya next time! Kampai🍶!!
P
Parish_H
June 2, 2025 · via Viator
Good times with history of sake and tasting
Very informative guide that walked us through sake brewery and relaxing atmosphere with good sake. Even Better if you like sake
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review!
We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and learned more about sake during the tour.
It’s true — if you love sake, this experience becomes even more special!
We’d love to welcome you again on a tour in Kyoto, Nara, or Nishinomiya as well! Kampai🍶!!
M
Mark_T
May 24, 2025 · via Viator
Prefect day out in Kyoto on a rainy day!
Great guide and trip. The guide's knowledge of sake was impeccable. We picked this trip to coincide with a rainy day in Kyoto and it was the perfect thing to do in such weather.
Highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re so glad you found the tour enjoyable — even on a rainy day in Kyoto.
Our guide will be happy to hear that their sake knowledge made a great impression.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in Kobe, Nara, or Nishinomiya! Kampai🍶!!
N
Nancy_B
April 25, 2025 · via Viator
Great sake tour!
Seigo was an excellent host. Very knowledgeable and personable. Great sense of humor. Very good English. The small size of our group (5 people) allowed a wide ranging and intimate conversation. The stops were informative with a mix of old and new sites. Lots of opportunities to try different sake.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your time with Seigo. He will be very happy to know that his humor, knowledge, and warm personality made the experience even more enjoyable for you. The small group setting definitely allows for deeper conversations and a more personal touch. We’re also glad you appreciated the variety of sake and the mix of traditional and modern stops.
In addition to Kyoto, we also offer tours in Kobe, Nishinomiya, and Nara—each with its own unique sake culture and charm. We hope to welcome you again on another tour! Kampai🍶!!
E
eeway14
April 6, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Sake with Shinobu!
Fantastic outing with Kampai Sake Tours. Unbeknownst to us, we booked on the day of the Cherry Blossom Festival. This made the brewery area super busy but that did not deter our wonderful guide Shinobu from creating a memorable experience! Shinobu is one of the sweetest people you will meet and has a love of Sake that shines through. He will answer all your questions (we had many) and will go over and above to give you an authentic perspective. If only we could take Shinobu on the rest of our trip! Highly recommend!!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartwarming review! We're truly happy to hear that you had a fantastic time with Shinobu, even during the busy Cherry Blossom Festival. His passion for sake and hospitality always shine through, and we're so glad it made your experience memorable.
Your kind words mean a lot to our team—and I'm sure Shinobu would love to join you on the rest of your trip if he could! We hope you’ll visit us again someday for another unforgettable sake adventure. Kampai! 🌸🍶
M
Marsha_C
October 27, 2024 · via Viator
Amazing time with our guides
What a great time. Our guides TaM and Aya were very friendly and made the experience so much fun. Definitely would recommend them.
Operator response
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour. Providing a memorable experience for our guests is always our top priority.
We hope to welcome you back again soon!"
B
brentvoyage
October 9, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Great sake tasting experience in Kyoto
My wife and I booked this tour with two other friends and had a great time. We all enjoy sake, but were not very knowledgeable about it. This was the first time we were able to try so many and compare them. It was a really fun way to both explore a less touristy part of Kyoto and taste a lot of really good sake. Karen was a great guide, spoke excellent English, and helped us pick some tasty new foods to try after the tour.
C
courtneyhT5772ZV
September 25, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Great Experience, Super fun tour guide!
We had Seigo as our tour guide and he was phenomenal! He was super friendly and informative! He guided us through the Fushimi Sake District and taught us more than any of us were expecting to learn! He went above and beyond! We highly highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in not only trying Sake but learning about the making of it, the history and culture of Kyoto and the hand it plays in the history of Sake!
Compare similar tours in Kyoto
Lowest price: Private Sake Tasting in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier — $84
Best rated: 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings — 5.0 (1,043 reviews)
Shortest: Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House — 1 hour
Tour
Duration
Rating
Price
Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access
