Workshops

Kyoto Sommelier-Led Sake Tasting with Food Pairings

Settle into a private Kyoto tasting room with a certified Sake Sommelier for an introduction to Japan's sake culture, styles, and drinking customs.

Arrive at the Kyoto meeting point, check in, then settle into your 90-minute session where you start with sake tasting steps in your first glass.

Work through 7 pours in a tasting that compares aroma, body, and finish while you use a sake cheat sheet and tasting notes to track each style.

Pair pours with otsumami snacks the way people in Japan enjoy sake, then learn to read labels, recognize your preferred types, and order confidently.

90-minute sake tasting session

Certified Sake Sommelier guide

Tasting of 7 carefully selected sake

Traditional otsumami food pairings

Sake cheat sheet and tasting notes

Private sake tasting room access

Transportation to/from attractions

Hotel pickup and drop-off

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Explore Kyoto's sake culture in a 90-minute sake tasting session guided by a certified Sake Sommelier in a private tasting room.

Getting started

Arrive at the designated meeting point a few minutes before your scheduled start time and complete a quick check-in. After a brief introduction to the format of the 90-minute sake tasting session, your certified Sake Sommelier guide leads you into the private sake tasting room. You then settle in at your seat, ready to begin the structured tasting and pairing experience.

What to expect

Kyoto insider sake experience

Across 90 minutes, you focus on how to understand, taste, and confidently choose sake in Japan, with guidance tailored to all experience levels.

Features

Tasting of 7 carefully selected sake, each chosen by a certified Sake Sommelier, helps you compare different styles and start discovering your personal sake preferences.

A certified Sake Sommelier guide provides clear explanations, answers your questions, and shows you how to identify your favorite sake types on menus and labels.

In a private sake tasting room, you can relax, concentrate on each pour, and taste at your own pace without outside distractions.

Traditional otsumami food pairings are served so you can see how people in Japan naturally enjoy sake with food and how flavors change with each combination.

A sake cheat sheet and tasting notes are yours to use during the session and to take away, so you can choose and enjoy sake with confidence after the tour.

What's not allowed

Age requirement: Guests must be at least 20 years old to be served sake during the tasting.

Underage service: Guests under 20 years old will only receive non-alcoholic drinks.

Driving or cycling: Guests who arrive by car or bicycle will not be served sake, and will receive non-alcoholic drinks instead.

Unreserved guests: Guests without a reservation, including children and non-drinkers, cannot join the tour.

Pets: Pets are not suitable for this experience and cannot be accommodated.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access: Not wheelchair accessible, so guests using wheelchairs cannot join this experience.

Stroller access: Not stroller accessible, so strollers cannot be used during the experience.

Additional information

Duration: The guided sake session lasts about 90 minutes.

Group size: This is a small-group experience and the total group size may be around 12 people.

Public transport: There is public transportation available nearby for easy access.

Punctuality: Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the start time.

Late arrivals: If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the tour.

Tasting venue: The venue used for the sake session may change depending on availability.

Pre-tour meals: You are recommended to have lunch or brunch before the tour starts.

Food preferences: Inform your guide on site if you have any food preferences or allergies.

Vegetarian snacks: A vegetarian option for the snack pairings is available, so please tell your guide on site.

Service note: The experience is guided by a certified Sake Sommelier in a private tasting room.

Please check your final voucher for the redemption details and specific instructions.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

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