What is Sake?
If you’ve ever wandered into a Japanese izakaya and seen people sipping from small ceramic cups, chances are they were enjoying sake, Japan’s beloved rice-based alcohol. Sake has been part of Japanese life for over a thousand years, made with just three ingredients – rice, water, and koji, a type of fermentation starter that helps bring out its deep flavors.
Unlike spirits, sake is brewed slowly, which gives it a smooth, rounded taste. It has a gentle sweetness, less acidity than wine, and that distinct umami flavor – a rich, savory quality that makes it hard to stop at just one sip. Depending on how it’s made, sake can have fruity or floral notes, and it’s one of those drinks that changes completely depending on the temperature. Some prefer it chilled, others warm, and during winter, it’s often served hot to chase away the cold.
Tasting Sake in Japan
There is no better way to understand sake than by tasting it right where it’s made. Across Japan, you’ll find that each region (or prefecture) has its own take on this traditional drink. The flavor changes depending on the local water, rice, and climate, as well as the methods that have been passed down through generations of brewers.
In Kyoto, the sake is smooth and elegant, much like the city itself. In Hiroshima, it tends to be soft and slightly sweet, made with the area’s gentle water. And up north in Niigata, the sake is crisp and clean, shaped by the snowmelt from the surrounding mountains.
Toasting with sake – Photo Credit: Yuzuru Gima
Tasting sake in Japan isn’t just about drinking; it’s about connecting with the culture, meeting the people behind the brew, and experiencing the country through flavor. Whether you’re new to sake or already love it, a sake-tasting journey across Japan is one of the most memorable ways to experience its traditions up close.
Prefectures to Taste Sake
Kyoto
When it comes to sake, Kyoto sake is as refined as the city itself. Just a short train ride from the city center, the Fushimi district is one of Japan’s top sake-producing areas, known for its soft, pure water and the smooth, well-balanced brews that come from it. Walking through Fushimi, you’ll notice traditional wooden buildings, gentle canals, and the faint aroma of rice and fermentation, a sign that the city’s brewing heritage is very much alive.
The Gekkeikan Brewery – Photo Credit: Pack-Shot
Fushimi is home to several famous breweries, including Gekkeikan and Kizakura, where visitors can explore museum exhibits, learn about the brewing process, and sample a variety of sake from light and floral to rich and full-bodied. Pair your tastings with a stroll through Kyoto’s serene temples or enjoy a meal of kaiseki cuisine or simple yakitori to enhance the flavors.
To fully experience Kyoto’s sake culture, join our Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour. The guided walking tour takes you through historic breweries in Fushimi, with expert guides explaining centuries-old brewing techniques. You’ll visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, enjoy a curated tasting of several sake styles unique to the region, and savor a locally inspired lunch perfectly paired with the brews. This immersive experience blends history, culture, and flavor, giving you a true taste of Kyoto’s brewing tradition.
For a completely different way to enjoy Kyoto’s sake scene, the Kyoto Evening Sake Experience is a must. Instead of visiting breweries, this tour invites you to explore Kyoto at night, when lantern-lit streets and peaceful neighborhoods create the perfect atmosphere for tasting. You’ll sample a wide range of sake styles alongside delicious small plates that are carefully chosen to complement each drink. With a local guide leading the way and sharing stories about Kyoto’s food and drinking culture, it is a relaxed and fun way to dive deeper into sake traditions while enjoying the city after dark.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is another must-visit destination for sake lovers, particularly its Saijo district, recognized as one of Japan’s “Three Great Sake Regions.” The area’s soft water gives the local brews a mellow and slightly sweet profile, making them smooth, easy to enjoy, and distinct from other regions.
Sake barrels in Saijo – Photo Credit: Jessica Iragne
Walking through Saijo, you’ll find charming brewery streets and centuries-old sake shops. Well-known breweries such as Kamotsuru and Kamoizumi showcase traditional brewing methods alongside modern techniques, giving visitors a taste of the craft that has been honed for generations. The town also comes alive during lively sake festivals, perfect for experiencing local culture and community.
To fully immerse yourself, join our Saijo Sake Tour, where you can visit multiple historic breweries, sample a variety of sake styles, and enjoy a traditional hot-pot lunch made exclusively in Saijo. The tour finishes with local sweets and snacks, offering a delicious end to a day spent exploring one of Japan’s most celebrated sake regions.
Niigata
Niigata is famed as the prefecture with the most breweries in Japan, and for good reason. Its reputation for sake excellence comes from the perfect combination of snowmelt water and high-quality rice grown in the region, creating a crisp, clean flavor that is uniquely refreshing.
Row of sake vending machines at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, Niigata – Photo Credit: Molar
The area is home to renowned breweries such as Hakkaisan and Imayo Tsukasa, where generations of brewers have perfected their craft. Every year, Niigata comes alive with the Niigata Sake no Jin festival, a huge sake-tasting event that draws visitors from across Japan to celebrate the region’s finest brews.
Visitors can explore the prefecture through brewery tours, pair sake with fresh local seafood, or admire the scenic rice terraces that shape the landscape and influence the flavors of Niigata’s sake. If you’re seeking the purest sake experience, Niigata’s blend of craftsmanship and nature is unmatched.
Sake bottles at Pontocho district – Photo Credit: Samuel Ponce
Exploring sake across Japan is a journey of flavor, culture, and tradition. Each prefecture offers something unique, from Kyoto’s smooth and refined brews to Hiroshima’s mellow, slightly sweet sakes, and Niigata’s crisp, clean classics shaped by snowmelt water and fertile rice paddies. Whether you’re strolling Kyoto’s sake lanes or sipping in Hiroshima’s historic Saijo, our tours offer an authentic way to taste, learn, and fall in love with Japan’s most beloved drink.
Featured Photo Credit: Samuel Ponce
