Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour – Daytime

Step into the heart of Fushimi, one of Japan’s most renowned  and oldest sake regions, where centuries of craftsmanship and passion flow like the clear, pristine waters that give life to its legendary brews. Guided by a local expert, you’ll wander through charming streets and modern tasting rooms, each with its own story to tell.

As you explore, breathe in the fragrant aroma of fermenting rice, a scent that has lingered in the air for over 400 years. Listen to the tales about dedicated brewers who have perfected their craft through generations, their hands shaping each batch with precision and care. Visit a variety of sake breweries, both historic and contemporary, and uncover the delicate balance of art and science behind Japan’s beloved national drink.

Prepare your palate for an unforgettable tasting experience, sampling a range of sake styles, from crisp to luscious and aromatic. Let the flavors dance on your tongue as you learn to appreciate the subtle complexities of umami, sweetness, and acidity in each sip. Between tastings, savor a carefully selected local lunch in an atmospheric setting, where each dish enhances the sake pairings, deepening your connection to Kyoto’s rich culinary and brewing heritage.

While the sake-making process itself remains behind closed doors for safety and sanitation reasons, you’ll gain insider knowledge through engaging displays, expert insights, and immersive storytelling that bring the craft to life. By the end of the tour, you’ll leave not just with a newfound appreciation for sake but with a taste of Kyoto’s soul, an experience that lingers like a perfectly brewed cup of local sake.

Come raise a glass with us—kanpai!

Please note: due to legal restrictions at some of our stops on this tour- all members of your group must be 20 years old or older.
Single travelers: please email us directly and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Tour Highlights:

• 3-hour tour of Kyoto’s Fushimi district
• Guided tour at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
• See how a brewery works and get a sense of what goes into the production of the world’s best sake.
• Browse the shops at a local shopping arcade for souvenirs unique to the area.

Our guests will have a chance to learn about all the ins and outs of the sake brewing process, but due to sanitation and brewing laws in Japan, we will not be able to see the actual active sake brewing areas. 

Private Tours: For a more customized experience, make your tour private for an additional ¥19,500. (min. 2 people). Please click the add-on button on your cart when you check out.

We have family-friendly pricing on many of our tours, BUT This tour is for adults over 20. Thank you for your understanding.  If you would like to book a tour with children please check our Family-Friendly Page or inquiry to bookings@arigatojapan.co.jp for recommendations.

Strict start time policy:  We are sorry to say that if you are not able to arrive at the meeting point by the departure time, we will need to start the tour regardless and no refund can be provided. We are also unable to accommodate meeting up at any of the food stops. This is to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all guests and also to respect our relationships with restaurants.

5-minute grace period: We can only wait an additional five minutes after the starting time and then the tour will depart. In addition, please note that we cannot give directions or contact the guides on the phone once the tour begins.

Tour Schedule:

Changes on tours: Applicable substitutions may be made due to public holidays, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances.

For Vegetarians: 

Some food that we serve may have dashi, a soup stock made from kelp (seaweed) and bonito (skipjack tuna) as well as other ingredients. Dashi is the cornerstone of Japanese cuisine and is used in many/most Japanese dishes. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your dietary needs if you cannot consume dashi. Additionally, please inform us if you can eat eggs and dairy products.

If you cannot consume Dashi, we recommend booking a private tour with us and we can offer some alternatives. Again, be aware, it will still be a challenge to 100% avoid fish stock.

For this tour, it is possible (with advanced notice at the time of booking) to make adjustments to support the following dietary restrictions:

Please keep in mind, however, that we cannot make an allergy-free or dietary restriction food guarantee since food is prepared in kitchens that do not belong to Arigato Travel. Also, some stops may not have a viable substitution but we will make every effort to compensate at different stops throughout the tour.

4-291-1 Ryogaemachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu, Japan, 612-8082

〒612-8082 両替町4丁目291−1京都府京都市伏見区

There are two train lines you can take to get to the meeting place.

• Take the Keihan Train Line getting off at Fushimi Momoyama Station
• Take the Kintetsu Line getting off at Momoyama Goriyo Station

Our guide will be there holding an “Arigato Travel” sign.

We suggest wearing comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved.

WEATHER REMINDER: 
On rainy days, we recommend bringing an umbrella. They can be easily purchased at any convenience store.

Please note, this tour is special because it is in the less crowded area outside of the often, overly-busy downtown Kyoto. Please see the train info, time, distance, and cost estimates here: 

Train

• Kyoto station -Momoyama-goryo (Kintetsu line) 15 min, 260yen
• Shichijo station (closest to Kyoto station)- Fushimi-momoyama(Keihan line) 15min, 210yen

Taxi

• 6.7km, 25min, 2700yen