Advanced Kyoto Insider Sake Tasting Experience
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Delve deeper into the world of sake in this advanced, expert-led tasting experience in Kyoto. During the experience, you’ll taste and compare 10 carefully selected sake chosen for their distinctive brewing approaches and flavor profiles. With guidance from a certified sake expert, you’ll explore how differences in brewing philosophy, ingredients, and techniques can dramatically change the taste and character of sake. This experience is designed to go beyond standard tastings, focusing on comparison and understanding rather than simply sampling. While approachable for curious beginners, it is especially rewarding for those who want to deepen their appreciation of sake and refine how they evaluate and choose it. Important notes: • If your group size exceeds current availability, please feel free to contact us. • We recommend having lunch or brunch before the experience. • Guests must be at least 20 years old.
Sample Menu
main
10 kinds of sake tasting
What‘s Included
Sake tasting notes and reference materials for deeper understanding
Hands-on practice reading real sake bottles and labels used in restaurants
Guided sake tasting held in our own dedicated tasting room
Detailed explanation of sake styles, brewing methods, and flavor structure
Advanced sake tasting guided by an experienced sake expert
10 carefully selected sake, designed for in-depth comparison
Food pairing
Options
12:00 Deep Sake Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
10 kinds of Sake
1:30 PM Deep Sake Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
10 kinds of sake
3:30PM Deep Sake Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
10 kinds of sake
11:00AM Deep Sake Tasting
Duration: 2 hours
10 Kinds of Sake
Reviews
45 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
👍🏻
ivancK6596MK,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kiyomi is a helpful and acknowledged tutor. Really enjoy the time experiencing variety type sake.
Beautiful Sake Tasting
jeromew616,Jan 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kiyomi’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.
Brilliant sake experience
P5993CDnickm,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Insightful 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.
Fantastic!
gemmabV4546LR,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely 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!).
Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
laylasR7198RJ,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super 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!
Amazing experience
Guide40777819778,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kiyomi 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.
Excellent experience, learned so much about sake!!
Paradise64728836966,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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!
Very pleasantly surprised by a great educational and fun tasting event
BR349,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 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
A fantastic educational and sake tasting experience, greatly exceeding our expectations and enriched our understanding .
roblav,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This sake tasting experience was exceptional in my opinion. Kiyomi, our sake, sommelier, was extremely knowledgable and experienced. She provided a great presentation and overall experience, with not just a deep understanding of sake and the brewing techniques, but also fantastic and unique sake varieties to taste. I thought it was a fantastic experience!.
Amazing, Thoughtful Experience!
emp772,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have done both the intro tour and the advanced tour, and we learned so much! The sommeliers are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Kotaro was really lovely and answered all our questions. Loved having the advanced tasting build on what we learned last time. Also, the tasting was set up extremely thoughtfully, so that we could easily taste the difference in styles and process. A one-of-a-kind experience and definitely worth the trip.
From ¥113,000
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