Private Tour
Private Food & Sake Tour in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Your group only — a relaxed, private evening enjoying Japanese food, sake, and the local bar-hopping culture.
Pub crawls — or "nomi aruki" in Japan — are a great way to see a lively side of Kyoto most tourists miss.
Kenji, a certified international sake sommelier, will take you to two or three specially selected bars with food and drinks tailored to your preferences.
He spent many years at a sake brewery in Hyogo, tasting over 1,000 sakes from Japan and around the world.
Explore Japan’s sake, craft beer, and food culture in the city — with Kenji, a knowledgeable local guide.
Even if you don't drink alcohol, you're welcome to enjoy Kyoto's cuisine, but all guests must be at least 20 years old.
Please inform us of any dietary restrictions when you make your reservation.
Group size: 2–4 people
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
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
Not suitable for individuals under 20 years of age, due to the legal drinking age in Japan
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kyoto
Experience Kyoto's cuisine, culture, and sake like an insider at a "machiya izakaya" (a bar restaurant specializing in drinks and small dishes, set in a traditional Kyoto townhouse). Rub elbows with locals from Kyoto at one of their favorite neighborhood "standing bars." Savor high-quality sake and Japanese craft beer at venues that specialize in them. For each tour, the selection of venues (2 - 3 in total) will be determined by your own tastes and preferences.
What‘s Included
An assortment of tasty adult beverages
A representative sampling of Kyoto's delicious pub cuisine
Options
Private Food & Sake Tour in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier
Reviews
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Sake and Food Experience with Kenji!
K6776ISisabellav,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an excellent and unique experience! My husband and I did the private sake + food tour with Kenji. We started at a sake shop to do a thorough overview of sake and learn about the history and taste a number of sake varieties. Kenji then took us on an amazing food tour! We made a number of stops to try several cuisines, and the best part is that they were places we never would’ve found otherwise. If you enjoy a local perspective, this is a can’t miss. Kenji even gave us a number of great recommendations for Osaka, our next stop on our trip. Thank you Kenji for an informative, memorable, and delicious experience!
A Truly Special Sake and Izakaya Experience in Kyoto
T4171QProbertoo,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00After making contact with Kenji and exploring some possibilities for a special night of sake-tasting in Kyoto, we agreed to meet at an izakaya that was very much off the beaten path. Kenji was very personable. We immediately had a good rapport. The conversation was vibrant and there was a lot of laughter, along with some serious learning about sake. We enjoyed tasting several different sakes and even found a new favorite among them. The food at the izakaya was superb and made for excellent pairings with the sake. Our night with Kenji was a truly memorable experience. We're very grateful!
Super Sake Tour!
Catherine C,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible private sake pub tour with Kenji in Kyoto! He was extremely knowledgeable about sake and explained everything in a fun, engaging way that made the experience both educational and entertaining. Kenji took us to fantastic local spots that we never would’ve found on our own, each with delicious food and a unique atmosphere. He was friendly, personable, and made sure we had a great time from start to finish. Highly recommend this tour if you want an authentic Kyoto sake and food experience!
One of the Highlights of Our Trip to Kyoto – Don’t Miss Kenji’s Sake Tour
Gleeer,Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of joining Kenji’s Private Sake Bar & Pub Crawl, and it was hands-down one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. Kenji is an exceptional guide—fluent in English, incredibly knowledgeable, and clearly a seasoned traveler with a deep appreciation for both Japanese culture and global perspectives. His passion for sake was contagious, and he struck the perfect balance between education and enjoyment throughout the tour. What made this experience truly unforgettable was the level of thought and care Kenji brought to every detail. We visited several unique spots, including a tiny sake bar tucked away down an alley—exactly the kind of hidden gem we never would have found on our own. There, we enjoyed a fantastic meal and sampled expertly curated sake pairings while Kenji guided us through the tasting with insight, humor. He provided a handout that broke down the different types of sake, brewing methods, and regional distinctions—something we’ve kept as a souvenir and reference. Kenji’s ability to teach without ever sounding like a lecture is a rare gift. He made the world of sake accessible and fascinating, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast. As an added touch of generosity and kindness, the next day was my wife’s birthday, and I was torn on where to take her. I messaged Kenji for a local recommendation, and he responded quickly with thoughtful suggestions that led us to a perfect celebration dinner. If you’re even remotely interested in Japanese culture, food, or drink, do not miss this tour. It’s more than just sake tasting—it’s an experience led by someone who genuinely cares about what he does and about the people he shares it with. Highly recommended. No hesitation.
Another Fantastic Time In Kyoto With Kenji!!
G1373DRdennisp,May 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my second time in Kyoto, and both times my experience of the city was greatly enhanced thanks to Kenji! The first time I visited, he taught me all about the world of sake at a local sake bar. This time, we did a pub crawl, and it was fantastic. Kenji is a wealth of knowledge, not only about sake and spirits, but also about Japanese culture and the history of the country. I can’t recommend Kenji enough!!
Kenji the best Sake Sommelier!
Christopher C,Mar 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kenji is a rare find! His knowledge of Sake and Japan in general is phenomenal. Highly recommend if you want to learn how to identify quality sake and appreciate hidden gem restaurants in Kyoto!
Nihon Shu
jstrayer111,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The first half of the evening was a lesson on history and production of Sake/Nihon Shu. This included several tasting at a Sake bar. The second half of the evening was spent eating local cuisine and socializing. Kenji is a wonderful guide and I highly recommend this tour for those looking for something more personalized.
Sake and food tasting with Kenji
Ramin M,Feb 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a private tour with Kenji in Kyoto. We did sake Tasting and visited many local traditional Japanese yakitori and restaurants. He is an incredibly knowledgeable Sake Sommalier. Furthermore he has knowledge of all Japanese cultures and history as well. If you ever make it to Kyoto, a tour with Kenji is a must
We had a wonderful night...
Laura M,Jan 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful night drinking sake and enjoying delicious food with Kenji. He is an exceptional guide with a lot of knowledge about sake and Kyoto. This tour was the highlight of our visit to Kyoto. I highly recommend to anyone that wants an authentic experience with sake and food.
Amazing Sake/food experience Kyoto
F5239FZemila,Jan 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely evening we had with Kenji-San. Everything was organized perfect, starting in a sake standing bar, where we learned more about the process, and for us tasted the best sakes we ever had. After we had an amazing dinner in a local Yakiniku spot. Highly knowledgeable person, and a tour you can not miss when you’re visiting Kyoto and want to learn more about Japan as a whole. Thank you Kenji!
Related Experiences
Operated by Kenji from Kyoto, a certified international sake sommelier