Private Tour
Sake Blending Experience : Craft Your Own Signature Sake
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover a Hidden Sake Lab and Create Your Own Signature Blend
Step into a hidden corner of a sake brewery for a rare, behind-the-scenes experience. You’ll explore the post-fermentation blending process, a special part of sake making rarely experienced, even by locals.
Hosted by a WSET Level 3–certified brewery guide, you’ll craft your own personalized sake blend. Finish your bottle by painting a kanji character on the label that reflects your blend’s personality.
Take home a one-of-a-kind bottle created by you. Creative, immersive, and unforgettable.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Uncover the secret art of sake blending in a hidden laboratory where creativity flows. At the gateway to Niigata—Japan’s renowned sake capital—Shirataki Sake Brewery has been crafting sake for over 170 years using soft snowmelt from one of the world’s heaviest snowfall regions. Step into a secluded, rarely seen corner of the brewery where you can explore Chōgō—the post-fermentation blending process—a hidden layer of artistry in sake creation that few ever get to see. Begin with an English-guided lecture by a brewery guide (WSET Level 3 Certified), on how sake is made and how craftsmanship shapes flavor. Taste five carefully selected sakes: the flagship Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi, known for its graceful balance and crisp purity, and four others representing key flavor profiles—dryness, sweetness, richness, and acidity. Then, craft your own blend to reflect your palate. Curated recipes by the master brewer are available if you need guidance, tailored to different moods, occasions, and tastes. Finish by choosing a kanji character to express your blend and brush it onto your label with staff support, creating a personalized bottle to take home.
What‘s Included
Your custom blend (500ml)/ The five component bottles
Tasting of 5 distinctive sake styles
Access to 7 blending recipe suggestions by our master brewer
Label calligraphy with your choice of kanji
An English-guided overview of the sake brewing process
Sake Brewery original tote bag
Optional photo in traditional brewery attire
Sake blending session in a hidden lab
Options
Sake Blending Experience : Craft Your Own Signature Sake
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Personalized experience!
caitlinmizo,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We signed up for a sake blending experience and it exceeded my expectations! I learned a lot about the sake making process and different types of sakes.
Must try experience only minutes from the train station
etalk2017,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00New to sake? Old friends with sake? Great! You will enjoy it. What a unique experience to learn about the past and future of sake, especially sake that is made in Niigata. Our guide, Kumi, was knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions regarding the brewery and about sake in general. We are so lucky she speaks English well and is very kind to us. All the staff were accommodating and polite. Why do a blending experience? It’s a good way to taste sake components individually and really understand how elements like SMV or acidity affect the way you enjoy sake. I never realized how much I like fruity elements in my sake until this experience. Plus I can make my own unique blend and take it home in my own bottle. What a nice gift to myself that I can enjoy when I go home and think back fondly about Niigata.
Kumi- the host with the most- fantastic !!
mtbjapan,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kumi was our host and she took us around, looked after us and was absolutely flawless. Her English and knowledge of the brewery were first class. The blending experience was fantastic, but I highly recommend the brewery tour also. Just to see and smell the process as it was happening was worth a day trip in itself. The explanation and experience of blending your own taste Sake to take home was just amazing! Not to mention the new tap room facility is absolutely stunning. 100% recommend - a must go authentic experience in Yuzawa, Niigata prefecture.
✨ The beginning of my sake journey
ployp946,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exclusive experience for everyone. Whether you are a beginner who has never tasted sake but would love to try something new, or a true sake enthusiast, this is the perfect place to begin a memorable journey. Discover the rich and diverse flavors of sake and create an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting to come back again. 🍶✨ Staff are always ready to guide you and share their knowledge about the sake-making process and the differences between each type of sake. Explanations are available in both English and Japanese, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the experience. I had never tried sake before, but this place made me realize that drinking sake can be much more fun than I expected. The flavors are approachable and memorable, and the very first bottle I created myself turned out to be delicious and exactly to my taste. If you’re looking for a new experience to enjoy with your partner, family, or friends, this is definitely a wonderful place to visit. 🍶✨
Make Your Own Sake at Shirataki Brewery
tanatchaporni,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very unique experience in Niigata. The guide gave a detailed introduction about Japanese sake and communicated very clearly in English. They were also very kind and welcoming, which made the experience even more enjoyable. ☺️✨ The highlight was creating our own original blend of sake. It was exciting to experiment with different flavors and make a personalized bottle to take home as a souvenir. 🍶🤍 If you visit Niigata, this is definitely an activity worth trying. It's a great way to learn more about Japanese sake while having fun. Highly recommended!
Best sake blending experience
Travel36619753339,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience. Learned a lot about the sake and get to blend out favorite sake too. Our instructor Kumi is so knowledge and so professional.
Great.
Stay16780268955,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Teacher explained very detailed, to understand the process of production of clean wine, and the feeling really comfortable, recommend that Taiwanese people from Tozze can come to drink clean wine and go to class.
Perfect
tszfungw2026,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfect experience! Can drink, learn, and have fun! Love it! Miss Kumi is all the best!
Blending experience
Getaway02090753555,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I felt that the staff (Kumi)'s English ability and explanation were easy to understand and wonderful. I learned a lot because I answered questions from customers with precision.
Unique!
Emily S,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kumi was very patient with our questions and guided us kindly through the session attentively, lovely experience!
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