Private Tour

Sake Blending Experience : Craft Your Own Signature Sake

Overview

Available languages

English

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—something even many Japanese have never tried.

Hosted by a brewery guide (WSET Level 3 Certified), you’ll craft your own personalized sake blend and finish your bottle by painting a kanji character on the label that reflects your blend’s character.

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‘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

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.

Options

Sake Blending in Niigata: Craft Your Own Signature Blend

Reviews

5.00

2 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

One of a kind creative Sake experience. Very cool!
ハロルドピ,
Oct 21, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a wholesome experience with very cool presentation. Much more interesting than normal sake tasting. The Sake was superb with some very interesting modern styles. Thank you, Kumi-san, we learnt so much - such a cool experience!
Sake blending experience at Shirataki Brewery
ben r,
Oct 21, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00
We recently did a sake blending experience at the Shirataki brewery and as it happened we were the first to have booked through their website officially. The experience was truly magical and thoughtfully planned out with the sakes being well prepared in advance using great displays in a multi sensory setting. The whole exercise was complemented with a blending of the 5sakes which we were presented with and we had to make our own blend. It did really make us think about the whole process and put our taste buds to the test. Once we were happy with our results the finished product was bottled in a beautiful bottle and we were offered the opportunity to sign our own names onto the finished sake in Japanese, to name our own blend. A truly unique and special experience which Shirataki should be celebrated for. Congratulations to Kumi for her presentation and absolute pleasure to be featured in this her first presentation.