Advanced Sake Tasting in Kyoto: 10 rare brews, expert-led

Kyoto sake beyond the basics: 10 brews, brewing philosophies, one expert tasting

An advanced sake tasting in Kyoto where you taste and compare 10 carefully selected sakes chosen for their distinctive brewing approaches, guided by a certified sake expert in a dedicated tasting room. The experience goes beyond standard tastings to focus on how brewing philosophy, ingredients and techniques dramatically change flavor and character. Designed for those ready to move past fundamentals and refine how they evaluate sake.

The experience

This is not a typical sake tasting. You'll taste 10 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. A certified sake expert guides the comparison, walking you through how dramatically flavor can change depending on philosophy, materials and brewing choices. The tasting happens in a dedicated air-conditioned room in Kyoto, so the focus stays on what's in the glass.

You'll learn to read real sake bottles and labels the way restaurants do, practice evaluating flavor structure, and understand the brewing methods behind each style. Rather than simply sampling, you compare and analyze: building the knowledge to choose sake with intention instead of guessing at the shelf. The expert covers the fundamentals of sake production and categories, but the real work is deeper: discovering the creative potential locked inside each brewing decision.

The experience runs 2 hours. You choose either the 11:00 AM or 1:30 PM departure. Arrive having eaten lunch or brunch. The tasting notes and reference materials stay with you after, so you can keep exploring what you learned. Guests must be at least 20 years old to taste alcohol. Non-drinkers and those arriving by car or bicycle receive non-alcoholic drinks instead.

What’s included

• 10 carefully selected rare and exceptional sakes designed for in-depth comparison.
• guided tasting led by a certified sake expert in English.
• detailed explanation of sake styles, brewing methods and flavor structure.
• hands-on practice reading real sake bottles and labels used in restaurants.
• sake tasting notes and reference materials you keep after the experience.
• dedicated air-conditioned tasting room in Kyoto.

Options for this experience

2 options

Deep sake tasting at 1:30 PMGuide in English · Available from 4 Jun 2027Lasts 2 hours, with 10 varieties of sake

Deep sake tasting at 11:00 AMGuide in English · Available from 29 Oct 2027Lasts 2 hours, featuring 10 kinds of sake

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 4 Jun 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (20 and older) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Stroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Add Stories Co.,Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the tasting before lunch, or the afternoon slot if you prefer to eat first and arrive with a clear palate. Either way, this experience suits anyone ready to move beyond standard tastings and understand how brewing choices shape what sake tastes like: the knowledge that turns casual tasting into real evaluation.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

52 verified traveler reviews

5 ★52

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I taste during the 10-sake comparison?

The 10 sakes are carefully selected for their distinctive brewing approaches and flavor profiles: rare and exceptional brews made with ancient methods, innovative fermentation techniques, and local wood aging. Each one is chosen to reveal how brewing philosophy, ingredients and techniques change the taste and character of sake, so the comparison itself teaches you how to evaluate and choose.

How is this different from a standard sake tasting?

This advanced tasting focuses on comparison and understanding rather than simply sampling. You learn to read real sake labels used in restaurants, practice evaluating flavor structure, and explore how brewing methods shape what you taste: building the knowledge to choose sake with intention instead of the basics.

Do I need sake experience to join this tasting?

The experience is approachable for curious beginners, but it is especially rewarding for those who want to deepen their appreciation of sake and refine how they evaluate it. You'll cover the fundamentals of sake production and categories, then move into the deeper, more creative side.

What time options are available?

You can book either the 11:00 AM or 1:30 PM departure. The experience runs 2 hours, and the operator recommends having lunch or brunch beforehand.

What happens if I arrive by car or bicycle?

For safety and legal reasons, alcohol will not be served to guests who arrive by car or bicycle. Non-alcoholic drinks are available instead, and you can still participate in the full tasting experience and learn from the expert.

Is food included with the sake tasting?

The tasting itself does not include food pairing. The operator recommends eating lunch or brunch before you arrive so you can focus on the sakes.