Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: 18 Tastings in Fushimi

Eighteen sakes in one afternoon, from bold to light, across Fushimi's working breweries.

A guided sake tour through Fushimi, Kyoto, where you taste 18 different sakes across three breweries in 2.5 hours. You start at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to explore traditional brewing methods and exhibits, move to Kizakura's factory to meet their kappa mascot and taste three house sakes, then finish at Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley for the tasting challenge. The tour runs as a private group or a shared group, with a live guide in English or Japanese, and includes all tastings and guide fees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour and Tastings

• Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
• Explore sake-making exhibits
• Taste various Gekkeikan sakes
• Tour Kizakura factory
• Meet Kizakura's kappa mascot
• Taste three Kizakura sakes
• Sample 18 sakes at Fushimizu Alley

The Experience

Eighteen different sakes is the real draw here, and they're spread across three stops that show you how sake actually gets made. You start at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where the brewery still operates and the museum's exhibits walk you through the tools and methods that have stayed mostly the same for centuries. The tasting there kicks off the day—you'll sample several of their sakes before moving on, so your palate has a baseline before the bigger challenge arrives.

Kizakura comes next, and it's a factory tour, not just a tasting room. You see the brewing process in action, then meet their kappa mascot—the mythical creature that became the face of their brand in Japanese commercials. Three more sakes follow, all made to showcase what Kizakura's known for: smooth, approachable brews that don't demand an expert palate. By the time you leave, you've tasted six sakes and walked through two different breweries' actual operations.

Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley is where the 18-sake count happens. It's a bustling spot in central Fushimi, and the alley itself is lined with options—you can eat Kyoto specialties between tastings if you want. The real event is the tasting lineup: 18 different sakes from the Fushimi area, each one distinct, each one from a different brewery story. The flavors run the full spectrum, from bold to light. Whether you make it through all 18 is the question the tour poses, and the guide is there to walk you through the differences and help you pace yourself.

What’s included

• Guide fee in English or Japanese.
• all 18 sake tastings across the three breweries.
• entry to Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum and access to its exhibits.
• factory tour at Kizakura.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by DeepExperience

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want to set the pace with your own group and linger at any brewery; pick the group tour if you'd rather meet other sake enthusiasts and split the cost. Either way, a live guide keeps the tastings moving and explains what makes each sake different, so you're not just drinking—you're learning why Fushimi's water and breweries matter.

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Top questions

How many different sakes will I actually taste on this tour?

You taste 18 different sakes total across the three stops—several at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, three at Kizakura, and the remaining 12 at Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley. Each one is from a different Fushimi brewery, so you're sampling the range of what the region produces.

What happens at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum?

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a working brewery with an attached museum. You explore exhibits on traditional brewing methods and the tools used for centuries, then move into a tasting session where you sample several of their sakes before the rest of the tour begins.

Is there food included, or do I need to arrange lunch?

Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley has Kyoto food specialties available on-site, so you can eat between tastings if you want. The tour itself includes the sakes and the guide; food is separate and available where you stop.

Can I book this as a private tour, or does it run as a group?

You can choose between a private tour or a group tour at checkout. Both follow the same route and include the same 18 tastings; the difference is whether you go with just your party or join other travelers.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English or Japanese, depending on which option you select at checkout. Both languages are available for either the private or group tour.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 2.5 hours from start to finish, covering all three breweries and all 18 tastings. The pace is set by the guide, so you move through each stop without rushing.