Kyoto Sake Tasting Class with Sommelier: 7 Pairings

Taste seven sakes and learn what makes each one work with food

A private sake tasting class in Kyoto where you taste 7 types of Japanese sake paired with snacks, guided by a certified International Sommelier of Sake who wears traditional kimono and teaches in English. The session covers sake history, brewing methods, label reading, and how different vessels change the flavor and aroma of what you drink. Minimum age is 20; the venue sits five minutes' walk from Karasuma Oike Station.

The Experience

Sanjo Chasuian sits just a five-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station, making it easy to reach without arranging transport. Your instructor is a certified International Sommelier of Sake who greets you in traditional kimono and leads the session entirely in English. The experience opens with a welcome toast, then moves into the core of what you'll learn: sake history stretching back over 2,000 years, the regional and seasonal differences that shape flavor, brewing methods, how to read a label, and the practical skill of pairing sake with different dishes.

The tasting itself centers on 7 types of Japanese sake, each paired with a snack chosen to complement it—not as an afterthought but as an equal part of the experience. You'll taste from a variety of beautiful sake vessels, because the cup itself changes how the flavor and aroma come through. The sommelier offers tips on why certain pairings work, so you leave understanding the logic behind them rather than just the taste. If you find a sake or vessel you want to take home, both are available for purchase at the venue.

The session runs about 80 minutes and is private to your group, meaning no other guests are present. All guidance happens in English, and the space is set up with either table seating or a Japanese-style room. If you have dietary restrictions, you can request accommodations by email or WhatsApp before you arrive. Participants must be at least 20 years old, and anyone planning to drive or cycle afterward cannot drink alcohol.

What’s included

• Welcome sake.
• 7 types of Japanese sake with snack pairings.
• guidance on sake history, brewing methods, label reading, and food pairing.
• tasting from a variety of sake vessels.
• private group session with no other guests present.
• all instruction in English.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sanjo Chasuian

Is this one for you?The 80-minute format leaves room for a meal or another activity elsewhere in your day, and the sommelier's instruction in English means you don't need prior sake knowledge or a translator—just the willingness to taste and learn.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste during the sake pairing class?

You taste 8 sakes in total—a welcome drink plus 7 types of Japanese sake, each paired with a complementary snack. The sommelier explains the brewing methods, regional origins, and flavor profiles of each one, and teaches you how the vessel changes what you taste.

Is this class suitable if I've never had sake before?

Yes, the experience is beginner-friendly. The sommelier teaches sake history, types, and how to read labels from the start, so you build confidence in choosing sake to suit your own taste rather than following someone else's preference.

How long does the sake tasting class take?

The session runs approximately 80 minutes. It's private to your group, so the pace stays focused on your questions and interests without other guests present.

Where is Sanjo Chasuian located and how do I get there?

The venue is a five-minute walk from Subway Karasuma Oike Station in Kyoto, making it convenient to reach by public transportation. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the station.

Can I bring an interpreter to the class?

Yes, guests with an interpreter are welcome. The interpreter is charged the same participation fee as a regular guest and counts as one participant in the private group.

What should I know about drinking alcohol at this class?

Participants must be at least 20 years old. If you plan to drive a car or ride a bicycle after the class, you cannot drink alcohol during the tasting.