Kyoto Sake Tasting with Sommelier: Learn to Choose & Pair

Taste seven sakes chosen for you, then know how to find them on any menu in Japan.

A 90-minute sake tasting in Kyoto led by a certified Sake Sommelier teaches you to identify your preferences and order with confidence, even when labels are in Japanese. You taste seven sakes paired with traditional otsumami snacks in a private room, receive personalized guidance suited to your experience level, and leave with a cheat sheet and tasting notes to use throughout Japan. Multiple departure times available; minimum age 20 (non-alcoholic drinks for younger guests).

Step-by-step itinerary

Sake tasting and food pairing experience

• Learn sake varieties with expert
• Taste different sake styles
• Enjoy Japanese snack pairings
• Identify personal sake preferences
• Gain confidence ordering sake

The Experience

The tasting room is air-conditioned and built for focus—no crowds, no rush. A certified Sake Sommelier leads you through seven carefully selected sakes, each one chosen to help you discover which styles you actually prefer rather than which ones you think you should like. The sommelier explains the unique characteristics of each variety in clear, friendly language, whether you've never tasted sake before or you've had it many times. You learn how to read labels, how to spot your favorites on restaurant menus written only in Japanese, and how to order with real confidence instead of guessing.

Between tastings, you're served traditional otsumami—Japanese snacks that show how people in Japan naturally pair food with sake. This is not a lecture about pairing rules; it's a chance to taste the combinations and feel which flavors work together. By the end of 90 minutes, you know which type of sake you truly like, how to identify it, and how to order it anywhere in Japan. You leave with a sake cheat sheet and tasting notes to keep the knowledge with you.

The experience runs at five different times throughout the day—11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, or 5:30pm—so you can fit it around your schedule. The venue is near public transportation. It's recommended to have lunch or brunch before you arrive, and note that alcohol is not served to guests who arrive by car or bicycle (non-alcoholic drinks are available instead). Vegetarian snack options are available if you let your guide know when you arrive.

What’s included

• Seven carefully selected sakes chosen by a certified Sake Sommelier to match your taste.
• traditional otsumami food pairings that show how Japanese people naturally enjoy sake with food.
• a private air-conditioned tasting room where you can relax and taste at your own pace.
• a sake cheat sheet and tasting notes to help you confidently choose and order sake after the experience.
• guided instruction in English suited to all experience levels, from first-time tasters to regular drinkers.
• vegetarian snack options available upon request.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Add Stories Co.,Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book the time that fits your day—the experience works the same at any departure—and come after you've eaten, since the focus is on tasting and learning rather than a full meal. If you're traveling through Japan and want to order sake confidently in restaurants and shops without guessing at labels, this session gives you the knowledge to do it.

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Top questions

What exactly do I taste during the 90 minutes?

Seven carefully selected sakes, each one chosen by the sommelier to help you discover your own preferences. Between tastings, you're served traditional otsumami—Japanese snacks that pair naturally with sake—so you experience how the food and drink work together.

Will I be able to read sake labels and order in restaurants after this?

Yes. The sommelier teaches you how to identify sake styles on labels and menus written in Japanese, and you leave with a cheat sheet and tasting notes to reference when you're ordering anywhere in Japan.

Is this suitable if I've never tasted sake before?

Completely. The sommelier gives clear, friendly explanations for all experience levels, and the small-group setting means you get personalized attention and can ask questions at your own pace.

What time should I book if I want to come straight from lunch?

The experience runs at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm. It's recommended to have eaten before you arrive, so the 3:30pm or later slots work well if you're having lunch in the city first.

What happens if I'm under 20 or don't drink alcohol?

Guests under 20 receive non-alcoholic drinks instead. Non-drinkers are also welcome and can participate fully; non-alcoholic drinks are available for them as well.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the tasting room?

Yes. Public transportation options are available nearby, and you'll arrange your own transport to the venue. The sommelier will provide the address and directions when you book.