Tokyo Shinjuku: Sake Tasting Class with Sommelier & 8 Varieties

Summary

Tokyo sake tasting masterclass with local snacks and expert

You’ll taste over six types of sake in Shinjuku with a pro sommelier guiding you through flavors and pairings. Try Japanese snacks alongside each pour, learn how cup shapes and temperatures matter, and swap stories with locals and travelers alike. It’s relaxed but eye-opening — you’ll never look at sake the same way again.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed walking into the little tasting room in Shinjuku was the faint smell of steamed rice — not strong, just kind of lingering under the wood polish and city air that sneaks in when someone opens the door. Our guide, Jun, waved us over with a grin and poured something clear into tiny cups. “Start cold,” he said, and honestly I was nervous I’d spill it everywhere. The group was small — maybe eight of us? — so it felt more like hanging out at a friend’s place than some formal class.

Jun explained how sake isn’t just one thing; it’s all these different flavors depending on temperature, region, even the shape of your cup (which he made me test — I still can’t believe how much it changed). He told stories about family breweries up north, his hands moving fast as he talked. At one point he handed around a snack platter — salty fish crackers, pickled veggies — and told us to try them with the next sake. The pairing actually worked; I didn’t expect that part. Someone from Osaka in our group joked about Tokyo sake being too “polite,” which made everyone laugh.

I tried to say “kanpai” properly before each round but probably butchered it every time. There was this moment after my fourth or fifth sip (who’s counting) where everything slowed down for a second — just quiet clinks of glasses and that warm feeling you get when you’re learning something new but also just having fun. If you’re looking for a day trip sake tasting in Tokyo that isn’t stiff or touristy, this is it. I still think about one of those cloudy sakes whenever I walk past a liquor shop now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sake tasting and learning in Shinjuku

• Meet sake sommelier in Shinjuku
• Learn Sake 101 basics
• Taste over six sake varieties
• Experience sake at different temperatures
• Try sake with different cup shapes
• Sample locally sourced snack platter
• Create personal sake tasting chart

Top questions

How many types of sake do you taste during this class?

You’ll taste more than six different types of sake from small family-owned breweries.

Is food included in the Tokyo sake tasting?

A snack platter is served for food pairings, but it’s not a full meal — eat lunch beforehand.

Where does the sake masterclass take place?

The class is held in Shinjuku, right in central Tokyo.

Who leads the sake tasting workshop?

A professional sake sommelier from an international team leads the session.

How long does the experience last?

The masterclass runs for about two hours.

Can children join this Tokyo sake tasting?

No, minimum drinking age is 20 years old; infants may attend if seated on an adult’s lap but cannot participate.

Are there vegetarian options for snacks?

You can request dietary accommodations by messaging at least a week before your tour date.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes guided tastings of more than six kinds of premium sake from boutique breweries in Shinjuku, plus a snack platter for food pairings. A professional sommelier hosts the two-hour session and shares tips on flavor profiles, brewing history, and pairing techniques — all drinks are covered so you can just relax and enjoy each pour together with your small group.