Japan · SAKE TASTING

Top 15 Sake Tastings in Japan

37 tours  ·  from $32

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 sake tastings justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings) - Gion Shirakawa and Kyoto-style vegetable dishes
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Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings)

1.Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,762 reviews · from $163Our pick

Spend about three and a half hours eating through Gion and Pontocho with a group of no more than seven. Expect Kyoto vegetable dishes, local specialties, drinks, and sake tasting at a standing bar, with guides such as Jimmy, Emma, Rika, and Yuki adding food and neighborhood context.

“Ok experience. The guide was knowledgeable about the area. Too much politics were discussed for my taste,”

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1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano - A 30-minute introduction to Nagano sake
1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nagano Tours, Sake & Bar Hopping Tours, Sake & Bar Hopping Tours in Nagano, Sake Tasting, Temple & Shrine Tours, Temple & Shrine Tours in Nagano, Tour Reviews, Winter Activities

1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

2.1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,020 reviews · from $151

Spend about eight hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Zenko-ji Temple, tasting Nagano sake, eating a regional lunch, and walking to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Guides such as Tom, Endo, Kieran, Nadine, and Jens have led recent departures. Winter visitors need warm layers and sturdy traction.

“We were lucky to have Tom as our guide. He is extremely knowledgeable not only about Japanese history but also gave an excellent summary of sake production and the different types as well as the snow monkeys and Nagano attractions. Tom was also very generous with recommendations for other areas in Japan. The tour was an excellent combination of the temple tour and snow monkey forest. Fantastic lunch included. Plenty of time to see the Zenkoji temple as well as the monkeys. Thanks Tom”

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3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings - Starting at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings

3.3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 917 reviews · from $84

Spend three hours in Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district with a certified Sake Sommelier. Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, sample 10 styles, compare food pairings, and learn how to read sake labels. Guides such as Kyoko, Miyuki, Mai, and Shogo bring a clear, friendly approach to beginners.

“This was such an amazing experience! Our guide was very informative, we learned so much about Sake!! We would highly recommend this tour💕”

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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery - Starting at Saga-Arashiyama Station
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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

4.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 886 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $87

Meet your English-speaking guide at Saga-Arashiyama Station for a five-hour walk through the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji Temple, and Monkey Park. Choose a shopping-and-monkey route or a local lunch with sake tasting. Guides include Karim, Tom, Francis, Toru, and others.

“We had a fantastic time Tom is an excellent guide. He was so knowledgeable and took everything at a nice easy pace. We had the benefit of a small group, so it was able to answer all our questions . The tour covered some lovely areas and we saw things that we definitely would have missed. I would definitely recommend it to anybody visiting Kyoto .”

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Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip - Zenkoji Temple gives the day its cultural center
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Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

5.Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 833 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $135

Join an English-speaking guide such as Dylan, Brent, or Tom for a full day in Nagano. Visit Zenkoji Temple, enter its pitch-black inner passage if you choose, taste several sakes, enjoy a generous local lunch, and walk 1.6 km each way to the Snow Monkey Park.

“What a wonderful day! The guides were great and very informative. The transportation was perfect. The meal was amazing. So fun and wonderful.”

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Kyoto: Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing - Inside the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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Kyoto: Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing

6.Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 704 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Meet an English-speaking sake expert at Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in Fushimi. Walk through the brewing process, compare 10 or more sake styles, then taste them with otsumami in a private tasting room. You’ll learn how to read labels, choose hot or cold sake, and order with confidence.

“What an amazing experience! We loved her approach including the presentation in large format so we all could see it as well as the little business card sized cheat sheet. The museum was educational and the separate tasting was also special. I appreciated the tasting starting on its own and then again wi the food - what a difference! Thank you, again. Truly amazing experience!!”

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Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour - Inside the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour

7.Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 623 reviews · from $98

Walk through Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district, visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, pass historic Teradaya, and stop at Kappa Gallery before tasting up to 18 Kyoto sakes at a local sake restaurant. Guides such as Matt, Rika, Kumi, and Yukari add history, tasting advice, and local tips.

“We had the best experience with our guide (Eri), she was so sweet and interactive! Highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves Sake or wants to gain more knowledge and taste a wide variety of local sakes”

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1.5-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings & Pairings - Otsumami pairings make the lesson practical
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1.5-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings & Pairings

8.1.5-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings & Pairings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · from $68

Spend 90 minutes in a private Fushimi tasting room with a certified sake sommelier such as Mayo, Kiyomi, or Greg. Taste seven sakes, compare flavors with traditional otsumami snacks, learn how brewing changes the drink, and leave with notes to guide future orders.

“A very nice and insightful tour. The location is a bit remote, but I think it's worth it :) We had a great time with Mayo.”

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Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo - Building ramen broth from scratch
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Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo

9.Ramen and Sushi Cooking Class with Sake Pairing Set in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 291 reviews · from $79

In Tokyo’s Tsukuda district, Sato, Ryushi, Kaori, Taka, and their team guide you through sushi, ramen broth, and sake pairing in a maximum-eight-person class. The three-hour session includes ingredients, the meal, and all drinks, with hands-on help and Japanese food stories.

“The sushi making experience and sake tasting was wonderful. There were only 5 in our group, so instructions on sushi making were up close and personal and very helpful. The setting was great, overlooking the river, and the sushi we got to eat after making it was delicious. Also, the sake was top notch and very smooth.”

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Sake Tasting Masterclass in Shinjuku (8+ Varieties with a Pro) - Brewing, labels, and the parts worth remembering
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Sake Tasting Masterclass in Shinjuku (8+ Varieties with a Pro)

10.Sake Tasting Masterclass in Shinjuku (8+ Varieties with a Pro)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 271 reviews · from $72

Spend two hours in Nishishinjuku tasting at least six sake varieties with a small-group sommelier. Max, Joe, Tadashi, Megan, Cassy, Andrea, and Hawaii Joe have hosted sessions, covering brewing, labels, food pairings, and smart buying tips.

“Hawaii Joe was an amazing host. He was informative, entertaining, and full of energy. I feel more confident ordering/buying sake after doing his tasting. I highly recommend this tasting to anyone looking for more sake knowledge or an afternoon of drinking and entertainment.”

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Kyoto: Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings and Snacks - Arrival and the dedicated tasting room
Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Kyoto Tours, Sake & Bar Hopping Tours, Sake & Bar Hopping Tours in Kyoto, Sake Tasting, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings and Snacks

11.Insider Sake Experience with 7 Tastings and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 1h 30m · from $66

In a dedicated Kyoto tasting room, an English-speaking sake expert such as Mayo, Kotaro, or Kiyomi guides you through seven generous tastings, brewing basics, bottle reading, and food pairings. You will compare dry, sweet, fruity, and crisp styles, then use a cheat sheet to choose sake in Japan.

“We really enjoyed our experience and learned a lot! Our guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend!”

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Sake Omakase in Tokyo: Guided Tasting by Certified Sommeliers - Rice comparison makes sake easier to understand
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Sake Omakase in Tokyo: Guided Tasting by Certified Sommeliers

12.Sake Omakase in Tokyo: Guided Tasting by Certified Sommeliers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 239 reviews · from $79

Meet Eric, Aaron, Frank, or Phillip at Linden House in Kanda for a two-hour sake lesson built around seven Japan-exclusive pours. You’ll compare rice styles, temperatures, infusions, and drinking vessels, with small bites and free-flow refills throughout four themed courses.

“Really enjoyed this sake knowledge experience, in a very nice setting with very passionate and friendly hosts. Thank you so much for everything!”

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Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking - Cooking your own takoyaki
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Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

13.Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Join Momo, a sake sommelier and former brewer, at MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba. You will cook takoyaki with octopus, wagyu, cheese, and other fillings, then sample seasonal sake while learning about brewing, styles, and flavor. Groups are capped at six, with soft drinks available.

“Momo is as great. I enjoyed very much!! At first you don’t know what to expect, but it really is a very good menu to do sake tasting, and eat takoyaki!!”

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KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included) - Starting at Ishiyagawa Station at 1:00 pm
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KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included)

14.KOBE Sake Tasting Tour at Breweries (tasting fee included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · from $109

Spend about three and a half hours walking Kobe’s Nada Gogo with guides such as Hiro, Romi, Aki, or Aya. Visit sake museums and breweries, taste several styles including seasonal pours, learn traditional brewing methods, and pause at a local tofu shop. Groups are capped at 10.

“We wanted to experience Sake off the beaten tourist track and our tour guide Aki delivered all that and more! We visited famous breweries, local breweries and sake museums. Aki was very knowledgeable and educated us on the different types of sake and how it was made. Wear your hiking shoes and bring an empty backpack because you are going to want to buy souvenirs.”

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Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience - Choosing from seasonal sake
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Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience

15.Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $72

At MOMO to SAKE in Osaka’s Higashishinsaibashi district, sake sommelier Momoko guides you through Japanese sake, label reading, and seasonal pours before you make takoyaki from scratch. Add wagyu, cheese, and other fillings to your octopus balls in a small class of up to six people.

“We had such a great time doing this class! I would highly recommend this activity for your Osaka adventure. It’s so nice being able to connect with a local, especially one who is a sake and takoyaki expert. 10 stars!”

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New in Sake Tasting

★ 5.0Sake Tasting: Educational Tour of Six Takayama BreweriesFrom $7714 reviews
★ 5.0Sake & Food Pairing with Sake ProfessionalFrom $6928 reviews
★ 5.0Private Sake Tasting in Central Kyoto with Sake SommelierFrom $8313 reviews
★ 5.03.5h Osaka Night guided Local Bar Hopping, Sake & KaraokeFrom $4027 reviews
★ 4.8Cooking Class & Sake Tasting with Local Market VisitFrom $9031 reviews
★ 5.0Nagano Sake Tasting Walking TourFrom $6317 reviews
★ 4.4Foodie Night Tour in Gion with 9 dishes + 6 SakeFrom $36126 reviews
★ 4.7Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour – 18 Tastings in 2.5 HoursFrom $9336 reviews
★ 5.0Beyond the Insider Sake Tasting ExperienceFrom $6630 reviews
★ 4.43-Hour Sake Breweries Tour with Special TastingFrom $9425 reviews
★ 4.3Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Kyoto FushimiFrom $8013 reviews
★ 4.9Historic Kanda Sake Tasting at Tokyo’s Oldest Shop (1596)From $3833 reviews
★ 4.8Saijo Sake Tasting at 7 Breweries Guided TourFrom $9029 reviews
★ 5.0Wagyu Beef & Sake Pairing Foodie Tour in TokyoFrom $18016 reviews
★ 4.9From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys and Zenko-ji Day Trip & SakeFrom $13513 reviews

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