About this tour
Spend three hours in Fushimi learning sake from a certified sommelier at Higashiyama Brewery. You'll taste over ten varieties, pair them with traditional Japanese appetisers, and tour the Kizakura Museum to understand how sake is made. By the end, you'll recognise flavour profiles and navigate Japanese menus with confidence—no longer guessing at unfamiliar labels.
Highlights
- Taste 10+ sake types guided by certified sommelier
- Learn production methods at working brewery museum
- Pair sake with traditional Japanese appetisers (otsumami)
- Private tasting room, small-group experience
- Take home tasting notes and selection guide
- Understand how to read and choose sake independently
What to expect
Your guide will walk you through Higashiyama Brewery's operations, explaining fermentation, rice varieties, and regional differences. You'll move to a dedicated tasting room where each sake is presented with its story—nose it, sip it slowly, notice how food changes the flavour. The sommelier answers questions without pretension. Otsumami arrives between tastings to cleanse your palate and show how salt, umami, and acidity complement different brews. You'll leave with written notes on what worked for you, not generic recommendations.
Good to know
Arrive by train or taxi; driving after tasting is illegal. Eat beforehand to pace yourself. Wear comfortable shoes—there's modest walking involved. Bring water. Vegetarian snacks available; mention dietary needs on arrival. Pregnant travellers should skip this one. Under-20s receive non-alcoholic alternatives.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.