Special Experience
Kyoto
Sake Brewery Tour, Sake Tasting & Walking Tour of Nishijin in Kyoto
Overview
Founded in 1893, Sasaki Sake Brewery is a brewery located in downtown Kyoto. Crafting a range of delectable sake, they harness the pure, abundant groundwater known as Kinmeisui and Ginmeisui. Join this experience to explore Kyoto's sake-making tradition, where you will stroll through the surroundings of Sasaki Sake Brewery, tour the brewery, and taste sake. Discover the rich history of sake brewing in Kyoto and its flourishing in the Nishijin area before indulging in Sasaki Sake Brewery's delicious sake.
Key Features
・Stroll the historic streets of the Nishijin area guided by Sasaki Sake Brewery staff, uncovering why sake brewing thrived there
・Dive into the art of sake production on a brewery tour led by a sake brewing expert
・Taste 3-4 sake varieties, with premium selections like Junmai Daiginjo (rarely offered at tastings), paired with snacks
Kyoto
from
¥28,000 /person
1 - 12 participants
100mins
Available in English
Cancel free up to 11 days before
* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 56,000
Details
Brewing Sake in a Historic District that Harnesses Kyoto’s Water and Climate
Nishijin sits in downtown Kyoto, once thriving as the home of Nishijin-ori, a fine textile craft. Today, its rich heritage endures, with traditions passed through the ages. Established in 1893, Sasaki Sake Brewery brews sake in Nishijin in the heart of Kyoto, known as Rakuchu.
Sasaki Sake Brewery stands at the southern end of the former Jurakudai, once home to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), the warlord who unified Japan. Blessed with abundant pristine groundwater, this area fostered various water-related industries like sake brewing, tofu production, dyeing, and the tea ceremony. Drawing from the same springs as tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), Sasaki Sake Brewery sources its water from Kinmeisui and Ginmeisui.
Stroll the Streets of Nishijin, Where a Strong Sense of Old Kyoto Remains
While Fushimi is renowned for sake today, Kyoto's sake brewing roots lie in its center. Kyoto's basin geography, surrounded by mountains, collects high-quality groundwater, stored in underground bedrock reservoirs. Nishijin also saw sake flourish due to being able to select rice, an ingredient essential for sake brewing, from the annual tribute rice that gathered in Kyoto, Japan’s old capital.
While Sasaki Sake Brewery is the only surviving sake brewery, the area exudes nostalgia with a live music club housed in a refurbished sake cellar and traditional Kyoto machiya townhouses lining narrow alleys. In this historic Nishijin area, you will also find a 150-year-old Japanese sweets shop and Kyoto's oldest tofu store.
Observe the Refinement of Traditional Sake Making
At the brewery, craftsmen known as "kurabito" oversee the sake brewing process. These experts are well-versed in every step, from soaking the rice to bottling the sake, and will explain in depth both the process and the tools involved. You can witness nearly every aspect of sake production at Sasaki Sake Brewery.
The storehouse maintains a cool temperature regardless of outside conditions, thanks to its traditional features like high ceilings, mud walls, and ventilation windows, crucial for optimal sake brewing. Sasaki Sake Brewery preserves handmade techniques while embracing innovation. They have adopted a centrifuge to separate the unrefined sake mash (moromi) without pressurizing it, resulting in a smooth aroma and clean taste.
During your visit, you might get to stir the sake base with a long wooden stick or observe the jōzō process, where fermented moromi is strained into clear sake and sake kasu (sake lees). As sake is made through a complex process, the production stages you witness may differ depending on the time of year.
Tasting 3-4 Types of Sake With Different Charms
Following the brewery tour, you can enjoy a tasting of Sasaki Sake Brewery's diverse lineup of sake. Sample three to four different sake varieties, including Junmai Daiginjo, a rare treat not typically available for tasting, alongside other seasonal options.
You will also enjoy snacks that pair well with the sake you will taste, from pickles pickled in Sasaki Sake Brewery's sake to sake kasu karinto (fried dough snack coated with sake lees). By trying multiple sake types, you will discover your preferences and learn to enjoy sake in different ways.
Preserving Kyoto's Culture & Crafting Superior Sake
After the experience, you can buy your favorite sake at the store, which stocks the complete range of Sasaki Sake Brewery's products. We recommend the flagship brand Jurakudai Junmai Daiginjo, known for its fragrant and elegant flavor, created to take advantage of Kyoto's chilly winter climate. Another favorite is the Koto Daiginjo, fruity and ideal for Japanese cuisine.
"Crafting various types of sake from rice and koji is a cherished Japanese tradition. I hope more people will discover and appreciate it," says Akira Sasaki, the fourth-generation owner of the brewery. Come and experience Kyoto's rich history and culture firsthand, and taste the charm of Sasaki Sake Brewery's sake.
Sasaki Sake Brewery
Sasaki Sake Brewery
Founded in 1893, this sake brewery stands on the former site of Jurakudai, once Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Kyoto residence, and has been brewing sake ever since. Utilizing renowned Kinmeisui and Ginmeisui groundwater from the Kyoto basin, the brewery thrives on Kyoto's natural resources. With a blend of tradition and innovation, it continually pushes the boundaries to craft even higher-quality sake.
Customer's Voice
We had a fantastic time. The sake was excellent, the tour was informative, and everyone involved was incredibly kind and welcoming.
A.S. United States
Location
Sasaki Sake Brewery
Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto
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December 2024
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Additional Options
If there are participants under the age of 20, please select the following option.
Child fee / person
JPY 3,800
0
Experience fee
Minimum fee JPY 28000 × 2 participants
JPY 56,000
*Minimum: 2 participants; JPY 28,000 × 2 will be charged for bookings below the minimum.
Price may change after date is selected.
Additional options fee
Interpretation in English
JPY 0
Other
Service fee (5%)
JPY 2,800
Total Price
JPY 58,800
tax & service fee incl.
Extra charges may apply for the following
- ・Interpretation / Dependant on experience schedule and language
- ・Optional add-ons / Souvenirs, delivery, etc.
Kyoto
from
¥28,000 /person
1 - 12 participants
100mins
Available in English
Cancel free up to 11 days before
* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 56,000
Things to know
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