Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access

4.9 (17 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

17 reviews

4.9

Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kyoto Sake Tasting: Private Brewery Tour with Inside Access, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Most Kyoto sake tours focus on a museum or tasting room. This private tour goes further with a reserved visit to Matsui Sake Brewery, a small working brewery founded in 1726, where guests can enter the actual production area when brewing conditions allow. Start in Fushimi at Gekkeikan, founded in 1637, then experience a very different side of Kyoto sake at Matsui and compare history, scale, brewing methods, and flavors.

Kampai Sake Tours has specialized in sake tours since 2017, with 1,000+ tours operated. Our team includes National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters, certified sake professionals, and even a former toji (sake brewmaster). Every guide completes rigorous KST training, so the experience is detailed enough for sake lovers but relaxed and easy to enjoy for beginners. All scheduled sake tastings and brewery admission fees are included.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Sake Tasting Sake Brewery Tour

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Guide: Japanese, English
Operated by: Kampai Sake Tours

Ages: Adults (20–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Brewery Admissions
Included: Alcoholic beverages: Scheduled sake tastings at Gekkeikan and Matsui Sake Brewery. All scheduled tasting fees are included.
Included: Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Visit
Included: Expert Local Japanese Guide

Not included

Not included: Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.): Train fare between the brewery areas is not included (approximately ¥780 per person).
Not included: Snacks: Additional food, drinks, and sake purchased outside the scheduled tastings are not included.
Not included: Personal Purchases and Souvenirs

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Meet at the north gate in front of small sake barrel monunent.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

45 min Admission included

Begin in Fushimi, one of Japan’s most important sake-producing districts, at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. Gekkeikan was founded in Kyoto in 1637, and the museum is housed in a historic sake brewery building dating from 1909.

Explore traditional brewing tools, learn how sake production developed in Fushimi, and discover why the area’s famous groundwater is so important to its sake. Your guide brings the exhibits to life and explains the brewing process in an easy-to-understand way before you enjoy a tasting of Gekkeikan sake.

This first stop gives you the historical foundation to better understand what you will see later inside a modern working brewery.
Stop 3

Passing by

take trains to visit next brewery and get off at Demachiyanagi

station.
Matsui Sake Brewery

one hour Admission included

Visit Matsui Sake Brewery, a small working Kyoto brewery founded in 1726 and run today by a small team led by the brewery owner and toji.

Unlike a museum-only visit, Matsui has no dedicated visitor route. When brewing and safety conditions allow, you enter the actual production area where sake is made and see up close how traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques come together.

Learn about rice preparation, fermentation, temperature control, and the decisions brewers make throughout the process. Then taste Matsui’s sake with your guide and compare its aromas and flavors with what you experienced earlier in Fushimi.

By the end of the tour, you will not only have tasted Kyoto sake—you will understand how it is actually made and what to look for when choosing sake during the rest of your trip.
Stop 5

Passing by

Tour finish at this station.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet in front of the North Ticket Gate at Keihan Chushojima Station, beside the sake-barrel display. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts. Your guide will be wearing a Kampai Sake Tours name tag.

End point

Using your ticket

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Alcohol cannot be served to guests under 20, as drinking under 20 is prohibited by Japanese law.
Guests entering the brewery production area may be asked to follow basic hygiene rules, such as wearing provided caps and shoe covers and avoiding strong scents.
If you wish to spit during the tasting as part of professional evaluation practice, please let us know in advance.