Japan · SAKE TOURS WITH DINNER
A proper sit-down with a pour matched to every course, rather than a crawl with snacks. These 8 are compared on course count, what the sake actually is and whether the price includes the pairing.
At Ushinobi Sake Bar in Shinjuku, you’ll spend 150 minutes tasting wagyu in several preparations, sampling paired sake, and learning how Japan’s beef and rice wine vary by region. The English-speaking host may include Chizuru or Joe, with groups capped at eight people.
“A nice course to learn about Wagyu and sake whilst eating and drinking them!”
Spend three hours in Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district, comparing a small brewery with Gekkeikan’s large operation. You’ll sample several sakes, eat a seasonal yakitori lunch, visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, and walk through the old neighborhood with an English-speaking guide.
“Tour guide was nice, and the food and sake were good. However, the tour guide seemed to rely to heavily on her laminated sheets to convey the brewing process and history. Some of the concepts did not seem to translate well for heRead more”
Travel from Shinjuku in a group of up to eight for a full day around Mount Fuji. You’ll visit Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, Oishi Park, Saiko village, and Misaka Pass, eat hoto noodles, sample local sake, and soak at Hottarakashi Onsen. Guides such as Keiko-san, Yayoi-san, and Ramesh have led past departures.
“Beautiful day and time with this tour. We had great Mount Fuji views and tour. Better than a bus tour would be for sure. I would like to clarify that you cannot rent a yukata as the place that is visited is reserved for ahead only. This was also tolRead more”
Explore Ito Brewery’s historic wooden buildings with an English-speaking guide, taste Shikishima sake, then enjoy a seasonal pairing lunch at Nijimi. A mocktail pairing is available, and the visit ends at Kamekuchi, where you can buy sake and souvenirs. Groups are limited to eight.
“The Sake Tour and Pairing Lunch was an amazing experience! It began with a cold sake tasting, followed by an interesting tour of the historic brewery. The friendly staff made the visit even more enjoyable. After the tour, we enjoyed a delicious meal at their restaurant, with perfectly paired sake and a yummy dessert. Highly recommend this tour!”
Spend five hours in Saijo with a private guide, visiting Mitate Shrine and three sake breweries. Taste local sake, see a working production site, make a label with brewery spring water, and finish with Setouchi dishes and bishu-nabe at France-ya.
“I had a wonderful time exploring Saijo's sake culture with friendly and knowledgeable local guides.”
Join guide Ryoma at 6:30 pm for a private evening in Osaki and Togoshi Ginza. Visit Togoshi Hachiman Shrine, then settle into a local izakaya for Japanese sake, handmade dishes, photos, and an all-you-can-eat dinner with drinks included. The group is limited to three people.
“We were looking for a place to have dinner in the Osaki station area. Apparently, this area is an office district, so it was difficult for us to find an easy restaurant for our first visit. So we booked a table at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) about Read more”
Meet the famous macaques at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, sample local sake in Obuse, visit Zenko-ji Temple, and choose a Nagano-style lunch at Monzen Terrace Enya. A private, air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day simple, though attraction admission and alcohol cost extra.
“Went on this trip for my birthday, easily one of the best and most memorable things I have done. Our driver was so very friendly and answered any questions. He even went above and beyond at the restaurant letting them know it was my birthday and the brought out soRead more”
Start with a 17th-floor cherry blossom view, then walk beside the Otonashi River to Oji Shrine, a historic red-brick brewing site, and Asukayama Park. Finish with lunch and five sake pairings led by a certified sake sommelier. The small group is limited to 10 people.
“The team worked with my boyfriend to plan a private tour for him to propose, and was very accommodating and curated a unique experience tailored to us. They helped him with the proposal process, including finding the perfect spot for us tRead more”
Pick a brewing town, a tasting counter or a night on the izakaya circuit.
