8 Sake Brewery Tastings in Takayama

1.Takayama: Authentic Sake Tasting at a Historic Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $50Our pick

Spend about 30 minutes at Hirase Shuzo Brewery in central Takayama. An English-speaking guide explains sake production, shows the brewery facilities and kura, then leads a tasting for visitors aged 20 and above. Groups are capped at 15, though smaller groups are common.

“Sehr kompetente und interessante Tour über die Sale Herstellung (gute Schautafeln), fachkundig erklärt. Verkostung von verschiedenen Sake und aromatisierten Getränken (z.B. Plaumwein auf Sake Basis). Leider nur eine Brauerei (Hirase).”

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2.Private Sake Brewery Visit and Tasting Tour in Hida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $160

Meet English-speaking guide Dai at Hida-Hagiwara Station, then tour the 300-year-old Tenryo Sake Brewery with a brewer. You’ll see the sake-making process, learn how flavors differ, and taste five varieties. The two-hour private visit starts at 1:30 pm, with train fare from Takayama not included.

“We came from Spain. We are sake lovers. We always wanted to visit a sake brewery where we could see the whole process. Mr. Dai is very professional and he loves what he does. He explained the history of sake, and all its processes in great detail. He answered all our questions. The brewery staff was very attentive in everything. Highly recomended.”

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3.Takayama: Authentic Sake Tasting at a Historic Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 50 reviews · 30 min · from $51

Meet near the Tours & Activities sign, then join an English-speaking host such as Takumi at a historic Takayama brewery. Learn how cold winters and mountain water shape local sake, then taste five selections. The visit takes about 30 minutes and suits beginners.

“Informative guide who made the tour fun. Learnt lots of new things about sake.”

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4.Takayama Local Cuisine, Food & Sake Cultural Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $154

Spend about six hours walking Takayama with a government-licensed English-speaking guide such as Mitsu or Yoko. Choose three or four sights and focus on food, sake, crafts, or local history, with morning markets, Sanmachi Suji, miso, and brewery visits available.

“We had a good time with Yoko. She met us promptly at 9AM at our hotel and tailored an itinerary according to our interests which is in a mix of food, culture, and arts and crafts. As a native Japanese, her english was quite good and we Read more”

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5.Sake Tasting: Educational Tour of Six Takayama Breweries

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Walk Takayama’s old town with William, an experienced brewery worker, and sample sake at six local breweries. Learn how brewing choices affect flavor, find your preferred style, and, if available, visit one production facility. The two-hour tour is limited to four adults.

“William est convivial et pédagogue; il s’adapte aux souhaits de chacun. Chaque brasserie correspondait à un style de saké différent, ce qui nous a permis de belles découvertes et de comprendre nos préférences. L’option visite de brasserie est à sélectionner absolument ! Nous recommandons vivement cet activité avec William”

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6.EXPERIENCE TAKAYAMA & LOCAL SAKE TASTING with explanation 1 HOUR!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $46Best value

Join Luca for a one-hour private walk through Sanmachi Suji, where he explains Takayama’s culture, history, and sake-making traditions. The tour ends at Harada Sake Brewery with more than six local sake options and several distilled drinks to sample, though drinks and snacks cost extra.

“Horrible! Don't waste your money. There's no time listed on the ad. I got a WhatsApp message 5 minutes before the tour was to start and he says he won't let me come at a different time and no refunds. Buyer beware!”

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7.Special Food and Sake Factory Tour in Takayama

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $130

Walk Takayama with an English-speaking guide such as Yama or Mu, stopping at old streets, shrines, markets, a rice cracker workshop, and Hirase Brewery. The 2 to 3-hour tour includes food, cracker-making, and sake tasting. Groups are capped at 10, with private and other-language options by request.

“Fantastic tour! Our tour guide Yama was great as well as being well organised he was easy to understand and provided lots of information. The food and Sake were delicious. Would highly recommend 👌”

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8.Sake Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $71

Join a guide who works as a sake brewer for a two-hour tasting walk through Takayama’s old town. Visit six to seven breweries when possible, sample alcoholic drinks, see production areas, and learn how local sake is made. The tour is limited to four adults aged 20 and up.

“Interesting tour through many breweries in the heart of old Takayama. We’ve learned a lot about Sake. 100% recommended”

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