- Duration
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Group size
- 6–80 pax
- Cities
- Kyoto
- Indicative budget
- From ¥25,000 per person
Fushimi is one of Japan's great sake heartlands: its soft groundwater, wooden storehouses and old canals make it a distinctive district, twenty minutes from central Kyoto. The visit starts with the brewery's history and the four ingredients of sake (rice, water, koji and yeast), then moves through the accessible production areas: rice polishing, tanks and pressing. A brewer or specialist guide answers questions, with an interpreter.
The tasting follows in a room reserved for the group: four to six sakes of different styles (junmai, ginjo, daiginjo, nigori, aged sake), served at different temperatures with local bites. Guests learn to read a label, recognise the rice polishing ratio and choose a sake for a business dinner in Japan.
In a seminar programme, the visit works well in the late afternoon before dinner, or as a half day combined with a walk around the district. It can be turned into a team game (blind tasting, guess-the-pairing) and end with a gift: a bottle or a set of sake cups for each participant. A non-alcoholic option is provided for those who do not drink.
Objectives
- Understand sake to host and be hosted better in Japan
- Share a relaxed, convivial moment among colleagues
- Discover local craftsmanship and a district off the usual routes
How it works
- 1Transfer to Fushimi and welcome at the brewery; hygiene guidelines for the visit.
- 2Introduction to the brewery's history and the stages of sake making.
- 3Tour of the accessible production areas, in sub-groups if needed.
- 4Guided tasting of 4 to 6 sakes with small bites, translated by the interpreter.
- 5Shopping or gift handover, then a walk in the district or departure for dinner.
Good to know
- Brewing mainly takes place from October to March; the rest of the year, the visit shows the facilities without active brewing.
- Breweries restrict some areas for hygiene reasons; depending on the venue's rules, avoid fermented foods (yoghurt, natto) that morning.
- 6 to 25 people per session; up to 80, rotations between tour and tasting or several neighbouring breweries.
- The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. A non-alcoholic option (amazake, rice drink) is offered.
- Combines well with a walk along Fushimi's canals or a kaiseki dinner in the evening.
Indicative budget
From ¥25,000 per person (private visit and guided tasting, small-group basis). Group rates quoted on request depending on headcount; interpreter, transfers and gifts optional.
Frequently asked questions
What if some participants do not drink alcohol?
They enjoy the full tour and explanations, and during the tasting receive non-alcoholic rice or koji drinks with the same food pairings. We let the brewery team know discreetly.
How far is Fushimi from central Kyoto?
About 20 to 30 minutes by private coach from central hotels, or around 15 minutes by train. For groups we recommend a private transfer, which makes the link with the rest of the programme easier.
Can we give participants a personalised bottle?
Depending on the brewery, a custom label with the company or event name is possible with several weeks' notice. Small bottles are easier to carry on flights; group shipping is also possible depending on the destination country.
