This is an excellent spot to try a bunch of sake and not feel like you have to have a whole one-on-one experience with a master brewer or anything. Relaxed atmosphere in food hall on the outskirts of Kyoto. We each got the 18 sake sampler (yes. 18 each) and some small bites to pair with our tastes. Honestly, the range of sake was amazing.
I had a handful of favorites and even crushed a Nama birru (draft beer) without stumbling back to the train.
We visited Fushimi Sake Village and it was a very easy trip from Kyoto Station. The area has a really pretty, small village feel to it and makes for a relaxed outing if you want a slower pace away from the busier tourist spots.
We tried the popular 18 sake tasting experience which, to be honest, felt a little overrated. There were a couple of very good sakes in the selection, but quite a few tasted fairly ordinary and it did not really showcase the best of what sake can offer.
What we enjoyed much more was the three sake tasting combo. It gave a far better introduction to good quality sake and allowed us to choose styles we actually enjoyed. That experience felt more curated and worthwhile.
There are plenty of food options around, although we mainly enjoyed sitting at the bar, relaxing with a sake and taking in the atmosphere before heading back. One thing that was missing for us was a proper explanation of the sake selections and where they came from. The experience is more self guided, where you rely on tasting notes and your own palate rather than being talked through the different varieties.
Overall, still a worthwhile and enjoyable stop if you are in Kyoto and want a casual sake experience in a charming setting.
Not as big inside as expected based on photos but nevertheless a great visit. We sat at the counter of Chow Chinese and had xiao long bao and gyoza with some sake samples and it was all delicious and the service was excellent. We went on a weekday and luckily it wasn’t super busy. Overall great day trip from Kyoto especially to explore sake breweries and go here for good food and sake tasting.
So glad we found this place! Here’s everything I wish I knew:
1. I believe there are two entrances - one directly inside Nayamachi Shopping Arcade, the other entrance (that puts you in by the bar) is around the corner and down an alleyway
2. It’s a collection of 9 different small restaurants plus a bar. If you want mostly sake, or want to do the 18 glass sake tasting, sit at the bar. You can also order food from any of the restaurants right from the bartender or by scanning the QR code on the back of the black plastic clipboard. Your tab is also tracked here.
3. If you want mainly food but maybe a little sake, go find the restaurant you want, sit there, and you can order select sake to be delivered from the bartender.
4. Scan the QR code on the bottom of the coaster for the location of their sister shop where you can buy bottles or some merch like sake cups, t-shirts, or the cool coasters
5. Get the 18 glass sake tasting! It’s incredible and they give you a paper guide and star stickers so you can track your favorites. Plus you get a completion sticker when you finish! Every single one is so smooth and there wasn’t a single one I didn’t like!
6. If you’re confused or need help, just ask! Everyone is very friendly.
7. Even if you just came for sake, try the food!! It’s so good and there is a great variety. The chicken ramen was a personal favorite with an incredible silky broth.
So much fun to stop in for flights of sake and great lunch. You grab a table, order from any of the food stalls, and select your sake flight. Really great after doing a sake tasting beforehand and learning from the museum.
