sake tours tokyo

• Skip to content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Food Tours Japan

Eat, Drink & Cook in Japan

Sake Tasting Tokyo: 9 Best Experiences & Brewery Tours

Tokyo is a perfect place to experience sake and the culture of Japan’s iconic drink. From sake testing, food pairing dinners and brewery tours, there’s something ‘sake’ to suit all tastes.

I’ve selected the best tours with English-speaking guides. I’d like you to have memorable sake experiences, as I’ve had while living in Japan for eight years.

After reading this, you’ll find the best Tokyo sake tasting or brewery tour for you. Let’s get to it!

Not sure what experience to take? Compare features and prices with my at a glance guide .

Price per person based on two people attending a tour: $ = up to $75; $$ = between $76 & $99; $$$ = $100+. Some tours offer discounted rates for groups of more people.

1. Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience

Drink like a local with a sake-loving guide!

• Taste six different types of sake with accompanying dishes from around Japan
• Visit three diverse places, like an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) and tachinomiya (standing bar)
• Sample all kinds of sake, including cold and warm
• Learn about the differences in sake styles like honjozo-shu and daiginjo-shu
• Let your host educate you about sake culture while you drink and eat tasty food
• Includes: 6 different sake, Japanese dishes, visiting three places, personalised experience and walking tour and hotel meet-up
• Location: Central Tokyo, like Shinjuku (flexible)
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, flexible start time

Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience >>

2. Unlimited Sake Tasting Experience and Tsukiji Market

Enjoy a fun Tokyo sake-tasting experience on an unforgettable day out.

• Discover over 50 kinds of sake on an unlimited sake-tasting session with snacks
• Try a range of sake at different temperatures with expert commentary
• Explore Tsukiji Market and buy seafood and other treats to pair with your sake
• Family-friendly with desserts, snacks and soft drinks available for kids
• Includes: Unlimited sake tasting with a professional sake sommelier, snacks and soft drinks and a walking tour of Tsukiji Market
• Location: Tsukiji
• Duration and start time: 3 hours, 12pm

3. Fine Sake with Paired Bites in Roppongi

Indulge in an exquisite fine sake and food pairing experience in a chic setting in Tokyo’s Roppongi . Friendly, highly qualified staff will gently guide you through each step.

Embark on an unforgettable private sake tasting experience unlike any other, complete with inventive side dishes.

• Try five different varieties of handcrafted, delectable Hasegawa Eiga sake
• Savour creative seasonal bites curated by the head chef of a top Tokyo restaurant
• Taste high-quality sake from cups specially commissioned by ceramic artists
• Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and harmonious aesthetics of the tasting room
• Includes : Private premium sake tasting and paired appetisers with knowledgeable guides
• Duration and start time : 1 hour; 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 5.30pm
• Location : Roppongi, Minato City

Book Tokyo Fine Sake & Paired Bites >>

4. Sake Tasting and Food Pairing at Tokyo’s Oldest Sake Shop

Savour local sake paired with delicious dishes at Tokyo’s oldest sake shop, Toshimaya . Enjoy the shop’s ambient setting with its stylish modern décor infused with nods to its 400-year history.

Don’t miss this unique private sake pairing experience and masterclass through Tokyo’s sake culture.

• Taste sake with clarity and depth brewed with water that flows through Mount Fuji
• Discover modern interpretations of traditional Edo period (1603-1868) cuisine, like tofu, red bean paste and butter made with sake lees and dried fruit
• Explore sake and its traditions with a sake professional
• Take home an exclusive Toshimaya sake cup souvenir
• Includes : Sake and food pairing with an expert and chef, sake presentation and gift
• Duration and start time : 1.5 hours, 5pm
• Location : Chiyoda City

Book Sake Tasting & Food Pairing >>

Compare Tokyo Sake Tasting and Brewery Tours: At a Glance Guide

Compare whether each experience includes sake tasting, visiting sake breweries, food and the price with my at a glance comparison table.

Click into a tour for more information or jump straight ahead and book!

* Sake tasting and lunch are an additional cost (the tour includes visiting two sake breweries)

5. Taste Seven Types of Sake with Food Pairings

Taste seven different kinds of sake paired with Japanese and Western dishes in Tokyo. Curated by gourmet experts, you’ll learn how to enjoy sake with food.

Immerse yourself in sake culture with a Japanese sake professional.

• Enjoy seven different kinds of sake, from dry to sparkling to savoury to sweet
• Find out what sake goes with different types of food
• Discover the history of sake and its deep roots in Japanese culture and religion
• Learn how sake is produced and the diverse styles brewed
• Includes: 7 types of sake paired with food and a lesson from a Japanese sake sommelier
• Location: Minato City (near the Tokyo Tower)
• Duration and start time: 1 hour & 15 minutes, 11.30am or 5.30pm

6. Sake and Food Pairing with a Sake Sommelier

A unique experience to enjoy sake in the same way, it’s savoured in Japan.

• Taste six different types of sake paired with specially chosen snacks
• Discover your go-to sake and create your own tasting chart
• Learn about sake in a small group with a sake sommelier
• Open your mind and change your image of sake
• Booking requires a minimum of two people
• Includes: 6 sake tastings, snacks and a session with a sake sommelier
• Location: Shinjuku
• Duration and start time: 2.5 hours, 1.30pm

7. Wagyu Beef and Sake Pairing Dining Experience

An exceptional and unforgettable Tokyo gourmet adventure.

• Dine omakase -style (leave it to the chef) while the chef cooks in front of you
• Taste seven distinct Wagyu dishes and generously-poured types of sake
• Learn about different kinds of sake and why they’re paired with each Wagyu dish
• Interact with the fun and friendly chef and sake sommelier in an intimate setting
• Highly rated and five-star reviewed dining and sake tasting experience in Tokyo
• Includes: 7 courses of Wagyu beef paired with 7 different sake in a stylish restaurant
• Location: Sumida City (near Tokyo Skytree)
• Duration and time: 6.00pm, 2 hours

Wagyu Beef & Sake Pairing  Dinner >>

8. Tokyo’s Oldest Sake Brewery, Sake Tasting and Riverside Walk Tour

Experience sake culture in its natural setting and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Discover a 300-year-old sake brewery with a guided tour
• Sample a variety of sake with a tasting session
• Learn about sake production techniques and its way of life in Japan
• Savour a delicious lunch overlooking a rushing river
• Embark on a memorable and relaxing journey through sake and nature
• Includes: A private guided tour of a Tokyo sake brewery and riverside walk, sake tasting, lunch and alcoholic and soft drinks
• Location: Tama River Valley (meet at Shinjuku)
• Duration and time: 8.55am, 7 hours

Tokyo Sake Brewery & Tasting Tour >>

9. Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour

Get a deep dive into sake and Tokyo’s breweries on this fascinating tour.

• Enjoy a guided tour of two of Tokyo’s sake breweries, Ishikawa and Ozawa
• Discover the history of sake and how it’s made
• Customise the Tokyo sake brewery tour to suit your taste
• Great-value fixed price for up to six people
• Additional costs include transportation, lunch, entrance fee and sake tasting
• Includes: A guided tour of two sake breweries and the option to customise the experience
• Location: Two sake breweries around Tokyo (meet at your hotel)
• Duration and start time: 9 hours, 8.30am

Tokyo Sake Brewery Tour >>

Sake Tasting and Brewery Tours in Tokyo

Tokyo is the world’s restaurant capital and has a thriving bar culture. Japan’s capital consumes the highest quality and volume of sake.

The sake experience is more than tasting and brewery tours. Through sake, you’ll go deeper into Japanese history and culture. In the Shinto religion, drinking sake brings people closer to the Gods.

Japan’s capital is often visitors’ first stop in the country. A sake-tasting or brewery tour is a great way to discover Japanese culture.

Sake tasting is one of the most popular food and drinks tours in Tokyo.

Top 5 Best Sake Breweries in Tokyo

Yuma Wada Lunch , Tokyo 0

Tokyo is a vibrant city with countless spots to visit. Things to do in Tokyo range from eating sushi at the world’s most famous fish market to checking out the colorful fashion trends in Harajuku. If you are a first-time visitor, a few days may not be enough to fully enjoy Tokyo! But if you have seen most of Tokyo after a few visits, and you’ve exhausted all the must-do spots – fought the crowds at Shibuya crossing, climbed Tokyo Skytree, wandered around traditional Asakusa – then you might look to venture further afield and explore where the locals go for fun and drinks. Let’s explore the best sake breweries in Tokyo!

If you are looking to taste and learn about sake, Try in-person sake tasting in Tokyo or our online tasting experience !

Looking for a less touristy spot? Visit a Sake Brewery!

As a guide, I often hear from travelers who want to get off the beaten path in Tokyo. For an interesting and authentic outing, I would suggest one of the many great sake breweries, which you can visit with just a day trip from the city. Although it is not widely known, Tokyo boasts nine sake breweries, and there are many sake breweries in nearby prefectures as well. Most of them offer brewery tours and tastings.  While none of these breweries is a secret, most travelers still miss out on them in favor of more touristy spots in Tokyo. If you love Japanese food and sake, I would encourage you to visit one of these sake breweries to learn more deeply about the brewing process and the different types of sake. Here are five of the best sake breweries to visit on a day trip from Tokyo.

Ozawa Sake Brewery （小澤酒造）

Established in 1702 with over 300 years of history, Ozawa Sake Brewery is the oldest sake brewery in Tokyo. The brewery is famous for its brand “Sawanoi”. Located way out west in the city of Ome, an hour and a half by train from central Tokyo, this brewery is a perfect getaway from the city. Surrounded by lush mountains and clean air, you can enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Japan’s gorgeous landscape without even stepping out of Tokyo. The brewery has a sake tasting bar, a sake shop, two homemade tofu restaurants, and a large garden on the property. The garden is a sake lover’s paradise overlooking the Tama River, where you can order all of Ozawa brewery’s products. You can also order a sake tasting flight and some snacks to enjoy as you bask in the tranquil nature. There are free guided tours of the brewery followed by a free tasting of seasonal sake at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm every day of the week except Monday. The tours are available in Japanese, with English information provided. They also recently started a guided brewery tour in English taking place twice a week, usually at 11:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The brewery tours, whether in Japanese or English, must be booked in advance through a form on their website: http://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en

The regular tour (in Japanese) runs four times a day, but as there are limited spaces it is really best to book in advance. 

If a three-hour round trip from central Tokyo sounds like a lot of time to spend for a trip to just a sake brewery, there are many other things in the area to keep you entertained. One of the prominent mountains for hiking in Tokyo, Mount Mitake, is walking distance from the brewery so it makes a good start or end to a hiking trip. There are also two museums nearby, one dedicated to Gyokudo Kawai, a master of Japanese-style painting, and one features Kanzashi, traditional Japanese hair accessories. 

Ozawa Sake Brewery Sake Brand: Sawanoi Address: 2-770 Sawai, Ome-shi, Tokyo Phone: 0428-78-8215 Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 Closed: Monday (If a Monday is a national holiday, closed the following Tuesday) 

Website: http://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en

Tour Schedule: Duration 45 Minutes (Includes sake tasting) Tours in Japanese – Starting from 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 (Closed Mondays) Tours in English – Starting from 11:30 (Only Tuesday and Thursday)

Ishikawa Brewery （石川酒造）

First established in 1863 and moved to its current location in Fussa city in 1881, Ishikawa brewery is a 120-year-old sake and beer brewery producing Sake “Tamajiman” and craft beers Tama no Megumi and Tokyo Blues. The brewery is located on the west side of Tokyo, around fifty minutes away from JR Shinjuku station by train. The brewery complex consists of a historical beer museum, a sake shop, an Italian restaurant, and an onigiri (rice ball) restaurant. The area retains a sophisticated and traditional atmosphere, as the old Japanese warehouses, called “ kura ,” and classic sake cellar are still in use. The brewery also offers free tours in English and French on weekdays, where you can learn about Ishikawa brewery’s products, sake brewing process, and the history of its surrounding region. Ishikawa BrewerySake Brand: Tamajiman Address: 1 Kumagawa, Fussa-shi, Tokyo Phone: 042-553-0100 Hours: 9:00 – 16:00 Closed: Tuesday

Website: http://www.tamajiman.com/english/

Tour Schedule: Duration 60 Minutes (Includes Sake Tasting) Tours in English – They accommodate tours from 10:00 – 16:00 Advanced reservations are required at least one day prior to the day of the tour. To register for the tour, apply using the reservation form below: https://www.tamajiman.co.jp/en/contact/

Toshimaya Shuzo（豊島屋酒造）

When people think of a sake brewery, they often envision a place out in a rural area, surrounded by lush, beautiful nature. However, this sake brewery will make you throw your assumptions out the window. Toshimaya is located in a residential area in Higashimurayama city, which is less than an hour away by train from Shinjuku station. With its roots going all the way back to 1596, Toshimaya is one of Tokyo’s oldest sake makers, that have passed down their traditional sake brewing process from generation to generation. The brewery originated when its founder opened the original sake store and sake bar in central Tokyo in 1596. In 1930, the brewery moved to its current location and started producing sake. Like any brewery, the water source for sake production is critical, and here it’s obtained from underground water that flows all the way from Mt. Fuji. Although there are no regular brewery tours, they offer a private sake tour in Japanese that includes a tasting of 4-6 kinds of sake. They also often hold events and workshops. Please check their website for upcoming events. Toshimaya Shuzo Sake Brand: Okunokami, Kinkon Address: 3-14-10 Kumegawa-cho Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo Phone: 042-391-0601 Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 Closed: Saturday and Sunday

Website: toshimayasyuzou.co.jp Tour: Private tours are available only in Japanese by reservation Tour Fee: ¥550 includes 4-6 types of sake tasting

>> Tips for a great Sake Brewery Visit

An excellent way to discover the wonderful world of sake is to visit a sake brewery. But considering how traditional and private many Japanese sake breweries seem, you might feel a bit daunted. Now that you’ve seen some of the best sake breweries in Tokyo, here are some tips you need to know before visiting.  Rule #1: DO NOT eat fermented food on the day of visit This might sound odd, but many sake breweries ask that you refrain from eating Natto (fermented soy beans) on the day of visiting. The brewing process of sake is very delicate and complex, and the fermented Natto bacteria is very strong and could suppress the bacteria that is essential to the fermentation process. For many of you, forgoing the sticky fermented Natto soybeans shouldn’t be a challenge anyway, but it’s good to know as it could be devastating for sake breweries. Aside from that, refrain from eating any other fermented food such as yogurt, cheese, and pickles, and refrain from wearing strong perfume on the day of visit for the same reason. Rule #2: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes There are many slippery places inside breweries, such as wet floors, loose hoses, and steel scaffolding next to the brewing tanks, so please wear comfortable shoes. If you are allowed inside the brewing area proper, you might be expected to wear a hairnet, lab coat, and/or boots. Rule #3: Ask questions and have fun! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk to the brewery employees as well as the others on your tour. Even if you can’t understand Japanese, it’s a fun experience for everyone involved–including those running the tour. So don’t be shy, and take advantage of anything and everything offered to you!

Conclusion of best sake breweries in Tokyo

Hope you enjoyed this aritcle! As you can see, there breweries are not easy-to-access from downtown Tokyo. Plan a half-day or full day trip to visit one. If you don’t enought time for that, try a sake tasting experience like this at a bar. Otherwise, there are other breweries in Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe area.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a note or leave a comment!

Related Posts

Dinner , Lunch , Tokyo

Tokyo Food Guide 2023: Top 5 Foods You Need to Try

Dinner , Kyoto , Lunch

Kyoto Food Guide: Best local food to eat in Kyoto

Best Wagyu Beef in Tokyo in 2021

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Username or E-Mail

Forget Password?

Do not have an account?

Already a member.

• About Tokyo Memories

Sake Brewery tour: Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery tour and tasting

Proceed booking, already a member.

Username or E-mail

Don't have an account? Create one.

Or continue as guest, adding item to wishlist requires an account, popular tours.

Real Tokyo Food Tour: Depaticka, street food,and izakaya

Japan Tour Guide: Tailor Your Tour

Tokyo Night Food Tour: Sangenjaya Back Alleys – Izakaya Experience

・Pricing Prices are set per person for a minimum of 2 people or per group size. There is a per person discount for each additional participant.

・Children For Izakaya tours which takes you to Japanese bars are not suitable for Children 15 or under, please ask us about children’s paticipation.

・Large Groups Large groups are welcome. We aim to offer an intimate experience so the tour may be altered to fit your group. Please contact us for more information.

・Solo Travelers We happily welcome solo travelers. To offer the full  experience to solo travelers, tour price may vary.

• Leave from Tokyo
• Sake Brewery(Japanese Rice Wine)
• Private Tour
• Children welcome

Tour Details

• Experience Japan’s national drink and tour Tokyo’s oldest brewery.
• Discover and learn about Japanese sake
• Enjoy the scenery of the tama valley.
• Taste a delicious gourmet tofu lunch
• Sample a wide variety of sakes in the tasting room
• Enjoy sake in the beautiful garden
• Visit a temple hidden in the woods

What we’ll do

Your guide will pick you up at your pre-arranged meeting place and time. You’ll then head to Sawai by train from Shinjuku station, where your guide will assist you with ticket purchases.  Build up a thirst by taking a 40 minute stroll along the lush tree lined Tama River, stopping off at a riverside temple. You’ll tour the brewery, learn about the history and production of Japan’s national drink, and enjoy a sample.  After the tour you’ll enjoy a delicious gourmet tofu (made locally) lunch overlooking the river. After lunch you’ll visit the tasting rooms and try a wide variety of different sakes made at the brewery.   Finally enjoy some snacks and sake in the beautiful garden before visiting the gift shop and returning back to Tokyo.

Departure & Return Location

Your guide will arrange a meeting place with you after booking

Price Includes

• Guided tour of the brewery.
• Lunch and snacks.
• Sake and soft drinks

Price Excludes

• Transportation to and from brewery

Additional Information

• The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 Soft drinks will be served to those under the age of 20
• We will take a stroll along the river bank so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• The brewery is located an 80 minute train ride from Shinjuku station

More Details

Sawanoi: Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery

Experience Japan’s national brew in the beautiful Mitake valley. Sake known as nihonshu in Japan is the national beverage made from fermented rice and the best quality water. The Ozawa Shuzo brewery was established in 1702 and is Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery, making sake since 1702. Whilst it is located in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, the area feels like a million miles from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, situated in the lush Mitake valley surrounded by mountains. The beloved brewery makes fine quality sakes using the best quality rice and clean mountain water. Come and experience delicious sake in a beautiful location. The brewery is also famous for its high quality Tofu and there is a delicous restaurant serving gourmet tofu based dishes overlooking the stunning Tama river.

Hi. I am Simon. I am a British guy living in Tokyo for the past 17 years. I am a friendly, easy going, cheerful, guy who loves both to travel and to share my city with others. I love to share life with old friends and new and giving people memorable experiences brings me great joy. I am pretty spontaneous and nothing fills me with more joy than a night on the town experiencing tasty food, enjoying unusual drinks and making new friends. My motto is “Eat, drink and be merry’ and I hope you join me for some fantastic adventures.

Related Tours

Private Sangenjaya food tour, October 11th 2023 2 adults and 1 child

Historic Kamakura 6 hour private walking tour

Experience the atmosphere of Tokyo’s old world Shitamachi Shop and eat like a local on one of Tokyo’s oldest shopping streets. Sample artisanal street food Browse for unsual foodie sousvenirs

6 Best Sake Tasting Experiences in Tokyo a Sip Above the Rest

BY Pelago by Singapore Airlines

10 NOV 23 . 4 MIN READ . GUIDES

Best Sake in Tokyo for a Premium Tasting Experience  

Do you know? Nihonshu, sometimes called Japanese sake, is Japan’s national beverage.

There are around 1,800 breweries located all across Japan, and you can nearly always get a local sake (jizake) whenever you want.

Only four ingredients are used to make sake: rice, koji (a sort of rice mould), water, and yeast.

However, even the slightest variations in these and the environment and production methods result in completely diverse types of this delicious rice wine. As a result, the sake from each region has a taste of its own.

Tasting sake from various regions of Japan is like embarking on a culinary journey throughout the nation.

So, ready to savour the best sake tasting in Tokyo? This guide will lead you to the best places where you can enjoy the top sake-tasting experience.

Let us lift our cups and discover Tokyo’s top sake-tasting venues!

• The Meishu Center
• Ozawa Sake Brewery Sawanoi Oume
• Various locations for Hasegawa Saketen
• Ishikawa Brewery
• Sake tasting In Shinjuku with a sommelier
• Sake Tasting Seminar – Explore All Sake Types!

Best Sake-tasting Experience in Tokyo

1. the meishu center.

Set off on a fascinating adventure through the various worlds of sake.

The Meishu Center experience is designed for people new to sake, giving the ideal chance for lovers like you who want to appreciate sake but are unsure where to begin.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by 日本酒 150種飲み比べ&販売処&量り売りもできる　名酒センター (@meishucenter)

Along with your experience, you’ll receive a wonderful gift – an exclusive sake vessel that will remind you of your expedition for the rest of your life.

Here, you will get to try eight different varieties of sake, each with a distinctive flavour and personality. The range extends from junmai-shu to honjozo-shu, junmai-ginjo-shu to daiginjo-shu, unpasteurised sake to cloudy sake, aged sake to sake-based liqueur and more.

As you taste, a skilled guide will explain the delicate elements of their preparation. Prepare to embark on this delectable adventure of discovery!

Address : Lions Plaza Ochanomizu, 1 Chome-2-１２ 1 階 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan ( map )

Directions to reach- 5 minutes walk from JR Ochanomizu Station and 7 minutes walk from JR Akihabara Station.

2. Ozawa Sake Brewery Sawanoi Ome 

Sake tasting tour in a 300-year-old brewery.

Embark on a sake journey at Ozawa Sake Brewery Sawanoi Ome, a historic 300-year-old sake haven nestled in the scenic Okutama region of Tokyo Prefecture. Just an hour and a half by train from Shinjuku Station, this gem seamlessly combines history with natural beauty.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by 日本酒 澤乃井”Sawanoi” (@sawanoi_sake)

While exploring the brewery grounds, featuring a sprawling garden overlooking the tranquil Tama River, sample renowned sake brands such as Dassai, Hakutsuru, and Gekkeikan.

To enhance your tasting experience, participate in the guided tour led by Ryuta , a connoisseur trained by a master sake sommelier. As he unveils the brewery’s secrets, immerse yourself in a tasting experience that will truly elevate you into a sake aficionado.

Address : 2 Chome-770 Sawai, Ome, Tokyo 198-0172, Japan ( map )

Directions to reach : 3-min walk from Sawai Station on the JR OmeLine.

3. Hasegawa Saketen 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by はせがわ酒店 (@hasegawa_sake)

Consider the exhilaration of swirling, sipping, and savouring an exquisite junmai daiginjo, ideally paired with the subtle dance of fresh sashimi – a duet that will leave you wanting more.

The adventure, however, does not end there. Prepare to be enchanted by unpasteurised namazake, paired with crunchy tempura to create a symphony of sensations on your tastebuds.

As you travel through the years with aged sakes, a captivating story emerges, perfectly complementing the deep appeal of grilled miso-marinated blackfish.

Your sommelier will guide you through this kaleidoscope of tastes and reveal the mysteries of sake production.

Address : Multiple locations, including Kameido ( map ) and Marunouchi ( map )

4. Ishikawa Brewery 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by 石川酒造株式会社 (@ishikawabrewery)

As you enter, you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of the brewing process. A universe of tastes awaits, from the silky appeal of junmai daiginjo to the vivacity of unpasteurised namazake and the mystery of aged sakes.

Imagine improving the experience by matching these fine sakes with tasty delights like grilled miso-marinated blackfish.

Your expert sake guide will reveal the tales behind the beers and the art of matching, making your tasting a fascinating adventure.

Prepare to drink, savour, and revel in the enchantment of Ishikawa Brewery, where every moment is a testament to excellent flavour.

Address: 1 Kumagawa, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0003, Japan ( map )

Directions to reach: Haijima Station is roughly a 15-minute walk from Ishikawa Brewery. You may take the JR Chuo/Ome Line directly from Shinjuku.

5. Sake Tasting in Shinjuku with a Sommelier at Sake Bar Doron

Sake tasting with a sommelier in shinjuku, tokyo.

On this sake-tasting tour , meet your guide, a qualified sake sommelier who operates a new-wave sake bar in Tokyo.

Learn everything there is to know about sake in this two-hour session and discover the Japanese sake brewing process, history, and variety.

Explore the neighbourhood, described locally as a ‘drunkard’s heaven,’ while sipping lip-smacking sake.

Taste six high-quality sake brands only to find your favourite and make your own sake-tasting chart. Plus, discover how sake flavours alter with temperature and cup shape.

Finally, try pairing your sake with local delicacies to see how the sake enhances each flavour. And spend time in Tokyo with other Japanese sake enthusiasts and pick up some travel ideas from the locals.

Address: Sake Bar Doron, 7-chōme-19-21 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan ( map )

Directions to reach: 9-min walk from JR Shinjuku station

6. Sake Tasting Seminar- Explore All Sake Types 

Sake tasting seminar with all types of sake.

You will travel from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station to a nearby sake bar for a unique sake-tasting session on this tour.

There, you’ll get to try a variety of sake, including sparkling, hazy, yamahai, and unpasteurised varieties.

Try the different sake varieties and learn the variations between each sake by your guide.

And learn which particular sake goes best with warm, cold, or room-temperature servings. You’ll also receive a simple sake paper for your records, something cool for you to bring home.

Sake Reverie: Closing Notes on Tokyo's Best

Of all, these establishments are merely a small sample of Tokyo’s many excellent sake suppliers.

Our other faves are Inishie Sake Store, which has workers who speak native English, and Kimijimaya.

Additionally, you can nearly always find a well-curated drinking area at major department stores like Mitsukoshi, Isetan, Takashimaya, and Daimaru (often on the lower levels, close to the deli and grocery).

So, step out to discover the best sake-tasting experience in this enormous metropolis for a fascinating and thrilling sake journey.

Commonly Asked Questions

Which region in japan is famous for its sake.

The Nada area of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture is renowned as Japan’s leading sake production zone because of its advantageous location; it produces 30% of the nation’s sake.

How is sake to be consumed?

Depending on the kind of sake and the drinker’s taste, sake can be served cold, warm, or hot. The most adaptable style of sake is junmai, which may be served cold, warm (between 100 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit), heated, or even hot.

What flavour does excellent sake have?

Rice has a very bland flavour, whereas sake, and ginjo-shu in particular, offers delicious notes reminiscent of apples, bananas, and other fruits. These tastes are the outcome of expert sake production.

What is your favourite way to drink sake?

Try it both hot and cold. Even while sake is typically served warm, it also tastes great when cooled, at room temperature, or even when it’s heated. Cheaper sake is frequently warmed to mask its inferior quality, whereas luxury sake is served cool.

Are there different kinds of sake?

When you look at a sake menu, you’ll see the names are separated into groups like junmai, ginjo, daiginjo, honjozo, and futsu. Each term implies something different, describing how the sake is prepared and how it will taste, similar to the types on a wine list.

You might also like

Hidden cafes, bars, and speakeasies worth checking out in melbourne.

10 MAY 24 . 3 MIN READ . GUIDES

Beyond the Wineries: Go Cave Hunting and Lighthouse Exploring in Margaret River

10 MAY 24 . 2 MIN READ . GUIDES

6 Quirky Attractions in Penang That Will Redefine Your Expectations of Museums

The other side of penang: 5 secret locations in mainland penang.

But before you go on a sake brewery tour, let’s get acquainted with the basics: what is sake? Sake is a fermented alcoholic drink made from rice, water, yeast and koji . Potential flavors range from sweet, melon-like to nutty, pumpkin-like tastes. No matter your preference, you’re likely to find a sake that’s right for you! 

For further reading, check out our beginner's guide to sake .

Why Take a Sake Tour?  

If you don’t have time to go out to Niigata or Hiroshima, two regions known for their exceptional sake, have no fear. You can go on sake brewery tours right in Tokyo.

A tour is the best way to take in all there is to know about sake with the help of an expert. It’s a chance for novices and enthusiasts alike to get an inside look at the production process and the people behind it. Plus, you can taste sake at its freshest.

Which Sake Experience is Right for Me?  

Below are three sake brewery tours, each offering a unique experience for people visiting or living in Japan with an interest in sake. Be sure to check out the duration, as some are complete day trips while others are under two hours.  

3 Sake Tours in and Around Tokyo

• Toshimaya Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour
• Ozawa Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour
• Yamane Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour

1. Toshimaya Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour

Looking to have your sake and eat it too? Try out a tour at Toshimaya Shuzo , one of the oldest breweries in Tokyo — operating since 1596!  

During the three-hour experience, guests can drink all the sake they like and be treated to several types of fermented snacks, such as  sakekasu  cheese. Selections include  junmai  sake,  origarami  sake, mirin, or sweet cooking sake, and their multi-award-winning sake,  kinkon,  which translates to “golden wedding anniversary.”  

A local guide will accompany you as you learn all about what goes into making sake — the guides speak English, so there is no need to worry about translation!  

Book a tour at Toshimaya Shuzo.   

2. Ozawa Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour 

If you’re craving a feast, look no further than the tour at Ozawa Shuzo , which offers a gourmet tofu lunch. Great news for all vegetarians and their meat-eating counterparts: the Mitake region is known for its tofu, so you’re sure to leave the table feeling satisfied.

After lunch, take a trip to the beer garden for drinks and Japanese snacks, including fish cakes and onigiri. This brewery offers up to seven different types of sake to try — perfect for sipping as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of this riverside location.  

And to commemorate the special occasion, Ozawa Shuzo even offers a complimentary sake cup to bring home!  

In total, this excursion will take around eight hours, including a stroll around Tama River and a temple, so it’s suited for those looking for a day trip without the need to plan out an itinerary. Additionally, the number of guests is between two and six, so this tour is best for those looking for a more private experience.  

Book a tour at Ozawa Shuzo.   

3. Yamane Shuzo Sake Brewery Tour 

Wanting a break from Tokyo? Head to Yamane Shuzo in Saitama, the prefecture just north of Tokyo. 

This 1.5-hour-long experience offers a concise glimpse into ancient sake brewing techniques and the brewmasters themselves. Rental equipment will be provided so guests can get up close and personal with the timber fermentation tanks, each bubbling with fresh sake. Yamane Shuzo Brewery is the perfect place to spend an afternoon or to round out a day trip to Saitama prefecture.  

Like all sake tours listed here, the workers and guide speak English as well as Japanese, so you’ll be able to soak up all the history and information of sake brewing!  

Book a tour at Yamane Shuzo.

A Note on the Drinking Age of Japan  

If you’re bringing along kids or are college-age yourself, please note that the drinking age in Japan is 20. Anyone younger than that must bring their own non-alcoholic drinks (sippy cup optional).  

Hungry for more? Browse more food experiences in Tokyo.

You may also be interested in

• A Sake Sommeliers Tour Of...

A Sake Sommelier’s Tour of Tokyo

Freelance writer and editor

Sake can be surprisingly hard to find in Tokyo. You’ll see cheapo jars of throat-burning Ozeki One Cup in convenience stores, and on restaurant menus the equivalent of the house red and white, but hunting it down can be an incredibly fun way to experience the city.

Satoko Ustugi has devoted her career to teaching visitors about the history and culture of Japan’s national drink and showing them where to find the good stuff in Tokyo. She’s petite and of an indefinable age – as is often the case in Japan – and has a calm, friendly presence, with a slightly mischievous edge to her smile. Before her popular one-day sake tour begins, you’ll find her setting out glasses and bottles in the Sake and Shochu Information Center in Shinbashi.

“I love the diversity of Tokyo,” she says. “Whatever it is you want to do, you have so many choices – so in terms of nihonshu , it should be one of the best places to try varieties from all over Japan.” With foreigners, Satoko generally refers to the drink as sake. But in Japanese, sake simply means “alcohol”, with the correct term for this specific drink being nihonshu (literally “the alcohol of Japan”).

Before coming to Japan, most people assume that sake is available just about everywhere. But as it turns out, for years, nihonshu hasn’t been seen as a very ‘Tokyo’ drink. The city is modern, global, Western; sake isn’t.

“For years, I wasn’t particularly interested in nihonshu . Like many people, I kind of thought it was just an unsophisticated drink for older men,” Satoko explains. “Then, when I was in my 20s and working at an advertising agency, I was introduced to regional craft sake. It was eye-opening for me to find out that there were breweries in every prefecture with their own local style. I started to look into it more, try different types, travel to breweries, and eventually took a certification course with the Sake Service Institute.”

Eventually, Satoko took the major step of leaving her job – an unusual move in Japan, where the usual (or at least ideal) route is to start a career straight after university, working your way up until retirement. “Sake is the subject that I want to pursue as my life’s work. I see marketing as a key part of my work, organising events and running tours to promote nihonshu not only among Japanese drinkers but also foreign visitors.”

Though things are changing now – in part due to the efforts of passionate nihonshu fans like Satoko – the image of sake as old-fashioned and undesirable is still surprisingly common in Japan, and many need a come-to-sake moment to change their minds.

What exactly is sake?

As her tour guests arrive – a small group, with people from Europe, Asia and America – Satoko sets to work explaining the basics. What do they already know about sake? A pause, a tentative, “It’s rice wine?” She tells them that nihonshu is made by fermenting rice, a production process more akin to brewing beer.

Next, she holds up a bottle and starts explaining the label. This is more complicated than it sounds. She points to a number, which the group confidently guesses is the alcohol percentage. Wrong again – this is how polished the rice grains are. Highly polished rice makes for premium types of sake.

Each new bit of information is illustrated with a sample – the less-polished types taste earthier, the alcohol stinging the throat a bit more. These are the types that can be served warm (it’s a common misconception that the sake temperature should always be warm). The next glass contains a higher-grade nihonshu , much smoother and with a gentle aftertaste of melon; to heat this one would dull the flavour, meaning you miss the complexities.

She gives more information as the class goes on, starting with a good sake for beginners – smooth, fairly simple flavour profile, not too strong – and moving onto more complex ones. One of the biggest factors in the taste of nihonshu is the type of water. Soft water ( nansui ) often leads to a more nuanced flavour profile, as in Kokuryu sake, while hard water ( kosui ) lends a stronger mineral taste to sake brands such as Hakushika.

A sake tour of Tokyo

After an hour or two of intensive cramming on sake types and terms, the tipsy group leaves the Information Center. Satoko guides them from the wide, straight avenues of Shinbashi to Koto, where the streets are narrow and the old wooden buildings seem to lean against each other for support (though that could be the sake goggles).

First, Satoko leads them to Fukagawa Fudoson temple – in part to clear their heads before the next stop. However, it’s also a perfect spot to explain sake’s ritual role as an offering to the gods. At major shrines like Meiji Jingu, you’ll see huge barrels of the stuff, stacked on top of each other to form walls of sake, but even at the smallest roadside shrine or neighbourhood temple, you may see glasses or cans of nihonshu left out for the gods to enjoy.

Just down the road from Fukagawa Fudoson is Orihara Shoten , the next stop. Satoko explains that it’s a kaku-uchi , a small bar where you can taste the drinks arrayed around the room, get snacks to go with them and buy bottles to take away – similar to an Italian enoteca. It’s still light out, but already people are spilling onto the street, with the two wooden tables and limited bar space full. Inside, the walls are lined with shelves and fridges bearing all manner of sake bottles, from cloudy white ones with elegant labels to large green and brown ones daubed with complex kanji. In the corner are a few stacked traditional sake barrels.

How to drink sake

“Can you remember which types you liked best, or shall I just bring over a few?” Satoko asks the group. They opt for a mix of styles – a karakuchi (dry) and an amakuchi (sweet) one, a sparkling sake, one flavoured with yuzu, and even a sweet-potato shochu, just for comparison – alongside some bar snacks of dried fish, potato salad and oden .

According to Satoko, sake seems to be on the upswing again, with more specialist bars and events appearing in Tokyo and around the country. “You’re getting more and more choices – sparkling sake, aged sake, unpasteurised ( nama ) sake, and many varied characters achieved by different production methods. Light and dry flavours.” She indicates that one of the karakuchi samples “used to be appreciated most, but now there are so many to choose from”.

At this point, a couple of salarymen who seem to be more than a few bottles down, ties loosened and cheeks reddened, join the conversation – apparently they’ve been wondering what this group of gaijin (foreigners) is doing here. Satoko, smiling, explains her mission and the two men, accepting the group as firm friends, start bringing over bottles – one is “my favourite!” Another is “from my hometown!” Another still is “not good, but he likes it”. In a country where people are often reserved, it seems that sake is a great way to make friends.

Where to buy and try sake in Tokyo

Tokyo is full of places where you can try sake – izakaya (Japanese pubs), sake bars, restaurants, bottle shops. Satoko recommends the Meishu Center, Hasegawa Sake-ten , Kimijimaya and Imadeya Ginza, plus several department stores (especially Takashimaya Nihonbashi, Seibu Ikebukuro, Tobu Ikebukuro and Ginza Matsuya).

All of these stores occasionally hold sake tastings, but there are also several regular nihonshu events in Tokyo now, including Craft Sake Week in spring, the Japanese Sake Fair in June, and Aoyama Sake Flea at various points throughout the year. Plenty of breweries (the oldest of which is over 800 years old) are represented at each one.

Traditionally, breweries hang a sugidama (cedar ball) above the door, but in Tokyo you’re most likely to see one outside a sake shop or an izakaya with a good selection of nihonshu – unless you spot one in Minato, in which case you may have stumbled upon the only sake brewery in the 23 wards of Tokyo.

“ Tokyoko Jozosho (Tokyo Port Brewery) closed in 1911, after running for about 100 years,” says Satoko. “Then in 2011, a descendant of the original owners re-established the sake brewery in Minato-ku. They have a tasting car in front of the building from 6pm to 9pm every weekday, and though they aren’t offering tours at the moment, they hope to in the future.”

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

See & Do

10 one-of-a-kind ways to explore japan’s capital city, tokyo.

Fun New Ways To Explore Tokyo’s Most-Visited Attractions

Take an Enchanting Autumnal Trip to Tokyo and Sendai

Guides & Tips

Stay curious: experience tokyo from your living room.

Food & Drink

Where to find the best gluten-free food in tokyo.

How To Spend a Perfect Week in Tokyo

Angela Carter's Love Affair With 'the Most Non-Boring City on Earth'

Film & TV

Tokyo in ‘lost in translation’.

Places to Stay

Where to book a stay in tokyo for a local experience.

The Best Holiday Apartments in Tokyo, Japan

Where To Hunt for Vintage Fashion in Tokyo

Immersive Book and Bed Hostel Experience, Tokyo

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

• Post ID: 1000785819
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Created for expats living in Japan

Where to get the full sake experience in tokyo.

When it comes to food and drink pairings or special occasion beverages, most people’s first thoughts go to wine. In Japan, however, sake is the go-to drink. Although sake can be found outside of Japan, the quality and variety available for export is nothing compared to what can be found in the country from which it originates. When visiting Japan, don’t miss out on the opportunity to go for a sake tasting and experience the very best that the country has to offer.

What is Sake?

Sake is made by fermenting polished rice grains and water with koji , a Japanese yeast that converts the starch from sugar into alcohol in a process that has been refined over many centuries in Japan. In English, sake is sometimes referred to as ‘rice wine’, but actually the brewing process is much more similar to beer than wine. Still, wine and sake have many other similarities. Sake can be enjoyed hot or cold and enjoyed on its own or paired with food, and different types of sake complement different flavors and suit different moods.

Where to Go for Sake Tasting in Tokyo

Like wine, sake ranges from dry to sweet and light to full-bodied, but there are also filtered and unfiltered sakes, as well as different varieties made with rice that has been milled and polished to different levels of starchiness. A sake tasting experience can be helpful for finding out what flavor profile best suits one’s personal preferences.

Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center

For a sake tasting experience in central Tokyo, there’s no better place than the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center in Toranomon. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and the tasting menu is constantly refreshed to offer an exceptional variety of sake for every season.

http://www.japansake.or.jp/sake/english/goto/jssic.html

Hasegawa Sake-ten

Hasegawa Sake-ten is a sake exporter with several stores around Tokyo. While some locations such as the Tokyo Skytree branch are primarily retail-focused, their Kameido branch is home to an excellent tasting bar.

https://www.hasegawasaketen.com/index_en.html

Meishu Center

The Meishu Center curates over 100 different varieties of sake from all across Japan, with tasting starting from 200 yen per sample. Their stamp card based system allows you to freely try as many varieties as you like. They have two Tokyo locations in Hamamatsucho and Ochanomizu.

http://nihonshu.com/

Ozawa Sake Brewery Sawanoi Oume

Sawanoi is a sake brewery located in Oume City in western Tokyo. While far from the city center, Oume is an excellent place to visit for a taste of nature, hot springs, and mountain brewery tours. Ozawa Brewery Sawanoi offers tours conducted fully in English so you can enjoy this unique experience without worrying about any language barriers.

http://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en

Tokyo Sake Bars

In addition to sake tasting adventures, there are plenty of bars dedicated exclusively to serving sake that can’t be missed.

Akaoni 39, located in the trendy neighborhood of Sangenjaya, is the place to go for rare, vintage, and hard-to-find varieties of sake from all over Japan. The bar curates over 100 different types of sake and has a rotating daily menu of dishes to go with them.

http://www.akaoni39.com/

Kurand Sake Market

Kurand Sake Market offers a unique drinking experience unlike any other sake bar. For a flat fee, customers are able to select the sake of their choice, pour for themselves, and drink as much as they’d like. Food can be purchased at the department store deli counter nearby and brought into the bar where the staff will reheat it for you, and Kurand Sand Market offers appetizers for purchase as well. Find locations in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shimbashi, Ikebukuro, Ueno ando other areas.

https://kurand.jp/en/sakemarket/

Mirai Sake Store - Kubota sake Bar

Mirai Sake Store - Kubota Sake Bar is situated in the basement of the Shibuya PARCO. You can do a blind tasting of 10 kinds of Sake and the AI will find out your favorite taste! Please take a look how the AI analyses your preferences here . After finding out your tastes, you can order not only sake but also cocktails with sake.  Address: Shibuya PARCO, Floor B1 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo,

http://kubota-sake-bar.com/english.html

Nihonshu Stand Moto

The tachinomi , or standing bar, Nihonshu Stand Moto offers a casual environment to enjoy sake in the busy hub of Shinjuku. This pocket-sized bar only fits around 15 people and is often packed with true sake enthusiasts. If you can get in, you’re sure to find an authentic and exciting sake experience.

http://fsknet.co.jp/impression/moto_shinjuku.php

Sake Hall Hibiya Bar

At Sake Hall Hibiya Bar in Ginza, enjoy a night out in Tokyo’s most upscale neighborhood. In addition to the sake they source from seven premium breweries across the countries, Sake Hall Hibiya Bar is the first sake bar to mix their own original sake cocktails. Be sure to make time and try one of their specialty drinks!

http://www.hibiya-bar.com/ginza8

Shushu is a sake bar in Kanda with a European flair. Styled after a Spanish pub, Shushu pairs their sake offerings with small tapas-style bites of food that change by the season.

http://kanda-shushu.com/info.html

Best Places to Buy Sake in Tokyo

Those looking for a fine bottle of sake to bring home may want to visit one of the following establishments.

Ajinomachidaya

One of the leading spirits retailers in Tokyo, Ajinomachidaya located in Nakano ward offers a fantastic selection of premium sakes. Their long-standing relationship with small regional breweries gives Ajinomachidaya access to some of the finest and most obscure varieties of sake in Japan.

http://www.ajinomachidaya.jp/about.html

ICHIDO determines that what they needed to provide is a clear taste that goes well with a variety of foods from throughout the world. They have been introducing the world to a fresh, rich sake experience. You can purchase their sake online.

https://1chido.jp/en

Isego Honten

Isego Honten is a Tokyo sake vendor that has been in operation since the Edo period. Their Sendagi storefront located in the shitamachi , or old-town part of Tokyo, will really make you feel as though you’ve stepped into the past.

http://www.isego.net/english/

Sakaya Kurihara

Located down a backstreet of the expat-friendly Azabu area, Sakaya Kurihara is the place to go for special or limited release sake brews as well as Japanese craft fruit liqueurs. For an even bigger selection, check out their main store in Machida City in western Tokyo.

http://www.sakaya-kurihara.jp/

Suzuki Mikawaya

Suzuki Mikawaya in Asakusa may not be very big, but it’s home to one of the best collections of rare and hard-to-find gems. The shop owner, Mr. Yamada, speaks English and can help you find the perfect bottle of sake to take home.

https://mikawa-ya.co.jp/

Toshimaya is the oldest sake retailer in Tokyo. Their in-house brand of sake has won numerous prizes at the annual Japan Sake Awards and is the only brand used for sacred Shinto rites at Meiji Jingu and Kanda Myojin Shrine. It’s the place to go for a true taste of Tokyo sake.

https://www.toshimaya.co.jp/age-verify.html

Don’t Miss Out on a Uniquely Japanese Experience

Sake is the quintessential Japanese spirit that has been refined over thousands of years. While in Tokyo, learn all about sake from a friendly and knowledgeable guide at a tasting experience, relax with a fine sake at a sake specialty bar, and find an exceptional bottle or two of sake not available for sale overseas at one of the city’s many exceptional sake retailers.

If you are interested in learning about Tokyo History, please read History of Tokyo .

Related Posts

What Is Natto: A Look at Japan’s Polarizing Superfood

Trying natto for the first time can be a challenge. So why do so many people eat it? Find out what natto is, its health benefits, and how to add it to your diet.

5 Benefits of Japanese Brown Rice Coffee

Brown rice coffee is gluten-free and naturally caffeine-free. Traditionally used as a remedy, this Japanese drink has several benefits for your well-being that you might not know until now. Here are 5 health benefits of Brown Rice Coffee.

How to Plant and Grow Rice

Do you know how rice, Japan's national staple food, is produced? What is the difference between brown rice and white rice? Here is an overview of the entire rice-growing process, from planting to harvesting.

Mastering Types of Sugar in Japan: A Complete Ingredient Guide

Overcome ingredient barriers in Japan with this comprehensive guide to sugar varieties, substitutes, and artificial sweeteners.

Easy and Delicious Japanese-Style Trifles Recipes

Trifle is a dessert born in the UK. It can be easily made by simply layering and serving sponge or sponge cake with cream, fruit and other ingredients of your choice. This time, cookery expert Sachiko Horie will teach you how to make five different types of trifle, from those using chocolate cream to Japanese-style and refreshing flavors using yoghurt.

4 Caffeine-Free Alternatives to Coffee in Japan

Coffee and tea contain caffeine, so even if you want to drink them, you might not be able to. Here are four Japanese decaffeinated beverages that you can swap out if you're expecting or having trouble sleeping.

Access Ranking

Turn Your iPhone or Android into a Mobile Suica/PASMO IC Card

Omamori: A Guide to Japanese Amulets

English-speaking Hair Salons in Tokyo

English-speaking Nail Salons in Tokyo

Japan Voltage, Frequency, and Plug Type: Guide to Plugging In

© 2024 Japan Living Guide. All Rights Reserved.

Private Tour: Tokyo'S Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk.

• Food & Drink , Private Tours , Tokyo , Tour Reviews

Enjoy the rich cultural heritage of Tokyo with a private tour of the city’s oldest sake brewery and a scenic riverside walk.

Led by a knowledgeable local guide, this immersive experience offers a unique glimpse into the traditional art of sake making. Witness the intricate process firsthand and learn about the time-honored techniques and secrets behind Japan’s beloved beverage.

Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Tama River, taking in the tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty.

This personalized tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Tokyo’s traditional craftsmanship and natural landscapes.

Great News! You can reserve your spot for free with Viator. You can easliy cancel any time up to 1 day before without paying anything.

Quick Takeaways

• Meeting point: JR Shinjuku station’s south exit, in front of the information desk
• The tour involves a moderate amount of walking, so comfortable footwear is recommended
• The Tama valley, where the brewery is located, is slightly cooler than central Tokyo, so weather-appropriate clothing is recommended
• The tour is not recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Moderate physical fitness level is required.

Not for you? Here's a few more great tours and experiences nearby.

• Private & Custom TOKYO Day Tour Toyota COMMUTER (Max 13 Pax)
• Private Transfer From Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(Hnd)
• Shinjuku Golden-Gai and Kabuki-Cho Bar Hopping With Master Guide
• Small Group Iaido Class in Tokyo

Meeting Point and Start Time

The meeting point for the private tour of Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and riverside walk is in front of the information desk at JR Shinjuku station’s south exit. This is where you will meet your local guide, who will provide you with valuable information and insights throughout the tour.

It is important to note that comfortable footwear is highly recommended for this activity. As there will be a moderate amount of walking involved, wearing comfortable shoes will ensure that you can fully enjoy the experience without any discomfort.

The tour starts at 08:55 AM, so make sure to arrive on time to maximize your time exploring Tokyo’s rich sake brewing history and enjoying a scenic riverside walk.

End Point and Tour Details

The tour ends back at the meeting point, providing a convenient and seamless experience for participants.

After exploring Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and enjoying a scenic riverside walk, you will be brought back to the starting point at JR Shinjuku station’s south exit.

It is important to note that a moderate amount of walking is involved throughout the tour, so it is recommended to wear comfortable footwear. Plus, participants should have a moderate physical fitness level to fully enjoy the experience.

The tour takes place near public transportation, making it easy for participants to continue their journey after the tour concludes.

As the Tama valley tends to be slightly cooler than central Tokyo, it is advisable to dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy for this private tour is as follows:

• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
• However, if you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the start time will also not be accepted.

It is important to note that the impact of cancellations on the local economy can be significant, especially for small businesses like this sake brewery. Private tours, like this one, offer unique experiences and personalized attention, making them highly sought after by travelers.

Traveler Reviews

Several travelers have shared their experiences and opinions of the Private Tour: Tokyo’s Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk, and the overall rating is 5.0 stars based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

The tour has received a total of 8 reviews, with a range of ratings from 1 star to 5 stars.

One Viator traveler described the tour as an amazing start to their Japan trip, praising the brewery experience and the opportunity to chat with the local guide, Simon, about Tokyo.

This private tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of sake brewing, indulge in sake tasting, and explore the beautiful riverside scenery.

The positive feedback from travelers highlights the informative and engaging nature of the tour, as well as the expertise and knowledge of the local guide.

Price and Additional Information

Price and Additional Information for the Private Tour: Tokyo’s Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk can be found below.

• Price: From $238.22 (price varies by group size)
• © 1997-2023 Viator
• Terms & Conditions
• Product code: 89977P5
• Viator Help Center available for questions.

The price of the tour starts from $238.22 and may vary depending on the size of the group. It is important to note that this price is subject to change and it is advisable to check with the tour operator for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Traveler ratings for this private tour have been highly positive, with an overall rating of 5.0 based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews. There have been a total of 8 reviews, with ratings ranging from 1 star to 5 stars. One review example states, ‘Amazing start to our Japan trip. What a great experience to start our trip in Japan.’

For any queries or assistance, the Viator Help Center is available to provide support.

The tour of Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and riverside walk provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the historical background of sake production in Japan. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you will delve into the rich history and cultural significance of sake, discovering the traditional brewing techniques that have been passed down through generations.

The brewery experience offers an immersive journey through the sake-making process, allowing guests to witness firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into creating this beloved Japanese beverage. From learning about the different types of rice used to understanding the fermentation and aging processes, visitors will gain a comprehensive understanding of the art of sake production.

This captivating tour offers a fascinating glimpse into the heritage and traditions of Japan’s sake industry.

Exploring the historical background of sake production in Japan, the next step in this private tour is to provide clear directions for participants to reach Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and begin their riverside walk. Here are the directions and transportation options for reaching the brewery:

• By Train: Take a train from JR Shinjuku station to Tachikawa station. The journey takes approximately 80 minutes.
• From Tachikawa station, walk for about 10 minutes to reach the sake brewery.
• By Car: If you prefer to drive, the brewery is located about 30 kilometers west of Shinjuku. Please note that parking may be limited.
• By Taxi: Taxis are readily available in Tokyo. Simply tell the driver to take you to the oldest sake brewery in Tokyo.
• Guided Transportation: If you have booked a guided tour, transportation will be provided from the meeting point to the brewery.

These directions will ensure that participants can easily navigate their way to Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and enjoy their riverside walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Children Participate in the Tour?

Children can participate in the tour, but there may be age restrictions. It is recommended to check with the tour provider for specific guidelines regarding children’s participation and any accompanying adults required.

Is Lunch Included in the Tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour. However, there are local cuisine options available near the brewery. It is recommended to inform the guide about any dietary restrictions. The brewery holds historical significance and offers a traditional sake brewing process experience, including sake tasting etiquette. Considerations for group size and cultural experiences are taken into account.

Are There Any Restrictions on Photography During the Tour?

During the tour, there are no specific restrictions on photography mentioned. However, it is always important to be respectful and considerate of others when taking photos, following common etiquette for photography in public spaces.

Is There a Restroom Available During the Tour?

Restroom availability on the tour is limited. It is recommended to use the restroom before the tour begins. Plus, please note that this tour has age restrictions and is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious medical conditions.

Is Transportation to and From the Brewery Included in the Tour Price?

Transportation to and from the brewery is not included in the tour price. Travelers are responsible for their own transportation arrangements. Please plan accordingly and consider the 80-minute train ride from Shinjuku.

To sum it up, the private tour of Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery and riverside walk offers a unique and immersive experience for those interested in exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Led by a knowledgeable local guide, visitors can witness the traditional art of sake making and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Tama River.

Whether you are a sake enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking a serene escape from the bustling city, this tour promises an unforgettable and personalized experience.

Related Posts

Private Airport Transfer Kansai Airport in Kyoto Using Hiace

• December 31, 2023

Private Miyajima Oyster and Sakurao Whisky Distillery Tour

Seasonal Shuttle to Minami-Sado

Trending now.

Sake Breweries Close To Tokyo That You Should Visit!

Rice is an important part of the Japanese culture. Japanese people like to eat rice and they eat it almost every day. Also you have probably heard of the Inari shrines that are dedicated to Inari, a popular deity associated with… rice. Another famous Japanese product that is made of rice is sake , an alcoholic drink produced from fermenting rice.

During the brewing process the rice is polished, one of the most importants steps of the production of sake. On every sake bottle you will find a percentage, this is the so-called seimaibuai or the rice polishing ratio. This number indicates how much of the rice remains. The lower the number, the more exclusive and more expensive the sake is (and also the better taste is has we think). Next to the seimaibuai , the quality of water is decisive for the taste of sake. This is why the breweries are usually located in the countryside.

Nowadays, sake is a really popular alcoholic drink all around the world. In general, sake goes well with fish dishes, but you should carefully choose different types of sake depending on the type of cuisine. To understand more about sake, we highly recommend you to visit a, or maybe multiple, sake brewerie(s) in Japan. In this article, we introduce you 10 sake breweries that are not far from Tokyo and can be visited as a day trip. Most breweries also offers tours and tastings, so, if you are planning to stay in Tokyo, consider visiting these sake breweries!

1. Toshimaya Shuzo Brewery (Higashi-Murayama, Tokyo)

Recommended tour, 3. ishikawa brewery (fussa, tokyo), 4. ide brewery (fuji kawaguchiko, yamanashi), 5. bukou brewery (chichibu, saitama), 6. shichiken brewery (kofu, yamanashi), 7. matsuoka brewery (hiki, saitama), 8. yokota brewery (gyoda, saitama), 9. tamura brewery (fussa, tokyo), 10. nakamura brewery (akiruno, tokyo), other articles that you might like:.

Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, Toshimaya Shuzo has over 400 years of history. This brewery is using spring water from Mt. Fuji to produce its sake. Despite being one of the oldest breweries in Tokyo, Toshimaya has been developing its brewery technologies to stay abreast of modern technologies. Japanese people drink sake to celebrate weddings , a tradition that was started for the first time by this brewery a long time ago with Kinkon sake which literally means ‘golden wedding anniversary’. This brewery is also the father of Okunokami , the local Tokyo brand only sold to sake specialists in Tokyo.

Toshimaya Shuzo Brewery (Japanese only) Tours are available, reservations required.

2. Ozawa Brewery (Sawai, Tokyo)

Established in 1702, Ozawa Brewery named its sake brand Sawanoi as it is located in the Sawai area. In Ome city to be precise, which is famous for its clear water. The brewery is located just 3 min away from Sawai station, a 1h40m train ride from Tokyo station. Next to sake, this brewery also makes tofu. Tip: If you want to try some sake, the brewery offers kiki-zake , a sake tasting of 10 kinds of sake.

Ozawa Brewery Free tours both in Japanese & English

World Champion Sake Brewery in Ome (West Tokyo) Tour 300 years old Ozawa Brewery is the sake brewery that won the French Kura Masters Sake Contest’s President Prize 2021. The guide who happens to be a friend of the head of the brewery will take you to that renowned brewery where you can learn the secret of making great sake, try several sake tastings, and have lunch at a riverside restaurant. Before visiting the brewery, you will stop by Gyokudo Art Museum with a beautiful Japanese garden.

Ishikawa Brewery spent over 120 years producing their excellent sake called Tamajiman . They cherish their local society as all the ingredients used to make this sake are locally sourced. The tour around the premises is offered in French and English. There is also an Italian and a Japanese restaurant next to the brewery where you can have lunch after visiting the brewery. It takes 110 mins from Haneda airport and 150 min Narita airport by train to get to the brewery.

Ishikawa Brewery Free tours available in English & French, reservation required.

Ide Brewery has been making sake using water from Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, for over 180 years. If you decide to visit this brewery, you will not need to worry about Japanese language because they can guide you through the brewery in English as well. Before or after the tour, you can visit the historical Japanese rooms and garden, located next to the brewery. They can book the brewery tour on their website.

Ide Brewery Tours available in English, reservation required. Admission fee: ¥800 (including sake tasting)

Bukou brewery is located in Chichibu city, which is famous for its clean well-water that is essential for them to make sake. During the tour you will also see the old well that sourced the water.  Bukou also produces Amazake , a sweet and low-alcohol sake. If traditional sake is too strong for you then Amazake is a great alternative.

Bukou Brewery (Japanese only) Free tours available, reservation required.

Located in Hakushu city, Shichiken brewery has over 270 years of history. They have been using local rice and water to produce sake throughout the years. Interesting fact: they also make sparkling sake, and produce three different types: Mori no kanade (profound rich clear type), Hoshi no kagayaki (elegant crystal type) and Yama no kasumi (light cloudy type). The brewery also runs a restaurant called Daimin where you can taste and enjoy Hakushu’s local food.

Shichiken Brewery Tours available, reservation required.

Their sake has been No.1 Gold Winner Sake Brewery of the National Sake Awards consecutively for 8 years. The name of this prestigious sake is Mikadomatsu which literally means emperor (Mikado) and Japanese pine tree (Matsu). During the brewery tour, you can drink the water that they use for making this sake. Once you taste it, you will understand the high-quality of the water.

Matsuoka Brewery Free tours available, reservation required.

Shouemon Yokota, the founder of Yokota brewery, sought clean water for making sake and found it in Gyoda city where he established the brewery in 1805. They order Asano-hikari and Wakamizu brown rice and polish it. As the quality of the rice is slightly different every year, they need to carefully polish it manually. 

Yokota Brewery (Japanese only) Tours available, reservation required.

This sake brewery has been making sake according to their family motto “ making sake with great care and selling it with respect ” for almost 200 years. The Tamura family used to be village heads of Fussa city and established Tamura Brewery in 1822. The brewery is still family-run with a 16th generation CEO in charge. Their signature sake is Kasen , which means “pleasure fountain”. A free one-hour sake brewery tour is available at the brewery (only in Japanese), but you need to book it in advance.

Tamura Brewery (Japanese only) Free tours including sake tasting are available, reservation required.

The Nakamura family has been living in the Aki river area and started brewing sake over 200 year ago, in the Edo period. Chiyotsuru is the name of the sake they make which is translated as “the crane of a thousand ages”. Named after the many cranes that were living in the area. This brewery uses traditional and modern storehouses to make the sake. In addition to the brewery tour, we recommend you to visit the attached sake museum where you can see many traditional tools used for making sake. Also you can sample sake here!

Nakamura Brewery  (Japanese only) Tours available, reservation required.

When people think of a sake brewery, they often picture a remote place in the rural area, surrounded by natural scenery. While this is the case sometimes, cities such as Tokyo are also home to several breweries. Many of these sake breweries have a long history, but they are adapting to the modern era by introducing new technologies. It is definitely interesting to see how they combine traditional and modern brewing methods at their historical breweries. At all of the breweries mentioned in the article, tours are available during which you will learn more about the brewing process and the taste of sake. Last important note before you go: don’t drive a car when you visit one of these sake breweries, otherwise you’ll miss out on the best part – we think – the sake tasting!

Follow us on  Instagram  or  Facebook  for more travel inspiration. Or tag us to get featured! 

Happy travelling!

This article said rice politing ratio “eimaibuai”. This is wrong. “Seimaibuai” is right. Seimai is to polite. Buai is the ratio. Enjoy Japan culture😆

Seimai is to polish.

Thank you for pointing our typo out, Important to get the information right. We have updated the article :)

• Popular destinations
• Hidden places in Japan
• Tours and workshop
• Food and drink in Japan
• Itinerary in Japan
• Places to visit in Tokyo
• Food and drink in Tokyo
• Seasonal events
• Tours & workshops
• Tokyo This Week
• Day trip from Tokyo
• Itinerary in Tokyo
• Places to visit in Kyoto
• Food and drink in Kyoto
• Itinerary in Kyoto
• Day trip from Kyoto
• Travel tips
• Accommodation
• Cultural tips
• Transportation
• Tokyo Tours
• Kyoto Tours
• Kimono Rental
• Fukushima Tours
• Mount Fuji Tours
• Tour Package
• Media Kit（English/日本語)

A Guide To Visiting Sake Breweries in Japan

Table of contents.

We can all raise a glass and kampai to the good news that travel restrictions have started to ease in Japan. Packaging your bags may be too soon, but it’s a great time to start planning your next trip . But remember, for a sake lover, no trip to Japan is complete without checking out a sake brewery (“sakagura”).

Fukuchiyo Brewing Company in Saga prefecture. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Reasons to visit

Here are my top reasons to visit a sake brewery, some resources to start planning and some personal recommendations on where to go for the undecided.

Reason 1: Craftsmanship

Premium sake is made with a high degree of skill and care. Knowing this is one thing, but seeing the process at work is humbling to behold, and deepens one’s appreciation for the people who turn rice, water, yeast and koji into delicious sake.

Many “toji,” or master brewers, will insist that they are still perfecting their craft even after decades of brewing. They often oversee crucial parts of the brewing process, such as “shinseki” (rice soaking) with intense focus and a stopwatch in hand.

Reason 2: Architecture and experience

Making your way through a sakagura is a sensory journey, from the warm, comforting scent of steaming rice rising to the rafters, to the inviting nutty notes creeping from the koji room, and the ever-changing subtle aromas of the fermenting sake. Whoever said “There’s nothing like the smell of baked bread,” never made it to a sake brewery!

All hands are on deck when it comes to pressing super-premium daiginjo sake. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Visually, the traditional architecture adds another dimension to the experience. Many breweries still use centuries-old buildings featuring traditional construction techniques. In the Saijo brewing district of Hiroshima, “namako kabe,” an Edo-era textured pattern of blue and white plaster, skirts the lower sections of the exterior walls of many sakagura. Inside some older breweries, bare wooden beams are bound with intricate joinery forming an arch above the tall tanks of fermenting sake. After a few sips in the tasting room, you may feel as if you have traveled back in time!

Exposed beams and antiquated equipment are still on display in some breweries. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Reason 3: Japan-only sake

Craft beer fans know that a brewery visit gives you access to brews that might not travel outside the local neighborhood. The brews at the two extremes of the sake spectrum — bold and rich “koshu” (aged sake) with its amber hues; and fresh, bright and effervescent “nama” (unpasteurized) sake — tend to be more readily available at the brewery, often served by the very people who make it. Fill up that suitcase for the return trip!

If you’re lucky, you might be served by a master brewer. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Finding a brewery to visit and making an appointment

Sake breweries are production centers first. Understandably, some don’t accept visitors. Some have a tasting room and shop, but some might not. Some offer complete tours and tastings for free. Others charge a small fee for the experience. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that you plan ahead using the resources below and make reservations where required.

Independent travelers can begin planning a trip through the Sakagura Tourism website, maintained by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association. Breweries all around Japan are listed in English and are searchable by region and by name. Particularly helpful is the “Tour Available” icon that tells you whether or not you can expect a tour of the facilities and if there is a charge for the tour. Also helpful, the site indicates if there is English spoken at the brewery.

Guided sake tours

For travelers with no Japanese language skills or who desire a more curated experience, there are tour companies that arrange and guide you on tours of breweries as well.

Kyoto Insider Sake Experience offers a variety of tours and tastings in and around Kyoto.

Saketours.com offers multi-day, all-inclusive and immersive package tours incorporating brewery visits with gourmet meals and special access to regional food producers and artisans. It is run by well-respected and knowledgeable sake industry professionals who focus on memorable and under-the-radar sake and cultural experiences.

And finally, for travelers who wish for some guidance but may want to explore at their own pace, I recommend Jim Stewart ’ s Japan: Sake Breweries of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. This book has general travel advice, history and background on breweries, and hand-drawn maps to get to you from train station to brewery. The author also has recommendations for restaurants and sake shops nearby.

What to expect

Sake breweries prioritize a sanitary environment. You may be asked to suit up! | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

When the day of your visit finally arrives, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Dress warmly in winter. Bring an extra layer in summer. Sake ferments at low temperatures and breweries are not heated.
• To avoid microbial contamination, brewers often ask that visitors do not eat natto (fermented soybeans) or yogurt prior to their visit, or wear perfume or cologne.
• Always ask before taking photos of any brewery operations or staff.

10 recommended brewery visits

Here are 10 recommended breweries to visit that offer fun, educational and unique experiences.

Ishikawa Brewery (Tokyo)

Photo by Hayataro Sakitsu .

Off the beaten path and about 40 minutes from Shinjuku by train, this brewery has traditional architecture and an adjoining restaurant as well as a garden in which to enjoy some sake. Brewing sake since 1863, they welcome guests to tour year round and the website makes it easy to arrange a visit.

Related post: Sake-Tasting Tour at Ishikawa Brewing Company, Tokyo by Hayataro Sakitsu

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum (Kyoto)

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in Kyoto. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

This is a must-see destination for any sake lover visiting Kyoto. Gekkeikan is home to a museum showcasing the history of sake brewing and culture in Fushimi, with an impressive collection of older sake brewing equipment. The best part is that no reservations are required for small parties to visit.

Fujioka Brewing Company (Kyoto)

Masaaki Fujioka proudly pours his Sookuu sake at Fujioka Brewing Company in Kyoto. | Photo by Domenic Alonge.

Fifth-generation owner and head brewer Masaaki Fujioka is on a relentless pursuit to source the best ingredients to brew his sake under the Sookuu label. He reopened his family brewery after a seven-year closure and brews exquisite sake from rice he himself grows. This small brewery has its own sake bar called Sake Bar EN where you can have the memorable experience of sipping the sake as you watch it being made!

Daimon Brewing Company (Osaka)

Courtesy of Daimon Brewing Company.

If you find yourself in Osaka, you must visit Daimon, makers of one of my favorite nigori sake. The centuries-old house and garden that adjoin the brewery set the mood as you enter Daimon Brewing Company. Tour the brewery, taste their versatile and impeccable sake, then enjoy a farm-to-table meal featuring local cuisine under the exposed wooden beam roof at the upstairs restaurant, Mukune Tei. Special English language tours are available.

Izumibashi Brewing Company (Kanagawa)

While I have never visited this brewery personally, it is at the top of my list to visit because they grow their own rice. Izumibashi is a must for anyone who wants to see sake making from field to bottle. A visit to this brewery includes a walk through their own rice fields, sake tasting and local snacks. I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon!

Kumazawa Brewing Company (Kanagawa)

Courtesy of Kumazawa Brewing Company.

While no tour is available, Kumazawa Brewing Company is still a destination for sake lovers and foodies alike. The brewery houses two restaurants and a cafe where you can try all kinds of food paired with their sake. Make sure to try Mokichi Trattoria, where you can follow the toji’s recommendation and pair their sake with pizza! Not only do they make delicious sake with a gentle minerality, they also brew craft beer. Visitors can also try their sake brewed with local rice from Chigasaki and proprietary yeast. Shop Kumazawa sake at Tippsy and read our exclusive interview with their toji about the brewery’s Tensei series.

Choryo Brewing Company (Nara)

Photo by Rina Liggett.

Nara prefecture is perhaps more intricately linked to the history of sake brewing than any other place in Japan, so if you’re in Nara, why not visit a sake brewery? Choryo Brewing Company is passionate about their process, but still offers visitors a casual experience. Their recently opened Brew Park combines two of my favorite things: sake and nature. Enjoy their sake and beer in the open air while munching on food from a visiting food truck. If you visit during the spring, you’ll be able to bask in the cherry blossoms in the park as well. Shop Choryo sake at Tippsy and read our exclusive interview with their sales manager about “taru sake” (sake stored in wooden vats).

Suehiro Brewing Company (Fukushima)

Courtesy of Suehiro Brewing Company.

Visitors to Fukushima prefecture in search of sake should consider a stop at Suehiro Brewing Company, which was voted “the most fun sake brewery to visit” by one of Japan’s well-known newspapers. The grounds feature the original structure built in 1873 — constructed without a single nail — which remains unaltered to this day. Subject to pandemic restrictions, visitors may be able to take part in a free tasting upon their visit. Please contact the brewery before visiting to confirm. Shop Suehiro sake at Tippsy and read about the brewery’s philosophy in our exclusive interview with their brewery president.

Suigei Brewing Company (Kochi)

Photo by Domenic Alonge.

In 2018, Suigei Brewing Company opened their new, high-end brewing facility to welcome sake lovers from around the world. Although currently on pause, the brewery hopes to resume tours and tasting sessions at their sleek new production facility under their motto, “Enjoy sake life.” Start your day by sampling their elegant daiginjo collection before heading out for a night on the town to enjoy more Suigei sake with the local delicacy of katsuo tataki (seared and seasoned skipjack tuna). Shop Suigei sake at Tippsy and watch our tasting video for Suigei “Tokubetsu Junmai.”

Kobe Shushinkan (Hyogo)

Courtesy of Kobe Shushinkan.

Kobe Shushinkan offers multilingual resources to visitors who take a brewery tour, including videos and leaflets in English. Reservations are required, but the experience is worth it. You will be able to tour the production facility and finish with a sake tasting free of charge. More sake is brewed in this historic part of Kobe than anywhere else in Japan. If you’re passing through, this place is a must-see. Shop Kobe Shushinkan sake at Tippsy and watch our tasting video for Fukuju “Blue.”

Deepen your understanding of sake

Regardless of which brewery you choose to visit, you are sure to have an experience that stays with you whenever and wherever you raise a glass of sake. It will surely deepen your appreciation for the best beverage in the world.

Domenic Alonge

Domenic Alonge is an Advanced Sake Professional, International Kikizake-shi. His work in sake breweries in Japan, Europe and the U.S., as well as his experience as the owner of North Carolina’s first sake-only bottle shop inform his writing and his videos which he now creates as the Sake Geek. Follow him on YouTube and on sake-geek.com .

Learn about Tippsy’s  Editorial process

Recent posts

All about sake.

Welcome to your sake journey

What is Sake?

What Is Sake Made of and How Is It Made?

What Is Rice Polishing Ratio?

Types of Sake

How To Store Sake

How To Drink and Serve Sake

Food Pairing Guide

Best Sake Bottles and Brands for Beginners

Sign up to receive special offers and sake inspiration!

• Haneda Airport
• Okachimachi
• Shimokitazawa
• Kiso Valley
• Nozawa Onsen
• Shinanomachi
• Kumano Kodo
• Japan Journeys Style
• Things to do
• Restaurants
• Hiking and Walking
• Amusement Parks
• Animal Attractions
• Museums and Digital Art
• Parks and Gardens
• Sports and Stadiums
• Temples and Shrines
• Experiences
• Places to stay

• Destinations
• Things To Do
• Attractions

Sawanoi Sake Brewery: Taste and Tour Close to Tokyo

Sake can be easily found in every restaurant and convenience store in Japan, but to really gain an appreciation for this local, historic brew, head to Sawanoi Sake Brewery in Ome. There, learn more about the distillery process, enjoy a sake tasting, and eat delicious dishes in a riverside setting. Only 90 minutes from Shinjuku station, Sawanoi makes for a great day trip from Tokyo. 

Tour the Sake Brewery

Although Sawanoi is the brand name, after the Sawai area that the brewery is located in, the actual name of the brewery is Ozawa Shozu. Founded in 1702, it is the oldest sake brewery in the Tokyo region and is a local favorite. 

To learn all about this venerable establishment, join one of the brewery’s free tours . These tours are held four times a day and last about 45 minutes. There, you will learn more about sake production, and get to look around the distillery and storehouse. What sets Sawanoi sake apart is the pure mountain spring water used in the brewing process. The brewers are quite proud of this fact, and a highlight of the tour is the spring itself, dug 140 meters into the rock to access this special water. The tour concludes with a taste of the newest seasonal sake on hand. 

While I highly recommend this tour, do note that it is in Japanese, with printed English information available. However, a few times a month, special English tours are also offered. (These special English tours are also free.) Check the website for the schedule.

Sample more at the tasting room

One of my favorite facilities at Sawanoi Sake Brewery is their tasting room. Growing up in California, I’ve been to my share of wine tastings. This is a similar experience, but you get a lot more sake for your yen. Also, since the brewery is close to the station, you don’t need to plan for a designated driver for your day trip out of Tokyo. 

At the tasting room, you have the opportunity to try the different sakes that the brewery produces. The tasting menu has notes on the various brews both in Japanese and English. Usually, at least one of the sommeliers speaks good English, so feel free to ask any questions you may have. This is an excellent opportunity for novice sake drinkers to taste a number of sakes side by side and notice the differences in flavor. Each taste runs between ¥200-¥500 and includes a full glass in a ceramic cup with the Sawanoi Sake Brewery logo. Drink your sake in the tasting room itself or take it outdoors to one of the riverside tables. When you’re ready for another taste, bring your cup back to the tasting counter and your next pour is ¥100 off. At the end, you can take your cup home as a souvenir. 

Dining and Other Facilities

By now you are surely hungry, and fortunately, Sawanoi has you covered. There are quite a few different choices for eating on the premises, from the snacks offered at the tasting room to a gourmet sit-down restaurant . My choice is Mameraku, a more casual restaurant that specializes in tofu and fermented dishes using the pure spring water of Sawanoi. The menu rotates seasonally, but for around ¥1500 one can expect an entree showcasing this special soft, flavorful tofu, surrounded by various side dishes and pickles. Even if tofu isn’t really your thing, trust us, you’ve never had tofu like this before!

Other facilities on the premises include restrooms, a snack bar, a museum, and a gift shop where you can purchase your new favorite bottles to take home. The surrounding river area makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll, and in the summer months expect to see plenty of people rafting or wading in the shallows. Breathe in the fresh mountain air, take in the idyllic view, and enjoy your day trip from Tokyo at Sawanoi Sake Brewery.

Getting to Sawanoi Sake Brewery

To get to Sawanoi Sake Brewery, simply take the JR Chuo line to Sawai station, changing trains at Ome. The brewery is a 3-minute walk from the station. 

Name: Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery  Address: 2-770 Sawai, Ome, Tokyo Open: 8:00-17:00 (closed Mondays) URL: http://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en

Post by Japan Journeys .

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

The oldest things to see in tokyo: ultimate guide, things to do (and eat) in nagano city, sampling local sake at niigata’s ponshukan sake museum, most popular, late night fortune telling at sensoji temple, love thy neighborhood: the complex history of osaka’s nishinari district, shopping on miyajima: what to buy, fukuoka asian art museum: showcasing modern asian art, what is shinto your questions about japan answered, all the highlights on this 2 night naoshima itinerary, feel the summer breeze with hyogo’s decorative ornamental ferns, tokyo farmer’s market at unu, late night eats at ebisu yokocho, tobusakana—a local seafood izakaya in shimokitazawa.

Sake Tasting Masterclass in Tokyo: Led by a Sommelier

Indulge in the ultimate sensory experience on the Demystify Sake tour in Tokyo. Led by a sake sommelier, you'll learn the proper way to select and drink sake with food while tasting six different high-quality sake brands from small family owned breweries. You'll explore how sake flavors change with temperature and cup shape, and discover how sake complements many kinds of flavors through delicious food pairings. With a maximum of 8 people per session, this 2-hour tour is the perfect opportunity to deepen your understanding of sake and enjoy some mouth-watering sake and food pairings. Don't miss the chance to end your experience with a full course dinner meal paired with craft sake, available for an additional fee on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Join our sake tasting session to discover new styles and sample food pairings with a sake sommelier. Learn basic sake 101 to know the proper way to select and drink sake with food. Taste 6 high-quality sake brands from small family owned breweries. Also, experience how sake flavors change depending on different temperatures and sake cup shapes. Explore your tastebuds through sake and food pairings while learning how sake complements many kinds of flavors. Enjoy a full course dinner meal paired with craft sake (+4,500 JPY, 5pm session Thu-Sat only). See what other customers say about our tasting experience! Why choose us? We offer a unique opportunity to taste a variety of high-quality sake brands from small, family-owned breweries and learn how to properly select and drink sake with food. Our expert sake sommelier will guide you through the experience, and for those interested, we also offer a full course dinner meal paired with craft sake. Book now and elevate your sake knowledge and appreciation

1. What will I learn in the Sake tasting class in Tokyo? You will learn basic sake 101 and the proper way to select and drink sake with food. You will also learn how sake complements different flavors and explore your tastebuds through sake and food pairings. 2. How many types of sake will I taste during the Sake tasting class? You will taste 6 high-quality sake brands from small family owned breweries. 3. Can I choose the time of day for the Sake tasting class? Yes, you can choose between two options: 1:30 pm or 5 pm. 4. What is the maximum number of people allowed in a single session of the Sake tasting class? The maximum number of people allowed in a single session is 8. 5. Is dinner included in the Sake tasting class, and what is the additional cost? Dinner is only included in the 5 pm session on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The additional cost for the full course meal paired with craft sake is +4,500 JPY + tax.

Key Takeaways

The Sake tasting class in Tokyo will teach you basic sake 101 and the proper way to select and drink sake with food. During the class, you will taste 6 high-quality sake brands from small family owned breweries, and experience how sake flavors change depending on different temperatures and sake cup shapes. The class will also help you explore your tastebuds through sake and food pairings while learning how sake complements many kinds of flavors. The class is 2 hours long and has two different starting times available: 1:30 pm or 5 pm. The maximum number of people allowed in a single session is 8, and the minimum is 2. While light snacks are provided, dinner is only included in the 5 pm session on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The additional cost for the full course meal paired with craft sake is +4,500 JPY + tax. Overall, the Demystify Sake tour is a great way to deepen your understanding of sake and its rich history, while also enjoying some delicious sake and food pairings.

Related Read: Exploring Japan's Whisky Craft: Distilleries and Tradition

The booking is non-refundable if you cancel within 1 day of the start time.

You will learn basic sake 101 and the proper way to select and drink sake with food. You will also learn how sake complements different flavors and explore your tastebuds through sake and food pairings.

Similar tours

🍶 The 5 Best Kyoto Sake Tasting Tours [2024 Reviews]

Tokyo is absolutely mindblowing, but if you’re looking to see a more “traditional” side of Japan, look no further than Kyoto.

As the former capital, it’s filled to the brim with incredible architecture, history, and traditions. It’s also one of the sake capitals of Japan, with nearly 3 centuries using very special strains of red rice and green tea for unique sake production not found anywhere else in the world.

While you could always try it at a local restaurant, why not go all in and try one of the top Kyoto sake tasting tours out there today? Let’s dive right in!

Best Sake Tasting Tours in Kyoto

Quick answer: the 5 best kyoto sake tasting tours for 2024.

• Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour
• 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
• 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
• Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch
• 3-Hour Private Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Fushimi Kyoto

Kyoto Sake Tasting Tour Reviews

1. kyoto sake brewery & tasting walking tour.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Departure: Yoshijima Yaguracho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8224
• Departure Time: 1:30 PM
• Includes:  Sake tasting (18 types), photos, admission fee of Sake Museum, those under 20 years old will instead get snacks/food

I first discovered sake-tasting tours because I had an afternoon free and wanted to go on a more unique experience. That’s when I came across the Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour , which perfectly combines history, cool little coffee bars, and plenty of sake.

This is my top tour selection as it’s one of the best for the price, with seamless organization and tons of easy-to-consume information from the very get-go.

We met up with our guide in central Kyoto and the meeting place was luckily very easy to walk to from our hotel. Upon arrival, we saw that we already had a little group of fellow tourists from around the world going on, which made it even more fun.

Our guide was very sweet and friendly, and spoke perfect English, making it easy to understand everything he had to say.

The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is where we started off, where we learned so much about the history of the alcoholic beverage, and why it’s perfect to make in Kyoto.

We then learned about the different techniques surrounding the production before trying a huge range of different sake styles!

Expand To See More See Less

This tour offers the most tastings of any I’ve come across, though in a lesser quantity (to make sure you’re fine by the end of the tour!).

After that, we headed to a cool little local bar, where we were able to sample a few other sake varieties while learning more about these specific styles’ history and brewing processes.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the fact that our guide took professional photos throughout the tour, which we were able to have sent to us afterward for a fantastic memento.

Overall, this was a great tour all the way through, with plenty of handy facts that will help me select the perfect sake, no matter where I am.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, 2. 3 hours kyoto insider sake experience.

• Duration:  3 hours
• Departure: 247 Minamihamachō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8660
• Departure Time: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM
• Includes:  English-speaking local guide, 10 sake tastings, snacks for sake pairing, cheat sheet + tasting notes

This next tour is yet another one of those “biggest bang for your buck” options, highlighting the history and culture of sake-brewing, locally.

The 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience  is ideal if you’re looking to gain a better understanding of where sake originated, the culture surrounding it, and the different types. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or it’s your first time trying the beverage, I know you’re going to love it as much as I do!

We met our guide right outside the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, which is a relatively small yet very charming place that is worth visiting on its own.

It’s very easy to get to from Fushimi Inari’s station, located in a tranquil neighborhood that offers insight into how locals live. We took a little stroll to the biggest sake brewery in Fushimi, where we gained in-depth knowledge of sake from professionals who know the beverage inside and out.

Starting off in the museum offered us some basic knowledge about the drink’s background before heading to the tasting, which was a more immersive experience and allowed us to learn quite a bit about the traditional brewing processes that have been in practice for centuries.

The production area is very interesting, and they did a great job of explaining what each piece was used for. We then got to see the older tools in the museum section of the building, which made a lot more sense after the tour.

After all the touring of the production area, we got to try tons of different samples of sake, from dry and more bitter to smooth and sweet. They even set up a thoughtful food pairing for us, where we tried traditional Japanese snacks to complement each sake type.

Overall, this was a super educational, fun experience and I learned much more than I ever thought possible in just a few hours!

3. 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience

• Departure: 271-1 Kurumamachi, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8365
• Includes:  Local English-speaking guide, 7 sake tastings, snacks

If you have a packed schedule and don’t have much free time, this next tour is the best option for you! The  1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience  may be relatively brief, but packed full of info with the opportunity to sample plenty of sake first-hand.

This was a great way for me to learn quite a bit about sake, making it one of the best “beginner” classes out there.

We met in Fushimi where we saw our guide and got to know the rest of our small group, which was fun to get to know others from around the world. I found it pretty easy to access, which was important for me as I was on a pretty big time crunch.

Not to mention, they have both an afternoon or evening tour departure option, making it even easier to add into a busy itinerary.

Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, answering any questions we threw at them and explaining things in a way that anyone could understand.

The Fushimi District is known worldwide for its top-notch sake production, and when you take into consideration its over 30 breweries, it makes sense.

While I’d love to check out each one, we learned a surprising amount in our sake-tasting workshop!

We all sat down and listened to our expert guide as we sampled 7 different sake varieties and learned which types were ideal for certain occasions and flavors.

This was only enhanced by the traditional Japanese food items paired nicely to each sample, with included cheat sheets there to help us. I actually still use the sheet while in Japan and outside the country while ordering sake!

4. Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch

• Duration:  n/a
• Departure: 4-chōme-291 Ryōgaemachi, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8082
• Departure Time: 11:00 AM
• Includes:  Several sake tastings, local lunch, English-speaking guide.

Tucked right into the breathtaking landscapes of Kyoto sits one of the biggest epicenters of sake brewing, categorized with attention to detail and traditions that have been passed on well over a few centuries.

If you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s famous rice wine, the Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch  is the perfect opportunity to check out this revered practice.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the immersive experience kickstart with a visit to various traditional sake breweries in some of Kyoto’s most historic neighborhoods.

We started off by exploring the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where we were able to casually stroll around while learning the basics about the historic tradition and methods of brewing rice wine.

The charming area is one of my favorites in Kyoto, lined with little shops selling fantastic artisanal creations. After the museum, we then visited a couple of different breweries – one small and one large – to gain some perspective on how the scale and individual sake production differs.

They operate in surprisingly different ways, with many different similarities in terms of production methods. Throughout both visits, we were able to sample plenty of different types of sake while learning about each one from our interesting guide.

My favorite part was sitting down for a delicious local lunch with Yakitori perfectly paired with sake while chatting with our guide and the others in our small group about what we’d seen and tried so far.

As if that weren’t enough, we also had time to walk around outside and see important temples, parks, and other Japanese landmarks! If you’re looking for one of the best beginner sake tastings and tours, look no further than this one!

5. 3-Hour Private Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Fushimi Kyoto

• Departure Time: 1:00 PM
• Includes:  Snacks, alcoholic beverages, admission fee to Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

Last but certainly not least, I bring you another 3-hour sake tasting experience that will teach you all about a wide variety of sake from current day to hundreds of years back.

If that sounds like fun to you, I highly suggest checking out the 3-Hour Private Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Fushimi Tokyo . I absolutely love this tour for how well it goes into sake production while combining history and culture by exploring the unique Fushimi district.

Starting off at 1:00 pm, I will admit that it wasn’t the most convenient start time, but it’s still quite a fun way to explore and learn before dinnertime!

We started by meeting our guide and the rest of our small group outside the exit of the Keihan Railway North station, which was easy to access.

We then headed straight into the intriguing Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, which has a gorgeous original wooden brewery construction made over 200 years ago!

Heading inside the museum, we got to learn about sake before heading out in the courtyard where we could sample Fushimizu straight from a well, which is the water used in brewing the rice wine.

It’s very soft, smooth, and tasty, and I was surprised at just how much I loved it (which observing traditional brewing tools, that were pretty cool!). We then boarded a “pleasure boat” which was used hundreds of years ago for logistics purposes between Fushimi and Osaka.

Next up is the impressive Fushimi Sake Village that’s been open for less than 10 years, but is essentially a playground for sake and Japanese food lovers!

With 17 breweries around here, you’ll get to sample plenty of 100% authentic Fushimi local sake that’s incredibly pure and unchanged. I didn’t know that the Kappa Gallery was responsible for the characters, but was also the first company to produce local beer!

Follow it up with some tasty treats at the Fushimi Yume Hyakushu Cafe, as well as the trendy, bustling shopping district of Fushimi!

Sakes Tasted

Tour guides.

The Kyoto Sake Brewery & Tasting Walking Tour is our Editors Choice for the best Sake tasting tour

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best taj majal tours from new delhi [2024 reviews], the 5 best halong bay cruises [2024 reviews], ▷ the 5 best hanoi city tours [2024 reviews], ▷ the 5 best mekong delta & cu chi tunnels tours [2024 reviews].

The 11 best hotels in Tokyo for your next Japan getaway

O ne of the world's great cultural epicenters, the Japanese capital of Tokyo seamlessly blends traditional Japanese culture with cutting-edge modern influences.

Here, you can explore historic sites like the Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, or visit museums like the Tokyo National Museum and Edo-Tokyo Museum to learn about the city's fascinating history — all while sampling delicious street food and local cuisine from some of the nation's best chefs. The city boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world; from sushi and ramen to tempura and wagyu beef, Tokyo is truly a paradise for foodies.

There's also world-class shopping, nightlife and even a Disneyland . It's no secret that Tokyo offers an abundance of unique experiences that travelers won't find elsewhere. For instance, you can visit themed cafes (think cat, robot or maid cafes), indulge in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, witness sumo wrestling matches or attend a traditional Kabuki theater performance.

Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles

Where to stay in Tokyo

Known for its neon-lit skyscrapers and vibrant nightlife, Shinjuku is a popular tourist choice. It boasts many accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly options. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Kabukicho, Tokyo's entertainment district, are must-visit attractions in the area.

Shibuya is a trendy and youthful neighborhood, home to fashionable shops, hip cafes and some of Tokyo's best nightlife. The area also offers easy access to popular destinations like Harajuku and Meiji Shrine.

Considered Tokyo's most upscale shopping district, Ginza is renowned for its luxury boutiques, department stores and high-end restaurants. It is a great area for those seeking a sophisticated and glamorous experience.

Asakusa is known for its historic charm and provides a taste of traditional Tokyo. The neighborhood is famous for Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple. Nakamise Shopping Street, lined with souvenir shops and street food stalls, leads to the temple's entrance.

Known for its vibrant nightlife and international atmosphere, Roppongi is a popular choice for those seeking entertainment and cultural experiences. The neighborhood has numerous art galleries, museums, trendy bars and clubs — and a great view of the Tokyo Tower.

With fewer skyscrapers and more green spaces, Ueno Park is a vast public park where visitors can explore museums like the Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Zoo. The neighborhood is also famous for Ameya-Yokocho, a bustling market street offering a variety of goods at reasonable prices.

Whether you are looking for an intimate bespoke property or a mega hotel with a dozen on-site dining options, these are the best hotels in Tokyo.

Related: The best times to visit Japan

Situated in the upscale Roppongi district, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo provides easy access to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. The nearby Roppongi Hills complex offers many shopping, dining and nightlife entertainment options.

Guest rooms start at a generous 560 square feet of space with 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service and Frette luxury toiletries. For something more opulent, the Ritz-Carlton Suite offers 3,300 square feet, including a spacious living area, a private bedroom with a king-size bed and a luxurious marble bathroom with a deep-soaking tub and separate rain shower. The suite also includes access to the Club Lounge and views of Tokyo Tower or Mount Fuji.

Guests can indulge in exquisite Japanese cuisine at the intimate Hinokizaka, with just 40 seats and separate stations devoted to kaiseki, sushi, tempura and teppanyaki. They can also savor French fare at Azure 45 or enjoy afternoon tea at The Lobby Lounge.

Rates at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo start at $1,022 or 110,000 Bonvoy points per night.

Opposite the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park in the Marunouchi district — and within a minute's walk of the shopping capital of Ginza, known for that world-famous traffic crossing — this 24-story rose-tinted tower is inspired by a Japanese lantern.

The luxury experience begins when you leave the airport with a transfer in the hotel's fleet of signature Brewster green Rolls-Royce cars. On arrival at the hotel, lobby staff dressed in pristine white uniforms lead guests under a giant Hanabi chandelier to the check-in desks.

Guest rooms feature two-way wardrobes that staff can access from the corridors outside the rooms. With the push of a button, staff will collect laundry from this wardrobe and return it cleaned and pressed just a few hours later like magic. Guests can also order Ippudo plant-based ramen in their rooms.

Mixologists at Peter's Sky Bar whip up signature creations like an espresso martini with cinnamon-infused mezcal and the drop martini with Tachibana vermouth and Grey Goose Le Citron.

Rates at the Peninsula Tokyo start at $744 per night.

First opened in 2009, Japan's first Shangri-La hotel offers 200 guest rooms and suites occupying 11 floors of the Marunouchi Trust Tower.

The Shangri-La Tokyo is in the prestigious Marunouchi district, a vibrant and upscale neighborhood in the heart of Tokyo, renowned for its blend of modernity and tradition. The neighborhood is characterized by sleek skyscrapers, wide boulevards and beautifully landscaped parks.

The hotel's fully equipped Health Club offers personal trainers, a heated indoor pool and views across Tokyo.

Piacere serves Italian fine dining with opulent items like an a la carte caviar menu, foie gras terrine with vincotto flavored figs, and Hokkaido Murakami farm potato gnocchi and truffle. Or, try Piacere's brunch, which offers dishes like eggs Benedict with marinated lobster and caviar; coconut-flavored tiramisu, mascarpone and white chocolate; or French toast with raspberry and whipped tonka bean milk cream.

Rates at the Shangri-La Tokyo start from $586 per night.

The Mandarin Oriental Tokyo is nestled in the sophisticated and bustling Nihonbashi financial district. Steeped in history, this area dates back to the Edo period when it served as the starting point of five major highways leading to different regions of Japan. Today, it has transformed into a thriving commercial and cultural hub.

Rooms epitomize modern Japanese design and feature special touches like in-room bonsai trees with their own biographies. Bathrooms are stocked with Bottega Veneta toiletries, and all accommodations have windows with sweeping city views.

The Mandarin Oriental has one of the most impressive ranges of dining options of any Tokyo hotel, with an astonishing 12 restaurants on-site.

Sushi Shin by Miyakawa is the first Tokyo location of Hokkaido's three Michelin-starred Sushi Miyakawa; it sources seafood daily from the nearby Toyosu fish market. Or, for something more casual, The Pizza Bar on 38th offers wood-fired pizzas made from Italian organic flour fermented for 48 hours to create the lightest digestive crust.

Take a break in the serene 37th-floor setting of the Sense Tea Corner, which specializes in the purity of fine tea.

Rates at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo start from $700 per night.

Spanning the top six floors of the 28-story Ometachi building, the world's first "urban" Aman property is conveniently close to transport and tourist attractions. The minimalist lobby, designed by Australian architect Kerry Hill, features seasonal ikebana flower arrangements and meditative rock gardens with high paper walls and floor-to-ceiling windows.

All accommodations are suites at this 84-room property. As a modern take on a traditional Japanese residence, suites blend wood, washi paper and granite with of-the-moment technology. Even the smallest suites are a massive 829 square feet, with Mount Fuji visible in the distance on a clear day.

The 100-foot granite indoor pool is a haven of relaxation and tranquility with incredible views of downtown Tokyo. Don't miss the traditional Japanese-style bathing facilities and steam rooms.

Rates at the Aman Tokyo start from $1,964 per night.

Nestled in the heart of the upscale Roppongi district, the hotel boasts a contemporary design that blends sophistication with a Japanese charm. The lobby welcomes guests with a grand entrance featuring high ceilings, sleek marble accents and abundant natural light.

The hotel's 387 guest rooms incorporate subtle Japanese aesthetics with rich mahogany furnishings, natural fabrics and high ceilings. Furniture is provided by B&B Italia, and the Egyptian cotton linens are by Frette. Guests in Suites and Hyatt Globalists can enjoy private check-in and checkout service, a personalized concierge, complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails and canapes at the Grand Club Lounge.

On-site spa treatments include a Japanese hot stone massage, incorporating heated volcanic stones and rhythmic massage strokes to melt away tension and promote deep relaxation; a detoxifying body wrap to gently exfoliate to remove dead skin cells, followed by the application of a nutrient-rich body mask or wrap; or jet lag recovery treatment with targeted pressure points to relieve fatigue.

Rates at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo start from $404 per night or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

The nearby Toyosu fish market (formerly the Tsukiji Market) is worth waking up early for. View the world-famous tuna auctions at 5:30 a.m. and then pop into one of the many sushi bars surrounding the market for the freshest sushi you'll likely find in Japan, washed down with a breakfast beer.

Conrad Tokyo guest rooms start from a generous 516 square feet and feature Sumi-e-style cherry blossom paintings in the headboards and flooring, complemented by traditional lantern-style lamps. Guests booked into Executive Rooms and Hilton Diamond members can enjoy exclusive access to the Executive Lounge.

On the 29th floor, the Mizuki Spa & Fitness is the largest hotel spa of its kind in Tokyo. It offers a traditional Hinoki bath experience with a foot ritual using bamboo sticks, a tea ceremony and a facial.

Rates at the Conrad Tokyo start at $358 or 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

In the Shinjuku district, one of Tokyo's most vibrant and bustling areas, Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the top 14 floors of the 52-story Shinjuku Park Tower, offering panoramic views of the city and Mount Fuji on clear days. Inside, the property houses an impressive collection of contemporary artworks featuring pieces by renowned artists from Japan and worldwide.

The hotel gained global recognition through its appearance in the critically acclaimed movie "Lost in Translation" directed by Sofia Coppola. Pritzker Prize-winning architect Dr. Kenzo Tange designed it as a private urban residence. It features 177 rooms with 23 suites, all with walk-in closets, Nespresso coffee machines and sumptuous king-size beds with Egyptian cotton linens.

The hotel is home to various dining venues catering to diverse tastes. Guests can indulge in refined French cuisine at the award-winning New York Grill, savor authentic Japanese flavors at Kozue, or enjoy a casual meal at The Peak Lounge & Bar while enjoying the Instagrammable views.

The Park Hyatt will close for renovations starting May 7, 2024, with an expected completion date in the second quarter of 2025.

Rates at the Park Hyatt Tokyo start at $757 per night.

A short walk from Tokyo's main rail station and in the center of the city's most important business district, the Four Seasons has 11 different room categories. Options range from 656-square-foot suites to the opulent, more than 3,000-square-foot Imperial Suite, which boasts an eight-person dinner table, a private study and a treatment room on the 38th floor with jaw-dropping views of Tokyo.

Guests can partake in a wide range of traditional Japanese customs, including suibokuga (ink wash painting), dining in the dark, private shrine tours, sake tasting and even a tour of a sumo-beya where professional sumo wrestlers train and live.

The hotel offers numerous dining options, including Italian food with open show kitchens at Pigneto; contemporary French-Japanese cuisine by acclaimed chef Guillaume Bracaval at the Michelin-starred Est; or Virtu cocktail bar, where guests can blend vintage French spirits and rare cognacs (the restaurant's signature martini features Geisha-infused Kinobi gin, shiro mistu sugar syrup and espresso coffee).

Rates at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi start at $642 per night.

The Andaz Tokyo offers incredible city skyline views, including iconic landmarks such as Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Bay. The 164 rooms are spacious by Tokyo standards, starting from 500 square feet; they are thoughtfully designed with Japanese traditions, and each room features a circular soaking bathtub and complimentary minibar.

The hotel boasts a range of dining options, including the Tavern-Grill & Lounge with grilled specialties like Hokkaido beef chateaubriand with bearnaise sauce, Australian lamb chops with smoky eggplant mash and a deboned lemon-marinated Shingen chicken. BeBu, the 52nd-floor rooftop bar, provides a stunning outdoor setting to enjoy craft cocktails while taking in the cityscape. Guests can also savor authentic Japanese cuisine at the Andaz Tavern or indulge in afternoon tea at the Andaz Lounge.

The hotel features a fully equipped fitness center to help guests maintain their exercise routines. The on-site AO Spa & Club offers a range of treatments, including traditional Japanese therapies; guests have the opportunity to create a custom-made foot scrub from a selection of seasonal fruit, herbs and spices.

Rates at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills start at $605 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Related: The most amazing Andaz hotels in the world

The Tokyo Edition is an extraordinary hotel that combines contemporary luxury with a youthful yet understated style from renowned hotelier Ian Schrager. Conveniently situated near the subway stations of Kamiyacho, Roppongi-Itchome and Toranomon, the property has 206 guest rooms, including 22 suites with iconic views of the Tokyo skyline.

The hotel's dining options are equally impressive, catering to various tastes and preferences. The signature seafood restaurant, Blue by Alain Ducasse, offers a culinary journey of French cuisine with a contemporary twist; it features dishes like Hokkaido sea scallops with musk melon, Norwegian langoustines with Champagne sauce or a traditional Provencal bouillabaisse fish stew. The Oak Room provides a lively and inviting atmosphere for all-day dining, while the Punch Room offers a cozy space to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails.

The custom-designed spa has a well-equipped fitness center and a dramatic indoor pool; it offers healing treatments using organic Japanese products from Absolution and Bioprogramming.

Rates at The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon , start at $596 or 80,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Best credit cards for booking hotels in Tokyo

There are over a dozen excellent travel rewards credit cards for hotel stays. The right one(s) for you will depend on if you're loyal to a particular program or chain, whether you want premium perks, and if you value benefits like annual free nights , automatic elite status and lucrative earning rates.

Here are three great credit cards to use for booking stays across various hotel chains and independent properties while still enjoying money-saving features and high-end benefits, though.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earning rates: This card earns 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel . All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. Remember, Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 rate, and there are sometimes transfer bonuses.

Benefits: This card is absolutely packed with perks, but among the travel-related ones you'll want to maximize, including some hotel-specific benefits are:

• Up to a $200 annual hotel credit , in the form of a statement credit, on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum (Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum).*
• Access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection .
• Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy .*
• Up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidental fees charged by one airline you select.*
• Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash , valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly $15 credits plus a $20 bonus in December).*
• Up to $189 in statement credits to cover your Clear Plus annual membership .*
• A $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or an up to $85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years (depending on which application fee is charged to your card first).
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection , including Centurion Lounges , Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; limited to 6 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025).*

*Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees ).

Read our review of the Amex Platinum card .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Earning rates: Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel , 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases

Benefits: Cardholders earn $300 back in statement credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel. Plus 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel). Through the Capital One Premier Collection , cardmembers can enjoy free breakfast, on-property credits and room upgrades (if available) on stays at participating properties booked through Capital One Travel. They also receive up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry .

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees ).

Read our review of the Capital One Venture X .

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Earning rates: This card accrues 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal , on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points). It also racks up 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excludes Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Benefits: Cardholders receive a $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal upon opening the card and each following cardmember anniversary. They also receive a 10% bonus based on their total spending during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $10 spent. This card also has some of the best travel protections in the industry, including trip cancellation insurance , trip delay insurance and primary rental car coverage among other policies.

Annual fee: $95.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred .

Related reading:

• Best hotel credit cards
• When is the best time to book a hotel? Experts weigh in — and debunk a few myths
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

10 of the best hotels in Tokyo, from charming ryokans to Japanese onsen retreats

Japan’s capital is one of the most diverse and thrilling cities on Earth — but its sheer size can make choosing a hotel daunting. Here are 10 places to stay in Tokyo to make your trip all the more memorable.

With its glinting skyscrapers, narrow alleyways, lantern-festooned temples and neon-clad arcades, Tokyo is one of the most diverse and thrilling cities on Earth — but its sheer size can make choosing a hotel daunting. Over the past decade, accommodation options have broadened to include trendy ryokans (traditional inns) and indie hotels. Because there’s no single city ‘centre’ in the Japanese capital, you’ll almost certainly have to do some travelling — likely on the efficient metro system — to see its highlights, so don’t get overly hung up on location. Instead, think about what’s more important after a day’s sightseeing: an al fresco pool or a cool in-house bar.

1. Hoshinoya Tokyo

Best for: cultural immersion Leave the city, and your shoes, behind as you step onto the tatami floors of this skyscraper ryokan. It’s a low-lit retreat of shoji screen doors and incense-scented air, with a second-floor lobby that includes a little salon for tea ceremonies. The 84 rooms are spread across the next 14 floors, with each level centred around a traditional ochanoma lounge serving teas, sake and house-made snacks. The rooms themselves are plush, with raised-platform futon beds, deep-soak tubs and jersey kimono-style pyjamas. An immense 17th-floor onsen-spa has hot spring waters pumped in from 5,000ft below the city streets, with a vaulted roof that leaves it part-open to the elements. The 10-table basement restaurant serves exquisite French-Japanese tasting menus and the in-room bento box breakfasts are highly recommended. Rooms: From ¥112,000 (£589), two-night minimum stay.

2. OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka

Best for: budgeting In a skyscraper-cluttered metropolis, a hotel with an intimate, neighbourhood vibe can be a rare thing. Yet this branch of cool, affordable chain Omo, by Hoshino Resorts, has just that, packaged up in a modern building in the northern district of Otsuka. Cleverly designed rooms make the most of every square inch, with loft-style beds suspended above tatami mat seating areas and storage space integrated into walls and stairs. There’s also a laundry room on the fifth floor, where guests can wash and dry clothes for just a few quid, and an all-day cafe that transitions from breakfast space to coffeeshop to bar as the day progresses. Sign up for a local tour with one of the dedicated ‘Omo Rangers’, who will take you around the excellent local tempura and ramen shops — or even on an Otsuka bar crawl. Rooms: From ¥16,000 (£84).

3. TRUNK (Hotel) Cat Street

Best for: loft-style cool This felt like an entirely new concept in Tokyo when it first opened in 2017: a design-forward boutique hotel with universally appealing NYC-style coolness. Seven years on, the concept has now been copied many times in the city, but it’s still hard to top the original in the shopping area of Shibuya, just off Cat Street. Its lounge, restaurants and shop attract fashionable Tokyoites as much as hotel guests, and its bedrooms come with a breezy, minimalist aesthetic. Some have balconies with hammocks while larger options, like the Dining Suite, include spaces such as a kitchen area or terrace. Don’t be surprised to see dapper couples heading for the rooftop; it’s a popular venue for city weddings. Rooms: From ¥51,774 (£273).

4. Palace Hotel Tokyo

Best for: royal luxury This elegant hotel in Otemachi has long been a favourite with well-heeled Tokyoites who come for the dining options and spa. It helps that it’s mere steps away from the Imperial Palace, the city’s most exclusive address, and close to the swish shops of the upmarket Ginza district. Good-sized rooms — some of them featuring balconies — overlook an expanse of moat-carved gardens. An extensive breakfast buffet has princely appeal thanks to elegant platings of grilled fish, pickled plums, rice and miso soup; if that’s not to your taste, there’s eggs benedict and croissants, too. The in-house restaurants also have the wow factor, with two Michelin-starred options: French-inspired Esterre, in partnership with Ducasse Paris, and Chinese-focused Amber Palace. Rooms: From ¥91,800 (£483).

5. ONE@Tokyo

Best for: solo travellers In the east of the city, a 10-minute walk from the Tokyo Skytree observatory tower, One@Tokyo has a high-profile pedigree for a budget hotel, having been designed by Japanese starchitect Kengo Kuma. Functional yet not austere, its communal spaces — from the open lobby to the greenery-dotted rooftop — fuse industrial metallics with warm woods and a palette of unfussy greys. With their friendly price point and compact footprint, the lead-in standard semi-double rooms are perfect for solo travellers who want a step up in comfort and privacy from one of the city’s legendary capsule hotels. Long-stay discounts apply when booking for five nights, making it a perfect base if you’re planning day trips out of the city, too. Rooms: From ¥15,000 (£79).

6. Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Best for: amenities More urban resort than hotel, this vast property — once a filming location for the James Bond film You Only Live Twice — occupies a verdant location between multiple parks in the central Chiyoda ward. The hotel is fringed by 10 acres of 400-year-old Japanese gardens and, unusually for Tokyo, also has an al fresco swimming pool. The 1,474 rooms are spread across three wings, and there are more than three-dozen dining options, plus a lounge with free nibbles and drinks for Executive House Zen guests. Rooms: From ¥36,000 (£189).

7. Shiba Park Hotel

Best for: bookworms The printed page takes centre stage from the moment you walk in to this hotel, which houses a collection of around 1,500 books. As well as a double-height atrium lined with wooden shelves of books, there’s also a fireside library lounge and book corners on every floor, each themed around different aspects of Japanese culture. The rooms are comfy, contemporary retreats in which to curl up in with a good read — and the views of Tokyo Tower, lit up like a beacon at night, aren’t half bad either. Rooms: From ¥21,870 (£115).

8. Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Best for: families With reasonable prices, a prime location near Shinjuku station and views out to Mount Fuji on a clear day, this option ticks a lot of boxes. Rooms are a bit bland (unless you plump for a suite with tatami mats and shoji screen doors), but for families, the spacious four-bed options more than make up for the uninspiring decor. On-site experiences such as tea ceremonies make getting a culture fix easy if you’re wrangling kids. The seventh-floor outdoor pool, 11 restaurants and laundromat also help. Rooms: From ¥35,200 (£185).

9. Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel

Best for: nightlife-lovers For years, Shinjuku’s red-light district Kabukicho was rather sordid, the kind of place you’d head to for late-night karaoke and beers but not for a respectable hotel. All that’s changed with this recent opening, which reflects the fun of the city’s party heart but also has style and class. Set across floors 18 to 38 in the new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the neon bustle below, as well as electric-hued carpets and the occasional pop art wall mural. On the building’s lower floors, a retro-styled arcade, cinema, live music space and food hall with regional dishes keep the entertainment flowing around the clock. Rooms: From ¥31,000 (£163).

10. Tokyo Station Hotel

Best for: European-style elegance Opened in 1915, and set within the original 20th-century Tokyo Station, this grand hotel could have been lifted from London or Paris. Red bricks and soaring domes characterise the exterior; chandeliers, marble and button-back headboards are part of the old-world European opulence inside. Take tea in the high-ceilinged lobby lounge, ringing with live piano music and the clink of fine silverware, and end the day at the venerable Bar Oak, which serves up an array of Japanese whiskies in moody, wood-lined environs. If you’re planning to adventure beyond the capital, the location is unbeatable. Tokyo Station is the main Shinkansen (bullet train) terminal, serving popular destinations such as Kyoto and Osaka, and you can go from bed to boarding in mere minutes. Rooms: From ¥135,332 (£711).  

Related Topics

• LUXURY TRAVEL
• FAMILY TRAVEL

You May Also Like

10 of the best new hotels in Japan, from traditional ryokans to tropical treehouses

10 of the best new hotels in Paris, from playful boutiques to opulent grand dames

For hungry minds.

10 of the best hotels in Auckland, from sea-view retreats to urban art escapes

10 of the best hotels in Mexico City, from style icons to neighbourhood hangouts

Where to stay in Manila: 4 design-led hotels redefining the Filipino capital

Chandelier bars and old-school kitsch: the best places to stay in Las Vegas

10 of the best hotels in Hong Kong, from affordable luxury to harbour views

• Environment

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Gory Details
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Paid Content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved