[Experience Report] We went on a sake brewery tour of Sasaki Sake Brewery in Kyoto!

• Table of contents
• Sake brewing is not limited to Fushimi. Sake breweries in Rakuchu are supported by famous water.
• A historic and impressive sake brewery standing in an alley in Kyoto.
• A rare experience where you can see the master brewer's skills up close.
• Everything is extra large.
• The event will conclude with a fun tasting session.
• Please check the official website for the dates of the event.

Sake brewing is not limited to Fushimi. Sake breweries in Rakuchu are supported by famous water.

When we think of sake breweries in Kyoto, we think of Fushimi in the south of the city, but in the mid-Muromachi period, it is said that there were over 300 sake breweries in Rakuchū (the old Kyoto city). This was all thanks to the high-quality water stored underground in what is known as the Kyoto Sui-basin. Today, Sasaki Sake Brewery is the only one left, and it continues to use this famous water to make Kyoto sake.

A historic and impressive sake brewery standing in an alley in Kyoto.

Sasaki Sake Brewery is located in a residential area. The charming building is wide and deep, and sake is still brewed inside, almost entirely by hand. This time, it was brewing season, so we had the opportunity to observe the master brewers at work.

A rare experience where you can see the master brewer's skills up close.

Steam rises from the rice steamed in a large kiln. Several toji brewers quickly gather the rice and place it on a conveyer belt for the next process. They work silently with smooth, efficient movements, just like craftsmen! The brewers explain to you in a clear and easy-to-understand manner how sake is made, step by step.

Everything is extra large.

These large tanks are used to make sake by adding water to steamed rice and koji. They are extra-large enough to fit several people inside, and can brew about 5,000 liters of sake at a time. You can really feel the history of the place just by looking at the rows of large tanks that have been used for years.

The event will conclude with a fun tasting session.

We compared three types of sake. The taste was also exceptional as we learned about the characteristics and differences of each. First thing in the morning, everyone was feeling tipsy and very happy. On this day, we were also able to enjoy delicious amazake. After this, we went to the store to purchase our favorite sake.

Please check the official website for the dates of the event.

During the approximately 1-hour tour, we were able to not only learn about sake brewing, but also learn about the history of the sake brewery, making it a very fulfilling experience. Although you can only see the brewing process in the early morning in winter, it is sure to be enjoyable even just touring the brewery! Please check the Sasaki Sake Brewery official website for the dates of the tour. (This article is from 2024)