[Sake Brewery Tour in Kyoto] A special experience visiting Sasaki Sake Brewery in Kyoto

• Table of Contents
• The only sake brewery left in central Kyoto, the area with famous water
• A fine, historic sake brewery located in the alleys of Kyoto
• A valuable experience where you can see the craftsmanship of a master brewer up close
• Everything is oversized
• The tour ends with a sake tasting session
• Check their official website for tour dates

The only sake brewery left in central Kyoto, the area with famous water

Speaking of sake breweries in Kyoto, Fushimi in southern Kyoto comes to mind, but it is said that there were over 300 sake breweries in “RAKUCHU (central Kyoto)” during the mid-Muromachi period. This is all thanks to the high-quality water stored underground, known as the Kyoto Suibon. Now, Sasaki Sake Brewery is the only one continuing to make sake using this famous water.

A fine, historic sake brewery located in the alleys of Kyoto

Sasaki Sake Brewery is located in a residential area. The elegant building is wide in both frontage and depth, and sake is still brewed there almost entirely by hand. This time, as it was the season for preparing sake, we were able to observe the sake brewers actually working on the process.

A valuable experience where you can see the craftsmanship of a master brewer up close

Steam rising from rice steamed in a large kiln. The chief brewer quickly gathers the pieces together and puts them on the conveyor for the next stage. The sight of him working silently and with flowing, efficient movements is truly that of a craftsman! The brewer will carefully explain the process of making sake in an easy-to-understand manner.

Everything is oversized

A large tank for brewing sake by adding water to steamed rice, koji, etc.; It is extra large enough to hold about 5,000 liters of sake at a time. You can feel the history from the rows of large tanks that have been used for many years.

The tour ends with a sake tasting session

Comparing three types of sake, drinking while learning about each characteristic and difference makes the taste even more special. First thing in the morning, everyone was feeling tipsy and happy. On this day, we were also able to enjoy some delicious Amazake (Sweet Sake). After then, to the shop to purchase your favorite sake.

Check their official website for tour dates

During the one-hour tour, we not only learned about sake brewing, but also about its history, and had a very fulfilling time. Although you can only see the brewing process for a limited time, only in the early morning hours in winter, you'll definitely have a lot of fun touring the sake brewery! Please check the Sasaki Sake Brewery official website for the dates and details.