A Guide to Visiting Sake Breweries in Kyoto

Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is not just a cultural heritage site — it’s a sake brewery hub. Its pristine underground waters and rich artistic legacy make Kyoto a unique destination for sake enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll delve into the historical significance of Kyoto’s sake, spotlight breweries in the region, and provide tips to make your visit memorable.

History of sake making in Kyoto

Kyoto’s tradition of sake making is deeply rooted in its past, dating back to the Heian period (794-1185). Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan (794-1868), was the political, cultural and spiritual center of the nation for over a millennium and is intricately linked to sake tradition. During the Heian period, an era of peace and prosperity, sake was not only a staple at imperial court ceremonies and Shinto rituals, but also a symbol of the refined culture of the time. The imperial courts had their own sake brewing department, Miki no Tsukasa, which further elevated the status of sake in Kyoto’s cultural landscape.

During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), sake gained significant economic value comparable to rice, the staple food of Japan. This shift in perception towards sake allowed Kyoto’s sake breweries to thrive as producers and sellers. By the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Kyoto had 342 breweries, and the brand Yanagi was renowned nationwide as Japan’s best sake.

The Fushimi district rose in importance thanks to Hideyoshi Toyotomi, a prominent 16th-century daimyo (lord) who played a pivotal role in unifying Japan after decades of civil war. He established Fushimi as a strategic and cultural hub by building Fushimi Castle in 1594, which served as a political center and a symbol of his power. Fushimi’s development under Hideyoshi included improved infrastructure, such as canals and roads linking Fushimi to Osaka and Kyoto, which later elevated its prominence as a sake brewing area, celebrated for its pure underground water and connection to Kyoto’s rich history.

What is the Fushimi district?

Fushimi in southern Kyoto is renowned as the heart of Kyoto’s sake industry, boasting over 40 breweries today. It’s known for its soft water (low mineral content), which results from its location in a valley surrounded by low mountains. This yields slow fermentation for smooth, sweet, low-acid sake.

Several spring water sources in the Fushimi region, most famously Gokosui (literally “Fragrant Water”), have provided the ideal conditions for brewing sake. The picturesque canals lined with “kura” (traditional storehouses) add to its charm, making it a must-visit for sake enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.

Thanks to its strategic location at the junction of two rivers, the availability of quality spring water, and the high demand for alcoholic beverages by the local inhabitants, Fushimi thrived as a sake and transportation hub.

Getting to Fushimi from Kyoto Station:

• By local train: Take the Kintetsu-Kyoto Line (7 stops, 10 minutes) to Momoyama Goryo-Mae Station
• By Japan Rail: Take the JR Nara Line to Momoyama Station (4 stops, 11 minutes)
• By car: Approximately 20-30 minutes (depending on traffic conditions)

Sake breweries to visit in Kyoto

Many sake breweries in Kyoto offer a unique and immersive experience, from Gekkeikan’s extensive museum to Masuda Tokubee Shoten’s exclusive Tippsy Brewery Tour. These experiences will undoubtedly give you a deeper appreciation for sake and Kyoto’s vibrant culture. Check the breweries’ office website in advance for tour details and availability.

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

Website: https://www.gekkeikan.com/museum/

Address: 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

History: Founded in 1637, Gekkeikan is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious sake breweries. As such, it is one of the most famous sake labels worldwide, and a must-visit. The extensive museum showcases the brand’s 400-year history.

Specialty sake: Known for its junmai and honjozo varieties, Gekkeikan also offers seasonal and premium lines like Gekkeikan “Horin.” Throughout their long history, they have provided the ceremonial sake for many important imperial events, including enthronements.

Visiting info: The museum includes exhibits on sake brewing tools and techniques, a guided tour of the brewing facilities, and sake tastings. There is both Japanese and English signage in each display. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also possible if there is availability.

Try this sake: Gekkeikan “Horin” is a premium sake made of Yamadanishiki and Gohyakumangoku sake rice varieties. It is light and clean with a refined, fruity palate, characteristic of a junmai daiginjo sake.

Masuda Tokubee Shoten

Website: https://tsukinokatsura.co.jp/en/

Address: 135 Shimotoba Nagata-cho Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

History: Established in 1675, Masuda Tokubee Shoten has significantly influenced the sake industry by establishing new sake genres while preserving tradition. In 1964, the brewery pioneered Japan’s first sparkling nigori sake, and later introduced aged sake (koshu) by maturing their junmai daiginjo over long periods. Recently, they have focused on reviving local sake rice cultivation and creating low-alcohol sake, blending traditional brewing techniques with modern tastes.

Specialty sake: Masuda Tokubee Shoten is known as the pioneer of sparkling nigori sake and aged sake. The brewery has also crafted sake in collaboration with the musician MIYAVI.

Visiting info: The Tippsy Brewery Tour in Kyoto offers an exclusive experience, including a private tour, sake tasting and kaiseki dinner. Guests can learn about the brewery’s history while savoring unique sake pairings.

Tour Details: To book the Tippsy Brewery Tour, please send an inquiry to tours@tippsysake.com

Try this sake: Tsuki no Katsura “Iwai 80” is a junmai sake crafted with the rare Kyoto sake rice Iwai. It is polished to 80%, preserving its rich, rustic flavor. This sake showcases a well-balanced profile with robust umami, making it an excellent pairing for hearty dishes.

Learn more about sake and food pairing.

Tamanohikari Brewing Company

Website: https://tamanohikari.co.jp/en

Address: 545-2 Higashisakaimachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

History: Founded in 1673, Tamanohikari Brewing Company has become known for its dedication to purity and quality. In the post-World War II era, when many breweries added distilled alcohol to sake to stretch limited rice supplies and stabilize the product, Tamanohikari stood out as one of the first to revive junmai sake — a style made purely from rice, water, yeast and koji — preserving the traditional essence of sake brewing.

Specialty sake: The brewery specializes in junmai ginjo and junmai daiginjo sake, using high-quality rice such as Yamadanishiki and Omachi.

Visiting info: The brewery does not offer tours. However, it has a restaurant, Junmai Sakekasu Tamanohikari, where savory and sweet dishes are served using sake lees (“kasu”) from the brewing process. Some dishes you can try include wagyu beef steak with a sake kasu miso sauce, a creamy sake kasu soy milk ramen, and sake kasu ice cream.

Try this sake: Tamanohikari “Junmai Daiginjo” offers a clean, crisp profile with subtle floral aromas and hints of melon and green apple.

Kizakura

Website: https://kizakura-brewery.com/

Address: 53 Kajiwara-cho Shimomisu Yoko-ooji, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

History: Founded in 1925, Kizakura is known for its playful branding featuring the mythical river goblin “kappa,” and its high-quality sake. Kizakura’s mission is to create delicious, affordable sake with the hope that everyone can enjoy their products with Japanese food.

Specialty sake: The brewery offers a wide range of products, including its flagship “Kizakura” line and overseas brand “Tozai.” You can enjoy everything from junmai daiginjo to “umeshu” (plum wine). They also produce convenient packs of canned sake.

Visiting Info: Visitors to Fushimi-gura, the brewery’s sake and craft beer production facility that opened in 2016, can visit their museum showcasing their craftsmanship. (The tour is free, but a reservation is required). Visitors can also dine at the on-site restaurant, which offers beer and sake flights and kaiseki meals. They also have a free museum that showcases old sake brewing equipment, a diorama of the traditional brewing methods, and the Kappa Gallery, which showcases the brewery’s iconic kappa mascot (Japanese language only).

Try this sake: Kizakura “Hana Kizakura” is a smooth, light-bodied junmai ginjo sake with a delicate floral aroma and a subtle sweetness. Its refreshing profile makes it an excellent pairing with spicy rice crackers.

Yamamoto Honke

Website: http://www.kyotosake.com/

Address: 36-1 Kamiaburakake-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto

History: Founded in 1677 in Kyoto, Yamamoto Honke is now in its 11th generation of sake brewing. The brewery, which was rebuilt after being destroyed in the 19th-century Battle of Fushimi Toba, has maintained two traditions: using Shiragikusui well water from the Fushimi region for a smooth, well-balanced sake; and passing down the first name “Genbee” to each heir who becomes president. Yamamoto Honke combines traditional sake brewing methods with recent advancements in biotechnology. This approach led to their receipt of the prestigious 1966 EDA award for significant contributions to brewing technology and theory.

Specialty sake: Yamamoto Honke is known for its flagship brand Shinsei, brewed with Yamadanishiki rice. The Shinsei label, which translates to “sacred” or “holy,” was based on a wedding gift from the artist Tomioka Tessai to the ninth-generation Genbee Yamamoto.

Visiting info: The brewery offers private tours in English. Contact them via their English website for details. They also have a yakitori restaurant, Torisei, where diners can try seasonal sake.

Try this sake: Shinsei “Junmai Daiginjo” offers a refined aroma of ripe melon and pear, a velvety texture and a clean, crisp finish. Its balanced umami and slight sweetness make it an excellent pairing for fish or light appetizers.

Other notable things to do in Kyoto

While exploring sake breweries, don’t miss Kyoto’s iconic cultural landmarks, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit the shining splendor of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), marvel at the Zen beauty of the Ryoanji Temple Rock Garden, and the breathtaking view of Kyoto from Kiyomizu Temple. Take the train up north to stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove or go down south to marvel at the thousand torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. These unique experiences in Kyoto are sure to leave you intrigued and excited!

Countless hidden gems off the usual tourist paths offer a more intimate and unique city perspective. Wander through quiet neighborhoods and hidden alleys — you might discover charming shops, serene temples or scenic spots not found in guidebooks.

My personal favorites are Daigoji Temple and Shōrenin Temple for the beautiful gardens, Gioji in Arashiyama for the moss garden, Ichimonji Wasuke for the sweet-savory grilled mochi on skewers, and a bowl of udon noodles at Gion Okaru, a local favorite frequented by geisha and maiko.

For a more tranquil experience, partake in a tea ceremony or meditation session at a temple, book a traditional craft class such as “kintsugi” (mending broken pottery with gold), ceramics and Japanese paper making. You can also attend a maiko/geiko performance or soak in an onsen hot spring. These serene activities in Kyoto are designed to make you feel calm and relaxed, providing a perfect balance to your sake tasting journey.

Kyoto sake: A journey through tradition, flavor and craft

Kyoto’s sake breweries offer an unforgettable journey into Japanese sake, blending history, craftsmanship and taste. Kyoto has something for everyone, whether sampling a fruity, fresh junmai daiginjo or swirling a cloudy glass of nigori sake. Don’t forget to visit the Tippsy Brewery Tour page and browse our Kyoto collection to bring home a piece of Kyoto’s sake tradition.

Resources:

Fushimi Sake Brewers Association. “A Guide to the Sake Brands of Kyoto Fushimi.”
https://www.fushimi.or.jp/sake_guide/sakagura/

Japan Guide. “Fushimi Sake District.” June 28, 2024.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3938.html

Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture. “History of Sake Brewing in Kyoto.”
https://tc-kyoto.or.jp/top-kyotokobo-en/history-kyotokobo-ep01-en/

Lambe, M. “Exploring Fushimi – Kyoto’s Sake District.”
https://www.insidekyoto.com/exploring-fushimi-kyotos-sake-district

Sake International Association. “Kyoto Sake Breweries – Top 7 Sake Breweries.”
https://sakeinternational.org/top-7-kyoto-sake-breweries/

SAKETIMES. “Sake’s Living History in Fushimi.” Apr. 25. 2019.
https://en.sake-times.com/brewery-stories/sake-history-fushimi

“Town of sake and history: Kyoto Fushimi.”
https://kyoto-fushimi.or.jp/english.html