The 6 Best Sake Tasting

1.Osaka Sake Tasting with Takoyaki Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · 2 hours · from $70Our pick

At MOMO to SAKE near Osaka Namba, Momo guides you through a hands-on takoyaki class followed by Japanese sake tasting. Cook octopus balls with options such as wagyu, cheese, kimchi, and corn, then compare seasonal sakes while learning how they are made and how to order with confidence.

“We had a great time at Momo's cooking class, it was so much fun to make the takoyaki. The sake tasting was excellent, Momo shared lots of her knowledge about sake and how its made. Would highly recommend, thank you Momo!”

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2.Osaka Sake Tasting & Takoyaki Cooking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $72

At MOMO to SAKE in Osaka’s Higashishinsaibashi, Momoko guides you through sake basics, label reading, and a tasting of seasonal selections before you cook takoyaki with octopus, Wagyu, cheese, and other ingredients. Afternoon and evening classes suit food lovers, solo visitors, and small groups.

“Really fantastic intimate experience where my wife and I and one other person learnt about Sake and cooked our own Takoyaki. The host was very personable, very interesting and answered all of our questions. We tried 7 different Sakes and cooked ourselves 10 Takoyaki balls. Great experience- I highly recommend this experience”

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3.Tsukiji: Unlimited Sake Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 67 reviews · 1h 30m · from $54Best value

Meet an English-speaking sake sommelier at a private Tsukiji salon and sample around 20 to 30 pours from a selection of 50 to 60 bottles. Learn how sake is brewed, compare serving temperatures, and pair samples with cheese and rice crackers during this friendly 90-minute session.

“I loved it. Second time going here and it was even better. To all sake lovers out there, make it a part of your vacation plan.”

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4.Nara – Craft Beer, Sake, and Food Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 3h 30m · from $96

Spend 210 minutes walking Naramachi with an English-speaking guide such as Melody or Remy. Taste fresh mochi, Nara’s persimmon-leaf sushi, up to five sakes, local craft beer, snacks, and a regional dinner. You will walk 4 to 5 kilometers, rain or shine.

“This tour was great! Remy was a great tour host. He knew so much about Nara and took us to get one if a kind sushi and mochi. He was personable and really made sure there were things my friend could eat as she has a gluten allergy. I highly recommend this tour!”

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5.Explore Matsumoto: Castle, Sake & Taste of Local Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · from $112

Meet your English-speaking guide, possibly Masa, at Matsumoto Station for a three-hour walk covering Matsumoto Castle, a historic sake brewery, Nawate Street, and Nakamachi. Castle entry, sake tasting, local snacks, guide support, and tour photographs are included.

“Osaka Castle was well worth visiting and it was a cool experience to go into a local sake brewing shop and be served by the owner. You would never find it on your own. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly but could have initially communicated better that he wanted to hurry to the Castle and would then give us some information.”

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6.Tokyo: Private Tsukiji Street Food & Sake with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $99

Meet your English and Japanese-speaking guide at Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple for a two-hour food walk. See the temple, taste wagyu, tamagoyaki, teas, beans and dashi, then finish with four sake samples and baby scallops. The guide also helps with food restrictions and lunch ideas.

“I really liked the tour guides we had. They were very upbeat, friendly, attentive and knowledgeable and genuinely interested in us. The only very small criticism was that they did not make clear what food was free at the market. The sake tasting was excellent and so were the scallops. Overall a really enjoyable day.”

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