Where to try Sake Tasting in Tokyo
Sake, Japan's traditional rice wine, has been an integral part of Japanese culture for centuries, and believe it or not, Tokyo offers a multitude of places where you can experience authentic sake tasting.
This blog will introduce the best places in Tokyo to experience sake tasting.
What is sake?
Sake is a traditional alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Unlike wine, which is made from fermented grapes, sake is brewed through a process more akin to beer, where starch is converted into sugars before being fermented into alcohol. The primary ingredients in sake are rice, water, koji mould (which helps to break down the starches), and yeast. Sake comes in a variety of flavours and styles, ranging from light and fruity to rich and robust, and it can be enjoyed both warm and cold. As sake comes in many flavours and aromas, it pairs well with many different dishes in the Japanese cuisine.
The history of sake in Tokyo
Sake brewing in Tokyo dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when the city, then known as Edo, was becoming the political and cultural heart of Japan. During this time, numerous sake breweries sprang up to cater to the growing population. The waterways of Edo provided the clean, soft water essential for brewing high-quality sake. These days, while Tokyo's landscape has transformed into a bustling metropolis, the tradition of sake brewing and appreciation has remained.
Sake tasting in Tokyo
Toshimaya
Toshimaya is Tokyo's oldest sake shop, established over 400 years ago during the Edo period (1603-1868). The shop is located in Kanda, one of Tokyo's oldest areas and what used to be downtown during the Edo era. The shop was founded by Juemon Toshimaya whose white sake was so popular that the store became an Edo-era icon. While Toshimaya is over 400 years old, the store moved in 2020 into Kanda Square and thus boasts a sleek and modern interior.
The shop offers a menu based on Edo Tokyo to modern times, boasting a mix of new tastes and flavours handed down from the Edo period. At the shop you can experience sake tasting and food pairing, such as Toshimaya's signature dish "tofu dengaku", a type of fried tofu. You can try different types of sake, all of which are brewed in their brewery in west Tokyo. Be sure to try the sake variety called Juemon, named after the founder of Toshimaya.
The sake here is known for having a rich flavour due to the water used in the brewing process which flows from Mt. Fuji and is drawn from deep underground.
Besides tasting the sake, you will also learn all about the history of sake in Japan and how Toshimaya came to be one of the most popular sake makers in Tokyo.
Book here and request this tour.
Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery
Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery in the Ome region of Tokyo is over 322 years old and offers seven different types of sake. Sake in this area is said to be particularly tasty as it is made using the fresh clear water from the nearby rivers. In fact, the area itself was the inspiration for the Princess Mononoke movie by Studio Ghibli!
The brewery itself has been preserved since opening in 1702 and it offers visitors the chance to see up-close how their sake is made, followed by a tofu and kaiseki lunch and sake tasting. The owners will teach you about the different varieties of sake and how to spot the subtle differences caused by steaming, yeasting and fermentation techniques.
This is a good place to enjoy Okutama's mountainous landscape while trying out sake tasting in Japan.
Book here and request this tour.
Inishie Saketen
Inishie Saketen is a small sake brewery in Shinagawa where you can try various types of sake. They specialise in rare old and ages sake varieties, and you can both taste and purchase bottles of the sake.
We offer a visit to Inishie Saketen as part of our Old Town Shinagawa tour - Book here.
Heiwa Doburoku Brewery Kabutocho
Near Nihonbashi is the Heiwa Doburoku Brewery, where sake, craft beers and other liquor are all sold.
The brewery specialises in traditional rice wines, but they also sell specialty drinks made from ingredients such as azuki beans, black beans and citrus.
They consider the slow life to be important, and their philopshy is to appreciate all that they have. Each winter their chief brewer work with local people to help with planting the seedlings used for the rice they make their sake with.
Request a tour in this area here.
Sake Bar Doron
Sake Doron offers sake tasting classes run by a certified sake sommelier. The class, located in Shinjuku, takes 2 hours and incudes six types of sake along with pairing snacks.
You can try sake in different temperatures and cups and learn a lot about the drink from the host.
Meishu Center
At the Meishu Center, you can explore over 100 different sake varieties from across Japan, with tastings starting at just 200 yen per sample. Using their stamp card system, you're free to sample as many types as you like, creating a personalized tasting journey. They offer two convenient Tokyo locations in Hamamatsucho and Ochanomizu.
Here, you'll have the chance to taste eight distinct sake varieties, each with its own unique flavor profile. The selection spans from junmai-shu to honjozo-shu, junmai-ginjo-shu to daiginjo-shu, and includes everything from unpasteurized sake to cloudy sake, aged sake, and even sake-based liqueurs.
As you sip, an expert guide will walk you through the intricate details of each sake's preparation and teach you all about this history of sake in Japan and what goes into making it.
Request a tour in this area here.
Ishikawa Brewery
Ishikawa Brewery is another sake shop in west Tokyo, where rivers and mountains abound, providing fresh and chilled water to make delicious sake. Here, the rhythmic sounds and rich aromas of the brewing process draw you in. From the vibrant freshness of unpasteurized namazake to the smooth sophistication of junmai daiginjo and the allure of aged sakes, a diverse array of flavours awaits.
You can pair the sake with mouthwatering dishes like grilled miso-marinated blackfish, enhancing the taste of the drink.
You will uncover the stories behind each brew and learn the art of perfect pairings.
You can reach the brewery by walking 15 minutes from Haijima Station.
