15 Private Sake Tours Worldwide Worth Flying For

1.Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $99Our pick

Review of Kyoto’s private tea ceremony in a 300-year-old samurai house, with Uji matcha, kimono photos, sake or whisky tasting.

“Wonderful, very personalized tea ceremony in a historic family home. We also had a sake and whiskey tasting. I cannot say enough good things about this experience. Highlight of Kyoto. They also gave us beautiful gifts that we will treasure forever.”

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2.Private Nagano 1-Day Tour:Snow Monkeys,Zenko-ji,Obuse,Sake,Onsen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $337

See Nagano’s snow monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse, sake, and Hokusai Museum on a private 8-hour tour with hotel pickup.

“Our tour guide, Emi was absolutely wonderful! So kind and full of knowledge. The visit to see the snow monkeys was an unforgettable experience-felt like you were in a National Geographic magazine! I highly recommend booking this activity.”

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3.Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $165

Explore Nara’s temples, free-roaming deer, and local sake on a private half-day walking tour from Kyoto or Nara.

“Absolutely incredible day with Ikki. Hes bright and so thorough. Learned a ton. Very efficient day and covered a LOT of ground. Recommend him highly.”

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4.Private Sake Tasting in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $85

Learn how sake is made and tasted with sommelier Kenji during a private two-hour tasting at a standing bar in central Kyoto.

“Kenji was an amazing sake sommelier - really enjoyed the sake tasting - he was very knowledgeable and patient even though we lost our way and were a bit late . Definitely recommend this activity in Kyoto! Thanks Kenji for an amazing time!”

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5.Private Pewter Sake Cup Experience with a Kyoto Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $144

Craft a one-of-a-kind pewter sake cup with Kyoto artisan Kanako, using traditional hammering, engraving, and hands-on techniques.

“Very welcome from Kanako-san who took the time to welcome us, to explain to us how we would proceed. We loved this experience! The fact that you could also discuss your craft and your creations was a plus! We highly recommend this activity! You leave with a unique memory 🤗🥰Auto-translated”

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6.Private sake pairing@ancient underground

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $152

Pair five sakes with Japanese food in Asakusa’s 70-year-old underground street, with a private guide and intimate local setting.

“We enjoyed a lovely afternoon exploring Asakusa and learning about sake. The guide was patient and knowledgeable, making the experience enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their familiarity with sake.”

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7.Private Tour: Tokyo’s Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $229

Explore Tokyo’s oldest sake brewery, walk the Tama River, taste local sake, and enjoy lunch on a private day tour from Shinjuku.

“Simon was an exceptional guide, an absolute pleasure to spend the day with. He took us on a tour through a historic sake brewery and a delicious lunch in a small, local eatery. We tasted many kinds of sake and learned our preferences. Would highly recommend!”

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8.Private Food & Sake Tour in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $230

Review of Kyoto’s private food and sake tour with sommelier Kenji, including bars, local dishes, price, timing, and who should book.

“The first half of the evening was a lesson on history and production of Sake/Nihon Shu. This included several tasting at a Sake bar. The second half of the evening was spent eating local cuisine and socializing. Kenji is a wonderful guide and I highly recommend this tour for those looking for something more personalized.”

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9.Exploring Nada Sake Breweries Kobe Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $154

Explore Kobe’s Nada sake district with a licensed guide, choosing 3 to 4 breweries, museums, tastings, history, and local lunch options.

“Great walking tour of the Kobe area to several breweries. Got a solid history behind the process of making sake, and also some great views of downtown Kobe. Andy was a great host and super accommodating to the many last minute changes that I had made to the original booking. Highly recommend!”

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10.Private Sake Tasting in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $83Best value

Taste eight Japanese sakes with a certified sommelier in central Kyoto, learn how to order well, and enjoy snacks at a standing bar.

“Great sake tasting experience! Kenji was extremely knowledgeable and we learned so much from him while sampling some delicious varieties. Kenji also graciously helped us to understand some Japanese language basics and indulged us as we asked him tons of questions about sake, Japanese culture, and local cuisine. Highly recommend booking with Kenji!”

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11.Private Nishiki Market Food & Sake Tour by Young Local Guides

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews

Taste Kyoto specialties, sample local sake, and shop Nishiki Market with a private student guide in this affordable two-hour tour.

“My wife and I had an incredible tour of the Nishiki Market with Hiyori!!! She was very knowledgeable of the market and local trends!! We learned a lot about the culture and had some great bites!!! Be sure to bring cash as some of the vendorRead more”

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12.Tokyo Sake Tour with a Local Guide, Private & Tailored to Your Taste

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · from $128

Taste six sake samples across Shinjuku bars on a private, tailored tour with local guidance, small dishes, and practical Tokyo nightlife tips.

“We highly recommend this tour. Sami took us to several locations for sake tasting which always included some type of food to go with it. And the final spot allowed you to taste a huge variety with as much as you wanted! Sami was a font of iRead more”

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13.World Heritage Himeji Castle & Sake Breweries Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $101

Review of Himeji Castle and Nadagiku Sake Brewery, with private guiding, VR history, sake tasting, timing, value, and practical tips.

“What a great tour! Our tour guide, Haruna, was exceptional. We learned so much about the history of the castle that we would not have known otherwise.”

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14.3-Hour Private Sake Tour in Japan’s Top Sake Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $116

Explore Kobe’s Nada Gogo sake district on a private three-hour tour with tastings and visits to three historic breweries.

“The tourist a good intro to sake making. Go to 3 breweries. They’re sort of similar. There aren’t many signs in English and the guides may not know the answers to your question so if your an inquisitive person you may be disappointed”

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15.Private Pewter Sake Cup Experience with a Kyoto Artisan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2h 30m · from $148

Make a handmade pewter sake cup in Kyoto with an artisan, then take it home in a traditional paulownia box.

“Kanako was a wonderful host, great instructor and very kind and understanding. This metal craft work would suit people of all levels, and you can make a beautiful object in one sitting. I had a great time and would highly recommend this activity. The hospitality was very warm and the work very fun.”

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