Sublime Guided Sake Tasting Tours in Kobe

Spend a blissful afternoon tasting 10-15 varieties of sake

Dive into the world of Japanese sake with a guided tasting tour provided by Kampai Sake Tours in the Kansai region of western Japan. Seasoned sake aficionados and newcomers alike are invited on a tour of four local breweries, from large-scale to small. Spanning some 700 years of history and 13 generations, they feature traditional architecture as well their characteristic sublime sake. Deepen your understanding of sake’s rich cultural history—dating back some 1,400 years, and 700 years in the Nada area of Kobe—as well as the meticulous, time-honored process by which it is brewed.

Taste sake of all types, and learn to appreciate the differences between some 10-15 varieties. Enjoy brews from sweet to dry, seasonal offerings, and more—each offering aromas and flavor profiles reflecting the local culture, climate, and brewing techniques. Even if you’re not well-versed in sake terminology, you’ll have a knowledgeable English-speaking guide certified as a kikisake-shi (sake sommelier) to accompany you every step of the way.

In the Nada district of Kobe, travelers will find a historic brewing center where some of the most mineral-rich water in Japan lends a distinctly dry and refined taste. Expand your horizons with a visit to an innovative brewery that offers a selection of brews not often found in the sake world, such as brandy, sherry, and Chardonnay sake fusions and citrus-and-sake-based beverages.

Throughout it all, you’ll have the chance to interact with locals and fellow tour participants to share your love of sake.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Midosuji Line train to Umeda Station (about seven minutes); and walk about five minutes to Osaka-Umeda Station, then; take the Kobe Line train to Mikage Station (about 35 minutes).