Overview
Taste, walk, and discover Nara—one sake, one story, and one historic street at a time. Walk through Naramachi with a knowledgeable KST sake expert guide, visit 2 sake breweries and 1 local liquor shop, and enjoy carefully selected tastings along the way. More than just drinking sake, you’ll discover how local life, history, and brewing traditions have shaped this ancient city. Nara is one of Japan’s most historic places and an important birthplace of modern sake brewing techniques developed by temple monks centuries ago. Your guide makes Nara’s history and sake culture easy and fun to understand, with engaging stories and plenty of “Now I understand!” moments. By the end of the tour, you’ll see both Nara and sake from a new perspective, better understand what you are drinking, and gain a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture. Guests joining through mid-October will receive a complimentary KST original fan featuring useful sake facts.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- about 10 varieties of sake tasting fee included
- English speaking sake expert guide
- Learn how to understand sake styles, flavors, and brewing.
- KST original sake-learning Uchiwa fan through mid-October
- Visit a historic Nara sake brewery and taste local sake.
What's Not Included
- snacks are not included
- Private transportation
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
This shop looks new from the outside, but it offers a chance to experience authentic 'Nara sake' gathered from across the area. Nara is often considered the birthplace of modern sake. Monks developed an early large-scale brewing method that later spread among temples and became a source of income. Taste the Nara sake difference with our expert guide.
Stop 2
After enjoying the first sake tasting, take a gentle break inside a traditional Japanese townhouse and experience the calm atmosphere of old Nara. This peaceful stop is a perfect chance to slow down, enjoy the quiet charm of the city, and feel the relaxed beauty of a traditional Japanese home. Together with your guide, discover a different side of Nara beyond the deer and the Great Buddha. After this relaxing moment, your sake journey continues with visits to two local breweries.
Stop 3
Enjoy a sake tasting experience at Harushika Brewery, a historic producer with over 140 years of tradition in Nara, the birthplace of Japanese sake. Though modest in size, the brewery is known for its dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Sample five varieties of locally crafted sake, from crisp and dry to rich and aromatic styles, paired with traditional Narazuke pickles. Served in charming deer-patterned glasses, each sip becomes even more special.
Stop 4
This brewery has a history of over 300 years. Here, you can enjoy a range of approachable drinks, including yuzu, plum, and other fruit-based liqueurs, beautifully bottled in traditional Japanese designs.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels