Fushimi Inari and Sake Tasting Tour

Fushimi Inari and Sake Tasting Tour

Visit two landmarks of Kyoto’s Inari district during this guided morning tour. Start by walking through one of the iconic sights of Kyoto, the stunning red 'torii' (gates) at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Then learn about sake history and sample several distinctive sakes at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, before continuing your tasting at a nearby specialty shop that carries more than 80 varieties of sake. Your 3.5-hour tour includes a knowledgeable guide, transportation by train, all sake tastings and entrance fees.

Meet your guide at the JR Kyoto station then hop on the commuter train for the 5-minute ride to Inari Station. Located in south Kyoto, Inari boasts the charm of a small town as well as stunning scenery.

From Inari station, walk with your guide for a few minutes to the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine, which sits on the slopes of Mt Inari. The temple is famous for its long tunnels of thousands of brightly painted red torii (arches or gates) that frame the pathways through the forest. It is one of Kyoto's most famous sights and a popular location for movie and TV shoots.

Originally dedicated to the god of rice, the Fushimi Inari Shrine now serves as the place where people come to seek blessings for prosperity. Those who have found good fortune return and place a torii inscribed with their thanks.

Once you have explored the torii, take a 15-minute train ride to the Gekkeikan Sake brewery to learn about the popular Japanese beverage, which is also important for traditional Japanese festivals and ceremonies.

First, step into Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum where you hear a brief history of sake, which has been made by the Gekkeikan company in this part of Kyoto since 1637. See tools used in the traditional brewing process, which involves a combination of water, malt, yeast and steamed rice that produces distinctive sakes.

After seeing the museum, sample three different kinds of sake. Then walk a short distance to a sake specialty shop that carries more than 80 kinds of sake. Take a seat at the bar as the shop owner leads a special sake tasting.

Enjoy a few minutes to check out a local shopping arcade before returning by train to Kyoto station where your tour ends. 宜しくお願い致します。