Private Food & Sake Tour in Central Kyoto with Sake Sommelier

My sons (25 and 23) and I had an amazing experience, Kenji is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing his passion for sake! We learned so much and the meal we shared with sake pairings was fantastic. We highly recommend this experience in Kyoto

My family and I went on a night time Sake and Food tour and it was amazing! Our guide, Kenji, was an expert on the best Sake and best restaurants in the area, and we learned a lot about the local drink and food. We highly recommend it to all, and would go back for more.

What an excellent and unique experience! My husband and I did the private sake + food tour with Kenji. We started at a sake shop to do a thorough overview of sake and learn about the history and taste a number of sake varieties. Kenji then took us on an amazing food tour! We made a number of stops to try several cuisines, and the best part is that they were places we never would’ve found otherwise. If you enjoy a local perspective, this is a can’t miss. Kenji even gave us a number of great recommendations for Osaka, our next stop on our trip. Thank you Kenji for an informative, memorable, and delicious experience!

After making contact with Kenji and exploring some possibilities for a special night of sake-tasting in Kyoto, we agreed to meet at an izakaya that was very much off the beaten path. Kenji was very personable. We immediately had a good rapport. The conversation was vibrant and there was a lot of laughter, along with some serious learning about sake. We enjoyed tasting several different sakes and even found a new favorite among them. The food at the izakaya was superb and made for excellent pairings with the sake. Our night with Kenji was a truly memorable experience. We're very grateful!

We had an incredible private sake pub tour with Kenji in Kyoto! He was extremely knowledgeable about sake and explained everything in a fun, engaging way that made the experience both educational and entertaining. Kenji took us to fantastic local spots that we never would’ve found on our own, each with delicious food and a unique atmosphere. He was friendly, personable, and made sure we had a great time from start to finish. Highly recommend this tour if you want an authentic Kyoto sake and food experience!

My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of joining Kenji’s Private Sake Bar & Pub Crawl, and it was hands-down one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto. Kenji is an exceptional guide—fluent in English, incredibly knowledgeable, and clearly a seasoned traveler with a deep appreciation for both Japanese culture and global perspectives. His passion for sake was contagious, and he struck the perfect balance between education and enjoyment throughout the tour. What made this experience truly unforgettable was the level of thought and care Kenji brought to every detail. We visited several unique spots, including a tiny sake bar tucked away down an alley—exactly the kind of hidden gem we never would have found on our own. There, we enjoyed a fantastic meal and sampled expertly curated sake pairings while Kenji guided us through the tasting with insight, humor. He provided a handout that broke down the different types of sake, brewing methods, and regional distinctions—something we’ve kept as a souvenir and reference. Kenji’s ability to teach without ever sounding like a lecture is a rare gift. He made the world of sake accessible and fascinating, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast. As an added touch of generosity and kindness, the next day was my wife’s birthday, and I was torn on where to take her. I messaged Kenji for a local recommendation, and he responded quickly with thoughtful suggestions that led us to a perfect celebration dinner. If you’re even remotely interested in Japanese culture, food, or drink, do not miss this tour. It’s more than just sake tasting—it’s an experience led by someone who genuinely cares about what he does and about the people he shares it with. Highly recommended. No hesitation.

This was my second time in Kyoto, and both times my experience of the city was greatly enhanced thanks to Kenji! The first time I visited, he taught me all about the world of sake at a local sake bar. This time, we did a pub crawl, and it was fantastic. Kenji is a wealth of knowledge, not only about sake and spirits, but also about Japanese culture and the history of the country. I can’t recommend Kenji enough!!

Kenji is a rare find! His knowledge of Sake and Japan in general is phenomenal. Highly recommend if you want to learn how to identify quality sake and appreciate hidden gem restaurants in Kyoto!

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.

We had a private tour with Kenji in Kyoto. We did sake Tasting and visited many local traditional Japanese yakitori and restaurants. He is an incredibly knowledgeable Sake Sommalier. Furthermore he has knowledge of all Japanese cultures and history as well. If you ever make it to Kyoto, a tour with Kenji is a must