Tastings

Akito was an amazingly gracious and knowledgeable host. We had such a great time at the tea farm and factory and learning everything about tea. If you are ever visiting Shizuoka, this is a must try experience. This has been my favorite part of our trip to Japan! Thanks Akito!

Few experiences I’ve had in my life have been as exceptional from start to finish as this one. Our guide was an absolute treasure trove of knowledge, sharing fascinating insights into Kyoto’s food culture, traditions, and craftsmanship. Each stop offered an intimate, often private experience that went far beyond simply tasting products. We learned the stories behind them and gained a genuine appreciation for the care and skill that go into making them. The ponzu experience was a particular standout, as we each had the opportunity to create our own custom blend. What made the experience truly special was how every stop built upon the last, with us collecting ingredients along the way for a crescendo of a finale at the bar, where each ingredient came together and shone in its own right. It was thoughtful, immersive, and absolutely delicious. Of all the experiences we had during our 15 days in Japan, this was one of the defining highlights. If you’re visiting Kyoto, do yourself a favor and book this experience. You’d be doing yourself a disservice to miss it.

Amazing, the best experience had in Japan. Worth the price.

Reina was an excellent guide, very informative and friendly!

A wonderfully eye-opening experience from Akito, where he not only taught us about tea, from growing it all the way to preparing it, but also talked about the state and future of the tea industry in Shizuoka and Japan as a whole. Between visiting the fields, touring a rare co-op factory, and tasting a variety of teas, we were impressed not only by Akito's knowledge about tea and the local area, but also the skill with which he was able to craft the perfect cup, dialing in the temperature and infusions with just his senses. A true master! Whether you have a burgeoning curiosity about tea or already a seasoned lover, this tour is a must!

Our guide, Laiana, was absolutely superb. She was personable, knowledgeable and warm. By the end of the tour, we had forgotten that she was a tour guide. It felt like we were exploring the city with a friend who wanted to show us her favorite spots.

Absolute 30 out of 10 experience!!! We had so much fun, can only recommend it to everyone.

Incredible and very wholesome day with Akito. Akito is an incredible host taking us through the fields, answering all our questions, preparing for us the most beautiful teas and also a factory visit. I could not recommend it more, I hope to be back when I’m next I. Japan

Ryo and Akiko were fantastic hosts! We learnt a lot about the Golden Gai area, from the Hanazono Shrine to the bars in the area. They were very knowledgeable and friendly in our conversations and whisky tastings. The whiskys were diverse and high quality, and we learnt a lot about the history of whisky in Japan. The food provided was also tasty and accompanied the whiskys very well. We appreciated the planning that went into our tour, including the frequent communication and directions leading up to the day, and asking about our preferred music. We highly recommend this tour to whisky lovers! It was the perfect surprise for my husband’s 50th birthday! Thank you Ryo and Akiko!

My son and I went on the Kobe Sake tour with Mami and Hiro as our hostesses. We had an amazing time visiting the breweries, learning the history of sake making in Nada, and of course, sampling the sake! It was a fun and educational experience that we would not have managed to do ourselves - especially since we managed to visit four breweries on our tour. Fantastic all the way around! Kampai!!!

Rio, the lady bartender, and her assistant on food pairings—all lovely—were exceptional and fun. The bartender was a true Ice Master and she prepared the best miso soup I ever had. I would say not to miss this fun and intimate drinking experience in Tokyo!

This was an exceptional whisky tasting experience delivered by my guide Dan. He's very knowleadgeable and passionate about japanese whisky and whisky in general, and the selection chosen for the tasting was very good.