What will I do during the experience?

You’ll make your own handcrafted wooden sake cup with the guidance of a local craftsman, enjoy a homemade Japanese lunch, and visit a sake brewery to sample sake.

What types of wood can I use for my sake cup?

You can choose from sugi (cedar), hinoki (cypress), or seasonal woods like cherry, depending on availability.

Will I learn about sake production?

Yes. At the brewery, you’ll learn about the traditional sake-making process and sample sake directly from the barrel.

Can I use the sake cup I make during the tasting?

Yes. You’ll get to sample sake using the wooden cup you crafted yourself.

This experience is unavailable right now.

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Create a Handcrafted Sake Cup and Visit a Kyoto Sake Brewery

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Location

Kyoto

Duration

5 hours

Group size

Max 4 guests

Language

Japanese, English

Other

Free drinks

Location

Kyoto

Duration

5 hours

Group size

Max 4 guests

Language

Japanese, English

Other

Free drinks

Why travelers loved this

5.0

•4 reviews

Video

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Description

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"Sample craft sake and learn about its production at a local brewery after you make your own sake cup from wood with the help of a local craftsman!"

A great way to learn all about sake is to visit a local brewery where it's produced. During this experience, you will be able to make your very own sake cup, enjoy Homemade Japanese lunch at a local restaurant, and learn everything about sake! To make your sake cup, you will first choose from various designs and fragrant woods available. With the guidance of an expert craftsman, you will go through the sake cup-making process step by step and learn how to use the wood crafting machines to create your sake cup! This cute and practical wooden sake cup will be a one-of-a-kind souvenir for your trip to Kyoto. After trying out your woodworking skills, you will enjoy a homemade Japanese meal at a Japanese restaurant. You'll taste a range of traditional Japanese dishes, all made from various colorful local ingredients. After lunch, you'll head to a local sake brewery. Sake is Japan's most well-known alcohol, made from fermented rice. As you sip samples of sake straight from the barrel, you can learn how they turn the humble grain of rice into this potent alcohol. For the ultimate sake experience, you'll get to sample sake using the cup you made! You'll gain an appreciation for the craftsmanship of creating sake and enjoy the different flavors of this 15% ABV alcohol.

Vegetarian

Available

Vegan

Not Available

Halal

Not Available

Pescetarian

Not Available

Gluten-free

Not Available

Kosher

Not Available

Vegetarian

Available

Vegan

Not Available

Halal

Not Available

Pescetarian

Not Available

Gluten-free

Not Available

Kosher

Not Available

Course changes seasonally, exact dishes can't be confirmed in advance. byFood can communicate any dietary needs to the host when you book.

Materials required to make your own sake cup (wood and machinery)

Sake tasting samples

Guided tour around the city

Detailed explanation of the sake making process and ingredients used

Transportation to Ayabe station

Lunch: homemade Japanese meal at a local restaurant (available for an additional fee to be paid on the day)

Kyoto

Meet your host at the northern entrance of JR Ayabe Station. A Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.

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Free cancellation

Cancel up to 2 days before for a full refund.

No refund within 2 days of the experience or no-shows.

Teruyuki

Partner since Dec 2021

Total reviews

Good review rate

100%

5.0

4 reviews

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

4 reviews

Iris kuwayeMarch 2024 • byFood

Had fun with family making our own sake cup and enjoying the countryside

Emily CegielskiSeptember 2023 • byFood

Yuki was an incredible guide, kind and filled with so much insightful information about Ayabe and Japan in general. Everything about this tour was so special! The wood shop was awesome and the cups are such a unique souvenir, along with delicious food and amazing sake!

Juliette MorierJune 2023 • byFood

We've had such an great time! Teruyuki, our guide, was amazing. He came to pick us up at the station, showed us around Ayabe and even gave us advices on what to do and eat in our next destination. Jin, from the lumbering place, was so nice. He explained and accompanied us so well, we where so happy and proud to make our own sake cups! We ate at a very cute and traditional restaurant. The owner was such a nice and warm lady. Finally, we went to the sake brewery. It was really interesting to...read more

Kristy SpringerApril 2023 • byFood

We just had the best day - thank you Teruyuki! The sake cup making was a heap of fun and Jin was a helpful and friendly host. Lunch at Chatsubo Yoshida was delicious and the matcha was wonderful. Our visit to Wakamiya Sake Brewery in the afternoon was an excellent way to finish the day. Delicious sake and lots of interesting info about sake brewing. Teruyuki is a knowledgeable, friendly and fun guide and we will be back to Ayabe soon!