Sake Spectacular: Museum Tour & Tasting in Fushimi (Kyoto)

Does Japanese sake (nihonshu) speak to your soul? Are you curious about the production process? Flavor profiles? How to select the perfect sake for your palate? Hiroshi is here to answer your rice-wine prayers with a private museum and tasting tour in Fushimi–a top sake-producing region in Kyoto. You’ll tour Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, learn about the history, culture, and production process of sake, and sip on some samples (of course). Hiroshi's journey began in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, adjacent to Kyoto city. His formative years and university life in Okinawa and Kyoto were adorned with diverse sports endeavors – volleyball, rugby, swimming, and diving. Embarking on academic quests, he traversed over 20 countries and established temporary homes in Germany, Denmark, and Canada, igniting his fervor for exploration. Nurturing his culinary acumen while abroad, Hiroshi mastered the art of a sushi, even becoming a chef. Today, he immerses himself in marine biology, pursuing a Ph.D. at Kyoto University, dedicated to safeguarding oceans and nurturing environmental wellbeing. His choice to become a guide was spurred by empathizing with the challenges travelers face without local insights. Sharing Kyoto's splendor and its adjoining gems with visitors is Hiroshi's heartfelt delight. Blessed by pure water and an idyllic climate, Fushimi has for centuries fostered excellent sake craftsmanship. Among its treasures gleams Gekkeikan, a beacon of sake artistry for nearly 400 years. Its museum stands testament to this rich heritage, an entry point to the world of sake. With roots intertwined deeply in Fushimi's story, Gekkeikan's historical significance is unparalleled. As Hiroshi guides you through its hallowed halls, you'll unravel the intricate process behind sake's birth–from rice fields' fertility to the delicate symphony of brewing. The experience culminates naturally with an array of sake samples, thoughtfully chosen to enrich your understanding.