Japan Gluten-free Tastings

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.

Marie was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The tea and the fermented food tastings were excellent. She was a pleasure and we had a wonderful time.

The sake tasting and workshop took us on a really fun and eye-opening 2-hour journey. Our instructor, Yuki, was calm, super knowledgeable, and spoke great English. We asked a ton of questions, tasted a lot, had fun, got surprised, and probably challenged Yuki quite a bit—but he handled everything like a pro every time :) It was a really unique experience for Osaka and showed us just how big and fascinating the world of sake actually is—way beyond what we knew before.

While enjoying something as pleasant as sake, this experience also dives deep into its history and production with insights, local stories, and details you really wouldn’t find online. I think it should definitely be part of everyone’s trip. The setting may look simple at first, but it’s actually full of thoughtful details and beautiful objects. Combined with Yuki’s warm and attentive hosting, it creates an amazing atmosphere. We had a great time as a pair, but I can easily imagine that going as a group would turn it into one of the most memorable highlights of a trip.

From the moment we stepped into the private tea tasting, it felt like entering a completely different world—one defined by calm, care, and an almost reverent appreciation for tea. What truly elevated the entire experience, however, was our teacher. Their depth of knowledge was nothing short of astonishing. Every detail—from the origin of the leaves to the subtle differences in processing methods—was explained with such clarity and passion that it transformed each sip into a story. You could tell this wasn’t just expertise; it was a genuine love for the craft. The tea itself was absolutely exquisite. Each variety we sampled was more nuanced and flavorful than the last, with layers of aroma and taste I had never noticed before. The experience was paired with a thoughtfully prepared selection of food that complemented the teas beautifully. Every bite felt intentional, enhancing the tasting experience and making the whole session feel indulgent without being overwhelming. What surprised me most was just how fun it all was. This wasn’t a stiff or overly formal class—it was engaging, interactive, and filled with moments of delight and discovery. We laughed, asked questions, compared favorites, and left feeling not only more knowledgeable but genuinely inspired. All in all, this private tea tasting was an unforgettable experience and such a unique, enjoyable way to explore the world of tea. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone—even those who think they already know tea.

Informative tasting of 20 sakes of all sorts. Good explanation of the various types of sake, how they are made and how/when to drink them. We came away much better informed about the drink, although there wasn't much detail on the individual breweries. All very friendly and low-key. Hosts happy to answer questions. Perhaps a bit rushed. Overall, recommended if you don't know much about sake and want to learn more.

Great sake tasting. Book it. Learned a lot and intimate

The tasting was great and very informative. We learned all the basics while tasting many different styles of Sake. Julian was the best of hosts and a very knowledgeable teacher. The snacks were great and he was able to adapt to my wife’s gluten intolerance. We definitely recommend.

Guide did a great Job. would do this again

Excellent! We learned a lot and had a great time.

An excellent overview of what Sake is and the kinds of Sake available. Highly recommended 👌

This was a very informative and excellent experience. The folks at the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center are very knowledgeable and represent the community of Sake and Shochu makers professionally and with respect for the integrity of the art. We learned so much in one hour and we walked away with meaningful and valuable gifts that we were not expecting at all. The presentation packed enough information that gave us an appreciation for the complexity of the characteristics of sake and left us inspired to learn more. Definitely choose to learn from these industry experts. You won’t see sake the same after this.