Beginning in the Fushimi district of Kyoto, your guide will take you through the streets of this stunning town to various traditional and modern sake breweries allowing the guests to get a sense of the area’s 400-year-old sake brewing tradition. Known for brewing some of the best sake in the world, Fushimi’s secret lies in the natural spring water of the area. Because the water holds less magnesium and calcium than other parts of Japan or the world, the sake of the area reaches levels of purity and taste other areas could not easily replicate.

Brewing takes place in the cold months of the year after the rice crop has been harvested. As a result, the air around Fushimi is saturated with the smell of fermenting rice during this time of year.

The neighborhood is a festive one that comes to life each day with sake bars and vendors selling local sake to patrons.

During the tour, you will spend time at the Gekkeikan Okura sake museum, where a brief history of sake can be understood. You will have the opportunity to really see how they have been making sake since 1637, with a nearly 4-century-old process.

At the Gekkeikan Okura sake museum, you will also get a chance to see the sake brewery. Get a sense of the traditional brewing process which involves a combination of water, malt, yeast, and steamed rice. The different cuts and variety of rice play a big part in the distinction of the sake.