My partner was tired, so I decided to look for a place where I could enjoy Kyoto's sake alone. I found a cozy little shop located in the back alleys off a main road about a 10-minute walk from my accommodation in Gojo. With the recent increase in foreign tourists and the sake boom, I made a reservation over the phone before heading there. The place was fully booked by 7 pm, so I was lucky to secure a reservation for one person. As I entered the shop, I noticed sake barrels lining the entrance, and the interior was quite long with a row of counter seats on one side and tables on the other. Kyoto's one-liter bottles of sake were displayed from the entrance to the back, raising my expectations. The customers around me included couples, groups of women, and even a solo diner, many of whom seemed to be ordering tasting sets. The tasting set allows you to choose from 15 types of sake from the northern and southern parts of Kyoto, with each set containing about 2 cups, according to the staff. The focus was on Kyoto's local sake, with offerings from Sasaki Sake Brewery, such as Tomon, Fukuchizanman Nisen Gokoku, Miyako Tsuru, Sawaya Matsumoto, and Ine Mankai. I opted to order individual glasses of sake as I had a specific preference. I tried Tomon, Fukuchizanman Nisen Gokoku, Miyako Tsuru, Sawaya Matsumoto, and Ine Mankai (120ml each). Particularly, Sawaya Matsumoto's junmai sake stood out with its dry yet rich flavor. Ine Mankai, a red sake, was quite sweet and visually appealing, reminiscent of drinking wine. For food, I enjoyed dishes like "sakana-nusumi" (pickled vegetables), a sashimi platter (squid, bonito tataki, octopus), small sweetfish tempura (recommended by the staff as they were out of wakasagi), avocado with mentaiko, and a platter of Kyoto pickles. Everything was delicious. During peak hours, there may be a slight wait for food, but the staff will inform you of this, so it's not a big deal. I stayed from 7 pm to 9 pm, and by then, the place began to empty out a bit. The bill came to around 5000 yen. They also open at noon, making it convenient for those looking to enjoy Kyoto's sake during the day, especially for business travelers. It's a short walk from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station on the subway (about 3 minutes), making it easily accessible. According to the staff, the shop offers around 40 types of Kyoto sake, with all 44 sake breweries in Kyoto represented. This shop, which opened last year, allows you to explore Kyoto's sake breweries. I would definitely recommend this place to friends and would love to visit again. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

It is a shop located a little way into the alley from Shijo-Karasuma, with a dark and atmospheric surrounding. The interior of the shop is stylish and clean, creating a calm and enjoyable atmosphere. The menu includes recommended sets such as appetizer sets and sake tasting sets, making it easy to decide what to order. The anticipation before ordering and the excitement when the dishes arrived were enjoyable. However, after trying the dishes, I felt that they were a bit on the expensive side. Perhaps expecting each dish to be meticulously prepared to accompany authentic sake is a bit too much to ask for... Thank you for the meal.

I visited this stylish restaurant for lunch on Sunday. They have a wide variety of Kyoto local sake available. I tried the recommended cloudy sake this time, which had a nice sweetness without being too overpowering. The dishes included Kyoto-style obanzai, Kyoto vegetables, and fresh deep-fried tofu. I tried the fresh deep-fried tofu for the first time in my life, and it was a unique and delicious experience. I had a great time there.

I always struggle with what to drink, but today I don't need to worry because I can try them all. I made a reservation for a seat and started tasting various sakes. I ended up having around 2 cups in total with the Junzukuri sake set, which allowed me to explore sakes from the northern and southern regions. The southern sakes were known for being dry and crisp, while the northern ones offered a variety of flavors. With a coupon from Tabelog, I got one of my favorite sakes for free. As a fan of sweet sakes, I particularly enjoyed the Ine Mankai.

"Kyoto Sake Kura-kan" near Shijo-Karasuma in Kyoto City is a sake specialty store where you can compare various kinds of sake from Kyoto Prefecture. You can enjoy the sweetness, spiciness, umami, and various flavors of sake, making you feel happy. Personally, the deep-fried fresh wheat gluten was exquisite...!! It was a taste I had never experienced before!! In addition, the side dishes and tempura were also delicious♪ #Kyoto Sake Kura-kan #sake #Kyoto City gourmet #fresh wheat gluten #side dishes #tempura

I visited Kyoto Sake Kura Kan during my trip to Shiga Enryaku-ji and Kyoto Suzumushi-dera in early spring. It was a Sunday night, and all the nearby restaurants recommended by the hotel where I stayed in Kyoto were fully booked and not accepting any reservations. After making 6-7 phone calls, I finally managed to secure a reservation at Kyoto Sake Kura Kan. The person who answered the phone was incredibly kind and gave me a great impression, making me feel like I was talking to a Buddha. I was excited as I headed to the restaurant, and the bright and clean interior with rows of sake bottles on display created a fantastic atmosphere. While there was still space at the counter seats, the tables were all occupied. Everyone seemed to be enjoying tasting different Kyoto sakes. First, a man who seemed to be the manager provided a detailed explanation about the sakes. We ordered two sets of three sake tastings and added two more varieties, allowing us to enjoy a total of eight different sakes. The appetizers included: assorted sashimi, assorted obanzai (Kyoto-style side dishes), shiba-zuke (pickled vegetables), tartare chicken tempura, black edamame, and smoked cheese. The sashimi platter featured thick slices of tuna, yellowtail, and squid, all with rich flavors. The red snapper and squid with lemon salt were refreshing. The obanzai assortment had a gentle seasoning that I loved, with dishes like eggplant, fu (wheat gluten), and yuba (tofu skin). The chicken tempura was fluffy, and the tartare sauce with shiba-zuke was delicious. The black edamame had a rich flavor and was a perfect snack. The smoked cheese paired perfectly with the sake. All the recommended sakes were delicious, especially the Juraku Kiku from Sasaki Kuronosuke and the Dassai from Haneda Sake Brewery. It was a very satisfying night in Kyoto. The service at this restaurant was exceptional, especially thanks to N-san, the public relations representative. I will definitely visit again when I return to Kyoto. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

I wanted to do a sake tasting in Kyoto, so I decided to visit a place near my hotel. They offered a tasting of 15 different sakes, with options from the northern and southern regions. The northern selection was unique and different from the usual, and the food served was delicious. Personally, I really enjoyed the walnut miso with fresh wheat gluten. Next time, I want to try the sakes from the southern region. The interior of the restaurant was clean and stylish. The staff were friendly and easy to talk to. Since I'm not very knowledgeable about sake, they were helpful and accommodating.

This is a shop near four stations in Kyoto where you can enjoy Kyoto local sake. They have a wide variety of sake from north to south, offering many different brands of Kyoto local sake. It seems to be a popular spot for tourists, as there were many foreign customers. I was surprised to see foreign customers explaining sake to each other. I visited to have a light drink or eat some food. I tried the Minami 15 Brewery's "Risake Set". The set includes about 2.5 servings of different types of sake lined up in the order of the menu. The dishes I tried included: - Namero with sake lees: Sliced white fish sashimi mixed with sake lees, a perfect match for sake. - Fried yuba salad: A salad topped with crispy fried yuba and homemade white miso dressing. - Fried fu in broth: Square-cut fu (wheat gluten) fried in broth, with a chewy texture. - Gyu Wakamaru: A hot pot dish made with white miso and sake lees soup, vegetables, and black wagyu beef intestines, giving a cozy feeling. The broth is rich with the flavors of miso and sake lees, which may not be to everyone's liking, but is a delight for sake lees lovers. The sake that tasted delicious with the Risake set were: - Tsuki no Katsura Kyoto Asahi Mai Junmai Fushimi / Masuda Tokubei Sake Store - Kyohime Takumi Junmai Ginjo Fushimi / Kyohime Sake Brewery - Eikun Junmai Fushimi / Saito Sake Brewery Most of the set was from Fushimi, but I would like to travel to Fushimi next time to enjoy sake. Thank you for the meal.

The night in Kyoto, reserved for me as a sake lover, was at "Kyoto Sakagura-kan." The atmosphere at the entrance was already great. I was guided to a counter seat made of a single board, and I was overwhelmed by the variety of sake lined up. I started with a draft beer, but then it was all about sake - especially enjoyed the "Tasting Set of 15 Sake Breweries (famous sake from the northern and central regions of Kyoto)." The food was delicious, especially the "Grilled Seasonal Vegetables" and the "Fried Yuba Salad" were my favorites! Surprisingly, the smoked cheese paired so well with the sake. They had a "Sake Sommelier" tablet that helped choose the right sake based on preferences, which was a fun system. But more than that, the friendly service provided by the staff was wonderful. If I have the chance, I would love to try the "Tasting Set of 15 Sake Breweries (famous sake from the southern region of Kyoto)." It was also great to be able to use the travel support coupon this time! Thank you for the delicious sake and food!

We quickly moved on to the second party and visited this place near the hotel. We enjoyed the Kyoto-style Obanzai platter with 6 varieties. The elegant flavors were delicious. We also had tempura of shirako (milt) and simmered suji (beef tendon). The plump and hot shirako was delicious. For the finale, we had dashi chazuke and somen noodles. The broth was flavorful and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The staff were very kind, and the atmosphere of the shop was great. They have a wide selection of Kyoto sake. I went to the second place and it was really nice. The dishes were all delicious, especially the potato salad. I want to visit again when I drink sake.

I visited the restaurant because they were offering a sake tasting set and a set of 15 different appetizers since New Year's. I ordered the tasting set from the northern and central regions and the appetizer set. I enjoyed the sake from Kyoto and the delicious appetizers, so I was very satisfied. However, I was wondering why reservations are only taken at the counter. It would be more convenient to do it at the table. Also, the staff were polite but they were always in the back talking, which was a bit distracting.

An izakaya near Shijo Station that mainly serves sake. I made a reservation for a weekend night. The place was almost full even though it had just opened. I was torn between the 15 sake tasting set from the northern and central regions and the southern region. The southern region mainly features sake from Fushimi, while the northern and central regions have other varieties. I chose the northern and central region as they have sake breweries that are hard to come by in Tokyo. One of the standout sakes was the Iine Mankai, made with ancient red rice and a hundred-year-old longevity yeast. It had a fruity sweetness and aroma. The set menu included 15 dishes such as salted squid, tuna sake lees, karasumi, and sea urchin. While the traditional dishes paired well with the sake, I was surprised to find that even sweet items like Hishui plum syrup and flower mochi also complemented the drinks. I also tried additional sake from the southern region, including Eikun and Sawaya Matsumoto. For food, I added dishes like burdock tempura named Benkei, walnut miso with fresh wheat gluten, and fried tofu in broth. The burdock tempura was a good choice as an appetizer, and the fresh wheat gluten was delicious on its own. It was slightly sweet, making it suitable as a dessert as well.

I made a reservation here for a trip with friends who love sake and wanted to drink local sake. They had a great selection of sake, and we really enjoyed it. The food was also great, with many dishes named after famous historical figures like Benkei and Ushiwakamaru, which made me and my friend who love the Shinsengumi very happy. The staff were friendly and engaging, making it a very enjoyable evening.

It was a shop in Kyoto with a lot of delicious Japanese sake. I tried a tasting set of three kinds, but many people around me were trying tasting sets of around 20 kinds. The food was not too heavy or too light and was delicious. There were many dishes with a strong dashi flavor, which was impressive. However, there were not many food menu options, so for non-drinkers, there were not many choices to enjoy the food or fill their stomachs. I was satisfied with the sake, but my companion ended up leaving early to satisfy their hunger. Also, the two-hour time limit was a bit disappointing for those who wanted to drink a lot at a leisurely pace.

This article is a repost from a blog. Sake Log: https://sushi-blog.com/sakelog/kyoto-sakagurakan/ "Kyoto Sakagurakan" is a sake bar located in Shijo-Karasuma, offering easy access. The biggest attraction of the shop is the "Tasting Set of 15 Breweries" for 2,180 yen. It is divided into "Northern Region" and "Southern Region," allowing you to compare a total of 30 types of sake. The lineup consists mainly of traditional sake from well-established breweries. The interior of the shop seems to cater to foreign tourists. Additionally, the AI sommelier "KAORIUM for Sake" is implemented on the terminal. However, the selection and tasting comments of the AI sommelier still have room for improvement compared to human expertise. Here are the dishes and drinks I had: Black Edamame 500 yen Potato Salad 500 yen Deep-Fried Young Chicken with Black Shichimi 850 yen Grilled Sea Bream with Frost Soy Sauce and Plum Paste 1,100 yen Bottled Beer 680 yen Tasting Set of 15 Breweries 1,980 yen First, let me introduce the sake. I ordered the Tasting Set of 15 Breweries "Northern Region." It was quite enjoyable to try different breweries and brands that I don't usually encounter. However, since most of them were junmai-shu, having more variety in taste would make it even more enjoyable. Black Edamame: A common dish in izakayas. It was nice to see that they use fragrant black edamame. Deep-Fried Young Chicken with Black Shichimi: It was hearty, well-fried, and easy to eat. However, the flavor of the black shichimi was a bit lacking. Potato Salad: This was quite disappointing. If they are serving pre-made products for 500 yen, it might be better not to serve it at all. Grilled Sea Bream with Frost Soy Sauce and Plum Paste: The mixed wasabi was expected, but the sea bream was surprisingly good and made a great sake pairing.

This shop deals only with sake from Kyoto. There are two types of tasting sets from 15 breweries, divided by region. I ordered a sashimi platter, fried dishes, and yuba salad, among other things. The chicken with tartar sauce and pickled vegetables was delicious. Overall, the portions were a bit small, so it's better to order a variety of dishes.

When I visited Nagoya the other day, I went to a standing sake specialty shop and really enjoyed the sake tasting. I wanted to see if there was a similar shop in Kansai, and that's when I found this place. I had the chance to go to Kyoto, so I decided to check it out. The shop opens at 3 pm, so why not have a drink during the day, right? Just before the Gion Festival, the Shijo Street was crowded with cars entering even the back alleys to avoid the congestion, it was chaotic! It's the Gion Festival after three years, so it can't be helped. I'm more interested in alcohol than the festival. I arrived at the shop right at 3 pm. Perfect timing! The shop had a long counter and table seats. Inside, jazz music was playing, creating a stylish atmosphere. Since I was alone, I sat at the counter. Just as I entered, a couple around my age came in. Are they a married couple? It seemed like they had been here before. They immediately ordered two "Tasting Sets" from 15 breweries. The recommended option is this 15-brewery tasting set, but if you drink all of them, it's equivalent to 2.5 go (sake serving size). If I drink all that, I won't be able to go home! The photo is from the website. I was looking at the menu, thinking of ordering 2-3 single servings, and then I noticed the "Three Sake Tasting Set" for 1320 yen. This way, I can have about 1 go. Plus, with 15 varieties, the brands are predetermined, but with three, I can choose myself. Since it's hot, I asked the staff for a refreshing dry sake. They recommended one from Fushimi in southern Kyoto. I chose "Tanba no Hikari," "Matsumoto," and "Miyako Tsuru." While I was ordering, the lady behind the counter said, "You can choose three kinds?" Did she not see the menu? There are so many kinds of sake available, and of course, it's okay to order just one. The "Limited Edition Sake" is so tempting, right? After a while, the three types arrived. It's so stylish how they are presented like this. I asked if I could take a photo of the sake bottles, and she brought them over from the back. With 15 types, it wouldn't be possible to present them like this. I had lunch not long ago, so I thought I might not need snacks, but that's not the case. I ordered the "Three Appetizer Plate" for 900 yen. It included okra with sesame dressing, pickled zuiki (a type of cucumber), and one more item I can't remember. I've had them before, but they were a bit spicy and crunchy vegetables. I enjoyed these while sipping my sake. First, I tried "Miyako Tsuru." It's sake from "Miyako Tsuru Brewery" in Fushimi. It's quite dry and refreshing. I always thought Fushimi sake was sweet, but it seems there are many dry varieties. It has a taste of Yamada Nishiki rice. Next was "Tanba no Hikari." It's sake from "Shirasugi Brewery" in northern Kyoto. It's a Junmai Ginjo sake. This one is fruity. It's completely different from the previous one. Lastly, I tried "Matsumoto." It's sake from "Matsumoto Brewery" in Fushimi. By this point, I was starting to get confused and couldn't tell them apart. I could only say "delicious." With just three types, it's hard to distinguish, so with 15 types, it would be even more challenging. They also provided a bottle of water on the table, which was nice as I could drink freely without worrying. It's quite an interesting shop, but it felt a bit lonely inside the counter area since no one else was there. The couple was chatting while drinking, so it was fine, but being alone felt a bit awkward. I wished there was someone to talk to. Maybe when it's busy, there are more people? I don't know. It seems more geared towards tourists than regulars. The prices are a bit on the higher side, maybe because it's targeted at tourists. But it's nice for travelers to be able to taste sake from all over Kyoto Prefecture in one place. Trying some recommended limited edition sake would be great. They also offer courses, so it's a perfect place for sake lovers.

Fifth-anniversary appreciation event. All-you-can-drink for 980 yen per hour. It's a rare event. Thank you for the dreamlike time of being able to drink sake from all over Kyoto. I had more than 10 cups and got really drunk... The appetizers, like white shrimp tempura, were also satisfying.

Menu eaten: Duck roast Sake tasting: It was interesting to have various types of sake available. I prefer aromatic sake, so there weren't many that matched my taste, but it was enjoyable if there was sake I liked. Atmosphere of the restaurant: The smell inside the restaurant was a bit bothersome. Attitude of the staff: The staff had a nice attitude. Overall satisfaction: Personally, I didn't find a sake that I particularly liked, so it was just okay for me. However, as a tourist experience, it was interesting.

In Kyoto and Nara, the nights are early... Once it's past 9 PM, many shops start closing after the last order, but this place, "Kyoto Sakagura-kan," welcomed us even at 9:30 PM! It's already our second stop for the night, but that doesn't matter... It's great to be able to drop by and have a drink and some snacks to continue the night! On weekends and holidays, they close at 10 PM, but on regular days, they're open until 11 PM! It's really a rare find to have a place that lets you drink late into the night in Kyoto and Nara where most places close early. This place offers over thirty different kinds of sake from Kyoto Prefecture to taste, which is amazing! I recommend trying the "Fifteen Sake Tasting Set" which is divided into the Northern and Southern regions of Kyoto (¥1,800 each, excluding tax). We ordered both sets and they were promptly served. The content is a surprise each time! The staff explains each sake in detail, and it's fascinating to learn about them. We started with lighter ones and gradually moved on to stronger ones, savoring each one carefully. As for food, I highly recommend the "Fifteen Dish Set" (¥2,500, excluding tax) to pair with the sake tasting. It's a perfect match for the sake! Although there are only ten sets available per day, we were lucky to get it even late at night. It's truly a gem to find a place in Kyoto that lets you enjoy drinks past 10 PM! If this wasn't our second stop, we might have ordered more dishes, but this time we had two sets of sake tasting (¥1,800 each) and the dish set (¥2,500), totaling to ¥6,100 plus tax, split among four people for a smooth payment. We ordered the sets right away, so we didn't need any additional appetizers. We were a bit loud as we were seated away from other customers... (Sorry for the disturbance).