Fushimi Inari Walk and Gekkeikan Sake Brewery Tour in Kyoto!
- Duration: 7 Hours (approx.)
- Location: Kyoto
- Product code: fushimisake
Today you will get an interesting introduction to the history of brewing sake at the Gekkeikan Sake brewery, which exists already since 1637, making it one of the oldest companies in the world. After a splendid tour with a lot of tasting, you can have a look inside the many historical buildings on the compound, teleporting you a few centuries back into the old Japan.
After the necessary glasses of Sake, we'll guide you around the charming streets of Fushimi where we'll admire the many exquisite old buildings dominating the neighbourhood. To end our fantastic tour, we'll have lunch at the brewery's own restaurant to enjoy a marvelous, authentic Japanese lunch. We highly recommend the zaru-tofu!
Gekkeikan Sake
Japan's tradition of sake making began more than 2,000 years ago shortly after rice cultivation was introduced from China. Though the first few centuries yielded a beverage quite unlike that of today, years of experience perfected brewing techniques and increased sake's overall appeal and popularity. In 1637, Gekkeikan's founder, Jiemon Okura established his sake brewery in the town of Fushimi, a location well-known for its high quality of water. Access to the ideal ingredients combined with a convenient location enabled Okura and his successors' business to thrive in the years that followed. In 1905, the brand name Gekkeikan (meaning "crown of laurel") was adopted as the company's formal pledge to excellence.
Through this commitment, the company became a true leader in the industry and pioneered a number of research and development efforts. The successful results of these endeavors have enabled Gekkeikan to become one of the nation's most popular brands. With a greater world wide appreciation of Japanese cuisine over the last decades, Gekkeikan sake has been experiencing a tremendous growth in popularity.
To meet this increase in demand, Gekkeikan Sake (USA), Inc. was established in Folsom, California in 1989. Today, Gekkeikan's passion for pleasing the sake connoisseur remains unchanged. Dedicated just as the founder was over 370 years ago, both Gekkeikan Japan and Gekkeikan USA continue the tradition of both taste and quality.
Guided tour
Our tour starts at 10 am when we will meet at the Kintetsu Momoyamagoryō-mae Station. We will proceed to the Gekkeikan Okura Museum where we'll learn about the art of brewing sake and the history of the company. While visiting the brewery we will be able to have a good look at the materials and machinery used to brew.
We will then visit the memorial site, where we can see the compound's older buildings and admire the beautiful Japanese garden and koi-pond. The tasting room not only offers traditional sake products but also Kobi, the company's latest plum wine. You will also have the chance to buy some souvenirs or sake at the gift shop.
After we leave the brewery we'll have a stroll through Fushimi, a fantastic area with a lot of buildings of historic importance and after a rewarding walk we'll head back to the brewery to have a tasty Japanese meal at the brewery's own restaurant.
After enjoying a plentiful meal, we will disband in front of Kintetsu Momoyama-goryomae station at 17:00.
Tour includes:
- Entrance fee to all attended objects
- English guided tour at the brewery
- Guided walk through Fushimi
- Enthusiastic professional local English-spreaking guide
- Tasting at the taste-room
NOT included: meals and additional drinks
