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Best Sake Tasting in Tokyo: WASAKE Sake Experience, SAKE MARKET and Beginner Tips
WASAKE Sake Experience
For anyone looking to explore Japanese culture through flavor, sake tasting is one of the most memorable experiences Tokyo has to offer. More than just a drink, Japanese sake reflects centuries of tradition shaped by rice, water, regional character, and generations of craftsmanship. This guide covers two of the best spots in Tokyo for sake tasting — WASAKE Sake Experience and SAKE MARKET— along with a few beginner-friendly tips to know before heading out.
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How to Enjoy Japanese Sake Tasting: Tips for Beginners
Before jumping into your sake adventure, a little preparation can help you make the most of your tasting experience, especially if it is your first time. Here are a few simple tips to help you notice the differences between sake styles, enjoy food pairings, and drink responsibly.
Try Sake at Different Temperatures
Sake can be enjoyed cold (reishu), at room temperature (jouon or hiya), or warm (kanzake), and each temperature range can bring out different aromas, textures, and aftertastes. A crisp sake may taste refreshing when chilled, while a richer sake may feel smoother when gently warmed.
Start with Lighter Sake Before Richer Styles
When sampling several types of sake, start with lighter and cleaner styles before moving on to richer, sweeter, aged, or more aromatic varieties. This helps your palate notice the differences more clearly. Pay attention to aroma, mouthfeel, sweetness, acidity, and aftertaste, just as you might with wine.
Notice How the Cup Changes the Flavor
The type of cup you drink from can have a surprising impact on the flavor and mouthfeel of sake. Traditional ochoko sake cups can concentrate the aroma and create a classic sake-drinking experience, while larger wine-style glasses may make fruity or floral notes easier to notice. Experimenting with different cups can be a fun way to deepen your appreciation of sake and discover new favorites.
Ask About Sake and Food Pairings
Food pairing is another enjoyable part of sake culture. Sake can pair well with sushi, grilled fish, fried foods, pickles, cheese, and even desserts, depending on the style. If you are unsure what to try, ask the staff for pairing recommendations.
Check Whether You Can Buy and Ship Your Favorite Sake
For those who plan to bring your favorite sake home, it’s worth confirming airline rules, customs regulations, and import limits for the destination country in advance. Note that international shipping of alcoholic beverages — even those with an alcohol content of 24% or less — may not be available to certain countries, so checking restrictions ahead of time is always recommended.
Beware Japan’s Legal Drinking Age and Drink Responsibly
Remember that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20, and this applies to overseas tourists as well. Bars and tasting venues may ask for identification, so carrying a valid ID is always a good idea. It’s also worth keeping in mind that sake, while smooth and easy to drink, can be deceptively strong. Staying hydrated, pacing accordingly, and savoring the experience responsibly will go a long way toward making it a memorable one.
Where to Join a Sake Tasting Experience in Tokyo
Now that the basics of Japanese sake are covered, whether completely new to sake or already familiar with a favorite style, a sake tasting experience in Tokyo is the perfect opportunity to compare different varieties side by side.
For international visitors, two convenient options are WASAKE Sake Experience in Asakusa and SAKE MARKET in Akihabara and Shinjuku. WASAKE is ideal for travelers looking for a guided, beginner-friendly experience with English support, while SAKE MARKET suits those who prefer a casual, self-serve, all-you-can-drink setting. Both are easy to reach from Asakusa, making either a natural addition to a day of exploring Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori Shopping Street, and other popular Tokyo spots.
Which Tokyo Sake Tasting Experience is Best for You?
| Venue | Best For | Style | Area |
| WASAKE Sake Experience | Beginners, culture lovers, travelers who want English guidance | Guided tasting or self-paced tasting | Asakusa |
| SAKE MARKET | Casual nights out and trying many drinks freely | Self-serve, all-you-can-drink tasting | Akihabara, Shinjuku |
For those looking to learn how to taste sake, understand different brewing styles, and ask questions in English, WASAKE makes for the better first stop. For a more relaxed evening of sampling a wide variety of drinks at one’s own pace, SAKE MARKET is a fun and flexible choice.
Whether drawn to the immersive experience of WASAKE or the self-paced variety of SAKE MARKET, both venues offer a great way to deepen an appreciation for this iconic Japanese drink.
WASAKE Sake Experience: A Curated Sake Tasting
For a structured and immersive sake tasting in Tokyo, WASAKE Sake Experience in Asakusa is one of the most convenient options for international visitors. Located just a short walk from Asakusa Station, WASAKE offers more than 50 carefully selected sake labels from across Japan, with English-speaking staff who can help guests find flavors that suit their preferences. Bottles are available for purchase, making it a useful stop for travelers who want to bring home a favorite sake after tasting it.
WASAKE follows a coin-operated token system — you purchase tokens (¥2,000 for 3, ¥3,600 for 6, ¥5,600 for 10, with admission included) upon entry and use them to sample different sakes at the temperature-controlled self-service stations. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tasting at the counter, where expert staff introduce different brewing regions, techniques, and flavor profiles.
WASAKE is an excellent place to deepen your knowledge of sake, offering an educational yet interactive experience. One of the highlights is the Dassai tasting flight, where guests can try Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 23, 39 and 45 — each number representing the percentage of rice polishing, showcasing how this process affects the sake’s flavor profile.
The venue also features sake like Daiginjo Method2, a unique and hyperlocal sake that you won’t easily find elsewhere. Beyond the drinks, WASAKE’s sleek and stylish interior adds to the appeal, providing a sophisticated setting that enhances the tasting experience.
Sake-related items, such as artisan-crafted Edo kiriko glasses, decorated porcelain cups and more are also available for purchase.
Additionally, guests can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks such as amazake and sake lees ice cream, showcasing sake’s versatility.
Sake Tasting Programs at WASAKE Sake Experience
From casual drop-ins to curated group events, WASAKE covers a wide range of sake experiences under one roof, making it one of the more versatile and visitor-friendly options for exploring Japanese sake culture in Tokyo.
- First-time visitors: The standard Guided Sake Tasting program (¥8,000) is the most approachable entry point, with English support throughout. Guests can learn the basics of sake, compare different flavor profiles, and ask questions in a welcoming setting.
- Curious & hands-on travelers: The Advanced Sake Workshop & Tasting (¥11,000), led by a certified sommelier, adds an educational layer to the experience — walking guests through the brewing process alongside structured flights and 10 tailored premium tastings.
- Groups & business travelers: WASAKE also offers a dedicated range of group-oriented programs, including guided tastings, brewery-style workshops and nighttime tastings. Food lovers will also enjoy the hand-rolled sushi and sake tasting program, which connect sake directly to Japanese dining culture in an accessible and memorable way.
📒Note: In June 2026, WASAKE’s Sake Tasting Programs successfully won the OMOTENASHI Selection award — a prestigious recognition established in 2015 to discover and promote outstanding Japanese products and services that embody the spirit of hospitality. This marks a historic first for sake education and experience programs designed for international visitors!
WASAKE Sake Experience
Address: 101 The Asakusa Residence, 1-11-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours:
Weekdays: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Weekends: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed: Open all year round
Access: 3-minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station, or 4-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Tawaramachi Station
Website: https://www.wasakexperienceeg.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasake_sake/
👉 Click here to book your guided tasting now
Or scan the QR code below:
SAKE MARKET Akihabara: Unlimited Sake Tasting
For those who want to explore sake without limits, SAKE MARKET is the perfect destination. This all-you-can-drink sake bar offers around 100 different varieties of sake, as well as spirits like shochu, umeshu (plum wine) and even beer, all available in a self-serve format. The experience here is relaxed and interactive, allowing you to discover your own preferences at your own pace.
Upon arrival, guests pay a flat fee, starting at ¥1,500 for 30 minutes, ¥2,700 for 90 minutes, ¥3,800 for unlimited time between 6pm and 11pm, or ¥2,700 for daytime from 12 noon to 4pm on weekends and holidays. After that, the adventure begins. The venue follows a simple system — choose a sake cup from the available selection, then browse the refrigerators, each filled with bottles from all over Japan. You can taste freely, experiment with different combinations, or even try making your own warm sake using the heating station provided.
Unlike many bars, SAKE MARKET allows guests to bring their own food or even order deliveries to the venue. There’s a microwave that visitors are free to use, as well as plates and basic cooking utensils. This setup, together with the venue’s warm, wood-accented interior, makes it an ideal place for a laid-back evening with friends, where you can enjoy sake alongside your favorite dishes. You’ll also find a small selection of snacks for sale, including fried rice, edamame beans, iburigakko (smoked radish pickles) and more.
Guests are welcome to experiment by making their own cocktails — or even their own desserts. A standout combination is a scoop of vanilla ice cream (included in the main fee) with a generous pouring of Kuraka’s sake-based matcha liqueur from Nara Prefecture for a decadent affogato-style dessert. Other popular options include fruit beer, where you mix three parts beer to one part fruit wine, and original cocktails. There are recipes posted around the bar, so it’s easy to get inspired as you search for your next tipple.
SAKE MARKET (Akihabara Store)
Address: 10F, HULIC & New Akihabara, 4-4-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours:
Weekdays: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Last order 10:30 pm)
Weekends & Holidays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Last order 3:30 pm), 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Last order 10:30 pm)
Closed: Open all year round
Access: 2-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Suehirocho Station, or 7-minute walk from Tsukuba Express Akihabara Station
Website: https://sakemarket.tokyo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakemarket
Plan Your Tokyo Sake Tasting from Asakusa
Whether you prefer the guided, educational approach of WASAKE Sake Experience or the casual, self-serve atmosphere of SAKE MARKET, both venues offer a great way to dive into Japan’s sake culture.
Both locations are also easily accessible from Asakusa, making HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa a natural base for the trip. The hotel sits within walking distance of WASAKE, and just a 5-minute train ride to SAKE MARKET Akihabara via the Tsukuba Express Line — keeping both experiences well within reach without eating into your day.
How to Get to WASAKE Sake Experience from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa
From HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa, head south toward Kokusai-dori Street, walking through one of Asakusa’s liveliest stretches, lined with shops and restaurants along the way. WASAKE is located at street level, making it easy to spot.
How to Get to SAKE MARKET Akihabara from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa
The easiest route from HOTEL TAVUNOS Asakusa is to walk 1 minute to Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station, take the train for one stop to Akihabara Station, and then walk for about 7 minutes. Alternatively, you can also take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Suehirocho Station, which is a 10-minute ride. From there, it’s just a 2-minute walk to SAKE MARKET Akihabara.
Writer
Lisa Wallin
A curious sojourner, Lisa Wallin has lived in Japan for about 15 years, along with 7 other countries. She has an insatiable appetite for local narratives, with a focus on regional culture, crafts and food. When not chasing stories, she enjoys coffee, visiting shrines, and exploring the country both with and without her dogs.