Kyoto's "Fushimi" Is a Mecca for Sake! Why There Are So Many Sake Breweries and 5 Recommended Spots to Visit

If you’re a sake lover, you’ve probably heard of “Fushimi sake” at least once. Alongside Nada in Hyogo and Saijo in Hiroshima, Fushimi in Kyoto is counted among the “Three Great Sake-Producing Regions of Japan” and is one of the country’s leading sake-producing areas, home to more than 20 sake breweries.

Why have so many sake breweries gathered in Fushimi, and where should you go to fully enjoy Fushimi’s sake? In this article, the KYOTREAT editorial team will take a detailed look at why Fushimi has developed into a center for sake production and introduce must-visit sake spots.

Table of Contents

• Why Is Fushimi Famous as a Sake-Producing Region?
• Major Sake Breweries and Their Signature Brands in Fushimi, Kyoto
• 5 Recommended Spots for a Sake Tour in Fushimi
• summary

■Why Is Fushimi Famous as a Sake-Producing Region?

There are two main factors behind Fushimi’s growth as a sake-brewing region: “location” and “water.”

Fushimi is located in the southern part of Kyoto City, in a plain traversed by three rivers—the Kamo, Katsura, and Uji—and has long been blessed with abundant groundwater flowing from the Momoyama Hills and Mount Inari. Looking back through history, it is believed that sake brewing using koji was already taking place as early as the Yayoi period, and the area developed as a castle town after Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Fushimi Castle during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. With the development of Fushimi Port, the area became a hub for water transportation connecting to Osaka; ships carrying sake and rice began to come and go, and many travelers began to gather there in search of sake.

Another key factor is high-quality water. Since water accounts for about 80 percent of sake’s composition, water quality has a significant impact on its flavor. Fushimi has long been blessed with such high-quality groundwater that it has historically been written as “Fushimi” (meaning “hidden water”); its moderately hard water, containing just the right amount of minerals such as potassium and calcium, is said to produce a sake with a fine texture and mellow character. These blessings of land and water are the reason why so many sake breweries continue to cluster in Fushimi today.

■ Major Sake Breweries and Their Signature Brands in Fushimi, Kyoto

Fushimi is home to a diverse array of sake breweries, ranging from major national brands such as Kizakura, Gekkeikan, and Takara Shuzo to small and medium-sized breweries that have long been beloved by the local community. Here is a summary of some of the representative breweries and their brands (the founding years are based on information disclosed by each company).

Sake Brewery	Founding	Flagship Stocks
Kizakura Co., Ltd.	Taisho 14	Kizakura
Kitagawa Honke Co., Ltd.	Meireki 3	Millionaire
Kyohime Shuzo Co., Ltd.	Taisho 7	Yamada Nishiki Daiginjo Takumi
Kinshi Masamune Co., Ltd.	The first year of the Tenmei era	Kinshi Masamune
Gekkeikan Co., Ltd.	The 14th year of the Kan'ei era	Gekkeikan
Saito Shuzo Co., Ltd.	Meiji 28	Eikun
Shotoku Brewery Co., Ltd.	The 2nd year of the Shōhō era	Shotoku
Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.	Tenpō 13	Pine, Bamboo, and Plum
Tamano Hikari Brewery Co., Ltd.	The first year of the Enpō era	balladeer
Fujioka Shuzo Co., Ltd.	Meiji 35	Blue Sky
Toyosawa Honten Co., Ltd.	Keio Era	Toyoshuku
Masuda Tokubei Shoten, Inc.	Enpō 3	Moon桂
Matsumoto Shuzo Co., Ltd.	Kansei 3	Peach Drops
Yamamoto Honke, Inc.	Enpō 5	Sacred

Among these, Fujioka Shuzo has a somewhat unique history. Founded in Higashiyama Ward in Meiji 35 (1902), the brewery moved to its current location in Fushimi in Taisho 7, but operations were temporarily suspended in Heisei 7 (1995) following the sudden passing of the previous owner. In Heisei 14 (2002), Masaaki Fujioka, the fifth-generation owner, took on the role of head brewer himself and revived the brewery as a facility dedicated exclusively to brewing junmai sake.

■ 5 Recommended Spots for a Sake Tour in Fushimi

1. Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Hall

Established in the 14th year of the Kan'ei era (1637), this museum is operated by Gekkeikan, one of Fushimi’s leading sake breweries. Opened in 1982 after the renovation of a sake brewery built in Meiji 42 (1909), the museum features sake-making tools designated as Tangible Folk Cultural Properties by the City of Kyoto. Another highlight is the opportunity to enjoy sake at the tasting corner after the tour.

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Basic Information

• Address: 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Last admission at 4:00 p.m.)
• Closed: Obon, New Year's holidays, and other occasional closures
• Admission: 600 yen for ages 20 and older / 100 yen for ages 13–19 / Free for ages 12 and younger (Visitors ages 13 and older receive a souvenir; visitors ages 20 and older receive a tasting of three types of sake)
• Directions: About a 10-minute walk from Momoyama-Goryo-mae Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line; about a 5-minute walk from Nakashima Station on the Keihan Main Line
• Official Website:https://www.gekkeikan.co.jp/enjoy/museum/

■Please Note the Payment Methods　Effective July 1, 2026, all payments within the facility will be made exclusively via cashless methods. Since cash is no longer accepted, please be sure to bring a credit card or electronic money when you visit.

In addition, the seasonal “First-Pressed New Sake: Iwaumi Daiginjo” is a rare treat available only during the new sake season. Made with 100% of Iwaumi rice from Kyoto Prefecture, it offers the fresh flavor of the year’s very first pressing (availability varies by year).

2. Fujioka Sake Brewery (Aozora / Sake Brewery Bar En)

Founded in Meiji 35 (1902), Fujioka Shuzo is a small, artisanal brewery in Fushimi. The brewery is committed to producing only junmai sake, and at “Sakagura Bar En,” located right next to the brewery, visitors can enjoy a freshly brewed glass of “Sōkū” while watching the brewing process through the glass walls.

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Basic Information

• Address: 247 Minamihama-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City
• Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Last admission at 4:00 p.m.)
• Closed: Obon, New Year's holidays, and other occasional closures
• Admission: 600 yen for ages 20 and older / 100 yen for ages 13–19 / Free for ages 12 and younger (Visitors ages 13 and older receive a souvenir; visitors ages 20 and older receive a tasting of three types of sake)
• Directions: About a 10-minute walk from Momoyama-Goryo-mae Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line; about a 5-minute walk from Nakashima Station on the Keihan Main Line
• Official Website:https://www.sookuu.net/index.html

Tours of the warehouse are available for a limited time from June through September if you make a reservation in advance through the official website (admission fee: 880 yen; groups of 2 to 15 people). Since tours are not offered year-round, please be mindful of the timing if you wish to participate.

Because the brewery is small, production volumes are low, and this brand is known for being hard to find. It’s best to check with the store before your visit to confirm recommended ways to enjoy it and current stock levels.

3. Fushimizu Sake Brewery Alley

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Keihan’s “Fushimi-Momoyama” Station, this complex features a “Sake Brewery” counter where you can enjoy over 120 varieties of sake from the 18 breweries affiliated with the Fushimi Sake Brewers’ Association, as well as eight specialty dining establishments. It’s characterized by a unique system that allows you to order takeout from any of the other restaurants, no matter which one you’re dining at.

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Basic Information

• Address: 82-2 Hirano-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
• Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Directions: About a 5-minute walk from "Fushimi-Momoyama" Station on the Keihan Main Line or "Momoyama-Goryo-mae" Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line
• Official Website:https://fushimi-sakagura-kouji.com/

A popular specialty here is the “18 Breweries Sake Tasting Set,” which features one selection from each of Fushimi’s 18 breweries. It’s a popular option that lets you taste a wide range of Fushimi’s sake all in one place. Please note that the museum’s monthly closure dates are announced on its official website, so we recommend checking them before your visit.

4. Ginjo Sakebou Yucho

Located in the Ote-suji Shopping District, this long-established liquor store carries sake from all 18 breweries in Fushimi. At the tasting counter in the back of the store, you can sample and compare about 80 to 90 different varieties in small sake cups.

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Basic Information

• Address: 780 Higashioitemachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
• Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Closed: Tuesdays
• Directions: About a 3-minute walk from Fushimi-Momoyama Station on the Keihan Main Line; about a 5-minute walk from Momoyama-Goryo-mae Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line
• Official Website:https://aburacho.jp/

The sake tasting experience allows you to choose three varieties of your choice and sample them for 160 to 1,290 yen per small cup; you can also purchase any sake you like right then and there. Since English support is available, this is a spot that’s easy to recommend to international tourists. Please note, however, that there may be occasional closures or reduced operating hours depending on the month.

5. Okinaya Kitagawa Honke

A directly operated store of Kitagawa Honke, a long-established sake brewery with a history spanning over 360 years, founded in Meireki 3 (1657). In addition to its flagship brand, “Fūō,” the store is popular for its “by-the-measure” sales, where sake is bottled directly from the tank.

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Basic Information

• Address: 370-6 Murakami-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
• Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Closed: Tuesdays
• Directions: Just a short walk from Fushimi-Momoyama Station on the Keihan Main Line
• Official Website:https://www.tomio-sake.co.jp/okinaya/

Since the selection of sake sold by weight changes with the seasons, seeing which varieties are on display during your visit is part of the fun. You can also purchase rice—grown with reduced pesticides and through contract farming—that is milled on-site. Please note that brewery tours are currently not available.

■ Summary

Blessed with abundant water and a favorable location, Fushimi is one of Kyoto’s premier destinations for sake, home to breweries that have been in operation since before the Edo period and continue to brew sake to this day. From December through March, when new sake hits the market, it’s a special season to enjoy the fresh, just-pressed flavors unique to that year. From visiting museums to sipping sake at standing bars and buying by the measure, there are many ways to enjoy the experience.

Please note, however, that the information provided in this article—such as business hours, admission fees, and payment methods—is subject to change. In particular, some locations, such as the Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Hall, have recently updated their operations—for example, by introducing cashless payment options—so please check the official websites of each facility for the latest information before your visit, and enjoy your tour of the sake breweries in Fushimi.