1. Begin Your Journey – Discover the Joy of Sake and Sake Ware
Sake is not just about taste—it’s also about the vessels that hold it.
In Kyoto, you can experience the complete world of sake: finding your favorite bottle, discovering beautiful handcrafted sake cups, and enjoying refined pairings in cozy local bars.
This guide introduces a perfect one-day route for sake enthusiasts: Buy, Choose, and Enjoy.
2. Buy: A Local Sake Shop Loved by Kyoto Residents – Nishimoto Sake Store
Located just a 10-minute walk from UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle, Nishimoto Sake Store is a long-established local shop filled from floor to ceiling with bottles of Japanese sake—truly a treasure hunt for sake lovers!
You’ll find premium selections from Kyoto and nearby Shiga breweries.
For a genuine Japanese experience, try the kaku-uchi—you can enjoy a small ochoko (sake cup) of sake for just 500 yen right outside the shop.
Shop info
3. Choose: Find Your Favorite Sake Cup at TSURU-IPPUKU
Just one minute’s walk from Nishimoto Sake Store, you’ll find TSURU-IPPUKU, a Kyoto pottery shop specializing in sake ware and teaware.
Here, visitors can explore a curated selection of handcrafted sake cups and tokkuri (sake bottles) from artisans all over Japan—including Kiyomizu-yaki from Kyoto and other regional styles.
Experience the difference between materials and shapes—tokkuri, katakuchi (spouted vessels), or flat sakazuki—and find one that feels right in your hand.
Bring home your own “Kyoto sake moment” as a memorable souvenir from Japan.
4. Enjoy: A Casual Sake Bar for Tasting and Relaxing – Sake Bar 〇△▢
After shopping at TSURU-IPPUKU, walk just five minutes to Sake Bar ○△▢, a cozy bar where you can sample a wide range of sake.
With tasting flights and English menus available, it’s the perfect place to compare Kyoto’s local brews—from Fushimi to Tango—and discover your favorite.
Pair your drink with light dishes like Kyoto obanzai or cheese, and spend a quiet evening enjoying Japan’s sake culture.
日本酒BAR〇△▢/Japanese SAKE BAR MaruSankakuShikaku
5. Your Kyoto Sake Story Awaits
In Kyoto, you can buy, choose, and enjoy sake—all in one day.
For sake lovers from around the world, this city offers endless opportunities to experience Japanese craftsmanship and hospitality.
May your Kyoto journey be filled with the taste of sake and the memory of finding your perfect cup.
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Photo Note: All photos in this article feature items photographed at our Kyoto shop, TSURU-IPPUKU.
Some pieces may no longer be available, as our collection changes with the seasons.
Our Japanese teaware shop in Kyoto! Located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nijo Castle, we specialize in traditional and modern Japanese tea sets, handmade matcha bowls, Kyoto teapots, Nambu iron kettles, SAKE set (cup & pot) and tea ceremony accessories. Whether you’re looking for an authentic matcha bowl (chawan) or a high-quality Japanese teapot (kyusu), you’ll find the perfect piece to take home as a Kyoto souvenir. We provide secure packaging to ensure safe transport, and international shipping is available. Visit us and explore the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship!
