The best drinking tours in Nara get straight to the point with well-organized, informative tastings. Our favorite: the compact 2.5-hour Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour, which smartly combines local drinks with traditional snacks like mochi and wrapped sushi. For serious sake enthusiasts, the 7-hour Sake Tasting and Hopping Experience includes private transport and a handy sake guide. A quirky alternative is the Sake and Grass Pot Night Out, featuring pottery-making and a local anime model host. Let’s explore these top drinking tours in detail.
Good To Know
- The Nara – Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour offers a 2.5-hour exploration of local flavors, including food, drink, and a mochi tasting.
- The Sake Tasting and Hopping Experience provides a 7-hour immersion in sake sampling, with private transportation and an original sake handbook included.
- The Unique Sake and Grass Pot Night Out with Anime Model tour combines traditional Japanese experiences with the opportunity to meet an anime model.
- The tours cater to various interests, including beer, sake, and cultural experiences, with a focus on small group sizes for personalized attention.
- The tour operator emphasizes flexibility and adaptability based on guest feedback, ensuring an engaging and tailored experience in Nara’s vibrant beverage scene.
Nara – Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour
The Nara – Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the vibrant culinary and beverage scene of the historic city.
Priced from $98.34 per person, the tour takes a maximum of 10 travelers on a 2.5-hour exploration of local craft beers, sake, and regional cuisine.
Highlights include a food and drink set at each stop, a mochi tasting, and an appetizer with Kaki no Ha Zushi.
While reviews are mixed, guests generally praise the unique experiences and local flavors.
The host emphasizes flexibility and a commitment to improving the tour based on feedback.
Read our full review: Nara – Craft Beer, Sake & Food Walking Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Sake Tasting and Hopping Experience
This 7-hour sake tasting and hopping experience in Nara offers visitors a chance to explore the rich world of Japanese sake.
Participants will sample 5 types of sake and receive an original sake handbook. The tour also includes a guide, private transportation, and the opportunity to order food and additional sake after the tasting.
Operating daily from 1 PM to 3 PM, the experience is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers. Priced from $131.12 per person, the tour isn’t recommended for pregnant individuals or those with serious medical conditions.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start.
Read our full review: Sake Tasting and Hopping Experience Review
Book now: Check availability
Sake and Grass Pot Night Out in Nara With Anime Model
Sake and Grass Pot Night Out in Nara with Anime Model offers a unique cultural experience in the historic city.
This private tour starts at the Monk Gyoki Fountain near Kintetsu Nara Station and includes alcoholic beverages, a grass pot, a sake bill, temple fees, and lunch.
Participants will have the chance to meet an anime model, though the tour may not be suitable for pregnant travelers or those with heart problems.
Confirmation is received upon booking or within 48 hours if booked within 8 days of travel.
The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is near public transportation, and most travelers can participate.
Read our full review: Sake and Grass Pot Night Out in Nara With Anime Model Review
Book now: Check availability
The Sum Up
Nara’s rich drinking culture offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore its vibrant craft beer scene, exceptional sake, and delectable local cuisine. Whether you opt for a guided walking tour, a sake tasting experience, or an immersive evening out, these tours provide an intimate glimpse into the heart of Nara’s thriving beverage and food landscape. With knowledgeable guides and carefully curated itineraries, visitors can savor the best of what Nara has to offer.