
Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour
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Quick answer
Is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour worth booking?
Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour is a 2-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $143 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $143 per person
This experience combines two sides of umeshu that are rarely explored together: crafting and nightlife. Rather than simply tasting “Japanese plum wine,” you begin by creating your own personalized umeshu at CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, guided by one of Japan’s most established umeshu producers. You’ll explore the differences between ume and Western plums, sample various ingredients, and design a blend that will mature at home. Then, instead of ending at the workshop, you step into Kyoto’s evening culture. In the lively Kiyamachi area, you’ll experience how umeshu is actually enjoyed by locals—served in different styles, paired with savory dishes, and shared in the relaxed atmosphere of an izakaya. This tour is not just a tasting session or a bar crawl. It connects tradition with modern enjoyment, offering both a handcrafted bottle for the future and a flavorful night out in Kyoto’s vibrant dining scene.
What you get
About this experience
This experience combines two sides of umeshu that are rarely explored together: crafting and nightlife. Rather than simply tasting “Japanese plum wine,” you begin by creating your own personalized umeshu at CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, guided by one of Japan’s most established umeshu producers. You’ll explore the differences between ume and Western plums, sample various ingredients, and design a blend that will mature at home. Then, instead of ending at the workshop, you step into Kyoto’s evening culture. In the lively Kiyamachi area, you’ll experience how umeshu is actually enjoyed by locals—served in different styles, paired with savory dishes, and shared in the relaxed atmosphere of an izakaya. This tour is not just a tasting session or a bar crawl. It connects tradition with modern enjoyment, offering both a handcrafted bottle for the future and a flavorful night out in Kyoto’s vibrant dining scene.
What's included
Included
- One handcrafted bottle to take home
- Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) or non-alcoholic ume syrup workshop at CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo
- Private guided evening experience
- Food and umeshu tasting at the izakaya (approx. ¥3,000 value)
- Visit to a local izakaya in the Sanjo/Kiyamachi area
Not included
- Additional food or drinks beyond the included amount
- Personal purchases at CHOYA UME STUDIO
- Transportation to the meeting point
What you'll see and do
Located in the heart of Kyoto’s Sanjo district, CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo offers a modern and interactive introduction to Japan’s beloved umeshu culture. Operated by CHOYA, a historic umeshu producer with over a century of expertise, the studio reimagines traditional ume craftsmanship in a contemporary setting. Here, guests move beyond simply tasting umeshu. By sampling different ume varieties, sugars, and base spirits, you experience how subtle changes in ingredients shape sweetness, aroma, and depth. The hands-on blending process transforms umeshu from a familiar drink into something personal—designed by you, to mature over time. In the early evening light of Sanjo, this creative workshop serves as the perfect prelude to exploring how umeshu is enjoyed in Kyoto today.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Kiyamachi Street
As the sun begins to set, the tour shifts from crafting to tasting in Kyoto’s vibrant Kiyamachi area—one of the city’s most atmospheric nightlife districts. Running alongside a narrow canal and lined with lantern-lit eateries, Kiyamachi blends tradition with modern energy. Here, umeshu is not confined to tradition; it appears in diverse styles—from rich, aged blends to light, sparkling variations served over ice. In a local izakaya, you will experience how umeshu pairs naturally with Japanese small plates, from savory grilled dishes to seasonal specialties. Unlike formal tasting rooms, the izakaya setting reveals umeshu in its natural habitat: shared, relaxed, and social. This is how locals enjoy it—between conversation, dishes, and the rhythm of Kyoto’s evening streets.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi at the scheduled start time. Your guide will be holding a yellow sign for easy identification. Please check the map in advance to ensure a smooth arrival.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi at the scheduled start time. Your guide will be holding a yellow sign for easy identification. Please check the map in advance to ensure a smooth arrival.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- DeepExperience
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $143 to $47,000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by DeepExperience, who run 208 experiences we rank across 11 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.3.
See everything DeepExperience runsWhy this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour cost?
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Prices start at $143 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kyoto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kyoto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
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On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night, Kyoto : Chopsticks Making Workshop with Engraving Option in Gion, Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour?
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Included: One handcrafted bottle to take home; Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) or non-alcoholic ume syrup workshop at CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto; Private guided evening experience; Food and umeshu tasting at the izakaya (approx. ¥3,000 value); and Visit to a local izakaya in the Sanjo/Kiyamachi area. Not included: Additional food or drinks beyond the included amount; Personal purchases at CHOYA UME STUDIO; and Transportation to the meeting point. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour?
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Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi at the scheduled start time. Your guide will be holding a yellow sign for easy identification. Please check the map in advance to ensure a smooth arrival. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour offered in?
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It is offered in Japanese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Evening Izakaya Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Kyoto. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
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