Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience
Traveler rating
Not yet rated
No traveler reviews have been published for this experience yet.
Quick answer
Is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience worth booking?
Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience is a 2.5-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $138 per person. It scores 54 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
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $138 per person
Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s preservation culture through a private experience beyond a simple “Japanese plum wine workshop.” While umeshu is often translated as Japanese plum wine, the Japanese ume fruit differs from Western plums—more aromatic, tart, and rooted in seasonal traditions. In collaboration with CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, you will craft your own umeshu (or non-alcoholic ume syrup), tasting different ume varieties, sugars, and base liqueurs to create a personalized blend. Unlike wine, umeshu is steeped and matured—an expression of patience central to Japanese food culture. What sets this tour apart is the pairing experience at Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” You will explore traditional pickling techniques—salted and lactic-fermented vegetables—and select flavors that best complement your handcrafted umeshu once it matures at home. More than a tasting, this experience offers insight into ume, Kyoto’s pickling heritage, and the art of preserving seasonality.
What you get
About this experience
Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s preservation culture through a private experience beyond a simple “Japanese plum wine workshop.” While umeshu is often translated as Japanese plum wine, the Japanese ume fruit differs from Western plums—more aromatic, tart, and rooted in seasonal traditions. In collaboration with CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, you will craft your own umeshu (or non-alcoholic ume syrup), tasting different ume varieties, sugars, and base liqueurs to create a personalized blend. Unlike wine, umeshu is steeped and matured—an expression of patience central to Japanese food culture. What sets this tour apart is the pairing experience at Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” You will explore traditional pickling techniques—salted and lactic-fermented vegetables—and select flavors that best complement your handcrafted umeshu once it matures at home. More than a tasting, this experience offers insight into ume, Kyoto’s pickling heritage, and the art of preserving seasonality.
What's included
Included
- Pickle tastings at selected specialty shops (approx. ¥1,000 value)
- All materials for the umeshu/syrup workshop
- Interpretation and cultural insights throughout the tour
- One handcrafted bottle to take home
- Private guided cultural experience
- Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) or non-alcoholic ume syrup crafting workshop at CHOYA UME STUDIO
Not included
- Additional food or purchases beyond the included tastings
- Personal shopping expenses at Nishiki Market
- Transportation to the meeting point
What you'll see and do
Located in central Kyoto, CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo is an experiential space dedicated to Japan’s ume culture. Operated by CHOYA, one of Japan’s most respected umeshu producers, the studio offers a rare opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of ume beyond its common translation as “Japanese plum wine.” Here, guests can taste different varieties of ume, sugars, and base liqueurs before crafting a personalized bottle of umeshu or non-alcoholic ume syrup. Unlike wine, umeshu is created by steeping ume in alcohol and allowing it to mature over time. This hands-on experience introduces not only the technical process, but also the cultural significance of ume as a seasonal fruit long valued in Japanese households for preservation and wellness traditions. The studio blends contemporary design with traditional ingredients, making it an ideal starting point for understanding how ume continues to shape Japan’s food culture today.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market has supported the city’s culinary life for over 400 years. This narrow arcade of specialty food vendors remains a vibrant center of Kyoto’s ingredient culture. In this experience, Nishiki Market is more than a sightseeing stop—it is where Kyoto’s preservation traditions come alive. The city is renowned for its pickling techniques, which enhance seasonal vegetables through salting, gentle sweetness, and natural fermentation, allowing flavors to deepen over time. Within selected long-established pickle shops, guests can sample delicate senmaizuke (thinly sliced turnip in mild sweet vinegar), refreshing shibazuke flavored with red shiso, and traditional lactic-fermented varieties such as suguki. Tasting these distinct styles allows guests to thoughtfully choose which flavors will best complement their handcrafted umeshu once it matures at home.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign displaying our company name. Kindly arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. Please refer to the map provided for exact directions.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour concludes in front of Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, located at the eastern end of Nishiki Market. Your guide will provide directions to nearby stations and assist with onward travel if needed.
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
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $138 to $44,000
- 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 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience cost?
+
Prices start at $138 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 & Pickles Experience take?
+
Plan for about 2.5 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 & Pickles Experience worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 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 & Pickles Experience?
+
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 & Pickles Experience suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-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 & Pickles Experience?
+
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?
+
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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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 & Pickles Experience?
+
Included: Pickle tastings at selected specialty shops (approx. ¥1,000 value); All materials for the umeshu/syrup workshop; Interpretation and cultural insights throughout the tour; One handcrafted bottle to take home; and Private guided cultural experience. Not included: Additional food or purchases beyond the included tastings; Personal shopping expenses at Nishiki Market; 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 & Pickles Experience?
+
Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign displaying our company name. Kindly arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience offered in?
+
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 & Pickles Experience?
+
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 & Pickles Experience if the weather is bad?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience.
Pick your date
