SAKE EXPLORER — Discover Your Taste

Find what you like. Understand why you like it. Explore what comes next.

“I like sake — but I’m not really sure what kind I like.”

“When I go to a sake bar or bottle shop, I don’t know what to order.”

If that sounds familiar, SAKE EXPLORER is for you.

This is not simply a sake tasting.

Over approximately two hours, you’ll taste, compare, discuss and explore different styles of sake while discovering one thing that matters more than memorizing brands:

What kind of sake do YOU actually like?

Using TOKYO SAKE BASE’s original tasting map, we’ll help you identify your personal preferences, understand the language used to describe sake, explore food pairings, discover the world behind sake production, and finish with a playful introduction to original sake cocktails.

The goal is simple:

By the end of the experience, you should be able to describe the sake you like — and confidently choose your next glass anywhere in Japan.

Three Ways to Explore

1. Explore Your Taste

We begin with contrasting styles of sake designed to help you understand your own taste.

Using TOKYO SAKE BASE’s original Sake Triangle, we’ll compare characteristics such as aroma, sweetness, acidity, umami, body, texture and finish.

Which direction do you prefer?

Light and clean?
Bright and aromatic?
Rich and full of umami?

There is no “correct” answer.

The purpose is to discover your answer.

Rather than starting with technical terminology, we start with what you can actually taste and feel.

Once you know where your preferences sit, sake becomes much easier to understand.

2. Explore the Language & World of Sake

Once you have a sense of your own taste, we’ll connect those flavors to some of the words you are likely to see during your travels in Japan.

Terms such as:

Junmai
Ginjo
Daiginjo
Kijoshu
Kimoto
White Koji
Nama
Genshu
Origarami

can seem confusing at first.

We’ll taste distinctive examples and connect these words to actual sensory experiences.

Instead of memorizing definitions, you’ll learn to think:

“If I see this word, what kind of flavor might I expect?”

We’ll also explore how brewing choices — such as koji, fermentation methods, ingredients and traditional techniques — can influence what ends up in your glass.

3. Explore Beyond the Glass

Sake is closely connected to Japanese food culture, so throughout the experience we’ll enjoy a selection of small pairing dishes.

Rather than simply telling you that “this sake goes with fish” or “this sake goes with meat,” we’ll explore the logic behind pairing.

How do acidity, fat, salt, sweetness and umami interact?

Should similar flavors be matched together, or can contrasting flavors create something better?

You’ll taste different combinations and learn how to think about pairing for yourself.

We’ll also go beyond drinking sake itself.

One of the stories featured in this experience is the use of sake kasu, the lees produced during sake brewing.

Through an innovative upcycling process, sake kasu can be reused as part of feed for aquaculture, creating a new connection between:

Sake → Sake Kasu → Feed → Fish → Food

You’ll taste the result while learning how the world of sake can extend beyond the brewery into food production, sustainability and the dining table.

Explore New Ways to Enjoy Sake

After exploring sake in its traditional form, it’s time to play.

Sake does not have to be enjoyed only straight from the bottle.

We’ll introduce several original sake cocktails created by TOKYO SAKE BASE, such as:

Sake Highball
Shiso Sake Tonic
Tipsy Breakfast

Carbonation, herbs, temperature and different ingredients can completely change how sake expresses itself.

This part of the experience is about discovering a more contemporary and playful side of Japan’s traditional drink.

You may leave thinking:

“I didn’t know sake could taste like this.”

What You’ll Experience

During the approximately two-hour experience, you can expect:

• Around 6 carefully selected sake tastings
• TOKYO SAKE BASE’s original Sake Triangle
• A guided exploration of your personal taste profile
• An introduction to common sake terminology and brewing styles
• Small food pairings designed to explore sake and food together
• The story of sake kasu, upcycling and food production
• Around 3 original sake cocktails
• Practical advice on how to choose and order sake in Japan
• Personal recommendations and Q&A with your host

The exact sake and food selections may change depending on season and availability. This allows us to introduce interesting bottles while maintaining the same overall learning experience.

What We Want You to Take Home

Our goal is not for you to leave saying:

“I tasted a lot of sake.”

We want you to leave saying:

“I know what I like.”

You should have a clearer idea of:

What kind of sake suits your taste.
How to describe that taste.
Which sake words may help you find similar styles.
How different types of food interact with sake.
How sake can be enjoyed beyond traditional drinking styles.

Most importantly, when you visit your next restaurant, izakaya or sake shop in Japan, you should feel more confident saying something like:

“I like aromatic and slightly sweet sake.”

or:

“I prefer dry, clean sake with good acidity.”

or:

“I like richer sake with strong umami and complexity.”

You don’t need to remember the bottle you drank today.

You’ll know how to find the next one.

About TOKYO SAKE BASE

TOKYO SAKE BASE is a sake curator and experience creator focused on creating new encounters and discoveries through sake.

We curate sake from breweries across Japan and combine it with food, people, culture and stories to create experiences that make sake more approachable, exciting and personal.

Our work has included sake experiences and events for international companies, global organizations and technology companies.

SAKE EXPLORER brings that experience to international visitors who want to understand Japanese sake beyond simply tasting a few famous bottles.

Who Is This Experience For?

You do not need any previous knowledge of sake.

SAKE EXPLORER is especially suitable for people who are curious about sake but find it difficult to understand the differences between bottles, want to discover their own preferences, enjoy food and drink experiences, or simply want a deeper and more interactive experience of Japanese culture.

Complete beginners are very welcome.

All you need is curiosity.

Practical Information

Duration: Approximately 2 hours

Language: English

Format: Small-group interactive tasting experience

Alcohol: This experience includes multiple sake tastings and sake cocktails. Please drink responsibly.

Food Allergies: Please tell us about any allergies or dietary restrictions when making your booking.

Age Requirement: Guests must be 20 years of age or older, in accordance with Japanese law.

Booking Confirmation

Adding this experience to your cart does NOT reserve your seat.

Your booking is confirmed only after payment has been successfully completed through Shopify Checkout.

Until payment is completed, your selected seat may still be booked by another guest.

Arrival & Late Policy

Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

To ensure a good experience for everyone, the session will begin no later than approximately 5 minutes after the scheduled start time.

If you arrive later, you are still welcome to join the experience in progress, but we will not be able to restart or extend the session.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations are accepted until 12:00 AM on the day before your scheduled experience.

After the cancellation deadline, the booking becomes 100% non-refundable, including in the case of a no-show.

Venue

SAKE EXPLORER sessions may be hosted at selected partner venues in Tokyo and the surrounding area.

Please check the venue information shown for your selected session and your booking confirmation for the exact meeting point.

Depending on the session, recommendations for nearby restaurants, sake bars, shops and other places to explore may also be available from your host.

Continue Exploring

If you discover a sake you love during the experience, please ask us about purchasing options.

Depending on the product and destination, we may be able to arrange delivery to your hotel in Japan or provide information about other available shipping options.

You are also welcome to ask us about sake breweries, regions, restaurants, bars and bottle shops to explore during the rest of your trip.

Find what you like.
Understand why you like it.
Explore what comes next.

SAKE EXPLORER — Discover Your Taste

by TOKYO SAKE BASE