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Kyoto 京都 — Temples & Tea
Morning in Quiet Higashiyama
Temple lanes before the crowds arrive, and a slow cup of matcha where locals go.
- 3.5 hours
- Up to 6
- Starts 7:30 AM
From ¥28,000 /group
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Kobe 神戸 — Sake & Harbor Sample tour
Kobe, Sea and Sake
Old sake breweries, a harbor city between mountains and sea, and evening light on the water.
Duration
4 hours
Starts
1:00 PM
Group
Private · up to 6
Language
English
Walking
About 5 km (3 mi) + a short train ride
Difficulty
Easy–moderateMostly flat city walking
Meet at
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Food & drink
Sake tasting & Chinatown snacks
The experience
Kobe sits between mountains and sea, and both shape the city. Spring water from Mount Rokko made the Nada district Japan’s sake capital; the harbor made Kobe one of the first ports to open to the world in 1868.
We begin among the breweries of Nada, where you’ll learn how sake is made and taste the difference between dry and sweet styles. A short train ride takes us to Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown, for pork buns, and then through the stone buildings of the Former Foreign Settlement.
We end at the harbor as the light turns gold — a good moment to talk about where to eat Kobe beef that night.
- Sake tasting in the historic Nada brewing district
- How to read a sake label and order with confidence
- Chinatown snacks and Kobe’s port-town history
- The harbor at golden hour
Itinerary
Times are approximate. Because the tour is private, your guide adjusts the pace and stops to suit you.
1:00
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Meet at the entrance. How Nada became Japan’s sake capital.
1:45
Brewery tasting
Compare dry and sweet sakes and learn to read a label.
2:40
Train to Motomachi
A 15-minute local train ride along the coast.
3:00
Nankinmachi (Chinatown)
Pork buns and stories of Kobe’s port.
3:40
Former Foreign Settlement
Stone buildings from the city’s opening to the world.
4:30
Meriken Park
The harbor, Port Tower and the sea at golden hour.
5:00
Tour ends
At Meriken Park, a short walk from Motomachi Station.
Price & what’s included
Included
- Private English-speaking guide
- Sake tasting at the breweries
- Chinatown snack
- Local train fare during the tour
Not included
- Transport to the meeting point
- Dinner
- Hotel pickup (available on request)
Possible extra costs
- Bottles of sake to take home: from ¥1,500
Meeting & ending point
- Meeting point
- Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, main entrance (Higashinada, Kobe)
- Nearest station
- Hanshin Sumiyoshi Station — 5 min walk
- How to find your guide
- Your guide waits at the museum entrance with a small card showing your name.
- Tour ends
- Meriken Park, Kobe
- Hotel pickup
- Available on request for an extra fee. Ask in your booking request.
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kobe
Good to know
What to wear & bring
Comfortable walking shoes. A light jacket for the harbor breeze.
Children & strollers
Kids are welcome — they get tea or amazake while adults taste sake. Strollers are fine.
Wheelchair access
Mostly flat and step-free, with elevators at stations. Contact us about specific needs.
Food allergies & diets
Tell us about allergies when you book. Chinatown snacks can be swapped.
Weather
Runs in light rain with more indoor time at the breweries. For storm warnings we reschedule or refund in full.
Photos & manners
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20. Tastings are small, and you can always skip.
Peace of mind
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 3 days before your tour for a full refund. Cancellation policy
Bad weather
If a storm or heavy rain warning is issued, choose a new date or a full refund.
Always reachable
Two days before, you get your guide’s phone and WhatsApp number. Before that, email us any time.
Clear next steps
Request → reply within 24 hours → pay online to confirm → pre-tour details. How booking works
What travelers say
★★★★★
“The sake tasting was the highlight of our Kobe day. We finally understand what we like and how to order it.”
Kobe, Sea and Sake · June 2026 Sample
Questions about this tour
How much sake will we drink?
Small tasting cups — enough to compare styles, not to get drunk. You can skip any time.
Can you recommend a Kobe beef dinner afterwards?
Yes. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a few places near the harbor, and help with reservations if needed.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run in light rain, often with small route changes. If there is a storm or heavy rain warning, we’ll offer to reschedule or give a full refund.
How do we pay?
After we confirm availability, we send a secure online payment link. Card payments are accepted.
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