Museum in the historic Gekkeikan brewery in the sake district of Fushimi; admission ~300 ¥ with tasting included.
The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a must-visit if you want to understand the deep relationship between Kyoto, water and sake. It is in the Fushimi district, the most important sake district in Japan, where more than 30 breweries make use of the groundwater coming from Lake Biwa to make this rice liquor. The Gekkeikan brewery was founded in 1637 and the museum operates in its historic 1909 premises. Inside, tools, barrels and documents are displayed that recount four centuries of artisanal sake-making. Admission costs between 300 and 400 ¥ and includes a tasting of several varieties. The museum opens every day from 9:30 to 16:30. To get there, take the Kintetsu train or the bus to Momoyama-Goryo-mae, or take advantage of a visit to the nearby Fushimi Inari shrine and walk over. Allow between 1 and 1,5 hours. On the way out, stroll along the canals of Fushimi with their boats and sake warehouses: the atmosphere is very photogenic.
