Kyoto 京都: Fushimi Sakagura Kouji / Fushimi Sake Village

Fushimi in Kyoto is a famous sake district. This town has been known for its thriving sake brewing since long time, and until today, many sake breweries still line the area. Kyoto's Fushimi sake district is an absolute must-visit for sake lover. It is known as one of Japan's premier sake-brewing regions. Fushimi is blessed with abundant of pristine, soft underground spring water that flows beneath it, until it is written as Fushimizu (伏水). Stepping into the district feels like stepping back in time. The quiet, uncrowded streets are lined with traditional white-walled Kura breweries, each marked by the iconic sugidama (cedar balls) hanging above the entryways. It's a wonderfully peaceful place to explore around. Beyond the serene atmosphere, many breweries open their doors for museum tours, tastings and the chance to buy exclusive, limited edition bottles that cannot be find anywhere else.

Here in Fushimi sake district, a place called the Fushimi Sakagura Kouji - is the best spot for one to compare and enjoy a variety of Fushimi sake when one has limited time to explore around the Fushimi sake district area. 

The Fushimi Sakagura Kouji also known as the Fushimi Sake Village, a place to enjoy more than 150 varieties of sake from 18 local breweries alongside 9 different kinds of local food from sushi, sake lees ramen, yakitori, kushikatsu, oden, okonomiyaki, seafood and chinese cuisine in a relaxed convenient way, all in one place without moving between venues. 

Each chef of the 9 restaurants in the Fushimi Sakagura Kouji will provides a special dish every month so that seasonal and unique dishes can be enjoy. Do note that also, they have this "Kuramoto Day" - for 3 days of each month, they will choose 1 brewery from the 18 breweries and provide the brewery's special sake at a special price. 

This place is quite full even during the weekdays so it is highly recommend to make reservation before coming, especially when you have a large groups. We have quite a big gang about 10 of us, therefore, they cannot accommodate us when we walk-in directly even during the non-peak hours at 1620pm, so then we made a reservation on the spot for the 1800pm session. 

 Fushimi Sakagura Kouji is definitely a great place to fully enjoy the Japanese sake that Fushimi is proud of in a lively dining experience with local dishes. No matter where you sit, dishes from any of the 9 shops can be order and send to your table too. 

Oden 7 types おでん7種盛り (980yen)

Miso-simmered beef tendons 牛すじどて煮 (600yen)

Fried Pork Gyoza 豚焼き餃子 [5個] (550yen)

Uchida Tsukemono's Assorted 3 varieties of Pickles 打田漬物の三種盛り (820yen)

Onion tempura fish cakes 玉ねぎ天 (550yen)

Grilled Eggplant with Salt Ponzu Sauce 焼き茄子の塩ぽんず掛け (800yen)

Kyoto-style dashi rolled omelette 京風だし巻き (580yen)

Fried Tofu 豆撰のお揚げ (880yen)

Flame-seared cured mackerel 炙り〆サバ (890yen)

Osaka Oyster Omelette 大阪で人気の牡蠣オムレツ (750yen)

A local specialty sake lees ramen that can only enjoy here in Fushimi. There are sake lees from 8 breweries to choose from. We chose the Housyuku 豊祝 sake lees from 豊澤本店 (1200yen). The soup based has a very bold sake flavour. Quite unique. 

One of their highlight is the tasting set featuring 18 different breweries kinds of sake (2430yen) - perfect for one who want to experience a wide range of flavours. 

Another great option is the three-sake tasting set.  The types of sake flight set can be choose by brewery or flavour profile such as dry, fruity or even wine-like. 

They also offer some premium sake tasting set options like the "Yuki no yoi" sake set which includes Shinsei Kagami Junmai Daiginjo from Yamamoto Honke sake brewery, Diamond Daiginjo from Kizakura sake brewery and Ikkaku Premium Junmai Daiginjo from Miyakozuru sake brewery.

We ordered the Autumn sake set (1760yen) that includes the Junmai Ginjo Aki Agari from Matsuyama Shuzo, Konteki Hiyaoroshi Tokubetsu Junmai (limited seasonal autumn sake) from Higashiyama Shuzo and Junmai Ginjo Genshu 55 Gohyakumangoku (autumn limited edition) from Joyo Shuzo. 

These series is very special and unique in which the pure rice in the premium sake that has matured over the summer and reaches its peak flavour in the autumn. Love the elegant sense of aging but not too heavy. It features calm, gentle aroma and rich full-bodies umami taste from the rice.  

They have draft and bottled beers too if you are not a fan of sake. We ordered the Kyoto Bakushu Alt by Kizakura Sake Brewing Company 京都麦酒 アルト (770yen) and also some Suntory draft beers 生ビル (980yen for big size, 630yen for medium size). 

ごちそうさまでした. Thank you for the foods! This place feels like a true treasure trove for sake lovers. It helps to appreciate the flavours more deeply and also to choose what to order. Fushimi Sakagura Kouji is special, not just the variety of sake but the overall experience. There is always something for everyone in the Fushimi Sakagura Kouji.

Fushimi Sakagura Kouji / Fushimi Sake Village

82-2 Hiranocho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8057 Japan