Kyoto 京都: Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum || Fushimi

The historic Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, where we immersed ourselves in the heritage and cultural significance of traditional sake brewing located just a 10-mins walk from both Kintetsu Momoyama-Goryomae and Keihan Fushimi-Momoyama stations. It is surrounded by vibrant shopping districts and traditional breweries. 

Admission for self-guided tour is on a reservation-priority basis so booking ahead on their official website is highly recommended to secure your spot. However, there is also possibility to join on the same-day slots depends entirely on the daily capacity. 

We were lucky enough to secure our spots for the last session of the day at the reception counter. For just 600yen, entry to the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum comes with a souvenir ochoko cup and 3 tokens where the tokens can be use later at the automated sake dispensers to try out 3 different tastings!

The self-guided tour started with a 15mins Gekkeikan's sake brewing introductory video with English subtitles, showcased the blending of traditional brewing methods and modern techniques. This short film provides essential context before stepping into the exhibition spaces. 

The museum features 2 main exhibition rooms, each showcasing a unique side of sake culture which are the South exhibit room - mainly about the history & heritage of Gekkeikan's journey from a small local shop founded in 1637 by Jiemon Okura (originally named Kasagiya) to a global industry leader. Also, learn about the Meiji-era innovations introduced by 11th generation head Tsunekichi Okura, who established Japan's first sake research laboratory and pioneered early bottling techniques which makes Gekkeikan into a modern, large scale producer. The room is filled with tangible history, including antique roof tiles and a vintage fire pump bearing the brewery's earliest logos. 

Then comes the North exhibit room which showcases the traditional tools and techniques used in sake making like the massive rice steamers, sake presses and cedar fermentation tanks. The video displays showcase the real footage of the brewing process - from rice washing to koji preparation while the other screens near the moromi tanks explain about the fermentation process.

Stepping outside into a charming courtyard to see the historic cedar fermentation tanks up close and view the iconic tall chimney of the Gekkeikan's Uchigura Sake Brewery, where sake is still actively brewed during the winter. 

At the entrance to Uchigura, there's a large cedar ball (sugidama). If visit in November, a fresh and vibrant green cedar ball is hang - a traditional signal that a new batch of sake has just been brewed. Before heading back inside to the sake tasting bar, remember to stop by the courtyard's well to taste the Fushimi's gentle groundwater that drawn from 50m underground. It is the well water that used for the Gekkeikan's sake production as well.

The highlight of the self-guided tour, of course, was sampling their first-hand craftmanship sake selection by the end of the tour at the sake tasting area. It features casual standing tables and 3 automated dispensers offering 10 distinct sake selections. 

A detailed information sheet detailing each sake's aroma, style and flavour profile is provided to help to choose the perfect pour according to your preference.  

The admission price comes with 3 tokens that allows for 3 different tastings, however, additional samples can be purchased for just 100yen per coin.

Before leaving the shop, remember to browse the museum's souvenir shop near the exit. It features a wide selection of Gekkeikan sake, premium sake ware and unique souvenirs. Keep an eye out for rare, brewery-exclusive bottles and limited seasonal releases that won't find anywhere else. Finally, stop by the registration counter to stamp the travel notebook with the original Gekkeikan's stamp - a truly little memorable mark as a souvenir for the journey. 

It takes about 60mins to explore around the museum including the video presentation, exhibition rooms and sake tasting. Definitely a place not to miss out in the itinerary, please make some time to visit here. My perception of the brand was completely shifted after the tasting. The complex, palate-wowing flavours they offer here are far more superior than the standard Gekkeikan range we have back home in Malaysia. 

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

247 Minamihamacho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 612-8660, Japan