Kyoto: Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) Craft & Pickles Experience

Kyoto, Japan
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Duration2h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesJapanese, English
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s preservation culture through a private experience beyond a simple “Japanese plum wine workshop.” While umeshu is often translated as Japanese plum wine, the Japanese ume fruit differs from Western plums—more aromatic, tart, and rooted in seasonal traditions.

In collaboration with CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo, you will craft your own umeshu (or non-alcoholic ume syrup), tasting different ume varieties, sugars, and base liqueurs to create a personalized blend. Unlike wine, umeshu is steeped and matured—an expression of patience central to Japanese food culture.

What sets this tour apart is the pairing experience at Nishiki Market, “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” You will explore traditional pickling techniques—salted and lactic-fermented vegetables—and select flavors that best complement your handcrafted umeshu once it matures at home.

More than a tasting, this experience offers insight into ume, Kyoto’s pickling heritage, and the art of preserving seasonality.

What's included

  • Pickle tastings at selected specialty shops (approx. ¥1,000 value)
  • All materials for the umeshu/syrup workshop
  • Interpretation and cultural insights throughout the tour
  • One handcrafted bottle to take home
  • Private guided cultural experience
  • Umeshu (Japanese plum wine) or non-alcoholic ume syrup crafting workshop at CHOYA UME STUDIO
  • Additional food or purchases beyond the included tastings
  • Personal shopping expenses at Nishiki Market
  • Transportation to the meeting point

What to expect

  1. 1h · Admission ticket included
    Located in central Kyoto, CHOYA UME STUDIO Kyoto Sanjo is an experiential space dedicated to Japan’s ume culture. Operated by CHOYA, one of Japan’s most respected umeshu producers, the studio offers a rare opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of ume beyond its common translation as “Japanese plum wine.”

    Here, guests can taste different varieties of ume, sugars, and base liqueurs before crafting a personalized bottle of umeshu or non-alcoholic ume syrup. Unlike wine, umeshu is created by steeping ume in alcohol and allowing it to mature over time. This hands-on experience introduces not only the technical process, but also the cultural significance of ume as a seasonal fruit long valued in Japanese households for preservation and wellness traditions.

    The studio blends contemporary design with traditional ingredients, making it an ideal starting point for understanding how ume continues to shape Japan’s food culture today.
  2. 1h 30m · Admission ticket included
    Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” Nishiki Market has supported the city’s culinary life for over 400 years. This narrow arcade of specialty food vendors remains a vibrant center of Kyoto’s ingredient culture.

    In this experience, Nishiki Market is more than a sightseeing stop—it is where Kyoto’s preservation traditions come alive. The city is renowned for its pickling techniques, which enhance seasonal vegetables through salting, gentle sweetness, and natural fermentation, allowing flavors to deepen over time.

    Within selected long-established pickle shops, guests can sample delicate senmaizuke (thinly sliced turnip in mild sweet vinegar), refreshing shibazuke flavored with red shiso, and traditional lactic-fermented varieties such as suguki. Tasting these distinct styles allows guests to thoughtfully choose which flavors will best complement their handcrafted umeshu once it matures at home.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Please meet your guide in front of FamilyMart Sanjo Teramachi.
Your guide will be waiting with a yellow sign displaying our company name.
Kindly arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time.
Please refer to the map provided for exact directions.

End point

The tour concludes in front of Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, located at the eastern end of Nishiki Market.
Your guide will provide directions to nearby stations and assist with onward travel if needed.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
30,500.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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