Drinking sake in a private room might sound a bit intimidating, even unapproachable. However, any apprehension I had melted away within minutes of taking my seat. The high ceilings and gentle natural light created a wonderfully warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the woman behind the counter offered a cheerful greeting. There was no hint of exclusivity or pretension—just a relaxed and friendly vibe that immediately put me at ease.
Getting to Know the Basics Before the First Sip
Karasuma Oike is one of Kyoto’s major downtown hubs, always buzzing with travelers from around the world. Just a short stroll from the crowds, down a quiet side street, you’ll find My Sake World Oike Bettei, a charming spot set inside a renovated traditional townhouse.
At first glance, the name might make you think it’s an upscale sake bar offering a carefully curated selection. But in reality, it’s better described as a hands-on experience built around a creative and original concept.
Here, the main attraction is blending your own sake. While blending is common with wine and whisky, it is still a novelty in the sake world. And this is not just about tasting a blend that someone else made.
What makes this place special is that you get to craft your own original sake, a one-of-a-kind blend made entirely by you.
The guest seating area at My Sake World Oike Bettei
Here’s how the experience unfolds. It begins with a staff-led introduction to the world of sake, starting with the ingredients and brewing process, then moving into categories like ginjo and junmai. Illustrated guides help make everything easy to understand. Along the way, you’re reminded of sake’s significance as a meaningful part of Japanese culture, deeply connected to its traditions and way of life.
A knowledgeable staff member explains the basics of sake
Tasting and Comparing 12 Types of Sake
Once the introduction is over, the tasting begins. You sample 12 different types of sake, each served in a small clear cup, while the staff guides you through the unique characteristics of each one.
You work your way through a tasting of 12 distinct sakes.
As you sample each sake, you write down a few quick impressions on a tasting sheet. Each one has its own unique character, but putting those flavors into words can be trickier than expected. The reference sheet includes descriptions like ‘ripe banana’ or ‘subtle fig aroma,’ which might influence your thoughts. Still, the goal is to trust your own senses and note whatever comes to mind.
Jot down quick impressions as you taste each sake.
Enjoying the Blend Like a Playful Experiment
After tasting all 12 sakes, it’s finally time to blend. You select your favorite four and mix them together to make a total of 40ml. You can try this up to two times. The tools you use will probably bring back memories of a school science lab.
First, you carefully measure each sake using a slim cylinder and pour them into a conical flask. After adding all four, gently swirl the flask about 20 times. The whole process is actually pretty enjoyable. Once blended, just pour it into a glass and take your time tasting it.
I settled on a blend of 15ml of Ishizuchi Junmai Daiginjo Sakurahime, 15ml of Denyuu Tokubetsu Junmai, 5ml of Hōfuku Zettō Junmaishu, and 5ml of 2013 Vintage Junmaishu. I based the mix on two straightforward, clean-flavored sakes and added a small amount of more distinctive, bold flavors. The result was a unique blend guided purely by my own taste.
Entertaining Even Beyond Just Drinking
I sampled the freshly made blend, my very own creation. It had a bright, floral note with a complex, well-aged finish that lingered on my palate. Not bad at all, if I say so myself. There’s no single perfect blend and no way to really mess it up. What matters most is whether you enjoy the taste.
The blend you create is bottled in a 200ml bottle and shipped to your home about a month later. You can reorder anytime and even get a 720ml bottle with a custom label. It’s great not just for yourself but also as a thoughtful gift for friends. Plus, you receive a Certified Sake Blender certificate and an Original Recipe NFT, making the whole experience even more fun. The certificate includes a unique code that lets you reorder your blend anytime through a special website.
https://assemblageclub.myshopify.com/products/my-sake-original-bottle-200ml
According to Junpei Mukouyama of Leaf Publications, the company behind My Sake World, the focus on blended sake began during the COVID-19 pandemic. With sake sales declining due to people staying home, local Kyoto breweries Masuda Tokubee Shoten, Kitagawa Honke, and Matsui Shuzo teamed up to create a blended sake called Assemblage Club as a fresh approach. This sake received international awards and was well-received, inspiring the idea to develop something new around blended sake. This led to the launch of My Sake World. In less than six months since opening, the venue has welcomed over 800 visitors despite limiting groups to four people per session, and customer satisfaction has been very high.
More than just a place to drink, this facility offers an extra layer of fun and is well worth a visit.
My Sake World Oike Bettei
Address: 123 Fukunaga-cho, Higashiiru, Tominokoji-dori, Anekoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 604-8084
Hours: 11:00–12:30, 13:30–15:00, 16:00–17:30, and 18:30–20:00 (weekends,holidays)
Closed: Irregular holidays
Website: https://sakeworld.jp/special/2411-kyoto-mysakeworld-oike
Instagram: @mysakeworld
