Exploring Arashiyama’s Best Liquor Shops & Drinking Spots

If you're a fan of Japanese sake, craft beer, or simply enjoying a drink while sightseeing, Arashiyama is a destination you shouldn't miss. While the area is best known for the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Grove, it also offers hidden gems where visitors can sample local sake, compare different brews, and relax with a drink by the river.

Whether you're looking to experience Kyoto's rich sake culture or simply enjoy a refreshing drink during your trip, Arashiyama has plenty to offer.

Matsuo Taisha – Kyoto's Shrine of the God of Sake

One of the most important places for sake lovers in Arashiyama is Matsuo Taisha, one of Kyoto's oldest shrines with a history spanning more than 1,300 years. The shrine is dedicated to the deity of sake brewing and is deeply respected by breweries and liquor merchants throughout Japan.

Inside the shrine grounds, visitors will find towering walls of beautifully stacked sake barrels donated from breweries across the country. These colorful barrels create one of the shrine's most popular photo spots and symbolize Japan's long-standing brewing tradition.

Just outside the main shrine grounds is the Sake Museum, where you can explore the history of Japanese sake and see traditional brewing equipment once used by craftsmen. Videos introducing Matsuo Taisha's festivals and Shinto rituals are also shown, making it an excellent stop for anyone interested in learning more about Japan's sake culture.

For a unique experience, visitors can also try the shrine's "Lucky Barrel Fortune." After making a ¥500 offering at the shrine office, you'll receive three arrows to shoot at a barrel-shaped target—an entertaining fortune-telling activity found almost nowhere else in Japan.

Conveniently, the shrine is located just a short walk from Hankyu Matsuo Taisha Station.

Kyo no Sake Café Tomiya – Sake Tasting in the Heart of Arashiyama

Located inside Hannari Hokkori Square at Randen Arashiyama Station, Kyo no Sake Café Tomiya is operated by Tomiya Shoten, a long-established Kyoto liquor store specializing in local sake.

The café offers an impressive selection of Kyoto sake alongside draft beer, whisky, gin, and other alcoholic beverages, making it a paradise for drink enthusiasts.

Its signature experience is the "12 Sake Tasting Set," where guests can compare twelve carefully selected varieties of Japanese sake while appreciating their unique aromas and flavors. It's one of the best ways to discover Kyoto's local breweries during your visit.

For those who don't drink alcohol, the café also serves delicious sake lees ice cream made with Shotoku sake lees, as well as amazake lattes available in matcha, roasted green tea, or black sesame flavors. These options make the café enjoyable for families and non-drinkers as well.

Kotogase Chaya – Riverside Drinks with a Boat Ride

Established in 1919, Kotogase Chaya has welcomed visitors for over a century.

What makes this traditional teahouse especially memorable is its location across the Katsura River. While it can be reached by land, many visitors choose to cross the river aboard a charming yellow boat, creating a unique experience before they even arrive.

With the river flowing just a few meters away, enjoying a drink here while overlooking the peaceful scenery is truly unforgettable.

The teahouse is particularly famous for its freshwater fish dishes. Their amago trout tempura offers a delicate balance of slight bitterness and perfectly seasoned salt, while grilled wild ayu sweetfish becomes available during summer, making it a must-try for seafood lovers.

If you're searching for a quieter drinking experience away from Arashiyama's busiest tourist streets, Kotogase Chaya is well worth the visit.

Gyatei – Craft Beer & Street Food

Just steps from Randen Arashiyama Station, Gyatei is well known for its handmade Kyoto-style obanzai dishes.

Its takeaway counter is perfect for visitors exploring Arashiyama on foot, offering a variety of drinks including the shop's original craft beer, homemade shiso beverages, and Kyoto-blend iced coffee.

The most popular snack is Namafu Dengaku, grilled wheat gluten topped with miso. Available in sesame, mugwort, and millet varieties, it's an excellent pairing with beer and one of the area's favorite street foods.

Discover Arashiyama's Deep Connection to Japanese Sake

Arashiyama has long shared a close relationship with Japan's sake culture, largely thanks to Matsuo Taisha, the country's most famous shrine dedicated to the god of sake.

The shrine enshrines Oyamakui-no-Kami, the deity of brewing, along with Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto, making it an important spiritual destination for sake producers throughout Japan.

Visiting Arashiyama therefore offers more than sightseeing—it provides an opportunity to experience Japanese sake culture firsthand.

A perfect itinerary for sake lovers might include learning about brewing history at the Sake Museum, enjoying a sake tasting at Kyo no Sake Café Tomiya, and finishing the afternoon with riverside drinks at Kotogase Chaya.

If you have extra time, consider taking a short train ride to Kyoto's Fushimi district, one of Japan's three great sake-producing regions alongside Nada and Saijo. Its numerous breweries provide another fascinating side of Kyoto's rich brewing heritage.

Best Street Foods to Enjoy with Your Drinks

Arashiyama also offers plenty of delicious snacks that pair perfectly with sake or beer.

Sagano Croquette, located just a short walk from Randen Arashiyama Station, serves award-winning croquettes and Japanese Black beef minced cutlets—ideal companions for a cold drink.

Nearby, Nakamuraya Delicatessen offers crispy beef croquettes and minced meat cutlets made with premium domestic Wagyu beef, making them perfect for eating while strolling through the area.

To finish your culinary adventure, stop by Sagatofu Sanchu near the Bamboo Grove for freshly handmade tofu. The combination of Japanese sake and delicate Kyoto tofu provides a light and satisfying end to your meal.

Choosing Local Sake & Craft Beer as Souvenirs

Before leaving Arashiyama, consider bringing home a bottle of Kyoto sake or locally brewed craft beer as a memorable souvenir.

Several shops near Matsuo Taisha and Arashiyama Station specialize in regional alcoholic beverages, making them ideal places to browse before ending your trip.

Popular choices include Junmai and Ginjo sake produced by breweries in Kyoto's Fushimi district. For something uniquely connected to Arashiyama, you may also choose a brand that has been ceremonially dedicated to Matsuo Taisha, adding a meaningful story to your purchase.

If sake isn't your preference, Kyoto's craft beer scene has grown significantly in recent years, offering everything from crisp lagers to aromatic ales. Many bottled varieties are easy to transport and make wonderful gifts for family and friends.

Final Thoughts

Arashiyama is famous for its cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Bamboo Grove, but it also offers an incredible experience for anyone interested in Japanese alcohol culture.

From the sacred traditions of Matsuo Taisha to local sake tastings, peaceful riverside drinking spots, and delicious craft beer paired with Kyoto street food, there's far more to discover than many visitors realize.

The next time you visit Arashiyama, take some time to experience the area's rich sake culture—it may become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.