Fushimi Sake District

The Fushimi Sake District (伏見), located in southern Kyoto along the scenic Horikawa and Uji Rivers, is one of Japan’s most famous and historic sake brewing areas. Thanks to its pure, soft water sourced from underground springs — known as Fushimizu — the district has been ideal for sake production for centuries. Today, Fushimi is home to nearly 40 sake breweries, ranging from small family-run establishments to internationally recognized names like Gekkeikan, founded in 1637 and still one of Japan’s oldest and most prominent sake producers. Alongside Kobe’s Nada District, Fushimi has long been a major center of sake production in Japan. Visitors can tour open breweries such as the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, participate in tastings of limited-edition and seasonal brews, and stroll through streets lined with preserved machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) and white-walled storehouses, offering a charming glimpse into Kyoto’s brewing heritage.

Fushimi’s prosperity began during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (late 16th century), when its location along key trade and transportation routes contributed to its growth as a brewing and commercial center. The area's historical significance extends beyond sake: during the turbulent Bakumatsu period, Fushimi played a role in the events leading to the Meiji Restoration. One of the district’s most famous sites is the Teradaya Inn, where revolutionary leader Sakamoto Ryoma narrowly escaped assassination in 1866. The inn, preserved as a historical site, allows visitors to step back in time and experience a piece of Japan’s political and cultural history. With its rich brewing tradition, scenic canals, and historical landmarks, the Fushimi Sake District offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors to Kyoto.