Where to Sit Down: The 5 Best Drinking Tours Around the World

1.Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 163 reviews · from $99Our pick

Spend about 50 minutes in a 300-year-old Kyoto samurai house, learning tea ceremony customs with high-grade organic Uji matcha. You can whisk your own tea, choose five sake samples or two Japanese whisky pours, and pose in a kimono or with a katana. The private setting is an eight-minute walk from Kyoto Station.

“this was a great experience! house has remained in the same family for 300 years. staff were friendly and helpful. We especially enjoyed the sake tasting after!”

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2.Tokyo Sushi Making Class : Sake Ceremony & Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $45Best value

In Asakusa, a friendly instructor guides you through kagami-biraki, nigiri, rolls, torched salmon mayo gunkan, and matcha whisking. Make 6 to 12 pieces, join the Yoisho and Wasshoi chants, and enjoy a cultural workshop suited to beginners. The activity lasts about 90 minutes and returns to its meeting point.

“What a brilliant experience! The instructor was so fun, welcoming and knowledgeable. Completely exceeded my expectations. It was an amazing, relaxing and special activity to do. Thank you for going above and beyond for me!”

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3.Kyoto Local Gourmet Night Experience: Kaiseki & Izakaya & Matcha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $70

Meet your local guide at Minamiza for a 3.5-hour evening of Kyoto food and culture. Visit three restaurants in Gion, Pontocho, and Kawaramachi for dinner, desserts, sake, tea, and nonalcoholic drinks. Groups are capped at seven, with guides such as Akari, Ayane, Lisa, and Sura leading recent departures.

“Had an amazing night with our fab guide Sura!!!! Knowledgeable relaxed and easy to talk and loved the fact we went to places close to all the busy locations but supporting smaller locals. Supporting locals and local tour guide is the best way to do this guided tour.”

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4.Making Japanese desserts Nerikiri & drinking matcha in Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $65

In a small group of up to eight, you’ll shape three seasonal nerikiri sweets by hand, learn their cultural background, and enjoy freshly prepared matcha. The 90-minute class includes ingredients, tools, and takeaway packets. It usually takes place in Shimokitazawa, though Toritsudaigaku Station may be used if the kitchen is unavailable.

“This was a super fun experience! I would highly recommend if you want to try something more cultural. You don't often get to learn new skills, and I this activity was really beginner friendly. Would recommend to do with friends and family. I wRead more”

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5.Shanghai Mahjong Experience in Local Tea Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $95

Meet Jenny and local Mahjong players at a tea bar on Shan Xi Nan Lu in Shanghai’s Former French Concession. Over three hours, you’ll learn the rules, practice with English translation, play on an automatic Mahjong table, and hear how this game fits Chinese social life. The class suits complete beginners and ends back at the meeting point.

“On a drizzling afternoon, I walked into a cozy tea house and had the BEST time learning how to play Shanghai mahjong with Jenny and her friends. She (patiently) first introduced me to the basics and provided a handout that I was able to usRead more”

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