Nara Izumi Yusai Sake Bar

hidden gem

Nara Izumi Yūsai

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 easy
 7/10
best: afternoon
social

A local would say...

Nara is considered the birthplace of sake, and this tiny bar offers 120 local varieties starting at just 200 yen per taste.

This small standing bar in Naramachi is a love letter to Nara's claim as the birthplace of sake. With 120 varieties from 29 local makers available for tasting, it's an education in one of Japan's most nuanced drinks. Pours start at just 200 yen, and a helpful English explanation sheet guides you through the differences between styles. The owner's enthusiasm is infectious, and by the end of a few tastings you'll understand why sake in Nara tastes like nowhere else. It's the perfect late-afternoon stop before the train back to Kyoto.

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