Hasegawa Eiga is the best sake tasting I’ve tried in Tokyo since I started working in the Japan travel industry in 2019. I loved the whole experience: the beautiful room, the food pairings, and especially the time with our host, Kyoko-san.

I joined through Wabunka, which offers private cultural experiences and stays in Japan, working directly with artisans, chefs, and other hosts. Everything is private for you and your group. I’ve worked with their team professionally, too, and have joined several of their experiences. I love how personal they feel, and this visit to Hasegawa Eiga in Roppongi is a good example of why I recommend them so often.

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Arriving at Hasegawa Eiga

I liked the place before we’d even reached the tasting room. From outside, we could see white curved walls, with no obvious sign telling us what was inside. The entrance led into a short, curved corridor, so the lobby only came into view as we turned the corner. It was an unusual way to enter a shop, and made arriving feel quite special.

The lobby was small and beautifully designed. A thin stream of water ran down the wall behind the sake bottles, and I could hear it as soon as we walked in. Along another wall was a row of handmade ochoko (small sake cups). With the soft lighting and the ceramics on display, it reminded me of an art gallery. I loved how much care had gone into a space this small.

Kyoko-san was already there to welcome us with a smile. There was no check-in desk to find or group to wait for; she was expecting us, and we had her attention from the moment we arrived. I felt very well looked after, even before we’d tried any sake.

After showing us the bottles and cups, she led us into the tasting room. It had tatami (woven floor mats), seasonal flowers, and the same soft lighting as the lobby. I found it warm and welcoming, and having this little room to ourselves made the tasting feel very personal.

Tasting the Sake with Kyoko-san

Our cups and food were already laid out when we sat down. We were going to try five varieties of Hasegawa Eiga sake, which comes from Yaegaki in Himeji, a city in western Japan. Each had food chosen to go with it, prepared by the chef at Ginza Wakyo, a Japanese restaurant in Ginza.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much food there was. We had about 10 different bites in total, which felt generous for a sake tasting. It wasn’t a full meal, but there was plenty to taste alongside the drinks. The menu changes with the seasons, so you may have different dishes from the ones in my photos.

As we tasted each sake, Kyoko-san talked us through how it was brewed and why it went with the food we were eating. Her English really impressed me. She could explain the brewing in detail, using precise vocabulary, and still make it easy for someone like me to follow.

I loved listening to her. She clearly enjoyed talking about sake, and that enthusiasm made learning about it enjoyable, too. There was a lot of information, but the conversation stayed relaxed. I never felt as though I was sitting through a lecture or listening to a rehearsed presentation.

And the sake was fantastic. I enjoyed all five varieties, and trying them with the food while Kyoko-san explained the pairings was a lovely way to spend the hour.

Finishing the Tasting

By the end, I was relaxed, a little tipsy, and very happy with the experience. We could buy bottles of the sake we’d tried, but there was no pressure to purchase anything. If you enjoy one in particular, taking a bottle home would be a nice reminder of the visit.

Kyoko-san left as much of an impression on me as the sake. We’d only spent about 1 hour together, yet saying goodbye felt almost like leaving a friend.

Is Hasegawa Eiga Worth It?

I strongly recommend it, especially for couples or a small group of friends who’d enjoy a private tasting. I felt like a VIP for the hour we were there, and I think it would be a lovely experience to share with a partner or friends who enjoy food and sake.

It’s an expensive experience, so it suits a trip where you’re happy to spend more on the food, the setting, and the time with the host. But a serious knowledge of sake certainly isn’t required. I was just curious, and Kyoko-san made it a wonderful introduction.

I’ve had similarly lovely experiences through Wabunka, including making my own chopsticks at Mogami Kogei. In my opinion, they’re the best company for this kind of private cultural experience, and I always recommend trying at least one during a visit to Japan if the budget allows. If sake isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other cultural experiences in Japan to choose from.

Booking Your Tasting

You can check dates and prices on Wabunka. If you have a particular day in mind, I suggest checking early. The tasting takes around 1 hour, and the venue is about a 5-minute walk from Roppongi Station.

A few things to keep in mind when booking:

• Group size: Wabunka lists up to six guests, while the venue’s own information lists four. For five or six people, confirm with Wabunka before paying.
• Age: Participants must be 20 or older.
• Food and seating: Mention any allergies when booking, and plan a separate lunch or dinner. Low chairs were available during my visit, so ask about those if sitting on the floor is uncomfortable for you.
• Confirmation and cancellation: Check whether your chosen date can be confirmed immediately or needs the host’s approval, and read the cancellation terms before paying.