This inviting liquor store stocks over 80 varieties of Japanese sake, including most of Fushimi’s locally-produced brews. But even more notable than its enormous selection is the counter at the back of the store, where customers can drink kikizake— tasting paddles of up to three types of sake. Just inform the store manager of your favorite styles, and he’ll come up with some recommendations for you. All sakes are available for purchase directly from the store. It’s a place where people come for the wonderful sake and conversation, and one popular with locals and foreign tourists alike.

Kikizake sake tasting sets (three types) from 650 yen
Open: 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (January 1st to 3rd: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.) daily
Closed: Tuesdays
Website: http://kyoto-wel.com/shop/S81128/ (Japanese only)

History buffs shouldn’t miss the Terada-ya Inn, a site of interest not far from Fushimi’s main street. Originally a lodging house for boat crews, this was where revolutionary hero Sakamoto Ryoma was nearly assassinated in 1866, as he stayed at the inn during his campaign against the Tokugawa shogun. There are several conflicting theories as to the authenticity of this building, since the original Teradaya Inn was supposedly burnt down in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in 1868. The current building is said to be a reconstruction, complete with bullet holes and swords nicks recreated in the wooden door frames to remind visitors of Ryoma’s brush with death.

Admission: Adults: 400 yen, Students (junior high/high school/university): 300 yen, elementary school students: 200 yen
Open: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily
Closed: Some Mondays, New Years holidays from January 1st to 3rd

This fascinating museum is run by one of Fushimi’s largest and oldest sake breweries, Gekkeikan, which was founded in 1673. Richly evocative of the town’s history, the museum is housed in a renovated sake storehouse dating from 1909. Discover the wells that provided the quality water for many a famous sake brew, and the array of tools and equipment used by brewers to extract every drop of flavour. Also available, and perfect for souvenirs, are special edition brews from among the countless varieties of Gekkeikan sake.

Admission: Adults: 400 yen, Junior/High school students: 100 yen, Children: free
Open: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
Closed: During the New Year period of December 28th to January 4th

With its network of transportation canals flowing from the mighty Uji River, Fushimi once thrived as a river port town and place of lodging on the doorstep of the ancient capital. From the Benten Bridge it’s possible to catch glimpses of this historic riverside ambience even today. Spring and autumn see the canals teem with boats, and the neighbourhood exudes the bustling atmosphere of a canal town.

*Please note: Jikkokubune and sanjikkokubune canal tour boats are inactive during the winter months.

It might surprise you to learn that Fushimi was also a port town—a river port, that is. During Kyoto’s thousand-year reign as imperial capital, goods and supplies that shipped from all over Japan arrived in the town by boat. One of these foods was dried kelp from Hokkaido, which for over a century has been processed by local merchant, Kitase Konbu. In 2017, the manager of the company opened a cafe and bar next to the store, named Okobu Kitase. The menu is based around home-style obanzai dishes made with kelp stock and paired with local sake. The mainly young clientele enjoy mini-concerts and other regular events.

*Okobu kelp stock chazuke set meal 1000 yen

Open: Weekdays: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. / Weekends: 12:00 noon - 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays
Facebook: @workshopKON (Japanese only)