Nara Izumi Yusai

A Sake Lover’s Gateway

to Nara’s Brewing Heritage

Located just a short walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, Nara Izumi Yusai is a hidden gem for sake enthusiasts seeking an authentic taste of Nara’s rich brewing tradition. This specialty shop and standing sake bar offers over 120 varieties of local sake, all carefully selected from 27 breweries across Nara Prefecture.

What makes Nara Izumi Yusai truly special is its educational and interactive tasting experience. For a small fee, visitors can sample a wide range of sake—from fruity and floral to dry and robust—while learning about sake grades, brewing methods, and regional characteristics. The knowledgeable staff, including the sake-savvy owner, are happy to guide you to your perfect match and share insights into the history and culture behind each bottle.

The shop also sells limited-edition brews, Nara-themed sake gifts, and even local delicacies like Nara-zuke pickles and amazake, making it a great stop for both tasting and souvenir shopping. With its relaxed atmosphere and friendly vibe, it’s a place where locals and travelers mingle, making new friends over a shared appreciation for Japan’s national drink.

Whether you're a seasoned sake connoisseur or a curious beginner, Nara Izumi Yusai offers a flavorful and memorable dive into Nara’s sake culture.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Nara Izumi Yusai to life.

Traditional Japanese storefront with wooden accents, signs, bottles, and decorative elements.
The exterior of a Japanese restaurant with wooden accents, a hanging round decoration, and a display window showing sculptures and signs.
A shelf of various bottles of sake, each with different labels and prices, displayed in a store.
A man wearing a face mask, black traditional clothing, and sandals, shopping for beverages in a Japanese sake shop, browsing bottles on shelves and in refrigerator units.
Interior of a small Japanese restaurant with three customers seated at a counter, menus on the wall, and traditional decorations.
Wooden sign with Japanese writing outside a building, indicating a liquor shop, with a glass door and a red poster advertising soup along with a sign saying open.