Everything you want to know

Absolutely none. Our workshop is designed to be accessible and genuinely interesting for complete newcomers, while going deep enough to satisfy seasoned enthusiasts. If you can appreciate good wine or whisky — or even just enjoy a cold beer — you have everything you need. We start from first principles and build up.

We cap every session at 18 people. This is not just a marketing claim — it is a genuine commitment to the experience. Smaller groups mean you can ask questions freely, Emiko can engage with everyone individually, and the energy in the room stays intimate and unhurried. We have turned away waitlist requests rather than add a 19th seat.

The workshop involves multiple alcohol servings and is designed for adults aged 21 and above. We do not offer non-alcoholic alternatives within the tasting itself, though guests are welcome to observe. Please contact us if you have a specific accessibility request.

We respect and welcome this. Please contact us before booking — we can often accommodate a non-drinking observer seat at a reduced rate, and we are happy to talk through what the experience would look like for you.

All sessions are conducted in English. Some Japanese terms and brewery names will be introduced, always with explanation. If you would like a Japanese-language session, please contact us — we host occasional Japanese-language evenings and can notify you of upcoming dates.

Use the Contact page or the "Reserve a Seat" button anywhere on this site. We will reply within 24 hours with a booking link and invoice. Seats are confirmed upon receipt of payment — requests are not held. We recommend booking at least two weeks in advance, as sessions typically fill three to four weeks out.

Yes on both counts. Group bookings are warmly welcomed — contact us directly and we will ensure your party is seated together. Gift vouchers are available for any amount and can be used against any future session. We can email you a beautifully formatted digital voucher within 24 hours of payment.

Cancellations made more than 14 days before the session receive a full refund. Cancellations between 7–14 days receive a 50% refund or full credit toward a future session. Cancellations inside 7 days are non-refundable, but the seat may be transferred to another person. If we cancel a session for any reason, you receive a full refund or complimentary rebooking.

Yes, free of charge with more than 7 days notice, subject to availability. Inside 7 days, a transfer fee of $25 applies. Contact us directly and we will handle the move for you.

Sessions are held at The Kura Room, located in the Nopa Cultural District, San Francisco. Full address and arrival instructions are shared upon booking confirmation. We are a 5-minute walk from the NoPa Muni stop and have limited street parking nearby.

Yes. The venue is fully ground-level with no steps, and restrooms are accessible. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please mention them when booking and we will ensure the setup is arranged to suit.

We strongly recommend eating a moderate meal beforehand — not a full feast, but enough to line your stomach. The session includes food pairing bites, but these are small portions designed to complement sake, not to substitute for a meal. Arriving on an empty stomach will diminish your experience and accelerate the effects of alcohol.

Whatever you feel comfortable in. There is no dress code. Some guests dress casually; others dress for a special evening out — both are equally at home. The venue maintains a comfortable temperature year-round.

Yes — every ticket includes one bottle of sake selected for you at the end of the session (based on your palate preferences noted throughout the tasting). You may also purchase additional bottles from the evening's selection at cost price. We provide a paper bag.

Twelve distinct pours, each approximately 30ml. Across a four-hour session, this is a generous but considered amount — calibrated to allow meaningful tasting without overwhelming your palate or your evening. Total volume is roughly equivalent to a large glass of wine.

We source exclusively from independent Japanese breweries, most of which we have visited personally. Our selection spans eight prefectures and four brewing styles. We rotate the selection seasonally to reflect what each brewery produces at its best in that time of year.

Sake is made from rice, water, koji mold, and (in some styles) a small amount of distilled spirit. It is gluten-free. However, the food pairing bites may include wheat, soy, fish, and tree nuts. A full allergen list for each session's food element is shared upon booking confirmation. Please flag any dietary needs when reserving.