Yoramu

First off, this is a bar more than a restaurant. If you are interested in really tasting and getting to know sake (similar to how one might try wine) then this is the place for you. The owner was a kind man, taking his time and putting thought into every recommendation — he really knew his stuff. We had a few small bites with our tasting, each was incredible and matched the theme — perfection. Be warned though, it is a slow process if it is busy and you might want to eat a bit before going or plan on doing so after leaving to avoid getting too tipsy. A must go for serious drink lovers!

Run by an Israeli guy. Prententious, pompous and wierd guy. Didn’t answer questions straight but had a wide variety /​collection of sake. Wont go back nor would I recommend it but you can always try it once. Was there with a bunch of friends from all over the world.

The bartender/​owner is an ex pat that speaks fluent English, Japanese and Hebrew. He is incredibly knowledgeable about sake and will take you on a sake journey that will open your eyes to the differences in sake types, flavors, and profiles. If you’re with others, he’ll let you share one trading so that you can all taste more sakes. He’s incredibly passionate about sake and it shows. What a wonderful spot.

Are you on your journey to explore Japan? Or do you live here and want to learn more about Sake? Then head over here and let the owner to take you on your path of sake tasting.
I got here with two friends with a very limited prior sake exposure. We got 4 flights of sake (3 tastes each flight) our tab was about 5,300¥
The best way to taste a lot of sake and learn about your tasting preferences.

A welcoming warm atmosphere from the moment you set foot in the door. You’re met with the light scent of incense and drawn in to the bar by the quiet background music, vintage rock. It all feels like you’re sitting with a good friend in an airy living room.
Yoram is an excellent host and very knowledgeable. Though he was balancing a crowd of 9, he was able to give us enough personal attention to teach us how to properly taste the sake to pull out flavors I had previously never even thought possible out of sake. He poured 4 flights of 3 for our small group of 3 to share and took us on a journey from young unpasteurized sake through pasteurized and aged sake in a full spectrum of flavors and mouth feels. For ¥5300 yen for three we got a ton of value.
When we asked Yoram why he started the bar he simply said «I wanted there to be a place like this, so I created it.» Well done Yoram.

We happened across this gem of a bar after a long day of sightseeing. After living in Japan for a year I thought I understood Sake. Turns out not so much. The owner was fantastic and guided my wife and I through a set of 3 different Sakes. The ambiance is great and the Sake even better. Come with an open mind and you will not be disappointed.

You want sake, they’ve got sake.
This is a place you MUST check out while in Japan. Not an option. It’s such a cool spot, tiny, and filled to the brim with different types of sake. The owners have run it forever and they are so knowledgeable and friendly. They’re happy to teach you and get you drunk, a win on every level I say.
It does feel a little bit like stepping back in tie when you come here.
Wether you love sake or know nothing about it, this is the place to check out while in Japan. Do not miss it.

Go for Yoramu’s expert recommendations and intimate comfortable setting — you only get to the small bar after walking past a little gravel zen garden via stepping stones. Yoram is a serene Israeli man approaching his 15^th anniversary of running this bar and is steeped in wisdom about sake: the drink, the industry, the culture. I learned a lot and truly enjoyed his recommendations: a flight of 3, then «just one more» for 4. 1: dry stonefruity, 2: burn-​y, buttery, berry pie, 3: herbal, shiny, cardamom-​y, ***4: aged 7 years, licorice and honey mushroom

Sake, sake, sake! I offically love sake. Unilocal led us down the magical rabbit hole to this wonderful gem of a sake bar. My husband and I knew diddly about this beverage and we were eager to gain appreciation for it while vacationing in Kyoto. If you want to learn about sake in an informal intimate setting (only 8 – 10 seats at the bar top) this is the spot. The owner is extremley passionate and well educated in sake. As an added bonus he speaks excellent English!
This is a cash only bar. The emphasis is on sake exploration. Limited food. The owner will ask you questions about what tastes you like and dislike (sweet, bitter, sour) and if you like complex or more mild flavors. Based on your answers he will guide you to a sake based on your preferences. For around 3000 yen my husband and I shared 4 full & 2 half glasses of sake. The owner explained to us that each glass is 5 sips meant to be savored slowly. Sake is to be kept in the front of your mouth towards the tip of your tounge. Take a small sip and allow it to linger in your mouth before you swallow it. Breaks need to be taken in between sips so you can taste the variences between the different sakes and with an ABV of 15 – 20 percent you want to take it easy in order not to fall off your bar stool. Plan on staying here a few hours if you plan to enjoy a flight or two.
Highlight of the evening was trying the same sake aged at different years 1 & 14 years. The 14 year aged sake was unlike anything I have ever tasted before and was completly different in flavors and color as its 1 year self. Truly incredible and an experiece I will never forget. I used to be very intimitdated by sake but after my time at Yoramu I’m excited to try more varieties. If you’re ever in Kyoto Yoramu is a must for anyone interested in sake as a novice or aficionado. Kanpai!

I’m really glad I stumbled upon this little place. The owner is a little awkward to talk to at first but if you ask, he’ll teach you how to properly taste sake. I’m glad I found someone who speaks English in Japan that could really teach me about sake!
I told him what my personal preferences are for flavors and he found a sake that was exactly what I was looking for. Loved the whole experience!

Excellent little place almost missed it. Yuran very knowledgeable and such an interesting background. Born in Israel but fell in love with Japan and had been here for 30 years. Fluent in japanese and English and Hebrew. Taught us so much about sake and cyclic patterns of sake and enlightened us with the world of sake. Appetizers available. Great experience

This tiny sake bar is a real gem. We learned how to taste sake, about its aging process and even experienced some non conventional food pairings. Share your sake flights if you can, you get to try more of the content of the numerous sake bottles arranged on the bar shelves. Be prepared to answer what you like, the owner who is indeed the bar tender will pull bottles with content that will amaze your pallet as per your preferences.
My highlights for that night: the 16 years old sake, with whiskey colour, porto like aromas, yet sake, paired with aged tofu was amazing. We did not believe the Hiroshima sake, aged by our host and paired with blue cheese could be so good. We also had sakes that tasted chocolate and marzipan.
The bar is a one man show, the owner does everything, he is the one behind the numerous sake bottles, purchased from different producers. You may need to wait a little bit between the sake flights, while he takes care of the remaining clients, but this is for good, don’t rush the pleasure. It was very sweet to observe him teaching the young local kids how to drink sake. We left happy, bowing at each other, although I now know how much I don’t know about sake.

As good as it gets as far as sake goes bar in Kyoto, or possibly in Japan for that matter. Even as someone who has studied sake and tried several hundred varieties, Yoramu never fails to produce something new and exciting. Of course, those new to sake will find that the owner is excellent at guiding them towards something they will enjoy. I always love the music in the background, and the simple food items do an excellent job of pairing with the sake (ask for a recommendation if you don’t know what works best and you can open up a whole side to sake.) The rotary phone is classic too.
That said, he does have a couple requests that i feel are necessary to pass on (and really only seem to be in place to ensure everyone gets the best sake experience possible):
–He doesn’t take reservations far in advance, but will save some seats for you if you call 15−30min in advance of your arrival. The place only seats about 10 people, so a quick call beforehand is recommended, if possible.
–The bar is tailored to those looking to explore the world of sake, so don’t waltz in with 3 other people who plan to have one sip of sake and then move onto beer for the rest of the evening.
Other than that, go in with an open mind and enjoy!

I’ll never forget my experience here. It’s not just a sake bar, it is an experience where you’ll informally learn how to properly drink sake from the owner. He earned his PhD in sake by «getting drunk too many times». And so here we are in a perfect small bar, sipping flights of sake. All were chosen for us based on tastes we like or dislike which I was so grateful for because I’m no sake expert. Our night was so cool largely in part of the owner. It felt special. This bar is a treasure.

This was just around the corner from where I was staying so we popped in one night on our way back to the hotel. It’s small and really cute, there were no other customers at the time but we had seen the place full other nights walking by. The guy behind the bar has run the place for fifty years and there are some pictures on the walls from over the years. Felt like stepping back in time with its cool atmosphere and furniture, seems like the place looks the exact same as when it opened all those years ago when he moved to Kyoto. If your in the area pop in and say hi… lots of whiskey to choose from

Nice owner, a very small, no-​fuss bar with shelves/​frige full of sake bottles, an old rotary telephone on the wooden counter, and simple cookware in the corner (I think he will make food for you if you order off the small food menu). Go with an open mind and ask Yoramu for a tasting, answer his questions, and drink whatever he puts in-​front of you. We had three flights of Sakes and learned more about them than I ever would have if I just wandered into a more typical Japanese bar.
This 2 hour visit was one of the highlights of our Japan trip.

Like most Americans, the entirely of my sake knowledge can essentially be summarized in one sentence: sake can be hot or cold, comes in cute cups and is served in Japanese restaurants.
The truth, of course, is that there is an entire world of flavors and complexity that is difficult to truly appreciate given our limited options to do so in the States. Sake Bar Yoramu is your gateway to this world.
Do not be intimidated by the variety of options you see on the shelf and on the menu. The bartender/​owner speakers perfect English and is used to dealing with sake rookies. Just tell him what kinds of things you like, perhaps using wine as a reference. Then, let him dazzle you with options. All the sakes are sold by the glass so it’s easy to experience an incredible variety. We started with two sets of three and added a couple more glasses at the end. Everything the owner recommended was wonderful.
The bar is quite small (only about 10 seats at the counter), but this lets you chat with the owner in between quiet conversation with your partner, most of which will be about how sad you will be to leave this perfect little place.