Ume Liqueur Making in Kyoto Sanjo | Choose from 100 Combinations at CHOYA

Step into the white-walled CHOYA ume specialty store on Sanjo's townhouse street

The meeting point is Choya Umeshu Kyoto Sanjo, an ume specialty store in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. With its tiled roof, white walls, and rows of square lanterns, this walk-in shop naturally catches your eye as you stroll along Sanjo Street.

At the street-facing counter, you can order ume drinks made with syrup crafted from whole, ripened plums. Sipping one before or after your session helps you picture the flavors you're about to work with.

Beyond the glass doors lies a calm, white-toned space, with bottles neatly lined up on the wall shelves. From here, your hour-long journey with ume begins.

Take a seat at the white experience counter and start with an introduction to the ingredients

The experience takes place at a large white counter toward the back of the store. Wooden stools line a U-shaped table, with ume plums placed at the center and the Choya logo displayed on the wall ahead.

The first step is learning about the ingredients. On the shelves along the side walls, bottles display how ume syrup changes over the course of a week when made with plums and sugar. As you watch how the plums and syrup transform day by day, your guide walks you through the details of each ingredient.

How do plums from different regions and at different stages of ripeness change the aroma and finish? Having learned the differences here, you'll soon get to confirm them for yourself with a tasting.

A tasting of 5 types of ume and 5 types of sugar sharpens your sense of what you like

Next comes the tasting. You'll sample five varieties of ume and five types of sugar, with a dedicated ume concierge guiding you through the distinct aromas and sweetness of each.

Sweeteners like rock sugar, honey, and beet sugar dramatically change the color and sweetness of the finished drink, even with the same ume. Lined up in clear bottles, you can see at a glance how the liquid's color differs with each combination.

A vague sense of "I think I'd like this" gradually sharpens into one clear combination through the tasting. Many participants say this is their favorite part of the experience.

Time to prepare your bottle: layering the plums one by one

Once you've settled on your preferences, it's time to prepare your own bottle by hand. The process is simple: layer your chosen ume and sugar together, and if you're making umeshu, finish by pouring in the alcohol. A dedicated kit is provided, so even first-timers won't feel lost. Picking up each plum with your fingers and gently placing it atop the layer of sugar is a quiet, focused moment. Since nothing about the process is messy, there's no dress code, and you can join empty-handed.

With ume, sugar, and alcohol options combined, there are more than 100 possible combinations. Even participants sitting at the same table end up with bottles of different colors.

Take a photo with your finished bottle, then bring it home to let it mature

Once the preparation is complete, you're left holding your own bottle, labeled with your name. Photography is welcome throughout the experience, and many participants take a commemorative photo with their finished bottle.

You'll take the bottle home that same day and let it mature there. Ume syrup is ready to drink in about a week, while umeshu takes about a month. It's a way to relive the memory of your trip once you're back home.

Additional bottles beyond your first can be purchased on-site on the day of your visit. Many participants prepare several bottles to bring home as gifts for family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

■How long does the experience take? About one hour, making it easy to fit into your Kyoto sightseeing itinerary.

■Is there a dress code or anything I need to bring? There's no dress code. Since the process isn't messy, you can join empty-handed.

■Can children participate? Making ume syrup is open to all ages. Making umeshu is limited to participants aged 20 and over.

■What's the flow of the day like? The session proceeds through an introduction to the ingredients, tasting, bottle preparation, and instructions for taking your bottle home.

■Do I need a reservation? Since seating is limited, advance reservations are recommended.

■What language support is available? An English-speaking concierge will guide you throughout.

Things to check before booking

• The start time of your booked plan
• The meeting point is Choya Umeshu Kyoto Sanjo, an ume specialty store located at 87 Nakajima-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
• The experience meets and ends on-site
• English-language guidance is available; Japanese guidance is also possible
• The umeshu plan is for ages 20 and over; the syrup plan is open to all ages
• How to bring your prepared bottle home and how many days until it's ready to drink
• Additional bottles beyond the first are paid for on-site on the day
• Since seating is limited, advance booking is recommended
• Cancellation and change policies
• The latest pricing and plan details

Pricing, plan details, and operating hours may change depending on the season. Please check the latest information before booking.

In summary

At Choya Umeshu Kyoto Sanjo, an ume specialty store in Sanjo, Kyoto, you can prepare your own umeshu or ume syrup. The experience takes about an hour, meets on-site, and is guided by an English-speaking concierge from the ingredient introduction through tasting and preparation.

With five types of ume, five types of sugar, and alcohol options, there are more than 100 possible combinations. After confirming your preferences through tasting, you layer ume and sugar into your bottle to create something uniquely yours. Once home, ume syrup is ready to drink in about a week, and umeshu in about a month, letting you savor the continuation of your trip after you return.

You can check details and availability on the booking page here.