Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Beer Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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What a neat museum! I've been a fan of Sapporo beer for a long time over in the US and was so excited to come here! Truth be told, I didn't realize until we actually made it to Sapporo that you could reserve tickets for a guided tour. I was a bit worried about what all we'd be able to actually do in the free, public access to the museum. However, it was still absolutely worthwhile and so interesting! We went on a Tuesday so there wasn't a wait to get in at all. Thankfully at all the exhibits they had cards off to the side in English, Korean, and Chinese translating what was on them. This was the first museum in Japan that has had translator cards that I'd been to in the month of my trip. I was ecstatic to be able to actually read the exhibits completely, as my Japanese is still pretty basic. To my surprise, despite not going on a guided tour, we were still able to go to the sampling room where we were able to choose from one of three kinds of beers or a flight of the three for ¥800! What a steal (at least compared to the United States...)! We were also able to get into one of the restaurants on location without a reservation as well. There was no wait for us at the time so we got right in. We were able to get an all you can eat grilling course where you grill your own meat and it was great! You just order what meats or sides you want off a tablet and staff bring your food to you so quickly that you can really get your money's worth here. I've never had so much fun at a museum and I can confidently say that this place is absolutely 100% worth it and I've left Japan an even bigger fan of not only Sapporo beer but of the city! I can't wait to come back to Hokkaido some day.
EsméEsmé
00
The Sapporo Beer Museum offers an enjoyable dive into the history and craftsmanship behind one of Japan’s most iconic beers. The exhibits are well-presented, blending storytelling with a touch of nostalgia. The museum is housed in a beautifully preserved red brick building, originally built in 1890 as a sugar factory before being repurposed as part of the Sapporo Brewery. It stands as a testament to the industrial history of Hokkaido and the pioneering spirit of the Meiji era. Walking through the exhibits, you get a sense of how beer production evolved over time and the significant role it played in Japan’s modernization. Sapporo Beer, Japan’s oldest beer brand, carries a legacy of quality and innovation since 1876. Known for its crisp, refreshing taste and smooth finish, Sapporo has become a symbol of Japanese brewing excellence. Whether it’s the balanced bitterness of Black Label or the classic maltiness of Kaitakushi Beer, each brew reflects a dedication to craftsmanship and tradition. I tried the beer tasting set, which featured three varieties: Black Label, Classic, and Kaitakushi Beer. Each had its own distinct character, from smooth and crisp to rich and malty. The wooden beer flight presentation added to the charm of the experience. Pairing the beers with Kaki no Tane (spicy rice crackers with peanuts) was a nice touch—it complemented the flavors perfectly. The ambiance was inviting, and the staff were friendly and efficient. I’d recommend to anyone visiting Sapporo. Cheers! 🍺
Darren SimDarren Sim
00
I’m not the biggest beer guy, but what was I gonna do? Not visit the Sapporo Beer Museum when in Sapporo? You crazy for suggesting that. I stumbled in here after a long walk through the snow, and opted to just do the walk through as opposed to the guided tour, as it was only in Japanese lol… and my Chase card was EXHAUSTED from this trip. I walked through, but soon realized all the captions were in Japanese. I mean that’s fine, I am in Japan. I just walked through slowly with my hands behind my back, carefully inspecting all the pictures and making up my own stories for what the Japanese captions said. You couldn’t last a day in my brain. After my 10 minute walk through I was gonna do the beer tasting, but the line was INSANE. Probably a 40 minute wait. So I just went to the merch stand, bought a baseball T with the original Sapporo logo, a magnet for my fridge, and a bottled beer for the road. Much to my chagrin, I realized I didn’t have a bottle opener. Everyone outside the museum watched me struggle for 10 minutes trying to open this beer with my teeth, but in the end we got it done. I felt my mom cringing back home as she hates when I open water bottles with my teeth, which is fair because she did pay for my braces lmao. All in all, I had a good time in here. Incidentally, I’m single handedly bringing baseball Ts back. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews
Johnny NovoJohnny Novo
00
If you are in Sapporo it’s worth visiting the beer museum. It’s not an active brewery (like I mistakenly thought) just a museum, restaurants, and gift shop. The tour they offer tends to fill up so making a reservation is a good idea. There are 2 types of tours a guided “premium” tour and one where you just walk through the museum. The premium offers a tour guide (Japanese only), a short film about Sapporo Beer’s creation and early history, and some free beers at the end of the tour (pictures included). One high-point is that you are given a glass of beer that you can only get from the museum tour. It is made the same way as Sapporo beer used to made; in a more traditional German style. I didn’t time the tour but it is short. Start to finish it was roughly 20-30 mins. It is interesting to see everything they have but I have been on more impactful beer tours. There was very limited English guidance during the tour (none spoken and only subtitles to displays, no explanations) so have someone to help you or strong Japanese ability. However, it seemed like there was supposed to be English translations at each picture but when I went the areas for them were empty. I didn’t get a chance to eat at the restaurants but they looked good. The gift shop is small but there is a nice selection of shirts, beers, and other gifts.
JJ
00
I’m writing this review based on the free tour, as I didn’t book the premium one. The free tour you can just walk in and make your way to level 3. No need to queue for ticket . Honestly, the free tour is pretty short — it’s mainly about the history of how Sapporo Beer was founded, along with a small exhibit showing what the brewery looked like in the past. You can finish the tour in about 10–15 minutes, depending on how much time you spend reading the panels. The highlight was definitely the beer tasting afterward. Theres a queue to purchase the ticket but it's quite fast like 5-10mins. We tried three different beers for around 1200 yen because we were curious about the different flavors. Our favorite was the “Black Label” — super smooth and easy to drink. The “Classic” had a slightly bitter aftertaste, which wasn’t really to our liking. As for the “Kaitakushi,” we’d rank it last — it was quite bitter, especially at the end, so it might appeal more to those who like stronger, more bitter beers. There are seating areas for tasting, but they can get crowded, so we ended up standing at a table in the back, which was perfectly fine. Right next to the museum, there’s a large shopping mall with stores like Uniqlo, GU, and more — definitely worth stopping by for a quick browse!
KimmyKimmy
00
The grounds and buildings were beautiful, especially so against the backdrop of a blue sky. We were here early autumn, the leaves have started changing colours while some sunflowers are still alive from the summer, so we enjoyed the scenery very much. The free self-guided tour of the museum begins with an elevator ride to 3F, from there we walked down a circular walkway along a huge beer-making cauldron to reach 2F. There are two videos that we can watch on the big screen, one about the history of Sapporo beer, and another one about the building itself. On the same floor is an open gallery with pictures and descriptions in Japanese, though information cards in English are also available on the side. After walking through the gallery, a flight of stairs brings us down to the Star Hall on 1F, which is the paid tasting area. If you are interested to taste the beer here, then join the queue, buy a ticket at the machine, and collect your beer at the counter. The beer is served in 240ml glasses, most people will order the "Three drink tasting set" which consists of Kaitakushi, Classic, and Black Label, for JPY1000. If ordered separately each drink is JPY400. Recommended if you wish to try Kaitakushi draft beer, or to visit the grounds on a day with clear blue sky.
alshanealshane
00
Nearby Attractions Of Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Factory
Ario Sapporo
Lawson United Cinemas Sapporo
Hotel Sosei Sapporo - MGallery Collection
Nagayama Memorial Park
The North Face Sapporo Factory Shop
Naebo Station
Hokkaido Railway Technology Museum
Mizuho Bridge
Shinsei Park

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Ario Sapporo
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Lawson United Cinemas Sapporo
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Hotel Sosei Sapporo - MGallery Collection
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Nearby Restaurants Of Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Beer Garden
Toriton Kita 8
Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu
SAPPORO餃子製造所
十勝豚丼 いっぴん 札幌北十条店
Ramen Yutsuki
Starbucks Coffee - Ario Sapporo
Amewayasashiku NO,2
Tonden Kita 12-Jo Shop
Handaya Sapporo Factorymae

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Toriton Kita 8
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Basic Info
Address
9 Chome-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-8633, Japan
Map
Phone
+81 11-748-1876
Call
Website
sapporobeer.jp
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.3
(5.7K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
entertainment
accessibility
Description
The Sapporo Beer Museum is a museum located in the Sapporo Garden Park in Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. Registered as one of the Hokkaidō Heritage sites in 2004, the museum is the only beer museum in Japan.
attractions: Sapporo Factory, Ario Sapporo, Lawson United Cinemas Sapporo, Hotel Sosei Sapporo - MGallery Collection, Nagayama Memorial Park, The North Face Sapporo Factory Shop, Naebo Station, Hokkaido Railway Technology Museum, Mizuho Bridge, Shinsei Park, restaurants: Sapporo Beer Garden, Toriton Kita 8, Naebo Station Onsen Kura no Yu, SAPPORO餃子製造所, 十勝豚丼 いっぴん 札幌北十条店, Ramen Yutsuki, Starbucks Coffee - Ario Sapporo, Amewayasashiku NO,2, Tonden Kita 12-Jo Shop, Handaya Sapporo Factorymae

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