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Museum · Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sapporo Beer Museum
Museum of Hokkaido’s first brewery, in a red brick building from 1890 that was a sugar factory and a brewery. It tells the history of the drink in Japan since 1876 and has a tasting room.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Sapporo Beer Museum in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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Discover
About Sapporo Beer Museum
The Sapporo Beer Museum occupies a red-brick building from 1890, originally built as a beet-sugar factory and later used as the brewery’s malt house. The story begins in 1876, when the Hokkaido Colonization Office opened a state-owned brewery in Sapporo with a head brewer trained in Germany. The red star that appears on the labels was the symbol of that office.
The exhibition runs through the building’s three floors and shows old posters, bottles, labels, a large copper kettle, and the evolution of beer in Japan, from state production to private enterprise. The texts have English versions, and a guided tour in Japanese is often offered at certain times; check the options on the website.
At the end of the route there is a tasting room, for an extra fee, where you can try the beer made from the old recipe, which is only available in Hokkaido, alongside the current brands. Nonalcoholic drinks are also served.
The building is part of Sapporo Garden Park, with a lawn and a complex of restaurants in the old warehouses, where jingisukan is served—grilled mutton on a domed griddle. Next door is the Sapporo Factory shopping center, also in a former brewery, closer to the city center.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 1.5 hours, including the tasting.
Best time
In the afternoon, ending with the tasting and a dinner at the adjacent complex. In winter, the snow-covered brick building is lit up in the late afternoon.
How to get there
It’s about 3 km northeast of Sapporo Station. The tourist bus and regular lines stop at the door; by taxi it’s about 10 minutes. On foot, from Higashi-Kuyakusho-mae subway station it’s about a 10-minute walk.
Tip
Try the beer made from the old recipe, served only in Hokkaido. If you plan to have dinner at the complex, book ahead in winter and during Japanese holidays. If you’re driving, stick to nonalcoholic drinks.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sapporo Beer Museum
Is there an admission fee for the Sapporo Beer Museum?
The main exhibition usually does not charge an entry fee; tastings and special guided tours are paid separately. Check the options and current prices on the website.
Since when has beer been brewed in Sapporo?
Since 1876, when the Hokkaido Colonization Office opened a state brewery in the city. It later developed into the company known as Sapporo.
Where to eat near the Beer Museum?
In the restaurant complex of Sapporo Garden Park next to the museum, which serves jingisukan-style grilled lamb and local beer. During busy periods, make a reservation in advance.
How to get from central Sapporo to the Beer Museum?
By bus from Sapporo Station, by taxi in about 10 minutes, or by subway to Higashi-Kuyakusho-mae followed by a walk of about 10 minutes.
Beyond the guide
