A fun part of traveling is discovering local food and drinks in your destinations. As a land blessed with rich nature, Hokkaido has many kinds of locally-produced alcoholic drinks made with fresh ingredients and clean water. So here are 6 drinks you should try in Hokkaido. Let’s dive in!
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1. Sapporo Beer
Photo: Sapporo Beer
Sapporo Beer is one of the most famous Japanese beer brands around the world. Although Sapporo Beer is sold in more than 40 countries, there is *** only available in Hokkaido - Sapporo Classic. This Hokkaido limited line is a 100% malt beer, using fine aroma hops that give a refreshing taste. Don’t forget to get your hands on it in Hokkaido!
If you are a big fan of Sapporo Beer (or just beers in general), you should definitely visit their museum in Sapporo. The museum building itself is worth visiting - it’s a beautiful, historic brick building established in 1890 and used as a beer factory until 1965. A factory in Eniwa, which is a 40-min train ride away from Sapporo, offers factory tours upon online booking.
2. Nikka Whisky
Photo: Nikka Whisky
Did you know that Nikka Whisky, one of the most famous Japanese whisky brands, is founded in Hokkaido? The birthplace of Nikka Whisky, Yoichi is just one hour away from Sapporo. Nikka makes a wide range of whiskies from affordable ones to high-end premier bottles. Their popular sell, Taketsuru Pure Malt is known for its rich and smoky flavor with deep complexity.
The factory in Yoichi offers free guided factory tours where you can learn how they make their signature whiskies. Online booking is required, and the tours are available only in Japanese.
3. Okhotsk Beer - Japan’s First Craft Beer
Okhotsk Beer Factory produces local beers brewed in Kitami. Back in the 1980s, a group of beer lovers in the town visited Bayern, Germany, and was inspired by its rich local beer culture. They decided to make Japan’s first craft beer back home, and made it happen in 1994. In the following year, they opened a beer hall restaurant equipped with an in-house brewery, Okhotsk Beer Factory. The restaurant is one of the favorites among locals.
Okhotsk Beer Factory is proud of its all-malt beer, entirely made from barley malt with no adjuncts. They brew 10 different kinds of beers around the year, which you can enjoy at their restaurant.
Not only freshly brewed beers, but the restaurant also serves meals using local ingredients. It’s a great place to grab lunch with or even without a glass of beer, or a nice dinner gathering with friends!
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4. Abashiri Beer
Photo: Abashiri Beer
Abashiri Beer goes creative in making unique flavored beer flavors with local twists. Their signature beer is Drift Ice Beer, inspired by Drift Ice (Ryuhyo) which is an iconic winter feature in Abashiri. The beer is naturally colored light blue and topped with fluffy foam, resembling the ocean and ice. And guess what is more special about this beer? it uses actual drift ice water in the ingredients!
Photo: Abashiri Beer
Abashiri Beer’s White Ale uses high-quality wheat produced in Abashiri, which gives a nice mellow taste to it. This beer is perfect for beer beginners as it’s known for its citrusy flavor made from orange peels and coriander seeds. The brand also makes Cherry Beer (Abashiriis Japan’s northernmost cherry-growing region), and Shiretoko Draft Beer, themed around fresh spring green in Shiretoko.
These products are widely available at local supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels in and around Abashiri.
5. Otaru Wine
Photo: Hokkaido Wine
Otaru Wine produces a variety of wines using grapes locally grown in Hokkaido. As the climate in Hokkaido is similar to Europe, a cold region with a big temperature difference between day and night times, Otaru Wine incorporates traditional European methods in their wine-making. Their best-seller is Otaru Naiagara, a white wine made with Niagara grapes, which has refreshing, fruity aromas. Otaru Wines are widely available at liquor shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores in Hokkaido.
The factory shop in Otaru has over 100 kinds of wines as well as local products that make a perfect wine paring - cheese, ham, sausage, smoked scallops and salmons, and many more. Factory tours, including their premier wine tasting, are offered in Japanese for 1,500 yen per person. Online booking is required.
6. Kiyosato Potato Shochu
Photo: Kiyosato Shochu
Shochu is a Japanese traditional liquor made from grains and vegetables, such as rice, barley, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. A small farming town in Hokkaido, Kiyosato made Japan’s first potato shochu over 40 years ago with an aim to develop a local specialty using potatoes that they produced. The effort led to success. Kiyosato’s potato shochu became famous for its mild and slightly sweet taste with a refreshing note.
If you fancy a free tasting of Kiyosato potato shochu, go visit Kiyo-ru. It’s a local community center where they sell souvenirs and local produce. You can try different kinds of potato shochu at a tasting stand. Staff will guide you through each type of shochu.
You can buy the one you like at their shop. There is a tasitng package that come with three kinds of shochu in small bottles, which will make a great survinir.
The community center has a cafe area serving snacks, light meals, and drinks. Grab a seat and enjoy a nice view of potato fields right in front of the cafe.
Potato field in Kiyosato
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
THAT’S ALL!
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