Explore Japan’s oldest beer museum in Sapporo—discover Meiji-era brewing history, premium beer tastings, and insider tips for 2025 visits. Plan your Hokkaido beer pilgrimage now!
Taking a Sapporo beer brewery tour can be one of the best things to do in Sapporo. Dive into the iconic Sapporo Beer Museum in Hokkaido! Uncover its history, enjoy free beer tastings, and plan your visit with tips on tours, nearby attractions, and cultural insights.
Notice of repair work of the Sapporo Beer Museum from March to December 2025 is as follows: Starting March 2025, the major repair work is ongoing, mainly targeting the roof, exterior walls, and the chimney of the Sapporo Beer Museum. The construction program is scheduled to be completed in December 2025. During construction, the Sapporo Beer Museum will still be accessible to visitors.
Table of Contents
Sapporo Beer Museum Facts
Highlights of Sapporo Beer Museum
History of Sapporo Beer Museum
Visitor Experience: Tours, Tastings, and Interactive Exhibits
How to Get to Sapporo Beer Museum
Useful Tips for Visiting Sapporo Beer Museum
Nearby Attractions
FAQs about Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo Beer Museum Facts
Japanese name: サッポロビール博物館
Address: 9-2-10 Kitananajo-Higashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi
Opening hours: 11:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holiday, and occasional closing days
Entrance ticket: Free (1000 yen for a guided tour)
Suggested visit duration: 15-20 minutes (30 minutes for a seat)
Best time to visit: all seasons
Highlights of Sapporo Beer Museum
Sitting in the birthplace of beer in Japan, Hokkaido, the Sapporo Beer Museum is the only beer museum in this country.
The red-brick building is designated as a Hokkaido heritage site, which has become a fascinating place.
In addition to visiting the museum to learn more culture and history of Sapporo Beer, visitors can also savor the fresh brews after visiting.
Non-alcoholic drinks, like Ribbon NAPOLIN, which is available only in Hokkaido, are prepared for guests who do not drink wine.
History of Sapporo Beer Museum
Sapporo in Hokkaido is the birthplace of Japanese beer. The Sapporo Beer, with a history of over 100 years, can be the epitome of the Japanese beer industry and the most representative beer corporation. The History of the Sapporo Beer Museum need to be dates back to the Meiji period.
The Kaitaku-shi Brewery was established, which was officially renamed as Sapporo Beer Brewery in 1884. The Brewery was acquired and changed into the Sapporo Beer Company in 1887, which pushed the commercialization of Sapporo beer.
The Sapporo Sugar Factory was founded in 1888. After the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the Japanese sugar industry declined. The Sapporo Sugar Factory was converted to a brewery in 1903, which kept running until 1965. The Kaitakushi Beer Memorial Hall was built on its 3rd floor in 1967. After renovating, it was open to the public in 1987 and officially became the Sapporo Beer Museum. In 2004, it was revamped again.
Nowadays, you can take a look at the historical red-brick building and discover Japan’s beer-making evolution. Imbibe the fresh beer and taste Genghis Khan dishes in this beer hall.
Visitor Experience: Tours, Tastings, and Interactive Exhibits
As the only beer museum in Japan, it is also one of the heritage sites of Hokkaido. This museum used to be the production plant of Sapporo Beer. After the Sapporo brewery was removed, this place is open to the public as a museum. Admission is free for visitors.
Free Exhibits
The museum is open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the last admission is at 5:30 pm. Visitors can get in for free without a reservation. If taking a free Sapporo beer brewery tour, the one-way route starts from the 3F to the 2F, and finally comes to the 1F. For people who have trouble moving around or need to push baby strollers, the small elevator that stops on every floor is available.
For foreign visitors, the explanatory panels on the 2F have translated versions including English, Korean, and Chinese to help you get a deeper understanding of the exhibition content.
Guided Tours
If getting a premium tour, you need to make a reservation in advance on the website. Participants can enjoy a 6K theater, and the brand communicator will guide you to learn about the beer culture and the museum's history. After visiting, tourists will be provided with a tasting of Sapporo Draft Beer. The tour will last 50 minutes and include a tasting. The tour will be available on weekdays except for Mondays. The first tour of the day starts at 11:30 am.
The premium tour has a capacity of 20 people. Charges for a premium tour differ according to age. It is 1,000 JPY for adults, 19,500 JPY for students in middle school or at 19 years old. It is free for pupils. People who do not drink alcohol can select 2 kinds of beer from the Non-alcoholic Beer Menu or the Soft Drink Menu. For visitors under age 20, they can choose 2 drinks from the Soft Drink Menu.
The premium tour will be conducted in Japanese. For participants from overseas in the premium tour, the audio guide devices are available in English and Korean. There is an additional charge of 500 JPY per device.
Beer Tasting Sessions
No matter who is taking a free exhibit or a premium tour, they can savor the fresh Sapporo beer in the paid tasting corner, the Star Hall, which is available for customers taking the tour in one way. Refrain from only coming to the Star Hall, and the hall is open from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm, and its last order is at 6:00 pm. Some Sapporo premium beers are enumerated as follows for your reference.
Premium Options:
Kinds of Beer Price Sapporo Draft Beer Kuro Label 450 JPY Sapporo Classic 450 JPY Kaitakushi Beer 550 JPY Three drink tasting set 1,200 JPY
Non-Alcoholic Alternatives:
Kinds Price Non-alcoholic beer 200 JPY Soft drinks
How to Get to Sapporo Beer Museum
The Sapporo Museum is accessible all year round except for Mondays, and is located in 9-2-10 Kitananajo-Higashi, Higashi-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 065-0007.
By Rail
Option 1: Getting off at Higashi-Kuyakusho-Mae Station of the Toho Subway Line: about 20 minutes walking to the museum
Option 2: Getting off at Naebo Station of the JR Hakodate Main Line: 15 minutes walking from the North Exit to the museum
By Bus
Option 1: Take the direct bus or Ario Line 188 on platform 2 of the Sapporo Station North Exit and get off at the Sapporo Beer Garden.
Option 2: Take the Chuo Bus Sapporo Beer Garden/Factory Line Loop 88 at the Sapporo Eki-mae, then get off at the Sapporo Beer Garden.
By Car
There is a parking lot inside the garden available for driving visitors. Driving guests are offered a discount on the parking lot.
Useful Tips for Visiting Sapporo Beer Museum
Take the identity. ID verification is required.
Get the correct location. Clearly distinguish the Sapporo Beer Museum from the Sapporo Beer Hokkaido Brewery. They are two different facilities in different locations.
It is permitted to take photos inside, so tourists can take cameras for souvenirs. But refrain from taking video or audio.
People who are taking a road trip or are under age 20 are not provided with beer. Some soft drinks will be prepared for you.
Season tips:
Summer is a perfect time to travel, because the Sapporo Summer Beer Festival is held from mid-July to mid-August every year, when you can imbibe various kinds of beer from all over the world. This period is also a delightful time, during which tourists can also enjoy the pleasant weather and the outdoor beer garden.
Winter will be more atmospheric. The beautiful reed-brick buildings covered with white snow are particularly suitable for a picture. The Sapporo Museum tour will be cozier if paired with BBQ.
Nearby Attractions
Sapporo Beer Garden & Genghis Khan BBQ
After visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum, you can head to Sapporo Beer Garden to enjoy the local specialty, Genghis Khan with Sapporo beer. Genghis Khan is a lamb barbecue dish. This delicacy was created in Hokkaido. And Sapporo Beer Garden is located in Sapporo Garden Park as well, just a few walks away from the Beer Museum.
Do not forget to make a reservation in advance. In Sapporo Beer Garden, tourists can sit in various stylish halls, including Garden Grill, Lilac, and Poplar Hall, for their enjoyment while appreciating seasonal views matched with red brick buildings.
Here, customers can enjoy chewy lamb marinated with apple and onion sauce, and savor classic sauce and miso. Having yummy mutton with cold beer can be a must-do in this Sapporo Museum tour. If it is your first time coming, you are advised to ask the staff for some tips on grilling the meat in a better way.
The buffet in Genghis Khan BBQ offers you six kinds of sauce and diverse delicacies. It is 4,800 JPY (including tax) for adults and 2,400 JPY (including tax) for pupils. The dining Hall will be open from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, and the last order will be at 8:40 pm. The lunchtime starts from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, and its last order will finish at 3:00 pm. The last day of the year, December 31st, will be out of service.
ARIO Sapporo Shopping Mall
The ARIO Sapporo Shopping Mall is a shopping center born in Sapporo, containing more than 100 fashion brands and gourmet shops. Not only enjoy different kinds of brands at a reasonable price, but you can also savor soul food in Japan and take some souvenirs here. Many Hokkaido sweets and foods, like Rokkatei confections and Tsuboya T’s Kitchen, are available. It can be a paradise for shopaholics and foodies.
FAQs about Sapporo Beer Museum
1. Can I visit without a tour?
Yes. Visitors can take a tour for free without a reservation.
2. Is it family-friendly?
Yes. The Sapporo Museum has kid-friendly exhibits. For kids and drivers, non-alcoholic drinks and soft drinks will be prepared for them.
3. When is the best time to avoid crowds?
The Sapporo Museum is accessible on weekdays in addition to Mondays. Besides, it is advised to try to avoid the Sapporo Snow Festival weeks (February), one of the most popular winter events, when the museum will be packed with people.
4. Is Sapporo beer gluten-free?
No. The Sapporo beer can be wheat-free but not gluten-free. And most of Sapporo products contain gluten.
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