Sapporo Beer Museum - Hokkaido

The Sapporo Beer Museum (サッポロビール博物館) is an excellent site to learn about the history of Japanese beer and, of course, the history of the Sapporo Beer Company. This museum is located at 9 Chome 1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Higashi Ward in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Sapporo Beer Museum

Sapporo Beer Museum details

The Sapporo Beer Museum was opened in 1987 but its brand can be traced to 1869. Back then, it was called the Kaitakushi Brewery. The company is known for the Kaitakushi star which the current Sapporo Brewery still uses in its logo. 

Sapporo Beer Museum - Sapporo City, Hokkaido

Kaitakushi Brewery was replaced by Sapporo Beer Company in December 1887 which later became the Sapporo Brewery. The company expanded by purchasing and remodeling the beet manufacturing factory of Sapporo Sugar Company in 1903. This factory operated until 1965. 

Sapporo Garden Park map

"Wheat and hops combine to make the alcohol called beer"

Team Nicerio visits Sapporo Beer Garden

It was then renovated and repurposed housing the Kaitakushi Beer Memorial Hall on its 3rd floor in 1967. Years later, the building underwent another major renovation which gave birth to the Sapporo Beer Museum which officially opened to the public in July 1987. The function of the brewery was transferred to Eniwa and the building was again renovated and reopened in 2004 making it a full-time tourist spot. 

Sapporo Beer Garden history markers

Sapporo Beer Garden Development Embassy entrance

Where do you want to explore first?

The famed Sapporo Beer Chimney

The ビール仕込釜 or beer preparation pot

At present, Sapporo Beer Museum is registered as one of the Hokkaido Heritage sites on October 22, 2004. 

Displays inside the Sapporo Beer Museum:

The giant brewery Walt pan

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 1: Kaitakushi Established

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 2: First Beer Brewer

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 3: Made in Hokkaido is the only way

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 4: Beer brewery is completed

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 5: First delivery of Sapporo beer

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 6: Sapporo Beer's reputation soared

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 7: From state to private enterprise

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 8: Modernization of beer brewing

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 9: Sapporo Brewery Advanced to Tokyo

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 10: Sapporo Beer revival

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 11: Start of the draft beer era

Sapporo Beer Museum Panel 12: Inheriting a tradition of quality

Sapporo City and Sapporo Beer

Team Nicerio visits Sapporo Beer Museum:

I visited Sapporo Beer Museum with my wife and daughter last April 17, 2022, which was my 167th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We got to tour inside the museum sans the beer-tasting part. It was a very memorable trip for me as this is the first museum that we have visited together as a family this 2022. Not to mention, my wife and I are big fans of Sapporo Beer so it's a big plus for us.

Sapporo Beer Museum Admission Fee

Heads up, there is a parking fee

It's FREE to enter and explore Sapporo Beer Museum but if you want the guided tour, you need to pay 500 yen. However, I highly recommend that you bring money as there are plenty of souvenirs worth buying in the souvenir store. Aside from that, the Sapporo Beer Garden is also next to the museum. You should try out its famed jingisukan. 

Sapporo Beer Museum Operating Hours

Sapporo Beer Museum is open from 11AM - 6PM. It's closed on Mondays (or the following day on Monday is a national holiday.)

Why visit Sapporo Beer Museum?

If you've tried the Sapporo Beer and liked it, then probably you might be interested in its rich history. Aside from that, the free entrance is a big plus as you get to check out the museum at your own pace. 

Getting to Sapporo Beer Museum

From Sapporo Station, you can ride the #188 Sapporo Beer Garden bus at the North Exit of Sapporo Station.

Travel time: 9 minutes

Fare: 210 yen

If you prefer to walk, Sapporo Beer Garden is 1.5 kilometers away east of the station. Depending on your pacing, you'd get there in 20 minutes. 

Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating