Hakodate Local Sake Tour — Visiting 5 Unique Sake Breweries, Wineries, and Breweries

Hakodate is a port town rich in exotic charm, known not only for its beautiful night views, hot springs, and fresh seafood, but also for its diverse alcohol culture. From sake and wine to craft beer, each beverage reflects the unique characteristics of the local climate and land.

Compared to Honshu, the history of sake brewing in Hokkaido is relatively short. Although sake production began in Hokkaido during the Meiji era, it faced setbacks due to the cold climate, limited brewing conditions, and low production of sake rice. However, in recent years, advancements in brewing techniques, the development of Hokkaido’s own sake rice varieties, and abundant water sources have enabled the production of distinctive, high-quality sake unique to the region.

In addition to sake, Hokkaido’s wine industry has seen steady growth since the mid-20th century. Thanks to the local water quality being well-suited for brewing, breweries and wineries around Hakodate are now well worth visiting.

If you’re interested in alcohol or want to explore Hakodate’s food culture in more depth, why not plan a local sake tour in Hakodate? It’s a great way to experience another side of the city through your taste buds. The five breweries we’re introducing each have their own unique charm, allowing you to enjoy Hakodate’s diverse alcohol culture all at once.

“Goryo no Kura”: The First Sake Brewery to Open in Hakodate City in Over Half a Century

Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery is a well-known sake brewing company in Hokkaido, and Goryo no Kura, located in Hakodate, is its third brewery. Since 2021, it has been producing sake using rice grown in Kameo Town, Hakodate, as well as Hokkaido-grown sake rice varieties such as Suisei, Ginpu, and Kita Shizuku. For brewing water, they use ultra-soft water from the local Matsukuragawa river system.

The brewery carefully crafts each batch of moromi (sake mash) by hand using traditional methods, creating high-quality sake unique to Hakodate. Their signature sake series, “Goryo”, has received multiple awards in various competitions.

Goryo no Kura is a combined brewery and retail space where visitors can not only purchase various sake products directly but also observe the sake brewing process. Inside the store, a tasting set is offered (¥880 for 3 cups, 30ml each), which includes snacks that pair well with the sake and some of the same brewing water used in production. Visitors can enjoy and compare three different types of sake—Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, and Junmai Daiginjo—each with its own distinctive aroma and flavor.

Additionally, the store serves original sake (sakekasu) ice cream, allowing guests to indulge in delicious sake-related treats in a relaxed setting. It’s a place where you can enjoy, shop, and immerse yourself in the world of Japanese sake.

• Address: 28-1 Kameo-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido
• Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Closed: Mondays
• Reservation: Not required
• Official Website (Japanese)

“Hakodate Jozou”: The Sake Brewery Reopened in Southern Hokkaido After 35 Years

Hakodate Jozou was established in 2020 and is the first sake brewery to open in the Southern Hokkaido region in 35 years. It focuses on creating a new style of sake called “Gouhou”, making full use of the local treasures of Hokkaido: water, rice, and people.

The brewery uses sake rice varieties such as Ginpu, Suisei, and Kita Shizuku, cultivated under contract with local farmers in the Ono Plain, the birthplace of rice cultivation in Hokkaido. The brewing water comes from the soft-medium water spring of Mt. Yokotsudake’s underground water, which contributes to producing refreshing sake with a subtle sweetness.

One of their flagship sakes, “Gouhou Tokubetsu Junmai Ichibi”, won the grand prize at the “Northern High-Grade Food 2023” awards.

Hakodate Jozou offers brewery tours on weekends and public holidays, with free sake tastings available. Visitors can sample a variety of carefully selected sakes. Besides popular products sold in the store, exclusive sake only available at the brewery is also offered, making it a must-visit for sake enthusiasts.

On the second floor, surrounded by the scent of Southern Hokkaido cedar, visitors can closely observe fermentation tanks, presses, and other brewing equipment, learning about the sake production process. For those interested in sake culture and brewing techniques, this is a valuable educational opportunity.

• Address: 1-2-3 Onakayama, Nanae Town, Kameda District, Hokkaido
• Business Hours:
  ① 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  ② 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Closed: Monday to Friday (Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)
• Reservation: Not required
• Official Website (Japanese)
  

De MONTILLE & HOKKAIDO — A Prestigious French Winery Leading Global Trends

In Hokkaido, not only sake and beer but also wine production has been thriving in recent years. Domaine de Montille is one of the oldest family-run wineries in the Burgundy region of France, boasting a history of 300 years. The current owner, Etienne de Montille, discovered that Hokkaido’s climate and soil are suitable for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Among the areas, Hakodate was chosen as an overseas base because it has a milder climate, less snow compared to Yoichi, and ideal sunlight and soil conditions for viticulture.

In 2016, Etienne de Montille started the Japan-France cooperative project “De MONTILLE & Hokkaido”, becoming the first foreign winery producer to establish a vineyard in Japan. They began grape cultivation in Hakodate in 2019.

From 2018 to 2022, the winery produced limited wines using grapes from Yoichi, releasing five types: “Go”, “Kyou”, “Gaku”, “Ri”, and “Tan”. In 2023, they started winemaking using grapes harvested for the first time in Hakodate, with the initial release planned for 2025.

*Currently, wine sales at the winery are not available, but some wines can be tasted (for a fee of 1100 yen per glass) at select restaurants.

• Address: 4-3-56 Kikyō, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
• Tour Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Reservations: Via the inquiry form on the website or by email (info-hokkaido@demontille.com)
• Website(English)
  

• Business Days: Monday, Thursday to Sunday
• Opening Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last Order 9:00 PM)
• Reservations: Via the inquiry form on the website or by email (info-hokkaido@demontille.com)
• Shuttle Service: Shuttle service available from JR Kikyō Station (up to 4 people for the time being). Please inform your arrival time at Kikyō Station when making a reservation.
  

Hakodate Wine — Experts in Wine Brewing of the Southern Hokkaido Region

Hakodate Wine is one of the most well-known wineries in the Southern Hokkaido region. Founded in 1973, Hakodate Wine primarily uses grapes grown in Hokkaido and places great emphasis on its connection to the local land and climate. The winery produces a wide variety of wines, ranging from everyday table wines to sweet white wines with rich fruity aromas.

The on-site shop offers free tastings. Simply inform the staff at the counter that you’d like to try some wines, and they will give you tasting machine tokens and guide you on how to use them. This allows visitors to compare the unique flavors of several different wines. Soft-serve ice cream made with red or white wine is also a popular item so don’t miss it if you visit!

On weekdays, Hakodate Wine also offers free guided factory tours(reservation required by the day before). You’ll be able to explore the fermentation and bottling areas and observe how wine is made using modern equipment. It’s a great opportunity to deepen your appreciation for the world of wine.

• Address: 11 Kamifujishiro, Nanae Town, Kameda District, Hokkaido
• Opening Hours:
  • April – December: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • January – March: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Closed Days:
  • April to December: Wednesdays
  • January to March 19: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (subject to change on public holidays)
  •  Year-end and New Year holidays
• Official Website (Japanese)

• Tour Days: Weekdays only (Monday to Friday), reservation required by the day before
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Tour Content: A guided tour by staff including the fermentation facilities and bottling room. You can also sample recommended wines at the on-site shop.
  • Summer season (April – October): Tours at 11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30
  • Winter season (November – March): Tours at 11:00 / 14:00
• Duration: About 30 minutes
• Reservation:
  • Phone: 0138-65-8170
  • Fax: 0138-65-8249 (Download the factory tour application form in Japanese)
• Related Links (Japanese)
  

HAKODATE BEER– Hakodate’s Original Local Beer

After enjoying sake and wine, why not try some of Hakodate’s craft beer?

HAKODATE BEER is the most iconic local craft beer brand in the area. The brewery, designed in a Meiji modernism style, is located near Hakodate Port and close to the red-brick Kanemori Warehouses.

The on-site restaurant serves dishes made with fresh seafood and vegetables from southern Hokkaido, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of Hokkaido alongside locally brewed craft beer. It’s a perfect way to enrich your travel experience with delicious food and drink.

The brewery produces about 350 kiloliters of beer annually. In front of the brewery, there’s a counter seating area where you can watch the beer being brewed right before your eyes while enjoying the taste of Hakodate Beer.　If you’d like to sample a variety of flavors, tasting sets are available:

①3-beer tasting set – ¥1,320 (120ml each, includes a small snack)

②4-beer tasting set – ¥1,760 (120ml each, includes a small snack)

Perfect for those who want to explore a range of flavors in one sitting!

• Adress: 5-22 Ōte-machi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan
• Business hours: 11：00～15：00 / 17：00～21：30（Last Order : Time may be vary depending on season）
• Closed day: Wednesday, 2nd Thurdays of the month
• Reservation：by email（beer@hakodate-factory.com）
• Official Website (English)

In conclusion

The sake breweries “Goryō no Kura” and “Hakodate Jōzō”, the wineries “De MONTILLE & HOKKAIDO”and “Hakodate Wine”, and the brewery “HAKODATE BEER” all convey the charm of Hokkaido and the spirit of craftsmanship. Through their delicious beverages, they share another unique appeal of Hakodate with travelers.

For those planning a trip to Hakodate, these delightful drinks will surely enhance the enjoyment and charm of the journey!

• Drinking and driving is prohibited by Japanese law.
• Drinking under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law.
• Drinking during pregnancy or breastfeeding may harm the growth of the baby.
• When tasting alcohol, please consume moderately and pay attention to your own health condition.