Sapporo Beer Museum
Explore the history of Japan's oldest beer brand at the Sapporo Beer Museum, featuring free exhibits and paid tastings.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Sapporo Beer Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the history of Japan's oldest beer brand at the Sapporo Beer Museum, featuring free exhibits and paid tastings.
"The highlight was definitely the beer tasting afterward."
🎯 Free Museum, Paid Tasting
The museum tour is free, but beer tastings are paid. Book premium tours in advance!
🚌 Bus is Best for Access
Take a short bus ride from Sapporo Station; no direct train access.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Sapporo Beer Museum Free Tour
Museum Exhibits
Explore the history of Japan's oldest beer brand through engaging exhibits and displays.
Beer Tasting Hall
Ground Floor
Sample exclusive Sapporo brews, including unique museum-only varieties.
+1
Genghis Khan Dining
Sapporo Beer Garden (adjacent)
Enjoy all-you-can-eat grilled lamb and beer, a popular local experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Premium Tours & Tastings
Getting There: Bus is Your Best Bet
Consider walking if you enjoy a longer stroll (around 25 minutes). Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Museum, Paid Tasting
The museum tour is free, but beer tastings are paid. Book premium tours in advance!
🚌 Bus is Best for Access
Take a short bus ride from Sapporo Station; no direct train access.
📝 Reservations Recommended
Especially for the Genghis Khan restaurant and premium tours.
🍺 Exclusive Brews Available
Try beers only found at the museum for a unique taste.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Museum, Paid Tasting
The museum tour is free, but beer tastings are paid. Book premium tours in advance!
🚌 Bus is Best for Access
Take a short bus ride from Sapporo Station; no direct train access.
📝 Reservations Recommended
Especially for the Genghis Khan restaurant and premium tours.
🍺 Exclusive Brews Available
Try beers only found at the museum for a unique taste.
🚶♀️ Walkable from City Center
Enjoy a 25-minute walk from Sapporo Station if you prefer.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Sapporo Beer Museum for its free entry and informative exhibits on the history of Japan's oldest beer brand. The beer tasting is a highlight, offering exclusive brews, though it comes at a cost. The adjacent Beer Garden's Genghis Khan experience is highly recommended but requires advance booking. Some find the museum tour brief, and transportation requires a bus.
"Overall a pretty good facility, would recommend. Free tour available but if you want the premium tour it’s 1,000¥ or so. Make sure you buy premium tour tickets in advance as they get sold out quickly.
Facility is large and modern with a good collection of historical pieces. Tour is well laid out, and flows from start to finish. There is a beer tasting hall at the end with an exclusive Sapporo Beer Museum brew only available at this location and not sold anywhere else.
Shop is also available for souvenirs. Overall, if you have some time I recommend checking out the Beer Museum. The atmosphere and surrounding area is nice and it’s a nice activity to eat up a couple hours."
Jay OB
"I’m writing this review based on the free tour, as I didn’t book the premium one. The free tour you can just walk in and make your way to level 3. No need to queue for ticket . Honestly, the free tour is pretty short — it’s mainly about the history of how Sapporo Beer was founded, along with a small exhibit showing what the brewery looked like in the past. You can finish the tour in about 10–15 minutes, depending on how much time you spend reading the panels.
The highlight was definitely the beer tasting afterward. Theres a queue to purchase the ticket but it's quite fast like 5-10mins. We tried three different beers for around 1200 yen because we were curious about the different flavors. Our favorite was the “Black Label” — super smooth and easy to drink. The “Classic” had a slightly bitter aftertaste, which wasn’t really to our liking. As for the “Kaitakushi,” we’d rank it last — it was quite bitter, especially at the end, so it might appeal more to those who like stronger, more bitter beers.
There are seating areas for tasting, but they can get crowded, so we ended up standing at a table in the back, which was perfectly fine.
Right next to the museum, there’s a large shopping mall with stores like Uniqlo, GU, and more — definitely worth stopping by for a quick browse!"
Kimmy
"Good place for people who drinks otherwise for me it was a history knowledge visit bout a famous fl rand from the place. Unfortunately the external facade is under renovation and the whole building was covered in dust proof cloth hence can’t take a good shot of the place outside. Inside there are two zones, one can be visited and walked around for free and other one is paid area where you can enjoy tasting their beer. The place is very far and needs to take a bus which is not convenient as no train connection is available. It a bad place to visit and learn more about it."
Ravish M
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most convenient way to reach the Sapporo Beer Museum is by bus from Sapporo Station, which takes about 7 minutes.
Information on specific parking availability can be limited. It's generally recommended to use public transportation like the bus due to the museum's location.
Yes, taxis are available in Sapporo and can take you directly to the Sapporo Beer Museum. This might be a more expensive option compared to the bus.
The Sapporo Beer Museum is a short bus ride (about 7 minutes) or a 25-minute walk from Sapporo Station.
For those staying in central Sapporo, taking a bus from Sapporo Station is the most efficient and recommended method of travel to the museum.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to the Sapporo Beer Museum itself is free, allowing you to explore the exhibits. +1
While the museum walkthrough is free and doesn't require booking, premium tours and the popular beer tasting sessions can sell out. It's advisable to book these in advance, especially if you plan to visit during peak times.
Opening hours can vary, but generally, the museum is open during the day. It's best to check the official Sapporo Beer Museum website for the most up-to-date information on opening hours before your visit.
Yes, you can do a self-guided tour of the museum exhibits for free. Guided tours are also available, some of which may require advance booking.
The beer tasting typically costs around 1,000 JPY for a set of three different Sapporo beers. Prices can vary, so it's good to check upon arrival.
🍽️ 🍺 Beer & Dining
You can sample various Sapporo beers, including exclusive brews only available at the museum. Popular options include Black Label, Sapporo Classic (Hokkaido exclusive), and Kaitakushi. +2
Adjacent to the museum is the Sapporo Beer Garden, which features restaurants, most notably the Genghis Khan Hall, offering all-you-can-eat grilled lamb and beer.
Reservations are highly recommended for the Sapporo Beer Garden, especially for the all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan experience, as it can get very busy. +1
Genghis Khan is a popular Japanese dish featuring grilled lamb and vegetables, often cooked at your table. It's a signature offering at the Sapporo Beer Garden.
Yes, if you are underage or prefer not to drink alcohol, soda or other non-alcoholic beverages are typically available during tastings or at the Beer Garden.
📸 📸 Photography & Experience
The museum offers interesting historical exhibits and the tasting hall provides a lively atmosphere for photos. The exterior facade may be under renovation at times, affecting external shots.
Visitors generally find the museum to be an interesting and enjoyable experience, especially for beer enthusiasts. The free tour is informative, and the beer tasting is a highlight. The adjacent Beer Garden offers a fun dining experience.
A self-guided tour of the museum can take about 10-15 minutes, but allow extra time for the beer tasting and potentially dining at the Beer Garden. Many visitors spend around an hour to a couple of hours. +1
Yes, there is a shop where you can purchase souvenirs related to Sapporo Beer.
Yes, non-drinkers can still enjoy the historical exhibits and learn about the Sapporo Beer brand. Non-alcoholic beverage options are usually available during tastings.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Non-alcoholic beverage options are available during tastings, so younger visitors can still participate in a tasting experience. 🍻 Beer Enthusiasts
+1 The beer tasting is the main draw, offering a chance to sample exclusive brews like the museum-only varieties and the Hokkaido-exclusive Sapporo Classic. +2 Don't miss the opportunity to try the Genghis Khan at the Beer Garden, a classic pairing with Sapporo's finest. 💰 Budget Travelers
+1 You can enjoy learning about the brand's history without spending a yen. For a taste of their beer, the paid tasting is relatively inexpensive, offering a good value for trying multiple brews. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Sapporo Beer Experience: Museum to Garden
While the museum itself is informative, the real highlight for many is the beer tasting hall located downstairs. Here, for a modest fee, you can sample a selection of Sapporo beers, including rare brews exclusive to the museum. +1 This tasting provides a fantastic opportunity to compare different flavors and appreciate the craftsmanship behind Sapporo's brews. Adjacent to the museum is the Sapporo Beer Garden, a popular destination for its Genghis Khan (Jingisukan) restaurants. This all-you-can-eat experience features grilled lamb and vegetables, cooked at your table, paired with an unlimited supply of Sapporo beer.
Combining a visit to the museum with a meal at the Beer Garden offers a comprehensive Sapporo beer experience. Whether you're a dedicated beer aficionado or simply curious about Japanese brewing history, this duo provides a memorable outing. Remember to check for any ongoing renovations that might affect exterior views.
Navigating Sapporo's Beer Scene: Tours & Tastings
For a more in-depth experience, consider the premium tours, which often include guided explanations and may offer additional insights. These premium options typically require advance booking and have a fee. It's important to note that while the museum is accessible, reservations are strongly advised for popular activities like the beer tasting and especially for the all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan at the adjacent Beer Garden.
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