🕓 2025/5/12
#Japanese sake
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A trip to Otaru where you can soothe your soul with nature and enjoy local sake.
table of contents
- What is sake made in Otaru?
- Around Otaru Canal“Recommended sake brewery”
- Around Otaru Canal“Recommended Sake Selection”
- Tour the Otaru canal and sake breweriesRu“Model course”
Introduction
Otaru, a northern port town. The scenery of the canal with its stone warehouses and gas lamps is a reminder of the “mercantile capital of the north” that once flourished with seafood and coal. The sea breeze blowing across the surface of the water is tinged with the faint scent of sake grown in the cool land of Hokkaido, tickling the five senses of travelers. In this guide–
- The charm and limited edition brands of “Otaru’s only sake brewery” preserved by Tanaka Sake Brewery
- Local sake specialty stores and corner-uchi spots that can be found along the canal and Sakaimachi Street
We have systematically put together three model courses, ranging from a half-day route where you can enjoy stone warehouses and sake utensils, to a greedy one-day plan that takes you to Yoichi whiskey and wine. Please use this as a compass when planning your “northern sake trip” in Otaru, where history, scenery, and taste blend together.
- 1. What is sake made in Otaru?
- 2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Otaru Canal
- 3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Otaru Canal
- 1. Takaragawa Shizukuto Bottori Junmai Daiginjo｜Tanaka Sake Brewery
- 2. The Star of the North Junmai Ginjo｜Tanaka Sake Brewery
- 3. Nisei Ko Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Comet 45 | Nisei Koshuzo
- 4. Kunimare Special Pure Rice Sake | Kunimare Sake Brewery
- 5. Chitose Tsuru Junmai Ginjo Namara Super Spicy｜Japanese Sake
- 4. “Model course” around Otaru canal and sake breweries
- Finally
1. What is sake made in Otaru?
Otaru Canal, the romance nurtured by the northern commercial capital
The Otaru Canal, with its nostalgic stone warehouses reflected on the water, retains the memory of a port town that once thrived on coal and seafood. Since the Meiji era, the distribution network provided by the canal has gathered rice and materials essential for sake brewing, and transported them to Hokkaido’s representative “sake brewery Ginza”. The scenery along the canal still invites travelers to the deep world of sake.
1 | The breath of history and the blessings of Mt. Tengu underground water
Tanaka Sake Brewery, Otaru’s only active brewery, pumps underground water from Mt. Tengu and brews sake year-round using a four-season brewing method that takes advantage of the cool climate. The refreshing taste of Hokkaido-born sake rice — Ginpu, Comet, and Kitashizuku — is the blessing of this land. Kikkogura in Ishikura has quietly inherited the vestiges of the group of sake breweries that once lined the canal.
2 | A bustling canal street and a cityscape where the heartbeat of brewing echoes
If you walk along the cobblestone streets of Sakaimachi and Ironai, you’ll find Tanaka Sake Brewery Main Store, where you can see the brewing tank behind the glass, Kitaichi Glass Jizakeya Kitaichi, which stocks famous sake from all over Hokkaido, and Meishu Kakuuchi Center Takano, where you can enjoy “5-minute kakuuchi” right inside the station. You can find a variety of drinks, including freshly squeezed unprocessed sake limited to the brewery and sparkling sake that can only be obtained here.
3 | Takaragawa’s gratitude for pioneering and the taste of the north
Tanaka Sake Brewery’s representative brand “Takaragawa” is rich in expression, from the tanrei dryness that brings out the flavor of the rice to the delicate sweetness of the Shizukuto bottledori. Our commitment to using 100% Hokkaido rice is also a homage to the pioneering spirit that carved out the harsh natural environment. The adventurous spirit of the port city of Otaru shines through, such as the seasonal sake “Yukiakari” and “Aizake”, as well as smoky Junmai sake aged in Mizun oak barrels.
[Otaru Canal Area Overview Information]
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| location | Otaru City, Hokkaido (along the canal: around Ironai – Sakaimachi) |
| access | Approximately 5 minutes walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station (Kikkokura) / 10 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station (Main store/Canal) |
| Main tourist destinations | Otaru Canal, former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch, Kitaichi Glass Building 3, Otaru Music Box Hall, Tenguyama Ropeway |
| Japanese sake spot | Tanaka Sake Brewery (Kikkogura Main Branch), Kitaichi Glass Local Sake Shop Kitaichi, Famous Sake Kakuuchi Center Takano, Sake Restaurant Fujirin, Rakuten, ~Japanese Dining~ Soraku, etc. |
| Event information | Tanaka Sake Brewery “Otaru Amazake Festival” (June-July), Plum Wine Festival (Spring), Yakatabune Sake Festival (Summer), Otaru Yukiakari no Michi (February: Limited edition sake “Yukiakari” released) |
2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Otaru Canal
Enjoy the romance of the canal and the aroma of Ishigura sake all at once
The area around Otaru Canal is lined with historic stone warehouses and retro shops, and is dotted with Japanese sake spots where you can casually drop by and enjoy the atmosphere unique to a port town. Along with a nostalgic stroll through the canals, why not experience the “Otaru-style drinking time” that can only be experienced here? This time, we will carefully select and introduce two particularly recommended hotels.
1. Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura | The only sake brewery overlooking the canal
Source: https://tanakashuzo.com/
Kikkogura, a brewery that is a renovated stone storehouse, is a quaint space that makes use of a warehouse built in 1905 (Meiji 38). It is one of the rare sake breweries in Japan that uses underground water from Mt. Tengu and Hokkaido-produced sake rice (Ginpu, Comet, Kitashizuku, etc.) to brew sake year-round using “four seasons brewing.”
The attraction is that you can look into the koji room and the brewing tank through the glass and taste freshly made Takaragawa and brewery limited sake for free. There are over 10 types to sample, and the Otaru limited edition sparkling and sake manju are also popular. Located within walking distance from the canal, it is also the perfect starting point for sightseeing.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Tanaka Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Kikkogura |
| Founding year | 1899 (Meiji 32) |
| Main brands | Takaragawa (Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo), Kita no Issei, seasonal sake, sparkling sake, etc. |
| visit | 〇 (Free, through glass, takes 10-15 minutes) |
| Tasting | 〇(Free/10-15 types) |
| Direct sales office | Available (Limited Sake, Sake Kasu, Amazake, Liqueur, Sake Manju, etc.) |
| access | Approximately 5 minutes’ walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station / Approximately 15 minutes’ walk from Otaru Canal Asakusabashi |
2. Kitaichi Glass Local Sake Shop Kitaichi | A brewery select shop where glass lights and local sake meet
Exhibitor:https://kitaichiglass.co.jp/
Kitaichi Glass’ liquor specialty store blends into the cobblestone streets of Sakaimachi Street. The store is lined with local sake from all over Hokkaido, including Tanaka Sake Brewery’s exclusive sake, as well as Hokkaido-labeled sake from a variety of breweries in Sapporo, Niseko, and Asahikawa. Since it’s run by a long-established glass craftsman, you can also choose blown glass sake vessels and local sake.
有料試飲カウンターでは季節替わりのおすすめを数百円でテイスティング可能（混雑時は中止の場合あり）。 It’s right next to the canal, so why not stop by on your stroll and enjoy comparing drinks and choosing your choko.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Kitaichi Glass Co., Ltd. Jizakeya Kitaichi |
| Founding year | 1901 (Meiji 34) *Year of founding of Kitaichi Glass |
| Main handling | Sake, shochu, wine, and whiskey from all over Hokkaido, Tanaka Sake Brewery limited sake, and original sake vessels |
| visit | × (Shop only) |
| Tasting | 〇(Paid, contents vary depending on the season) |
| Direct sales office | Available (Limited Sake, Sake Utensils, Hokkaido Gourmet) |
| access | Approximately 3 minutes walk from Otaru Canal Asakusabashi / Approximately 10 minutes walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station |
3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Otaru Canal
Sake you’ll want to enjoy while strolling around the Otaru Canal
Gas lamps lit in the stone warehouses, canals carrying the scent of the sea… Hokkaido’s cool climate and sake grown in the land are exceptional, combined with the retro scenery of Otaru. Here, we have carefully selected five famous Hokkaido sakes that you must try in Otaru, and introduce their unique characteristics and ways to enjoy them. You can find it at Tanaka Sake Brewery’s directly managed store along the canal, at local sake shops on Sakaimachi Street, or at Kakuuchi inside the station. Pair this with a historical walk.
1. Takaragawa Shizukuto Bottori Junmai Daiginjo｜Tanaka Sake Brewery
A luxury sake made by polishing Tenguyama subterranean water and Hokkaido rice to 40%, and collecting only the “drops” that naturally drip without pressure into a bottle. A gorgeous aroma reminiscent of pear and melon, and a delicate, silky sweetness that spreads throughout your mouth. Enjoy a small amount of cold sake for a special toast or after-dinner lingering taste.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo (40% polished rice, drop harvested) |
| taste | Bright fruit aroma, soft and elegant sweetness, and sharp aftertaste |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎／Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Scallop carpaccio, prosciutto & melon, camembert |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Tanaka Sake Brewery <Kikkogura>/<main store> limited sale/free tasting available |
2. The Star of the North Junmai Ginjo｜Tanaka Sake Brewery
Hokkaido-produced sake rice <Comet> x underground water preparation. A Junmai Ginjo with a light ginjo aroma reminiscent of apples and a well-balanced balance of rice flavor. It doesn’t fall apart either chilled or at room temperature, and goes well with seafood and salty dishes.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo |
| taste | Subtle fruit aroma, light flavor, and a finish that disappears quickly |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎／Room temperature ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Salt-grilled herring, king crab, salted zangi |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Tanaka Sake Brewery stores/Kitaichi Glass Jizakeya Kitaichi/Sake Kakuuchi Center Takano |
3. Nisei Ko Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Comet 45 | Nisei Koshuzo
A popular brewery in the Shiribeshi area, brewed with spring water from Mt. Yotei. The unprocessed sake is made by polishing Hokkaido rice (Comet) to 45% and fermenting it slowly at low temperatures.It has a clear and concentrated flavor and a refreshing aftertaste. It also makes a great souvenir from the Niseko area, which is an hour away by train from the canal.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo sake |
| taste | Transparent sweetness, moist richness, sharp crispness |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎／Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Salmon rouibe, raclette cheese, mountain wasabi steak |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Local Sake Shop Kitaichi / Sake Kakuuchi Center Takano / Special Liquor Store |
4. Kunimare Special Pure Rice Sake | Kunimare Sake Brewery
A long-established storehouse in Mashike, a port town on the Sea of Japan. Made using Gohyakumangoku rice grown in Niigata, and finished in cold brewing, it has a good balance of rich rice flavor and dry crispness. Pair it with Otaru’s seafood bowl or pickled herring for a marriage with the scent of the sea breeze.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Special Junmai |
| taste | Mild flavor, gentle aroma, and refreshing dry aftertaste |
| How to drink | Cold sake ○ / Room temperature ◎ / Warm sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Candied herring, herring roe pickled in Matsumae, open mackerel |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Jizakaya Kitaichi / Izakaya in Hanazono area / Liquor store in Otaru city |
5. Chitose Tsuru Junmai Ginjo Namara Super Spicy｜Japanese Sake
“Namara = very” dry! A sharp Junmai Ginjo from a brewery in central Sapporo. After a light spiciness, you can taste the flavor derived from Hokkaido rice. After enjoying Otaru beer and seafood, we recommend this as a refreshing drink to refresh your throat.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo |
| taste | Super dry, refreshing sharpness, subtle rice flavor |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎／Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Fried oysters, salted squid, salt ramen |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Famous Sake Kakuuchi Center Takano/Special Liquor Store in Otaru and Sapporo |
4. “Model course” around Otaru canal and sake breweries
Enjoy the romance of a port town on a trip to Otaru Canal and sake
Walk along the Otaru Canal with its stone warehouses and gas lamps, and sample local sake grown in Hokkaido. Otaru is packed with historical atmosphere and gourmet food, and its appeal is that you can have an “intense” experience whether it’s for a half day or a full day. Here you can choose according to your travel style. 3 model courses I would like to suggest.
①｜Enjoy the canals and stone warehouses! Standard walk & sake tasting course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 4 to 5 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty level:★☆☆ ｜ 🍶 Approximate number of tastings:2 locations
A classic route that lets you fully experience the essence of Otaru in half a day.
Watch the brewing process at Tanaka Sake Brewery (Kikkogura) and sample freshly made Takaragawa sake for free. Stroll through the stone warehouses along the canal, and enjoy port town gourmet lunch with seafood bowls and Otaru beer. In the afternoon, you can go shopping on Sakaimachi Street while enjoying Kitaichi Glass sake vessels and Hokkaido sake.This is a plan that allows you to enjoy the trifecta of “canal, stone storehouse, and local sake” in an easy way.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 10:00 | JR Minami-Otaru Station Arrival → Strolling through the stone streetsTanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura〉 (5 minutes walk) |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Brewing tour (free) at Kikkogura + tasting over 10 varieties including “Takaragawa”/Purchase limited edition sake and sake manju |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Walking along the Otaru Canal → Take photos at Asakusabashi and Chuo Bridge and tour the brick warehouses |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch at a restaurant along the canal (Seafood bowl/Otaru Beer Warehouse No.1, etc.) |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | While strolling along Sakaimachi Street,Kitaichi Glass Jizakeya Kitaichi>fart |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Paid tasting of Hokkaido sake and shopping for blown glass sake vessels at local sake shop Kitaichi |
| **14:00 – ** | Shop for souvenirs nearby (LeTAO Main Store, Music Box Hall, etc.) → From Canal Terminal, take a bus or walk to Otaru Station |
②｜Explore Otaru + Yoichi! Sake Brewery/Winery/Whiskey Enjoyment Course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 7 to 8 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty level:★★☆ ｜ 🍶 Approximate number of tastings: 2 locations + α
A greedy plan to conquer the sake culture of Otaru, Yoichi, and Shishi areas in one day.
Source: https://tanakashuzo.com/
In the morning, we visited Tanaka Sake Brewery and Kitaichi Glass in Otaru and tasted and compared Hokkaido sake. Before noon, we took the JR train to Yoichi, where we visited the Nikka Whiskey Distillery to see traditional coal-fired distillation and sample whiskey. In the afternoon, enjoy a tasting at a winery surrounded by vineyards. This is an enriching course that alcohol lovers will be drooling over, where you can experience the three major brewing and distilled spirits: sake, wine, and whisky.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:00 | JR Minami-Otaru Station → Tour and tasting at Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | Canal walk (Asakusabashi → Sakaimachi Street) / Kitaichi Glass Sake tasting at local sake shop Kitaichi |
| 11:10 – 11:40 | JR Otaru Station Depart → Take JR Hakodate Main Line to Yoichi Station (about 25 minutes) |
| 11:45 – 13:15 | Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery Tour + whiskey tasting, lunch at on-site restaurant |
| 13:30 – 15:00 | By taxi or rental bicycleOcciGabi Winery>or<OSA WINERYGo to → Wine tasting |
| 15:15 – 15:45 | Return to Yoichi Station and purchase souvenirs (apple pie, etc.) |
| 15:45 – 16:15 | Depart from JR Yoichi Station → Return to Otaru Station/Sapporo |
③｜Have a drink along the canal! Easy-to-enjoy sake-tasting light plan
🕒 Time required: Approximately 2 to 3 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty level:★☆☆ ｜ 🍶 Approximate number of tastings: 2 places + eating while walking
A quick course for those who don’t have much time but can’t miss the local sake of Otaru.
![小樽『銘酒角打ちセンターたかの』駅徒歩40秒。列車1本見送り地酒と牡蠣に舌鼓 – Syupo [シュポ]](https://syupo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DSC00727-1024x684.jpg)
After taking photos of the canal, we sampled seasonal Hokkaido sake for a fee at Kitaichi Glass on Sakaimachi Street, and got a choko as a souvenir of our trip. Next, enjoy a “5-minute kakuuchi” at the famous sake kakuuchi center Takano next to Otaru Station, and fill your stomach with local snacks such as zangi. It can be completed in around 2 hours including eating while walking, so it is a simple plan that can be easily incorporated before traveling to Sapporo or the airport.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| any | Otaru canal photography → To Sakaimachi Street |
| 13:00 – 13:40 | Kitaichi Glass Paid tasting of seasonal Hokkaido sake (3-cup set, etc.) & “Choko” souvenir selection at local sake shop Kitaichi |
| 13:45 – 14:20 | Famous Sake Kakuuchi Center TakanoMove to (next to JR Otaru Station) → Enjoy a glass of famous Hokkaido sake for 300 yen + snacks such as zangi |
| 14:20 – 15:00 | Eating around Otaru Station (Naruto, a half-fried young chicken, Bread Roll, etc.) |
| **15:00 – ** | You can take the train from JR Otaru Station to Sapporo/New Chitose Airport, or extend the train to take photos of the canal sunset. |
Finally
The sake in the glass is gently reflected on the calm surface of the Otaru Canal.
Freshly squeezed Takaragawa tasted at Tanaka Sake Brewery, famous Hokkaido sake from Kitaichi Glass, and finished off with a cup of Kakuuchi inside the station. All of them resonate with the history of stone warehouses and the blessings of the northern land, enriching the memories of your trip.
Follow the itinerary suggested by this guide, and at your own pace, wind through the alleys, visit sake breweries, and find your favorite drink while enjoying the night view of the canal.
“Canal x Stone Storehouse x Local Sake” – May the lingering sound unique to Otaru created by these triple beats give you energy for your next trip.
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