During the Meiji era, many industries that formed the foundation of Hokkaido's development were established. Beer was one of them. Hokkaido beer now has a history of nearly 150 years.

If you're going to drink beer in Hokkaido, I recommend a beer garden where you can enjoy not only the taste but also the pioneering atmosphere.

This time, we'll be focusing on the popular Sapporo Beer Garden and introducing other beer gardens located within Sapporo City.

*Notes regarding the notation used in the text.
Beer garden; a spot where you can enjoy beer directly operated by a beer company.
Sapporo Beer Garden: A beer garden operated by Sapporo Breweries Ltd.

<Table of Contents>
1. Sapporo Beer Garden
1-1. Access to Sapporo Beer Garden
1-2. Lunch & Dinner Menu
1-3. Reservations and Coupons
1-4. Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum
2. Other beer gardens in Sapporo
3. Conclusion

1. Sapporo Beer Garden

When you combine barley and hops, you get a drink called beer.

While Sapporo boasts numerous beer gardens, Sapporo Beer Garden is undoubtedly the most popular. Centered around the red brick Kaitakukan building, constructed during the Meiji era, it features five restaurants and a museum.

1-1. Access to Sapporo Beer Garden

Sapporo Beer Garden is located northeast of Sapporo Station, and is a bit far to walk to from Odori Park or Susukino.
If you're planning on drinking beer (alcohol), you'll probably be wondering about how to get there.

The main way to access Sapporo Beer Garden is by bus.

From Sapporo Station North Exit, buses run every 30 minutes (every 20 minutes on weekends and holidays), and the journey takes 7 minutes.
On weekdays, the first train departs at 10:00 and the last train at 21:00. On weekends and holidays, the first train departs at 9:40 and the last train at 21:00.

Take the 188 Sapporo Beer Garden/Ario Line bus from platform 2 at the north exit of Sapporo Station.

If you're coming from the south side of Sapporo Station, take the Loop 88 bus, which runs every 20 minutes from the Sapporo Station bus stop south of Tokyu Department Store.
If you take the Loop 88 bus, you can also board it from Odori.

It operates from around 7 AM to around 10 PM, with plenty of service, including three buses per hour during the daytime.
The journey to Sapporo Beer Garden takes 13 minutes from Sapporo Station and 18 minutes from Odori.

The fare is ¥210 for a one-way trip.

By taxi, it costs about ¥800 one way from Sapporo Station. From Susukino, it's about ¥1,000 to ¥1,200 one way.
If you're a group of 3-4 people starting from the Susukino or Nakajima Park area, taking a taxi is a good option.

1-2. Lunch & Dinner Menu

Sapporo Beer Garden has five dining options, each with a different theme and menu.

[Kessel] Kaitakushi Museum, 2nd & 3rd floors. Weekday-only lunch menu available.

This hall is exactly what you'd imagine a "beer garden" to be like. A kessel is a brewing kettle for beer. Recommended for those who want to enjoy a lively atmosphere.
The menu features lamb and Jingisukan (grilled lamb) as the main dishes, available as a buffet or set menu.
- Sample menu
Famous King Viking (100 minutes): Adults ¥2,900, Elementary school students ¥1,450
Famous King Viking + All-you-can-drink: Adults ¥3,900, Elementary school students ¥1,950
Weekday-only lunch: Adults ¥2,160, Elementary school students ¥1,080

[Trommel] 1st floor of the Kaitakushi Museum. No lunch menu available.

Non-smoking throughout. In addition to Genghis Khan (grilled lamb), the buffet also includes sushi, crab, and more. It's a table buffet (order-style buffet), making it popular with families with small children.
- Sample menu
One serving of crab + table buffet: Adults ¥4,440, Elementary school students ¥2,220
One serving of crab + table buffet + all-you-can-drink: Adults ¥5,315, Elementary school students ¥2,870

[Poplar] Poplar Hall, 1st and 2nd floors

This is the largest restaurant within the Sapporo Beer Garden. The menu, including lunch, is the same as that of Kessel Hall.

[Lilac] A wide variety of lunch menu options.

You can enjoy your meal while taking in the scenery that symbolizes the beer garden, such as the Kaitakushi Museum. In the summer, the terrace seating is increased, creating a very open and relaxing atmosphere.
Lilac offers the widest variety of seasonings for their Genghis Khan (grilled lamb). Please try enjoying Genghis Khan with a variety of flavors.
- Sample menu
6 kinds of seasoned Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) + all-you-can-eat à la carte for 100 minutes: Adults ¥3,888, Elementary school students ¥1,944
6 kinds of seasoned Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) + all-you-can-eat à la carte + all-you-can-drink: Adults ¥4,968, Elementary school students ¥2,484

[Garden Grill] High-quality lamb. Lunch menu available. Reservations required.

If you're not a big fan of lamb, why not try Genghis Khan at Garden Grill? They serve lamb that's free of any strong gamey taste, raised on carefully selected feed.
Even if you decide "maybe it's not for me after all...", we have plenty of other menu items besides lamb jingisukan.
- Sample menu
Northern "Fragrance" Course (A course where you can enjoy 6 types of Jingisukan (grilled lamb) and ingredients from Hokkaido) ¥7,000
The "Harvest of the Earth" Course (A course where you can enjoy local ingredients and Genghis Khan-style lamb barbecue) ¥4,000
Lunch is a bento-style meal with a wide variety of side dishes, priced at ¥2,700.

There are so many restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to decide, but if you want to experience the beer garden atmosphere, Kessel is recommended, while if you want to enjoy a leisurely meal, Lilac is a good choice.

Garden Grill requires reservations made at least one day in advance, and reservations are especially recommended during busy times such as summer holidays and weekends.

1-3. Reservations and Coupons

If you don't want to waste time waiting, make a reservation! Online reservations are available up to 3 days in advance. For reservations the day before or on the day of, please call.
Detail page
→https://www.sapporo-bier-garten.jp/reserve/

Coupons are available on our website and on Gurunavi (a restaurant review website). Please take advantage of them.
Gurunavi
→https://r.gnavi.co.jp/h019100/coupon/

1-4. Visit the Sapporo Beer Museum

The Sapporo Beer Park also houses the Sapporo Beer Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of Japanese beer.

There are two tour options. One is a free, self-guided tour that takes approximately 15 minutes.
Another option is a premium tour, available by reservation and for a fee, which includes access to a limited-time premium theater and a tasting of different beverages. The tour lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Premium tours can be booked by phone or online.
→http://www.sapporobeer.jp/brewery/s_museum/

Even if you're just taking a self-guided tour, you can enjoy a beer at the Star Hall at the end (for a fee).

Sapporo Beer Garden

Zip code:065-0007
Kita 7-jo Higashi 9-2-10, Higashi-ku, Sapporo
TEL +0120-150-550-XNUMX
Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 22:00 PM (Last order 21:30 PM)

Sapporo Beer Museum
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 20:00 PM (Last entry at 19:30 PM)
Closed during the New Year holidays.
*Premium tours and Star Hall are closed every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday).

2. Other beer gardens in Sapporo

Besides Sapporo Beer Garden, there are other beer gardens in Sapporo.

Kirin Beer Garden

If you love the foam and rich flavor of Kirin beer, please visit the Kirin Beer Garden.
It's located in Susukino, so it's easily accessible.

Kirin Beer Garden Main Building Nakajima Park Branch [Closed]
札幌市中央区南10条西1-1-60
Access: 2 minutes from Nakajima Park Station, Exit 1.
Business hours 11: 30 to 22: 00
Regular holidays/Open all year round
Smoking is prohibited throughout the store (designated smoking area available) / Partner parking available
Due to aging facilities, the store closed at the end of September 2018.

Kirin Beer Garden Urban Store
7th Floor, Urban Sapporo Building, South 3 West 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Access: 2-minute walk from Susukino Station
Opening hours: 17:00-23:00 (Weekdays), 16:00-23:00 (Weekends and holidays)
Closed: Open all year round
Smoking is prohibited throughout the store (smoking area available) / No parking available

Beer Keller Sapporo Kaitakushi

Although it doesn't quite fit the definition of a beer garden as described here*, you can enjoy beer and Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) at the site that was the birthplace of Sapporo Beer.
It has a great atmosphere and I recommend it.
*This facility is not directly operated by Sapporo Beer, but by its affiliated company, Sapporo Lion.
Beer Keller Sapporo Kaitakushi
1F, Brick Building, Sapporo Factory, Kita 2-jo Higashi 4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Access: 12-minute walk from Sapporo Station
Business hours 11:00-22:00 (LO21:30)
Closed on December 31st and other irregular days.

3. Conclusion

Am I the only one who feels relaxed and thinks, "I did a good job today," after taking a sip of beer?
Beer: a captivating drink reserved only for adults.
When you travel to Hokkaido, be sure to visit a beer garden and enjoy its taste and history.

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