Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Founded in 1899, Takasago Sake Brewery in Asahikawa is one of Hokkaido’s most respected sake breweries. Since its founding, the brewery has remained dedicated to crafting sake using high-quality rice grown in Hokkaido and pure underground water from the region. Among its offerings, the signature label Kokushi Muso stands out—a robust and full-bodied junmai sake that continues to be cherished by sake enthusiasts across Japan.

One of the highlights of visiting Takasago Sake Brewery is the chance to explore the Meiji Sake Brewery Building, a beautifully renovated storehouse from the Meiji era. Here, visitors can freely view displays that introduce the history of sake brewing and the traditional tools used in the process. Surrounded by the gentle aroma of sake, you’ll find yourself immersed in the rich brewing culture rooted in Asahikawa’s natural surroundings.

Next to the exhibit space, the brewery’s direct sales shop offers free tastings of a wide variety of Takasago’s sake. You can sample different flavors and purchase your favorites on the spot. In addition, free guided tours are available, during which staff explain the entire brewing process—from steaming and fermentation to pressing—in an easy-to-understand way. During the winter months (late November to around March), morning visitors may also have the rare opportunity to observe the live brewing process, a seasonal tradition known as kan-zukuri (cold-weather brewing) that gives sake its distinctive character.

Whether you’re a sake lover or simply looking to experience a piece of local culture and history, Takasago Sake Brewery is a must-visit destination in Asahikawa. A sensory journey through the art of sake-making awaits—one that will add a memorable flavor to your Hokkaido adventure.