HOKKAIDO · DRINKING TOURS
Below are the 15 drinking tours in hokkaido that earned a place on this list, each reviewed in full. Prices and practical details sit alongside every entry so you can compare before you commit.
Spend three hours with a local guide such as Midori, Kay, or Aika, visiting three Sapporo izakayas for 3 to 4 dishes, 3 drinks, local tips, and a final ramen or parfait stop.
“Enjoyed the tour guide she was great and provided great tips for things to do and places to eat. The food was good and so was the sake. Very enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend.”
Walk from Sapporo TV Tower through Susukino and Tanuki-koji with an English-speaking guide such as Iku or Paul. Visit three bars, enjoy a first drink and snacks, then choose extra sake, wine, beer, or food to suit your taste.
“A fantastic and memorable night in Sapporo! Our guide Iko was truly amazing — very experienced, engaging, and full of positive energy. She made the whole evening super fun and interactive while sharing lots of local insights. We visited some great hidden food and bar spots with delicious dishes and drinks. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience authentic Sapporo nightlife with a knowledgeable and friendly guide!”
At a working soba restaurant in Sapporo, a buckwheat artisan guides you through mixing, kneading, stretching, cutting, and boiling noodles. Then enjoy your fresh soba with seasonal Hokkaido tempura and three local sakes, two chilled and one warm.
“Very charming non English speaking young lady, and a less engaging English speaking fellow. Not thetwoladies in their promotional picture. They delivered everything expected. They're at the end of the orange line. Plan on a 40 trip via subwRead more”
Join an English-speaking guide such as Scott E for an 8.5-hour Sapporo outing that pairs two striking Buddhist sites with TV Tower views and sake at a Susukino stand bar.
“Although I was the only person on this tour, my guide Scott worked just as hard at making sure I had a fabulous time. In addition to the original itinerary that he crafted, which was fabulous (Buddha statue, sake tasting, et cetera), Scott furtheRead more”
Spend 8.5 hours exploring Butsugan-ji Temple, the Hill of the Buddha, Sapporo TV Tower, and Yata Sake Stand Bar. Scott, one praised guide, adds friendly local tips, while transport, admission, and sake tasting are included.
“Une journée mémorable dans un environnement magnifique, rempli de spiritualité et de mysticisme ! Scott était juste super ! Et la dégustation de Saké à la fin est parfait également ❤️❤️”
Spend eight hours with guide Scott visiting Hokkaido’s 54-hectare Historical Village and Sapporo Beer Museum. See Meiji and Taisho-era buildings, follow Sapporo’s brewing story, and enjoy included beer tasting.
“The trip to the village, museum, and Sapporo beer museum is a great trip to see Hokkaido's history as it moved through the industrial revolution and into the modern era. If the time period interests you, book this tour.”
Spend three hours exploring Sapporo after dark with an English or Japanese-speaking guide. Visit three bars chosen around your interests, enjoy one drink at each, share 3 to 4 snack dishes, and learn about local drinking culture.
“Paul was a superb tour guide - I was his only guest and we visited three great local bars with good food and drinks - the sort of places I wouldn’t have known enough to try if I hadn’t been with him. He explained a lot about Japanese culture aRead more”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Sapporo Station for an 8.5-hour Otaru tour. Walk the canal, make optional glassware, hear an Aeolian organ, see the Steam Clock, and enjoy a brewery drink.
“great day out with Scott. great tour and great worldly discussions.recommended!! port very pretty place and very historical.”
Travel from Sapporo to Otaru with an English-speaking guide, visit the canal, Kitaichi Glass, Music Box Museum, and Steam Clock, then enjoy a beer or nonalcoholic drink at Otaru Beer.
“Had a wonderful time experiencing Otaru with our guide Scott. He shared a ton of information about the local culture and history of the town as we wandered the streets. A beautiful, relaxing place to visit as our trip wound down.”
Meet guide Scott at Sapporo Station for a full-day visit to the Historical Village of Hokkaido, Hokkaido Museum, and Sapporo Beer Museum, ending with a three-beer tasting.
“This tour is amazing! Very educative and it really gets you into the old Hokkaido vibes. Also Scott is a great guide. We liked the museum the most, it is super interesting, and lastly the beer tasting is great. I really recommend this tour if you want to do something different at Sapporo!”
Spend three hours in Susukino with host Tomo, visiting two local izakayas. Enjoy one drink and food at the first stop, then Hokkaido dishes and all-you-can-drink options at the second.
“We had an excellent time on this experience! We've been in Japan for several months but hadn't tried an izakaya yet since we're not very confident in speaking Japanese and only know very little, this was the perfect way to get that first exRead more”
Join local guide Ana for a private two-hour night out in Hakodate. Choose Goryokaku pubs or retro bars near the station, with local seafood, drinks, and a look at the city’s port-town culture.
“Ana was very pleasant, but didn’t quite hit the spots other similar tours have. 2 bars, bottle of beer each in the first then asked to pay for anything to drink in the second. I did wonder if Ana quite knew the brief, or how much we had paid for this particular tour.”
Spend about seven hours with a national licensed guide, traveling from Otaru to the Sapporo Beer Museum before exploring Otaru Canal and nearby historic sights. Beer, architecture, shopping, and local food all fit into one private day.
“Sapporo Beer Museum, free admission, explanation in Japanese and English”
Join an English-speaking local guide for a private two-hour bar hop in Hakodate. Choose Goryokaku or the Station Area, visit handpicked izakayas and bars, taste regional food and drinks, and learn the customs behind local nightlife.
Choose Susukino, Tanukikoji, or Sapporo Station for a private two-hour evening with an English-speaking guide. Visit two izakayas, use ¥1,500 at each stop, and try sashimi, hokke, zangi, lamb, ramen, beer, or sake.
