Sapporo is where Japanese beer started — the Sapporo Brewery opened here in 1876 — and the city has grown a craft scene that goes well beyond the mainstream lagers. A handful of dedicated beer bars, a couple of local breweries with taprooms, and a growing number of restaurants pouring craft alongside food make Sapporo one of the better cities in Japan for beer.
Most of these bars cluster around Odori and Tanukikoji, making a craft beer crawl entirely walkable. Start at one end of Tanukikoji arcade and work your way through.
The Essential Beer Bars
Beer Inn Mugishutei (麦酒停)
Japan’s oldest existing beer bar, opened in 1980 by American-born Phred Kaufman — widely credited with introducing craft beer culture to Japan before most of the country had heard of it. Over 300 beers from 50+ countries line the walls and fill the fridges of this dimly lit basement bar near Nakajima-Koen Station. The house exclusive: Ezo Beer, brewed by Rogue Ales in Portland, Oregon specifically for this bar. Try the Hascup Ale, made with local Hokkaido berries.
Note: there may be a 900 yen cover charge. Worth it for the history and the conversation — Phred has stories about every beer in the building.
Area: Near Nakajima-Koen Station (basement)
Style: Historic beer bar, 300+ international selection
Best for: Beer history, international craft, conversation with a legend
Tap Room Beer Kotan (by Hop Kotan Brewing)
The tap room for Hop Kotan Brewing, based in Kamifurano-cho — the only place in Hokkaido that commercially cultivates hops. The brewery produces over 70 styles annually, with 10-12 always on tap here. The pork sagari (skirt steak) and in-house sausages use Kamifurano pork and pair perfectly with the beer. Located on the 3rd floor of the Parade Building, a 3-minute walk from Odori Station behind PARCO.
Area: Odori (3F Parade Building, Minami 2-jo Nishi 3, Chuo-ku)
Hours: Mon-Fri 5PM-11PM, Sat/Sun/Holidays 12PM-11PM
Price: ~800-900 yen per pint
Best for: Hokkaido-brewed craft beer, locally sourced food pairings
Beer Bar North Island
The taproom for North Island Beer, a brewery founded in Ebetsu in 2003 by two college friends who discovered craft beer while travelling in Canada. The bar sits on the 10th floor of a high-rise near Tanukikoji with city views. Twelve beers on tap daily including their core six: Pilsner, Weizen, Brown Ale, Coriander Black, Stout, and IPA. The fish and chips use local ingredients. The brewers are sometimes present and happy to talk about what they are making.
Area: Tanukikoji / near Odori Station (10th floor)
Style: Brewery taproom with city views
Best for: Drinking local, trying the full range of a Hokkaido brewery
Moon and Sun Brewing (月と太陽 BREWING / Tsuki to Taiyo)
A brewpub near Nijo Market with in-house brewing equipment producing 10 craft beers on tap daily, rotated constantly. Everything uses 100% Hokkaido-grown hops and seasonal fruits. The tasting set (3 beers for 1,300 yen) is the best way to sample the range, or go for the all-you-can-drink at 3,800 yen for 2 hours. The french fries made from Hokkaido potatoes are the signature food pairing.
Area: Near Nijo Market / Tanukikoji block 1, along Sossei River
Access: 5-10 minute walk from Odori or Susukino Station
Best for: Brewpub atmosphere, trying Hokkaido-hopped beers
Beer Cellar Sapporo
A bottle shop and bar near Odori Park with approximately 200 bottled varieties plus 8-10 on tap. Strong focus on Oregon-brewed beers — a nod to Sapporo’s sister city Portland. The atmosphere is authentic American taproom: solid wood and metal furniture, concrete floors, chalkboard menus. Order the 120ml tasting set of 4 beers to explore without committing to full pints.
Area: South side of Odori Park, minutes from Nishi-Juitchome Station (Tozai Line)
Style: Bottle shop + bar, Oregon/American focus
Best for: Browsing a huge selection, Oregon beer fans
Kalahana
A cosy craft beer and cider bar on Tanukikoji 7-chome seating 22 on wooden floors. Japanese and international craft on draft, with knowledgeable staff who are good at guiding beginners through the selection. Less intense than Mugishutei or Maltheads — a comfortable starting point for craft beer newcomers.
Area: Tanukikoji 7-chome (7-4 Minami 2 Jo Nishi, Chuo-ku)
Best for: Beginners, cider drinkers, relaxed atmosphere
Maltheads
A tiny 10-seat counter bar run by Kikuo Sakamaki, who passed level 1 of the Japan Beer Test and sits on the executive committee of the Sapporo Craft Beer Forest festival. Over 100 bottled beers with a focus on Sapporo’s sister cities Munich and Portland. Also stocks malt whiskey. The subdued lighting and chic wooden interior make it feel more like a speakeasy than a beer bar. Come here when you want expertise rather than volume.
Area: Minami 3-Jo Nishi 8-chome, Chuo-ku (B1F Taiyo Building)
Hours: 18:00-24:00
Best for: Serious beer and whiskey drinkers, expert recommendations
Bar Crawl Route
Six of the seven bars cluster around Odori and Tanukikoji. A walkable evening route:
- Start: Beer Kotan (Odori, behind PARCO) — opens at 5PM weekdays, noon weekends
- Walk 3 min: Beer Bar North Island (Tanukikoji, 10th floor) — city views at sunset
- Walk 5 min: Moon and Sun Brewing (near Nijo Market) — brewpub dinner
- Walk 3 min: Kalahana (Tanukikoji 7-chome) — something lighter
- Walk 8 min: Beer Cellar Sapporo (south of Odori Park) — browse the bottles
- Subway 1 stop south: Beer Inn Mugishutei (Nakajima-Koen) — finish at the legend
Maltheads (Minami 3-Jo Nishi 8) is a short walk from Susukino — add it between stops 4 and 5 if you want the expert’s pick.
Beyond the Bars
Sapporo Beer Museum and Beer Garden
The 1890 red-brick brewery in the factory district houses a free museum. The beer garden next door serves multiple Sapporo draft styles alongside jingisukan (dome-grilled lamb). All-you-can-eat and drink plans from around 4,000 yen. Bus from Sapporo Station or 15-minute walk.
Tours: Book via Klook
Sapporo Classic
Not craft, but essential. Sapporo Classic is a Hokkaido-exclusive beer from Sapporo Breweries — a richer, more characterful version of the standard Sapporo lager. Available at every convenience store and restaurant on the island. Try it before diving into craft — it sets the baseline for what Hokkaido beer tastes like.
Annual Events
- Sapporo Craft Beer Forest — annual festival bringing together Hokkaido breweries
- Odori Beer Garden — summer (late July to mid-August). Massive outdoor beer garden in Odori Park with multiple brewery zones.
Practical Tips
- Price: Expect 800-1,300 yen per pint at craft beer bars. Cheaper than Tokyo for the same quality.
- Hours: Most bars open 5-6 PM and close around midnight. Mugishutei and Maltheads lean later.
- Language: Beer is universal. Most bartenders at these bars speak some English, and beer names are often in English anyway.
- Eating: All bars on this list serve food or allow food from nearby. Moon and Sun and Beer Kotan have the best food menus.
- Driving: Japan has near-zero tolerance for drink driving. Take the subway.
For more Sapporo food and drink, see our food guide, ramen guide, and Sapporo city guide.