Otokoyama
Otokoyama is arguably the most famous sake producer in Hokkaido, and the building offers a great chance for visitors to see some great sake memorabilia as well as taste a wide variety of different sake.
Guests to the main building can visit the museum on the 2nd and 3rd floors before ending up in the tasting area and gift shop on the 1st floor. The museum has a number of displays, including some old ukiyoe woodblock prints that depict the trademarks of Otokoyama. There are also a number of old sake-producing tools and pieces of equipment. The photographs of restaurants worldwide serving Otokoyama are a testament to its international recognition.
Once you have finished upstairs, head down to the 1st floor to try some of their award-winning sake. The tasting counter has a nice chart indicating which sake is sweet and dry, so that you may become familiar with the different types of sake that are out there. Once you have tried a few, head across the room to the gift shop counter and try a bit of their premium sake. There is a nominal charge for this, but it is a great chance to try a daiginjo (大吟醸) sake without paying an arm and a leg for a bottle. (The flavour of most common junmaishu 純米酒 sake and daiginjo sake is noticeably different).
The gift shop also offers some sweets and snacks, along with T-shirts and assorted sake drinking vessels for sale. There are always several friendly people working in the tasting area and gift shop, so you will have great service during your visit! Outside are sake equipment exhibits and quaint bits of Japanese heritage, along with a nice flower garden in the summertime.
During the first weekend of February, Otokoyama has a bit of a sake festival or open house. Here they will release their annual "fresh" sake, which has a distinctive, lively flavor and is available in limited quantities. There will be amazake (sweet, warm sake) available for tasting, among other activities. Dress warmly and come join in the events at the local sake producer!
Otokoyama Sake Brewery and Museum is located in Asahikawa in the Nagayama neighborhood. Take any number of Dohoku buses from downtown (#669, 667, 67, 70, 71 - the buses run about every 20 minutes) and get off at Nagayama 2-jo 6-chome. They are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for the New Year's holidays. Admission is free. Check out their website atwww.otokoyama.com for more information. After your brewery visit, you can head down the street to Shidax (Nagayama 2-jo 5-chome) for some karaoke afterwards!
