insights from frontier Japan

As the height of summer approaches, beer gardens are starting to open on the rooftops and terraces of commercial facilities in the city of Sapporo.

In Hokkaido there are 25 microbreweries, like the well-known ‘Noboribetsu Craft Beer Onidensetsu,’ that are particular about manufacturing methods and use of local ingredients, and their distinctive beers and shochu white spirits are increasing in presence.

　Two bear cubs that were born in the winter hibernation den and are just a few months old, follow their mother. As the length of stride of the mother bear, which weighs over 100 kg, is different, the cubs break into a trot to keep up with her as she ambles along.

Five residents of Higashikawa, a neighboring town of Asahikawa in northern Hokkaido, held a reception on November 8 at ‘Centpure I’, an exchange facility in the town, to unveil a beer that a local microbrewery has been commissioned to produce.

Customers could be seen relaxing with a beer mug in one hand as they enjoyed the holiday on the 4th, the last day of the ‘Oktober Fest’ – an annual autumn event in which authentic German-style beer can be savored in Otaru, at the ‘Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No. 1’ beer pub that faces Otaru Canal.

A beer brewery that was under construction in Niseko Town by major tea seller Lupicia (Niseko Town, central Hokkaido) has been completed.

Beer gardens are now open in commercial facilities and other places in downtown Sapporo. However, some major locations, such as the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden, are closed due to the novel coronavirus. Each venue has come up with ways for infection control, such as the introduction of a self-service drink system.