Distilleries and Wineries in Otaru

Japanese wine and whisky are attracting attention at home and abroad, and since November 2011, when Yoichi became the first town in Hokkaido to be designated a “wine special zone,” the number of wineries in Yoichi has been growing.

Hokkaido’s climate is said to be similar to that of European wine regions and well suited to growing grapes. In Shioya, Otaru, a grape variety called Otaru Tabiji, once known as Beni-Shioya, has also been discovered. For this reason, Otaru and neighboring Yoichi are home to a number of wineries and distilleries.

OSA WINERY

OSA WINERY is a 7-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, so you can reach it on foot. It is run by a married couple who are both former sommeliers.
They also grow grapes without herbicides or chemical fertilizers in Shioya, Otaru, and in neighboring Yoichi.
The winery is housed in a small stone warehouse more than 100 years old, and it also holds events related to wine and grapes, such as tasting experiences.

Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd. Otaru Brewery

Hokkaido Wine offers winery tours that include tastings of special wines and pairing amuse-bouches.

Yoichi Winery

This winery is in Yoichi, the town next to Otaru. “Yoichi Wine” has been produced here since 1974.
At the winery you can tour the brewing, bottling and storage facilities, and there is also a shop and a restaurant on site.

Yoichi is one of the most active grape-growing areas in Hokkaido.
Besides Yoichi Winery, there are many other wineries, including Domaine Takahiko, OcciGabi Winery, Hirakawa Winery and Rita Farm & Winery.

Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery

Masataka Taketsuru, the first Japanese person to learn Scotch whisky distilling in Scotland, founded the distillery in Yoichi in 1934. Yoichi Distillery has distillery tours, a whisky museum, a bar where you can taste whisky, a gift shop and a restaurant.

Enjoying wine and whisky in Otaru