Minimal Japanese poster with rice-paper texture, red sun balance, brushstroke elements and a sake cup or sleek craft-glass silhouette

Japan: Sake, Sushi, Whisky, Craft Beer

$7,250.00

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* The deposit is refundable less a $50 cancellation fee up to 60 days prior to departure. For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full deposit will be forfeited. For cancellations made after final payment, refunds will be made (where possible) according to service contracts and supplier guidelines; these refunds will be based on recoverable expenses. See the full Terms and Conditions here.

Description

Japan — Sake, Sushi, Whisky & Craft Beer · Otaru to Fukuoka

Northern Hokkaidō whisky and canal-side Otaru, alpine Takayama sake, temple-rich Kyoto and Yamazaki, then warm Fukuoka yatai — a north-to-south small-group arc through Japan by train, with beer halls, izakaya, distilleries and free evenings in cities made for wandering.

Yoichi’s coastal Nikka stills, cedar-ball sake breweries in Takayama, Kyoto markets and bamboo at Arashiyama, a half-day at Hiroshima’s Peace Park en route south, and Hakata ramen under the yatai lanterns — craft beer woven through lager history and contemporary taprooms from Sapporo to Fukuoka.

Trip facts: 19 days (Day 0–18) · October 24–November 11, 2026 · 16 hotel nights · Otaru → Fukuoka · 7–14 travelers · $7,250 land-only (+$1,740 single).

Perfect For: Travelers who want Japan’s beer, sake, whisky and food cultures in one coherent route — scenic train days, distillery visits, market grazing and built-in free time in Takayama, Kyoto and Fukuoka.

19 Days | 7–14 Travelers | Hokkaidō, Alps, Kyoto & Kyūshū

Upcoming Departures & Pricing

  • 2026 Tour | October 24 – November 11, 2026 | $7,250 | Single Room +$1,740 | Open

2026 departure only. Date span includes Day 0 overnight travel — depart North America Saturday, October 24. The trip begins on Day 2 with arrival in Otaru on Monday, October 26; Day 1 is the International Date Line crossing with no hotel night.

Trip Price (land-only, based on double occupancy): $7,250 per person · Single room add $1,740 · International airfare not included.

2026: Day 0 — Saturday, October 24 (overnight flight) · Day 2 — Monday, October 26 (arrive Otaru; first hotel night) · Day 18 — Wednesday, November 11 (breakfast; depart Fukuoka independently).

Pricing is land-only, based on double occupancy. Your price is confirmed once your deposit has been accepted for this departure.

Small-group format — 7 to 14 travelers. Trip runs guaranteed at minimum 7.

Please select your room type above when joining the trip. Space and single-room availability are limited.

Join the Trip!

At a Glance

  • Duration: 19 days (Day 0–18) · 16 hotel nights · Oct 24 Day 0 flight; first hotel night Oct 26 Otaru; depart Nov 11 Fukuoka
  • Group Size: 7–14 travelers
  • Beer Focus: Hokkaidō lager heritage · Takayama sake country · Kyoto & Nagoya craft taprooms · Fukuoka beer bars
  • Region: Hokkaidō · Japanese Alps · Nagoya · Kyoto · Hiroshima · Fukuoka
  • Pace: Train travel with free days in Takayama, Kyoto and Fukuoka · relaxed city walks and open evenings
  • Walking Level: Easy to moderate — train stations, markets, temple lanes, cobblestones and stairs
  • Transport: Shinkansen and local rail · one domestic flight · private transfers where noted · luggage forwarding on key segments
  • Overnight Locations: Otaru (2) · Sapporo (2) · Takayama (3) · Nagoya (1) · Kyoto (4) · Fukuoka (4)

Why BeerTrips?

For more than 25 years, BeerTrips has helped curious travelers experience great beer destinations through local culture, food, history and the people behind the breweries. Our small-group journeys are designed for travelers who want more than a checklist of sights and tastings.

Otaru canals and Yoichi whisky, Susukino craft beer and Hida beef in Takayama, Nishiki Market and Yamazaki, Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Fukuoka yatai — beer, sake, whisky and Japanese food in one north-to-south route with included tastings and open evenings along the way.

  • Small groups — 7 to 14 travelers
  • Nikka Yoichi and Suntory Yamazaki distillery visits
  • Sake breweries in Takayama · guided walks in Sapporo, Takayama, Kyoto and Fukuoka
  • Sixteen breakfasts, five lunches and eight dinners with drinks at included BeerTrips meals
  • Free days in Takayama, Kyoto and Fukuoka for Shirakawa-go, Fushimi Inari, Dazaifu or neighborhood beer bars

Why You’ll Love This Trip

From Hokkaidō’s cool coast to Kyūshū’s warm yatai stalls — whisky stills, morning markets, machiya townhouses and shinkansen windows in one direction, with a brewery, bar or tasting most days along the route.

Canal walks in Otaru, ramen alleys in Sapporo, cedar-ball sake in Takayama, Nishiki grazing and bamboo at Arashiyama, Sakae nightlife in Nagoya, and a final stretch of mentaiko, tonkotsu and craft beer in Fukuoka.

What makes this trip special: Japan’s fermented traditions — beer, sake, shōchū and whisky — sit in the towns worth stopping for. Otaru and Yoichi on the coast, Takayama’s mountain breweries, Kyoto’s lanes and Yamazaki’s water, then Fukuoka’s open-air stalls to close. Hiroshima’s Peace Park sits on the route south, not as a detour.

Trip Highlights

  • Otaru canal town and welcome dinner with Hokkaidō seafood
  • Nikka Yoichi Distillery day trip from Otaru
  • Sapporo — Susukino craft beer, markets and German-influenced lager history
  • Takayama morning markets, old town and sake breweries
  • Nagoya — hitsumabushi, miso dishes and Sakae district bars
  • Kyoto — Nishiki Market, Arashiyama and Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
  • Half-day at Hiroshima Peace Park en route to Fukuoka
  • Fukuoka yatai night and farewell feast in Hakata

Signature Beer Experiences

  • Sapporo: Susukino neighborhood walk ending at a local craft-beer bar
  • Sapporo: City tour — how Hokkaidō barley shaped Japan’s lager tradition
  • Takayama: Sake brewery visits with cedar-ball (sugidama) markers
  • Nagoya: Sakae district bars, cafés and urban craft taprooms
  • Kyoto: Guided beer stops woven into city walks
  • Fukuoka: Craft-beer trail and neighborhood taprooms in the finale city

Final brewery, bar and distillery lineup subject to confirmation — substitutions will always be at least as good.

Food, Wine & Spirits Highlights

  • Welcome dinner — Hokkaidō seafood in Otaru · Yoichi tasting at Nikka Distillery
  • Hida beef group dinner in Takayama machiya townhouses
  • Nishiki Market grazing in Kyoto · optional kaiseki or neighborhood dinners
  • Yamazaki single malt tasting · sake in Takayama and Kyoto
  • Fukuoka yatai — ramen, yakitori and oden at riverside stalls
  • Included BeerTrips dinners with beer, sake, wine or soft drinks at standard pours

Places, Beers & Traditions We’ll Explore

The route runs north to south — Otaru and Sapporo on Hokkaidō, alpine Takayama, Nagoya’s Sakae, four nights in Kyoto, a half-day in Hiroshima, then four nights in Fukuoka before departure.

Otaru — Harbor Light & Canal Reflections

Stone warehouses along a quiet canal, sloping streets with sea views, glass studios and an easygoing pace — a soft landing in Japan with seafood, local bars and your first kanpai after the long flight.

Sapporo — Beer, Ramen & Northern Urban Life

Hokkaidō’s capital — Susukino neon, Odori Park, ramen alleys and the bridge between classic Sapporo lager history and a contemporary craft scene in neighborhood taprooms.

Takayama — Mountain Town, Markets & Sake

Hida mountains, morning markets along the river, Edo-era wooden facades and sake breweries marked with sugidama — machiya townhouses and Hida beef for a slower alpine interlude.

Nagoya — Sakae & Comfort Food

Hitsumabushi eel, miso-rich dishes, tebasaki wings and robust izakaya culture — one night focused on food and the urban glow around Sakae before Kyoto.

Kyoto — Culture, Craft & Quiet Corners

Nishiki Market, temple lanes, machiya streets, Arashiyama bamboo and Yamazaki whisky — a living city of cafés, bars, galleries and centuries of craft alongside the iconic sights.

Fukuoka — Yatai Nights & Kyūshū Finale

Hakata ramen, mentaiko, coastal air and riverside yatai stalls — craft beer bars, sake and shōchū spots in a friendly port city that closes the loop warm and food-forward.

Beer Styles & Brewing Traditions

Expect crisp Japanese lagers and German-influenced Hokkaidō brewing, mountain-water sake in Takayama, balanced pilsners to hop-forward IPAs in city taprooms, plus Nikka and Yamazaki whisky — with ramen, izakaya fare and regional specialties throughout.

Trip Itinerary*

Click or tap each day to expand the details. Daily schedules may vary depending on supplier availability, rail schedules and local events.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Day 0 – Saturday, October 24, 2026 – Fly to Japan

Depart North America on overnight flights toward Hokkaidō. A long haul ahead — settle in, rest when you can, and look forward to canal-side Otaru tomorrow.

Overnight: Plane

Day 1 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Crossing the International Date Line

Today disappears as you cross the International Date Line — one moment North America, the next approaching Japan. Think of it as stepping through a portal rather than losing a day.

Overnight: In transit

Day 2 – Monday, October 26, 2026 – Arrival in Hokkaidō & Otaru

Arrive in Hokkaidō and continue to Otaru — a former shipping hub turned atmospheric canal town of stone warehouses and glass shops. Check in, freshen up, and stroll the waterfront at your pace.

Evening welcome dinner with Hokkaidō seafood and a first kanpai — an easy, grounded start after the journey.

Overnight: Otaru | Meals: D

Day 3 – Tuesday, October 27, 2026 – Yoichi & Nikka Whisky

After breakfast we head to Yoichi, where Masataka Taketsuru built Nikka Distillery in a cool coastal microclimate. Tour the grounds, see the coal-fired stills, and enjoy a guided tasting — ocean air and seasonality in the glass.

Return to Otaru for an afternoon among glass studios and canal paths. Dinner at a local spot tonight.

Overnight: Otaru | Meals: B, L

Day 4 – Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – Otaru to Sapporo

Relaxed Otaru morning, then travel to Sapporo. After check-in near Susukino, a neighborhood walk through ramen alleys and side streets ends at a local craft-beer bar.

Dinner focuses on Sapporo comfort dishes; the rest of the night is yours for more neon, bars or an early night.

Overnight: Sapporo | Meals: B, D

Day 5 – Thursday, October 29, 2026 – Sapporo City & Beer Culture

Explore Sapporo on foot and by tram — markets, parks, cafés and stories of how German-style brewing and Hokkaidō barley shaped Japan’s lager tradition.

Free afternoon for museums, city viewpoints or more neighborhood wandering. Dinner on your own — from counter ramen to casual izakaya.

Overnight: Sapporo | Meals: B

Day 6 – Friday, October 30, 2026 – Sapporo to Takayama

Our longer travel day brings us south to the Japanese Alps and Takayama. Settle into machiya townhouses — shared living spaces in restored traditional homes — in the old town.

Group dinner tonight features Hida beef and local mountain dishes.

Overnight: Takayama | Meals: B, L, D

Day 7 – Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Takayama Markets, Old Town & Sake

Morning markets along the river, then old-town streets where wooden facades recall the Edo period. Visit several sake breweries — soft, mountain-water styles and cedar-ball markers showing when the new brew is ready.

Free afternoon for shops, Takayama Jinya or slow café time. Group dinner tonight.

Overnight: Takayama | Meals: B, D

Day 8 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Takayama

Flexible day to go deeper — Shirakawa-go, alpine views, an onsen village, or slow wandering in Takayama’s cozy streets and cafés.

Regroup in town for dinner and perhaps a final sake stop. Lunch on your own.

Overnight: Takayama | Meals: B

Day 9 – Monday, November 2, 2026 – Takayama to Nagoya

Travel to Nagoya and check into a centrally located hotel. Dive into the city’s food culture — hitsumabushi eel, miso-rich dishes and tebasaki chicken wings.

Evening free to explore Sakae’s bars, cafés and urban glow. Dinner on your own.

Overnight: Nagoya | Meals: B

Day 10 – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Nagoya to Kyoto

Easy morning, then continue to Kyoto. Settle in and head out on foot — perhaps Nishiki Market or a Kamo River walk to get your bearings.

Relaxed neighborhood dinner tonight, keeping things light for deeper Kyoto days ahead.

Overnight: Kyoto | Meals: B, D

Day 11 – Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Kyoto Markets, Lanes & Viewpoints

Graze through Nishiki Market, stroll historic lanes toward temple viewpoints, and see how daily life and centuries of craft blend across the city.

Lunch included on the route. Dinner may be optional kaiseki or a carefully selected local spot on your own.

Overnight: Kyoto | Meals: B, L

Day 12 – Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Arashiyama & Yamazaki Distillery

Morning in Arashiyama — gardens, bamboo groves and riverside paths that reveal a calmer side of Kyoto.

Afternoon at Suntory Yamazaki Distillery for a tour and tasting — local water and climate in Japan’s first single malt. Evening open.

Overnight: Kyoto | Meals: B

Day 13 – Friday, November 6, 2026 – Kyoto

Full flexible Kyoto day — Fushimi Inari, tea towns like Uji, Nara, quiet coffee lanes, or your personal food goals at your pace.

One included group dinner; choose exactly the evening you want for a second night out if you wish.

Overnight: Kyoto | Meals: B, D

Day 14 – Saturday, November 7, 2026 – Hiroshima & On to Fukuoka

Travel to Hiroshima for a half-day at the Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome — and the museum for those who choose. Time for lunch or a quiet garden before continuing south.

Arrive in Fukuoka and settle in for the final stretch of the journey.

Overnight: Fukuoka | Meals: B, L

Day 15 – Sunday, November 8, 2026 – Fukuoka & Yatai Night

Explore Fukuoka’s neighborhoods, seaside areas, cafés or department-store food halls at your pace.

Evening at the riverfront yatai stalls — open-air counters for ramen, yakitori, oden and more under the lanterns.

Overnight: Fukuoka | Meals: B, D

Day 16 – Monday, November 9, 2026 – Fukuoka

Another flexible day — Dazaifu shrine, the seaside, bookshops, cafés, or a craft-beer trail through Hakata and Tenjin.

Evening dinner open by preference; suggestions for izakaya, ramen or taprooms nearby.

Overnight: Fukuoka | Meals: B

Day 17 – Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – Final Feast & Last Night in Fukuoka

Relaxed final day — shopping, photo walks, favorite repeats, or one last bowl of tonkotsu before the group gathers for a farewell dinner.

Raise glasses, share highlights, and toast the journey — mata ne, until next time.

Overnight: Fukuoka | Meals: B, D

Day 18 – Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Departure

Breakfast, then onward travel from Fukuoka (FUK) or extend independently elsewhere in Japan.

Meals: B

Ready To Experience Japan Through Beer, Food & Culture?

Hokkaidō whisky, alpine sake, Kyoto temples and Fukuoka yatai — Japan the BeerTrips way.

Join the Trip!

What’s Included

  • 16 hotel nights on the ground (Day 2 through Day 17 overnights; Day 0–1 are travel only)
  • All accommodations listed in Where We Stay (or similar)
  • Daily breakfast · 5 lunches and 8 dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Beer, wine, sake or soft drinks at included BeerTrips meals (standard pours)
  • Nikka Yoichi and Suntory Yamazaki distillery visits
  • Guided city walks in Sapporo, Takayama, Kyoto and Fukuoka
  • Brewery, bar and tasting visits as specified · half-day Hiroshima Peace Park visit
  • Train tickets and domestic flight as outlined in final trip documents · luggage forwarding on designated segments
  • BeerTrips trip leader throughout
  • All local taxes on included services

Included Meals

16 Breakfasts | 5 Lunches | 8 Dinners

Included BeerTrips dinners cover appetizers, mains, dessert and drinks at standard pours. Rare or premium spirits beyond normal inclusions are at your discretion.

What’s Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Japan
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure (clear options provided in final documents)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Meals and drinks not listed as included · optional activities on free days
  • Personal expenses, souvenirs and tips

Where We Stay

  • Otaru (2 nights): OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts — canal-side port town, Meiji-era warehouses and seafood
  • Sapporo (2 nights): Vessel Hotel Campana Susukino — ramen alleys, nightlife and easy tram access
  • Takayama (3 nights): IORI Stay machiya townhouses — traditional homes in the old town; shared bathrooms per house
  • Nagoya (1 night): Nikko Style Nagoya — modern base near Sakae, food and nightlife
  • Kyoto (4 nights): Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto — walkable to Nishiki Market, river paths and Gion
  • Fukuoka (4 nights): Hotel Okura Fukuoka — refined finish in Hakata with subway access to yatai and bars

Final hotel names confirmed in your trip documents.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Great Fit If…

  • Beer, sake, whisky and Japanese food culture all sound equally appealing
  • You want a north-to-south route with trains, distilleries and built-in free days
  • You enjoy city walks, market grazing and open evenings in izakaya and beer bars
  • Small-group travel (7–14) with a relaxed pace suits your style
  • You’re comfortable navigating busy stations, stairs and uneven historic streets

May Not Be Ideal If…

  • You want a Tokyo-only or anime-theme-park-focused trip
  • You prefer a flag-following bus tour with every hour scheduled
  • You need flat, ADA-accessible terrain throughout
  • Long travel days and rail connections are deal-breakers

Many regions include cobblestones, narrow lanes and stairs. Train stations can be busy. Contact us with mobility questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click or tap a question to expand the answer.

Where do I fly in and out?

Plan international flights to arrive in Hokkaidō for Day 2 — Monday, October 26, 2026 — with the group in Otaru (typically via New Chitose Airport CTS). The tour ends after breakfast Day 18 — Wednesday, November 11 — with departure from Fukuoka (FUK). Most North American travelers depart Day 0 — Saturday, October 24.

What about the International Date Line?

Day 0 is your overnight flight from North America. Day 1 — Sunday, October 25 — is the date-line crossing with no hotel night. Day 2 is your first night on the ground in Otaru.

What breweries and distilleries are on the route?

Sapporo craft-beer bars in Susukino, Takayama sake breweries, guided beer stops in Kyoto and Nagoya’s Sakae, plus Nikka Yoichi and Suntory Yamazaki distillery visits and Fukuoka taprooms — final lineup confirmed in trip documents.

Are drinks included at dinners?

Included BeerTrips meals cover beer, sake, wine and soft drinks at standard pours. Premium or rare spirits beyond that are at your own tab.

How physically demanding is this trip?

Generally easy to moderate — several miles of walking per day at a relaxed pace, standing at tastings and markets, plus stairs and uneven surfaces in historic areas. Contact us with specific mobility questions.

When can I book this departure?

The 2026 Japan departure is Open for October 24–November 11, 2026. Select your room type above and register on beertrips.com. Space is limited to 14 travelers.

Can non-drinkers join?

Yes. Temples, markets, Hiroshima, city neighborhoods and Japanese food culture stand alongside the beer and spirits program. Included meals offer more than alcohol alone; non-drinkers and light drinkers are welcome.

Are deposits and payment terms flexible?

A per-person deposit is required at booking; balance is typically due 90 days before departure. Full booking terms and conditions are provided during registration.

Breweries, Distilleries & Travel Resources

Official and useful links for planning extra time before or after the tour.

Featured Producers & Regions

Official Tourism Resources

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Ready To Join This BeerTrips Adventure?

Yoichi whisky, Takayama sake, Yamazaki and Fukuoka yatai — Japan from Otaru to Hakata the BeerTrips way.

Join the Trip!

*Final brewery, bar, distillery lineup, hotels and exact inclusions are subject to confirmation — substitutions will always be at least as good as what they replace.

BeerTrips has been crafting small-group beer, food and cultural journeys for over 25 years.

Additional information

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Sharing, Single

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TRAVEL DETAILS:

Air Travel is not included. Travelers are encouraged to use mileage awards, travel outside group dates, or visit other European cities while abroad to make the most out of the trip. Please confirm the trip’s operation before purchasing air tickets.

Most Trips officially begin in the lobby of the first hotel. Meeting times, information about getting from the airport or train station to the hotel, the detailed itinerary, hotel addresses, and a trip roster will be included with your Final Trip Documents, which you’ll receive 2 – 3 weeks before the trip.

How we travel on tour: All included excursions and visits include transportation. Within the cities, we rely on walking and private or public transportation (uber, taxis, busses, trams, etc.). Travel between cities is by private motor coach, luxury van, ferry, and/or rail.

REGARDING INCLUDED MEALS AND BEER:

We don’t mess around when it comes to food and beer. Restaurants — tried and true — have been carefully selected, based on quality, local knowledge, and insider tips. On a Beer Trip, included meals mean you may order as you please – including beer, appetizers, dessert, etc. We are not stingy — a lot of food and beer is included on every Beer Trip.

PLEASE NOTE:

A BeerTrips beer tour is best suited for somewhat adventurous, beer-loving travelers who want the camaraderie and structure of a tour, as well as the opportunity to explore independently. Planned events, brewery visits, locally guided tours, and some excursions are, of course, formally “guided”. Travel days, on trains, public means, or the beer bus, as well some group walks, are blissfully unstructured, though travelers can always rely on the support and assistance of the trip leader.

THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

In rare cases, it may be necessary to alter the itinerary based on brewery or hotel availability, force majeur, acts of dieties, common sense, or bad weather, etc. Smaller breweries, as well as the Trappists, are often unable to commit to hosting groups until a couple of weeks before we arrive. Substitutions, when necessary, will be as good as what we replaced. And, don’t worry, the beer is always good!

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