1. What Is the Otaru Amazake Festival? 🍶
1‑1. A Brief History of the Festival & Tanaka Sake Brewery
The Otaru Amazake Festival is an annual event held at Tanaka Sake Brewery, a historic brewery established in 1899. Located in the picturesque city of Otaru, Hokkaido, Tanaka Sake Brewery has over 120 years of tradition in producing premium sake and amazake.
The festival has become a local favorite and a hidden gem for travelers looking to experience authentic Japanese culture, delicious seasonal treats, and free tastings.
1‑2. What Is Amazake? Is It Alcoholic?
Amazake literally means “sweet sake.” Despite the name, it is usually non-alcoholic or contains very low alcohol, making it safe for children and those who prefer not to drink.
This traditional Japanese beverage is made from fermented rice, resulting in a creamy, slightly sweet taste. During the festival, you can sample both hot and chilled amazake, perfect for any season.
💡 Tip: If you’re curious about Japanese fermented drinks, this is a great place to start!
1‑3. Why It’s Popular With Locals & Tourists
Here are a few reasons why the Otaru Amazake Festival attracts both locals and visitors:
✅ Free tastings of fresh amazake and seasonal limited-edition flavors.
✅ Special sweets and snacks made with amazake, available only at this event.
✅ A chance to see a historic sake brewery in action, including traditional brewing tools.
✅ A friendly, festive atmosphere that makes it easy to chat with locals and learn about Japanese food culture.
2. 2025 Event Schedule & Highlights 📅
2‑1. Dates, Times & Venue Location
The 2025 Otaru Amazake Festival will be held from June 13th to July 31st, 2025.
📍 Venue: Tanaka Sake Brewery Main Store (Otaru, Hokkaido)
🕘 Opening Hours: 9:05 AM – 5:55 PM daily (Rain or shine)
💡 Tip: Because the event runs over several weeks, weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends.
2‑2. Free Amazake Tastings & Seasonal Treats
During the festival, visitors can enjoy:
- Free tastings of classic hot amazake and chilled seasonal flavors such as pineapple, mikan (mandarin orange), and lemon.
- A chance to purchase limited-edition amazake sweets, including amazake pudding and “Wasyari,” a refreshing amazake ice cream.
- Tasting counters where friendly staff will explain each flavor and recommend pairings.
2‑3. Special Events, Stalls & Local Food
Besides amazake, the festival also features:
- Food stalls offering local Hokkaido snacks, from fresh seafood skewers to sweet rice cakes.
- Amazake lottery draws, where you can win bottles of amazake or special souvenirs.
- Occasional performances by local musicians or mascot appearances, especially on weekends.
3. How to Get There: Access & Transportation 🚉
3‑1. From Sapporo or Otaru Station
From Sapporo Station:
- Take the JR Hakodate Line to Otaru Station (approx. 35–45 minutes).
- From Otaru Station, you can walk about 10 minutes to Tanaka Sake Brewery or take a local bus.
From Otaru Station:
- Walking: 10 minutes (about 800 meters).
- Bus: Take the Chuo Bus (Central Bus) and get off at Ironaigawa-shita (色内川下) stop (about 2 minutes on foot).
💡 Tip: If you’re carrying luggage, consider using coin lockers at Otaru Station.
3‑2. By Bus, Car or Walking
🚶 Walking:
- From the famous Otaru Canal area, it’s about 5–10 minutes on foot.
🚌 By Bus:
- Local buses run frequently from Otaru Station and main tourist spots.
- Bus stops often have English signage, but you can also show the driver the address in Japanese:小樽市色内3丁目2-5 (Tanaka Sake Brewery)
🚗 By Car:
- Parking: 15 free spaces available at the venue.
- Be aware: During weekends and lunchtime hours, parking fills up quickly.
- Alternative: Use paid parking lots near Otaru Canal (approx. 600–1,000 yen per day) and walk to the venue.
3‑3. Parking Info & Google Map Tips
Parking Tips:
- Arrive before 9:30 AM on weekends to secure free parking.
- If parking is full, you can search for “Otaru Canal Parking” or “Times Inaho Parking” on Google Maps.
🌐 Google Map Link to the Venue:
