The Japanese love their beer, and in Yokohama, no brand is more popular than Kirin — a brewery that began its journey in the city way back in 1907. Interestingly, Kirin wasn’t the first beer brewed in Yokohama. The company was actually formed through the merger of two earlier breweries, each with roots dating back even further.
Today, Kirin’s Yokohama brewery is one of the largest in Japan. To welcome visitors, they’ve created the Kirin Beer Village, where you can explore their massive brewing facilities and sample freshly brewed beer — all for free.
The guided tour takes around 40 minutes and offers an up-close look at how beer is made. You’ll see, touch, and smell the raw ingredients, including grains and hops. The tour takes you past enormous brewing kettles and showcases some of the impressive packaging machines that can fill and pack over 2,000 cans a minute. Kirin’s Yokohama brewery is one of nine Kirin plants across Japan, and it produces an incredible volume of beer daily.
At the end of the tour, the friendly guides will direct you to a special tasting bar, where you can try several varieties of Kirin beer. You’ll also receive complimentary snacks to enjoy with your drinks. Popular varieties brewed on-site include the widely known Ichiban Shibori lager, as well as a dark stout.
After your tasting — and learning how to pour the perfect Japanese-style beer head — you’re free to browse the gift shop or explore the park-like grounds, which feature interesting artworks and plenty of spots to relax. If you’re still thirsty, the site is also home to Spring Valley Brewery, which specialises in craft beer and offers a fantastic food menu.
The Kirin Beer Village is located just outside Yokohama city centre. The easiest way to get there is via the Keikyu Line to Namamugi Station, which takes about 13 minutes from Yokohama Station. From there, it’s an easy 10-minute walk to the brewery.
The tours have a 500 yen fee, and while there are only limited English-language tours, you won’t need to worry — even if you join a Japanese tour, there are plenty of English handouts, subtitles on videos and everything is clearly laid out and easy to follow.
Tours usually don’t run on Mondays, and operate between 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM. It’s best to book in advance through the brewery’s website to avoid disappointment.
Official Website:
https://www.kirin.co.jp/experience/factory/yokohama/
