Hita Sapporo Beer Factory 2026: Our Bike Trip & Non-Alcoholic Twist

We rented bicycles in Hita and explored quite a bit.

Hita Bicycle Rental Review | Station Front Rental Prices, Return Time, To Beer Factoryblog.naver.com

Our journey took us all the way to the Sapporo Beer Factory by bike.

Despite its famous name, this isn't the Sapporo brewery in Hokkaido; it's the Sapporo Beer Kyushu Hita Factory, nestled in Hita, Oita Prefecture.

It's a fantastic spot where you can delve into the beer-making process and then unwind with a refreshing drink at the end of your visit.

However, after all that effort cycling uphill, we surprisingly ended up sipping on non-alcoholic beverages!

I'll share the full story of why, along with the latest tour information for your 2026 visit.

Cycling to the Factory: Expect a Hill

Riding bikes around Hita was truly enjoyable. We loved exploring the town, pausing at charming spots that caught our eye, and soaking in the picturesque riverside scenery.

But the route to the beer factory was a different challenge altogether. The uphill climb was quite demanding!

We arrived at the entrance, a bit breathless from the ascent, only to see other visitors casually stepping off a bus.

That's when it clicked: "Ah, so this place is also accessible by bus tours!"

If you're an avid cyclist and love a good challenge, go for it! But if you prefer a more relaxed experience or want to skip the strenuous uphill ride, consider taking a taxi or booking a tour that includes factory visits.

What Can You See Inside?

During my visit, the tour involved viewing exhibits on beer ingredients and the brand's history, followed by observing the manufacturing facilities from an upper level. It felt a bit like being a manager overseeing operations!

You'll see the equipment and processes involved in brewing and canning beer.

Just keep in mind that the actual production scenes might vary depending on the factory's operating schedule on the day of your visit.

I once visited a brewery in Brooklyn, New York, where I had the experience of getting up close to the brewing equipment and witnessing the beer-making process firsthand.

Perhaps because of that prior experience, the Hita factory felt a little different.

During my visit, the focus was more on **following an exhibition and viewing path to learn about the factory and brand, rather than a hands-on experience with the equipment**.

**The brand's history and story also felt like a significant part of the tour.**

Knowing this distinction can help you decide if the viewing style aligns with what you're hoping for from a factory tour.

Current Paid Tours & Reservations (2026)

When we visited, we don't recall paying a separate entrance fee and explored freely. However, the official guide now mentions both free viewing of the manufacturing facilities and separate, reservation-based paid programs.

The guided factory tour is currently offered on **Wednesdays and Fridays, starting at 11:10 AM**, and requires advance reservations.

The theater and factory tours cover different content, so choose based on your interests.

Sapporo Official Tour & Reservation Information

Choosing a Drink: "How Did You Arrive?"

After the tour, we headed to the lounge area where we could purchase drinks and relax.

Back then, it was a vending machine system, and when we were deliberating our choices, a staff member kindly asked about our preferences and offered recommendations.

Then, they asked how we arrived.

"Did you come by car (kuruma)?"

When we told them we cycled, they promptly informed us that we couldn't drink alcohol – cycling under the influence is prohibited! Haha.

So, despite cycling hard all the way to the beer factory, we ended up choosing non-alcoholic beverages!

The official tour guide also explicitly states that visitors using cars, motorcycles, or bicycles are not permitted to sample alcoholic drinks.

Official Visitor Information

Relaxing with Non-Alcoholic Drinks

We ended up with non-alcoholic beverages and a refreshing vitamin C drink.

Perhaps it was because we had just cycled up the hill, but simply sitting down and sipping a cool drink felt absolutely wonderful.

At the time, I wasn't much of a beer connoisseur, so rather than analyzing the taste, I was more in the mindset of, "We came all this way, let's just relax for a bit."

Souvenirs

Finally, we browsed the souvenir shop.

You can find beer, related merchandise, and snacks here.

We didn't purchase anything ourselves, just enjoyed looking at the products.

If you're interested, it's a great place to check out the local prices and selection.

Our free exploration and drink break took less than an hour in total.

If you plan to book a guided tour, schedule your visit around the program's duration.

Planning to Drink Beer? Consider a Bus Tour

If you travel by bicycle like we did, you won't be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages until you return. If you want to savor beer at the factory and minimize travel from Fukuoka to Hita, a bus tour might be a good option.

I found a 'Hita, Yufuin, & Sapporo Beer Factory

Fukuoka 1-Day Bus Tour’​' on Klook.

This seems like a great option for those who want to explore Yufuin in addition to Hita on a single day.

I didn't personally use this bus tour, but I looked into other transportation options based on my experience. 👉 Check Hita, Yufuin, & Sapporo Beer Factory Bus Tour Itinerary

Check Closure Dates Before Visiting

Always confirm closure dates before your visit! The official guide currently lists **Mondays and Tuesdays** as regular closing days.

Additionally, the tour facilities are scheduled to be **closed from December 27, 2026, to February 16, 2027**, for year-end, New Year, and construction. If you're traveling during this period, make sure to verify if the beer factory is open.

For a Different Experience in Hita

While exploring Hita's charming town and riverside is lovely, touring the beer-making facilities offered a truly unique experience.

Though the atmosphere differed from smaller craft breweries, it's certainly worth considering if you're curious about how your favorite beer is produced.

However, if you plan to cycle like we did, remember to factor in the uphill climb and the alcohol consumption restrictions.

We might have ended up with non-alcoholic drinks, but looking back, it's definitely a memorable story from our Hita trip!