Kirin Beer Factory Nagoya Tour 2026: Booking & Tasting Guide
Discover the Kirin Beer Factory in Nagoya, Japan! This 2026 guide covers booking essentials, what to expect, and tasting tips for a smooth visit.
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Discover the Kirin Beer Factory in Nagoya, Japan! This 2026 guide covers booking essentials, what to expect, and tasting tips for a smooth visit.
While this post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission for creator activities,
it's an honest review based on my own experience and expenses.
Nagoya, Japan
Kirin Beer Factory Tour
Shuttle Bus / Tour / Tasting
Making your travels smooth, it's Travel Lubricant.
When you're planning your adventure in Nagoya, Japan,
there's one place you simply can't miss:
It's the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory!
It's super accessible, and if you're a beer enthusiast,
it's an absolute must-visit destination.
As a fellow beer lover, when I was planning my trip to Nagoya,
it was the very first place I made a reservation for!
Today, I'll be sharing everything about the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory,
from how to book your tour to shuttle bus details and my honest tasting experience!
I've gathered it all for you!
Contents |
How to Book the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory Tour |
Getting There |
My Factory Tour Experience |
My Tasting Experience |
Souvenir Shopping |
How to Book the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory Tour
Given its popularity with visitors,
same-day entry without a prior reservation is not possible,
and if you plan to visit on a weekend, booking at least one month in advance is absolutely essential!
For detailed booking instructions and tour information,
I've put together everything you need in my post on "How to Book the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory Tour".
If you haven't made your reservation yet,
be sure to check out the post below first!
🔺 Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory Tour Booking Guide
Getting There
There's a convenient shuttle bus service running between the Kirin Factory and the nearby station.
If you're planning to drive, you won't be able to enjoy the tasting session,
so taking the shuttle bus is definitely the best way to visit.
Shuttle Bus Essential Information
✔ Route: Biwajima Station ↔ Kirin Beer Factory
✔ Fare: Free
✔ Boarding Location: Biwajima Station East Exit Platform
Shuttle Bus Timetable
To Kirin Beer Factory 09:50 / 10:50 / 11:50 / 12:50 / 13:50 / 14:50 / 15:50 To Biwajima Station 11:40 / 12:40 / 13:40 / 14:40/ 15:40 / 16:40 |
Shuttle buses typically run about 10 minutes before and after the start and end of each tour.
After your tour, while browsing for souvenirs,
be sure to keep an eye on the time so you don't miss your shuttle bus back!
My Factory Tour Experience
Waiting Time Before Entry
In the waiting area before the tour begins,
there's so much to enjoy.
✔ Free Wi-Fi available (connectable before entry)
✔ Korean simultaneous interpretation QR code provided
(Real-time Korean interpretation when earphones are connected)
✔ Photo opportunities at photo zones
✔ My Carton Experience
You can design your own carton with your photos
and make it into an origami souvenir.
This seemed like a wonderful activity for kids to create and take home,
especially since the tasting time might be a bit dull for them.
What the Factory Tour Includes
After entry, you'll receive a brief guide on precautions,
and then the full tour begins.
✔ Introduction to Kirin Beer's history and brewing principles
✔ Experience smelling and tasting malt and hop ingredients
✔ Experience comparing the taste of first- and second-wort extracts
✔ View model-sized factory fermentation tanks
✔ Explanation of how carbonation forms in beer
The Sapporo Beer Factory tour
was a brief experience focused mainly on history and posters,
but Kirin was definitely different.
From raw ingredient experiences to brewing education,
it's systematically organized in order,
so even beer beginners can thoroughly enjoy it.
What's more, you can directly compare the tastes of the first wort extract
and the second wort extract,
and I was genuinely surprised by how distinct the flavors were.
It was at that moment I truly understood the meaning of
Ichiban Shibori (first wort extraction),
a method Kirin Beer insists upon.
If you're curious about my Sapporo Beer Museum review,
please refer to the post below.
🔺 Sapporo Beer Museum Free Tour Review
Tasting Review
Once the tour concludes, the much-anticipated
tasting time — the highlight of the tour — begins!
Draft Beer Tasting
✔ Maximum 3 glasses per person
✔ Snacks: Nuts provided(Allergy warning)
✔ Drivers and those under 20 years old will receive a non-alcoholic beverage instead.
3 Beers You Can Choose From:
Kirin Ichiban Shibori / Kirin Ichiban Premium / Kirin Ichiban Kuronama
With the expert touch of draft beer servers,
Kirin Ichiban Shibori is served as standard, and you can
choose between Premium and Kuronama
to enjoy two glasses.
Tasting Beer Descriptions
✔ Kirin Ichiban Shibori
Clean and deep flavor.
I've enjoyed this often in Korea, but
because it's directly from the factory, the freshness here is on another level.
✔ Kirin Ichiban Premium
This one boasts a unique aroma, crafted with
premium hops from the Tohoku region.
Its strong scent means it might be a love-it-or-leave-it experience for some.
✔ Kirin Ichiban Kuronama
A delightful dark beer that isn't overly bitter.
I was particularly impressed by its smooth sweetness that truly lingers on the palate,
and its overall sweet flavor.
While I'd only ever tasted Ichiban Shibori back in Korea,
the Premium and Kuronama were exciting new discoveries for me.
The Premium, with its distinct aroma, seemed to divide opinions, but
for me, someone who fell head over heels for dark beer
after a trip to New Zealand,
the rich sweetness that danced on my palate was absolutely divine.
Kuronama is undeniably my ultimate favorite!
Enjoy Kirin Beer at Home
During our tasting session, our wonderful guide also shared a special
pouring guide, showing us how to savor delicious Kirin beer
even when we're back home!
First, pour the beer into the glass from a height.
Then, wait 1-2 minutes until the foam subsides.
Once the foam has settled, tilt your glass
and carefully pour in the rest of the beer.
By following this pouring guide,
you can truly enjoy delicious Kirin beer – even the foam! –
right in the comfort of your own home.
A Sweet Little Tip for Your 3 Tasting Glasses
If you're visiting with friends, why not
share the Premium and Kuronama with each other first?
Then, for your final glass, indulge in the beer that captured your taste buds the most!
Souvenir Shopping
After your tasting session and before you board the shuttle bus,
you'll have the exciting opportunity to do some souvenir shopping!
Recommended Souvenirs
✔ 2-Can Beer Gift Set
✔ Kirin Brand Apparel (T-shirts, hats, etc.)
✔ Snacks (nuts, crackers, etc.)
✔ Kirin Logo Beer Glass
If you're a fan of the Kirin brand,
it's definitely worth picking up some unique items!
As you browse through the delightful souvenirs,
you'll find that time flies by until it's time for your shuttle bus!
Kirin Beer Nagoya Factory,
Easily accessible by shuttle bus,
you can enjoy a factory tour and three beer tastings
all for 500 yen.
Prices are set to increase from October,
so it might be a good idea to visit soon!
Make sure to try the Kuronama beer,
and don't miss out on the 'My Carton' experience.
If you want more travel stories,
'Follow Travel Lubricant'!
📍 Kirin Beer Nagoya Factory
Hanagasa-100 Terano, Kiyosu, Aichi 452-8562 Japan
No, the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory Tour can only be visited with a prior reservation. Especially if you plan to visit on a weekend, it is essential to book one month in advance.
The shuttle bus can be boarded at the platform near the east exit of Biwajima Station, and it operates free of charge to the Kirin Beer Factory. Since drivers cannot participate in the tasting, using the shuttle bus is recommended.
Each person can taste up to 3 glasses of draft beer. Kirin Ichiban Shibori is provided as standard, and you can choose 2 glasses from Kirin Ichiban Premium and Kirin Ichiban Kuronama.
Yes, before the tour begins, you can participate in the "My Carton" experience in the waiting area, where you can design your own carton with your photo. During the tasting session, beverages are provided for designated drivers or visitors under 20 years old.
Currently, the Nagoya Kirin Beer Factory tour, including shuttle bus travel, factory tour, and up to 3 beer tastings, can be enjoyed for ~$3. However, the price is scheduled to increase starting in October.
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