Craving a fresh pint in Tokyo? Dive into an authentic Japanese beer experience with a tour of the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory. Get booking tips and enjoy delicious brews!
The Musashino Suntory Beer Factory is tucked away in a somewhat out-of-the-way spot,
so you'll need to alight at either Bubaigawara Station or Fuchuhommachi Station,
followed by a walk of more than 10 minutes.
But, thankfully, Bubaigawara Station
offers a convenient shuttle service to the beer factory.
📍 Exit Bubaigawara Station, cross the pedestrian bridge, and you'll arrive at a roundabout like in the pictures.
This is where you can catch the beer factory shuttle!
📌 The timetable is shown in the photo, with shuttles departing
30 minutes before each tour starts, so plan accordingly!
Additionally, the timetable in the photo above is for the shuttle
returning from the factory to Bubaigawara Station.
It's scheduled to depart 20 minutes after your tour concludes!
Suntory Beer Factory Lobby & Tour Waiting Area
I booked the 10:50 AM tour and had a fantastic visit. I caught
📍 the 10:20 AM shuttle from Bubaigawara Station and arrived comfortably at the factory.
Once you arrive at the factory lobby, simply confirm your reservation with a staff member,
collect your participation pass, and you're all set to wait.
The lobby is equipped with fun photo spots featuring beer models and a backdrop
displaying the date of your factory visit.
It's a great way to pass the time while you wait for your tour to begin!
Just so you know, the factory has dozens of lockers
where you can store your luggage for free.
They come in small to medium sizes,
so even if you have a lot of bags, you can join the tour worry-free.
My Suntory Beer Factory Tour Experience
As the tour start time approached, we moved to the main waiting area
and waited for a short while.
Suntory beer is renowned for using natural water,
and fittingly, the waiting area was decorated like a forest, creating a lovely ambiance.
Plus, the gentle sound of dripping water made it feel like we were really
in a forest retreat.
As the tour officially began, they started explaining Suntory's pride and joy:
their natural water.
They even showed us a real-life demonstration, recreating the layers of the earth
and how dirty water flows through them to be filtered.
It was fascinating to see them recreate this process,
showcasing their commitment to using such pure natural water.
Next, they moved on to explaining the malt and hops
used in Suntory beer.
What was really fun here was getting to taste the malt
and smell the hops.
The malt tasted like savory roasted corn, which was delicious,
and the hops had a refreshing aroma.
Experiencing the main ingredients of beer in this way
was both fascinating and enjoyable.
Next, we moved to the area with the brewing kettles,
where processes like filtration and fermentation take place.
Since it was a weekend, the factory equipment
wasn't in operation.
Perhaps because of this, the staff member gave a brief explanation
and quickly moved us to the next section.
The path to the next section was through a tunnel that replicated the actual size
of a beer storage tank.
It felt as if beer was filling up around us,
making it a truly unique experience.
For the beer inspection stage, explanations were given
while we watched a screen through VR binoculars.
While the process and explanation didn't quite stick with me,
the VR goggle device itself was so novel that it left a lasting impression.
It was particularly memorable because this wasn't a part of the tour
when I visited before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, the tour concluded with a look at the packaging process,
though it wasn't operating since it was a weekend.
The Moment We've Been Waiting For: Beer Tasting Time!
Honestly, the main purpose of the tour for many is the beer tasting!
On this particular day, about half of the tour participants were locals,
It was actually quite amusing that even our guide referred to it as 'the moment you've all been waiting for!'
Once you step into the tasting room, just grab a Suntory Premium Malt's and a little snack, then settle into any spot that calls to you.
You'll be treated to a total of three glasses of beer, and besides the Premium Malt's, you'll also get to savor a glass each of Suntory Ale and Master's Dream.
You can even grab them all at once, which is perfect for doing a fun taste comparison!
The beer was incredibly refreshing and smooth, just gliding down! While beer at Japanese restaurants is always tasty, there's just something extra special about having it poured directly from the factory.
Beyond just tasting, you could also dive into some unique Suntory experiences, like a beer pouring activity or even a beer foam art workshop.
Wrapping Up the Tour: Souvenir Shopping!
The grand finale of the tour is, of course, the souvenir shop!
You can pick up a variety of Suntory beers, special snacks, or merchandise that are exclusively sold here at the factory, so if anything catches your eye, it's definitely worth doing some shopping!
A Must-Visit for Beer Lovers!
While the Musashino Suntory Factory might not be the easiest to get to, that's exactly why the tour groups are smaller, and you'll often find many locals joining in. This creates a truly authentic and immersive travel experience.
If you're new to factory tours, you're in for a treat with plenty of unique experiences. The Musashino factory, in particular, offers such a variety of hands-on activities that it's guaranteed to be an incredibly enriching tour.
So, if you're a beer enthusiast, don't hesitate – I highly recommend booking this tour!
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How do I book the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory tour, and what is the cost?
We recommend making a reservation in advance for the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory tour. The tour fee is ~$6 and must be paid at the time of booking. It's advisable to book early, especially for popular weekend time slots, as it can get crowded.
Where can I board the shuttle bus to the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory, and what are its operating hours?
You can catch the beer factory shuttle at the roundabout after exiting Bubaigawara Station and crossing the pedestrian bridge. The shuttle departs 30 minutes before each tour begins, and the return shuttle from the factory to Bubaigawara Station departs 20 minutes after the tour ends.
What special experiences can I have during the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory tour?
During the tour, you can taste malt, smell hops, and view the beer inspection stages through VR binoculars. During the tasting session, you can also experience pouring beer or creating designs on beer foam.
What types of beer and how many glasses can I drink during the tasting session of the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory tour?
A total of three glasses of beer are provided during the tasting session. In addition to Suntory The Premium Malt's, you can taste one glass each of Suntory Ale and The Premium Malt's Master's Dream.
Is luggage storage available during the Musashino Suntory Beer Factory tour?
Yes, dozens of free lockers are available in the factory lobby for luggage storage. There are various sizes of lockers, from small to medium, making it convenient for visitors with a lot of luggage.
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