Experience the traditions and
innovations of Hokkaido’s terroir
A Journey Into Hokkaido’s Terroir
Application
Concept
Experience the evolution of Hokkaido's culinary
historythrough sake and cuisine
Hokkaido Terroir ×Fleeting flavors
The aromas and flavors of the land cannot be preserved
forever. Seeking to capture seasonal tastes is the source of
people's passion and love for this northern region.
This once-in-a-lifetime journey invites you to immerse yourself
in the expansive terroir of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido Terroir ×Gratitude for abundance
For the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, the natural world which sustains life is an object of faith. Before partaking of the bounty of the earth, they offer a prayer of gratitude. This timeless spirit of respect and connection to nature is the basis of Hokkaido’s gastronomy, where true wealth and fulfillement come from nature, rather than material luxuries.
Features
Why
Sake Brewery
Tourism
in Hokkaido?
It has been 80 years since Japanese whisky was born in
Yoichi, Hokkaido. Although the culture of distilling this
spirit was brought from overseas, the Japanese passion
for perfecting craft has led to Nikka Whisky becoming
famous all over the worlghld. Nowadays, Yoichi whisky
and Akkeshi whisky are highly sought after (with prices
to match), and producers in Niseko and Rishiri are also
looking to create new and exciting flavors.
While the cold expanses of Hokkaido were once
considered unsuitable for rice and sake production, the
effects of climate change and technological innovation
have allowed the island to become a center for sake
brewing and even wine production. Master brewers and
passionate winemakers have honed their skills, and
today Hokkaido-made sake and wine are highly
regarded domestically、with dedicated fans helping
their creations to steadily become better known
internationally.
Besides this frontier spirit of adaptation and innovation,
Hokkaido's spirits, wine and sake are the result of the
natural world and spirit of gratitude that have protected
the island since the Jomon period, over 3000 years ago.
The beautiful valleys, clear streams,lush mountains
and the ocean that surrounds the island are all essential
parts of the terroir that lead to Hokkaido's abundant
harvests.
Tour Plan
Tour Plan
- A Journey Into Hokkaido’s Terroir
Experience the evolution of Hokkaido's culinary history through sake and cuisine
During this tour you will connect with the essence of Hokkaido’s terroir, combining new frontiers of seasonal flavors and aromas with the deep connection and sense of gratitude toward nature that has been an intrinsic part of life on the island for generations. This captivating journey invites you to go deeper, and we look forward to sharing our dramatic landscapes and collaborating with guests to create gastronomy tourism unique to Hokkaido.
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Hokkaido gourmet experience
The basis of this foodie tour is sampling local delights in the region where they are grown and produced. The Otaru, Yoichi, Niki and Niseko areas included in the tour are a treasure trove of ingredients such as meat, seafood, fruit and alcoholic beverages. Even within the blessed abundance of Hokkaido, these regions are particularly rich with delicious discoveries.
The highlight of the first day is a gourmet lunch in the town of Niki, served in a charming log house nestled a peaceful field. Enjoy fresh ingredients such as locally-grown tomatoes paired with local wine, and get a true taste of the regions terroir.
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The endless dream of the frontier
After the tour and interaticng with the farmers and producers, we would appreciate receiving your comments about your ideas and recommendations for this area, to help us create a pioneering new frontier of gastronomy in Hokkaido.
Join the entrepreneurs, producers, chefs, and others who dream of new frontiers for Hokkaido, as they take on new challenges and work together to create the future of the island’s food culture!
Tour Schedule DAY 0
- 15:00
- Arrival at New Chitose Aiport
- 17:00
- Tour orientation
- 18:30
- Dinner at Hokkaido Cuisine Kamuy
Tour Schedule DAY 1
- 08:30
- Depart from Sapporo hotel
- 10:00
- Arrival at Natural Farm
Experience the terroir of the wine produced by NIKI Hills as the vast winery spreads out before you.
Visit a winery that embodies Hokkaido‘s frontier spirit, through their passion for dialogue with the land, adoption of new technology, and desire to share the food and wine of this region with people around the world. Although the winery only has a half century of history, their attitude of constantly seeking to innovate is impressive. Chat with the passionate wine producers and take in the sights, sounds and scents of the land.
- 12:00
- Arrival at Nikiya
Harvesting experience, followed by gourmet lunch.
- 15:00
- Arrival at Seno Farm
Visit a farm and enjoy a sparkling wine tasting
- 17:50
- Setsu Niseko check-in
- 19:00
- Dinner at Le Mantaro
Tour Schedule DAY 2
- 10:00
- Arrival at Niseko Brewery:
Sake brewery tour and workshop with the toji (master brewer)
A 100-year old company looking to the future
Japan is known for having the most companies that have been in business for over 100 years in the world. The sake brewing industry is particularly notable for this, with over 700 breweries nationwide that have been around for a century or more. While Hokkaido has a shorter history of entrepreneurship and manufacturing compared to other areas of Japan, with relatively few companies having a 100-year history, there are still some companies that have continued to protect the tradition and history of this region since its pioneering beginnings 150 years ago.
The Niseko Brewery, which celebrates its 107th anniversary this year, is one of those. Spearheading local production for local consumption, this sake brewery uses snow melt from the Niseko Weiss Mountains and spring water from Mt. Yotei, along with Hokkaido-produced sake rice such as Kitashizuku and Suisui, to create their brews. Tour the centenary sake brewery, and learn about their role in protecting and passing on the traditions and landscapes of this region to the next generation.
- 12:00
- Special lunch at Sushi Kato Inori
Sushi Kato Inori is a high-end kaiseki restaurant, known for creating dishes representative of the region which the chef prepares directly at the counter. This restaurant has become so popular that it is almost impossible for visitors to secure a booking during the winter season.
Tour participants will get to enjoy a more casual lunch at this sought-after spot, to savor the terroir through seasonal ingredients prepared using high-class kaiseki techniques. While sipping on Hokkaido sake, wine, and whisky, savor the way the crafts of local producers meld together in one meal.
Creating a“terroir tasting bar”
As we hope to open a terroir tasting bar in the future, enjoy a sneak peek of the gourmet experience, trying delicate seasoned dishes based on the natural deliciousness of local produce paired with Hokkaido's best drinks.
- 14:00
- Free time
- 15:00
- Depart for New Chitose Airport
Tour Plan Detail
- Access
- SETSU NISEKO
〒044-0080 6-9 1-jo 2-chome, Niseko Hirafu,Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun,Hokkaido, Japan
- Service contents
【 Included in the tour】
1. Accomadation fees
2. Experience fees
3. Meal fees
4. Chauffeur-driven car fares
【 Group size 】2-30 people
【 Language Support 】On-site Staff: Japanese, English
- Option
- Application period
- June 1st, 2024-31st October, 2024/January 15th, 2025 - March 15th,
(planned to continue again from June 2025)
- Price
- ¥250,000 and up (tax included)
＊Prices may vary depending on changes to the itinerary or optional services.
【Cancellation fee】
7-4 days before the start of the trip: 40%
3-2 days before the start of the trip: 60%
The day before and on the day of the trip: 100%
＊In case of cancellation after payment, a cancellation fee of 10% will be charged."
- What to bring
- Precautions
