Explore Asahikawa, the “City of Rivers”, and the “Design City”

No. 667 “Asahidai Nagayama 13-chome

Bus stop is in front of Feeeal
About 30 minutes ride (be sure to take a numbered ticket)

Conveying design, interior, and lifestyle.

Asahikawa Design Center (ADC) is a complex facility where Asahikawa furniture and crafts are gathered under one roof. About 30 manufacturers have set up permanent booths in the vast space of about 1,000 tsubo (about 1,200 m2), selling about 1,200 pieces of Asahikawa furniture and crafts. The wide range of items includes furniture that will last a lifetime, woodworking items perfect as souvenirs for sightseeing in Asahikawa, and special gifts for loved ones.
Furthermore, as an “industrial tourism base” in Asahikawa, which is recognized as a UNESCO City of Design, the store also has a museum, gallery, and hands-on workshops where visitors can learn about the history and manufacturing of Asahikawa furniture. Throughout the year, the museum holds special exhibitions, collection exhibitions, workshops, and other events to promote design, interior design, and lifestyle.

Experience the history and culture of sake brewing

Otokoyama has been the official sake of the Edo Shogunate since the Edo period, and was so popular that it appeared in Kabuki, Joruri puppet theater, and Ukiyo-e woodblock prints. In the Edo period, in Itami, Kansai, Yamamoto Saemon, who displayed the sign of a cotton shop, created sake named after Otokoyama Hachimangu Shrine. Otokoyama Co., Ltd., continues to brew this sake, inheriting its legacy. The predecessor, Yamazaki Sake Brewery, was founded in Hokkaido in 1887.

With the desire to make better sake, in 1968, the company formally succeeded the Otokoyama name from the Yamamoto family, the head family of “Momenya.” Since then, it has continued to pass down the taste of its distinguished sake to the modern age, utilizing the natural blessings of Hokkaido.

“We want as many people as possible to taste the carefully brewed Otokoyama.” This desire was not confined to Japan; in 1977, “Otoko-yama Junmai Daiginjo” was first entered into the Monde Selection, achieving a gold award for the first time for Japanese sake. This paved the way for the start of full-scale exports to the United States in 1984.

Currently, it is exported to over 20 countries and is enjoyed as a local sake of Hokkaido around the world. Additionally, the “Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum” attracts many tourists from overseas every year, becoming a beloved tourist facility in Asahikawa, Hokkaido.

The Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum conveys the culture of sake brewing, one of Japan’s traditional industries, along with the 350-year history of “Otokoyama”. It displays valuable Edo period documents, literature, and sake utensils, and visitors can observe part of the sake brewing process during brewing season.

Every February, during the peak sake brewing season of the severe winter, a “Sake Brewery Open House” is also held.

On the way, you will pass a wholesale market called Kyokuichi.
On the way to your next destination, you will pass by the Kyokuichi Asahikawa Regional Wholesale Market, the food distribution hub of northern Hokkaido. The market gathers abundant marine products caught in the Sea of Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, and the Pacific Ocean, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the vast expanses of Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido.

Otokoyama Sake Brewery Museum – Ishikari River, Akizuki Bridge Riverside

(1) Go straight.

2) Turn right when you see Hokusei Shinkin Bank

③Cross the overpass

④Kyokuichi can be seen on the right side

⑤Turn left at the traffic light

⑥Go straight toward the bridge

⑦Cross the bridge

⑧Cross the river and turn left. Enter the cycling road

⑨Go down to the left side

⑩Arrive at the destination

An extraordinary experience on the waterfront in the city

While canoeing down the Asahikawa River, known as the river town, you can enjoy the rich nature of the riverside forests and urban space at the same time. You can stop by spots that can only be reached by canoe, and learn about the history of Asahikawa and Ainu legends. All the necessary equipment is free of charge, so feel free to take a look! It’s easy! You can participate in the tour. We offer an inspiring experience not only for first-time visitors to Asahikawa, but also for those who have been here many times. Pinch off the excitement of Japan’s three major rivers, the Ishikari River♪

Flow of the day

(1) Gathering and reception
Please gather at the parking lot on the right bank downstream of Akizuki Bridge and complete registration.
(2) Explanation
Explanation of precautions and the flow of the day’s activities will be given.
(3) Contents of the experience
Ishikari River canoeing experience. Enjoy the extraordinary experience of canoeing through the town.
④Dismissal
After the experience, the tour will end at the Asahibashi riverbed.

◇On foot

(about 15 minutes, Asahibashi riverbed – 4jo shopping park)

A new type of “kaku-uchi” (corner bar) that offers a new way to enjoy Japanese sake and conveys its charm.

In the Edo period, common people enjoyed sake bought at liquor stores on the spot to boost their spirits. Today, drinking sake standing in a liquor storefront is generally referred to as “kaku-uchi. Kaku-uchi” is a space that offers a new way to enjoy Japanese sake, while maintaining the traditions of the kaku-uchi culture. The owner has carefully selected sake from all over Japan, including Hokkaido. The shop offers not only different brands of sake, but also different ways to enjoy drinking sake, such as steaming and heating sake, frozen sake, and sake served in wooden glasses. For our cuisine, we offer mainly snacks made with Hokkaido ingredients. Please enjoy a better marriage with sake.

*Can be zoomed in on

(1) Please proceed to the “Kaku-uchi Area” from the aisle at the back of the sales area.
(2) Please select sake from the showcase and bring it to your seat. Sake in the showcase is covered with color-coded ribbons and mizuhiki, and the price is differentiated by color. We also have seasonal sake tasting sets, so please try one if you are not sure which one to choose.
Please choose a dish from the menu and ask our staff to prepare it for you. We will recommend the perfect dish to go with your sake, so please feel free to ask our staff if you are not sure.
Please let our staff know when you leave. We accept cash, credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, DISCOVER, UnionPay), PayPay, and Alipay.