Alongside many of Japan's interesting food-themed museums, there are a host of museums dedicated to beverages, too. Whether you fancy a beer or whisky, or a soothing cup of tea is more your thing, Japan has you covered when it comes to learning about your drink of choice.
Tea Museum, Shizuoka
Shizuoka is home to the largest percentage of Japan's tea production, and the prefecture's tea museum offers some insight into the history of the leafy beverage along with numerous hands-on experiences. Guests can take part in matcha grinding, tea ceremonies, tea sampling, and even tea picking at certain times of the year.
3053-2 Kanayafujimicho, Shimada, Shizuoka 428-0034
Museum of Yebisu Beer, Tokyo
Yebisu Beer was first produced back in 1890, and the Yebisu Beer Museum takes visitors on a historical journey to find out how the company's products have developed over the years. There are also tours - some are conducted in English - and opportunities for tastings, too. The staff even give demonstrations on how to pour the perfect glass!
4 Chome−20−1, Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8522
Sapporo Beer Museum, Hokkaido
Located on the grounds of the Sapporo Garden Park, the Sapporo Beer Museum showcases the long history of Sapporo Beer. There are both free tours (around 15 to 20 minutes in duration) and paid premium tours (500 yen for adults/ 50 minute duration) which have English or Korean language audio translation available for an additional fee. The museum also has a tasting corner and a gift shop with a range of exclusive Sapporo Beer merchandise.
9 Chome-1-1 Kita 7 Johigashi, Sapporo, Hokkaido 065-8633
Uonuma Koji Salon, Niigata
Niigata is one of Japan's centers for rice cultivation, which means that rice-based beverages like sake and amazake are also prolific here. The Uonuma Koji Salon is part-museum, part working factory, and it gives an insight into the koji bacteria which is used in the making of amazake, sake, and even soy sauce. You can try both amazake and amazake ice cream at the venue - both are surprisingly tasty!
1791-10 Tokamachi, Uonuma, Niigata
Yamazaki Whisky Museum, Osaka
The Yamazaki Distillery is the oldest whisky distillery in Japan, and the Yamazaki Whisky Museum in Osaka tells the story of how the company came to be. There are exhibits that detail the whisky making process, and a whisky library which contains wall-to-wall whisky bottles of various types.
5 Chome-2-1 Yamazaki, Shimamoto, Mishima District, Osaka 618-0001
