Hokkaido Wine Center

Learn the history and legends of the canal town of Otaru while participating in a Hokkaido wine tasting

Based in the wine grape growing region of Otaru, the Hokkaido Wine Center is managed by the nonprofit organization Wine Cluster Hokkaido, which disseminates information about Hokkaido-produced wine. Serving as its representative is the senior sommelier Masahisa Abe, a through-and-through expert on Hokkaido’s wines, who has been using the power of wine to bring tourism and vitality to the region. The center not only distributes reference materials about Hokkaido’s wine and tourist sites, but also holds a “Wine Tasting Adventure” where visitors can participate in a tasting of Hokkaido wines. The experts will teach you about the characteristics of each wine and the art of pairing them with local dishes. Wine lovers may feel free to drop by—no reservation is necessary to participate in the program.