While beer is a relatively new beverage in Japan, it wasn’t long before locals embraced it and created the crisp, refreshing lagers that its major breweries are known for today. The Sapporo, Kirin, Asahi, and Suntory brands can be found in grocery and convenience stores around the world, and one by one, new breweries are making their international debuts. And recently, Japan’s own craft beer scene has been booming.

As of 2025, there are over 850 craft breweries operating across the country and new craft beer festivals popping up in cities, towns, and even mountain resorts! To meet customers’ ever-evolving tastes, Japan’s major breweries have begun producing seasonal ales and experimental brews featuring local ingredients like rice and yuzu citrus.

Nagano has a long history as one of Japan’s premiere hop-growing regions, and there are currently over 30 beer breweries around the prefecture, many of which have their own tap rooms and storefronts. Learn more about Nagano’s beer breweries below.

Shiga Kogen Beer (Yamanouchi Town)

Tamamura Honten is a sake brewery at the base of Shiga Kogen and has been in operation since 1805. In 2004, they began brewing Shiga Kogen Beer. You can find their beers in convenience stores in Northern Nagano and most liquor stores, or can try some on tap at The Farmhouse during the green season or Teppa Room in Shiga Kogen during winter.

Website
Tamamura Honten's Official Website (Japanese)

Access
From Yudanaka Station (Nagano Dentetsu line), take the local Kanbayashi or Shiga Kogen line bus to any of the bus stops below.
Tamamura Honten is a 2-minute walk from the Kutsuno bus stop.
The Farmhouse is a 5-minute walk from the Snow Monkey Park bus stop.
Teppa Room is a 2-minute walk from the Ichinose Ski Resort bus.

Oh! La! Ho Beer (Tomi City)

Oh! La! Ho Brewery opened in 1996 in Tomi City. They produce a variety of pale and medium-bodied ales which have won numerous gold and silver awards in international competitions. You’ll often find their “Captain Crow” extra pale ale in stores around Nagano.

While the brewery isn’t open for tours, you can visit the adjacent Yurarikan Wine and Beer Museum to try a flight of beers or local wines.

Website
Oh! La! Ho Beer Official Website (Japanese)

Access
The Yurarikan Wine and Beer Museum is 11 minutes by taxi from Tanaka Station (Shinano Railway).

Yo-Ho Brewing (Karuizawa Town)

Yo-Ho Brewing opened in 1996 in Karuizawa. Their motto is, “Flavor in beer, Happiness in people,” and are well known for their Yona Yona ale, which can be found widely throughout Japan and has won many international competitions. Others include Suiyobi-no-Neko (Wednesday’s Cat), Tokyo Black, and Indo-no-Aooni (Indian Blue Demon).

They have opened several restaurants in Tokyo where you can try these beers and more, so you have no excuse not to visit on a trip to Japan! They now have five locations in the greater Tokyo area. See their website below for details.

Website
Yo-Ho Brewing Official Website (English)

Matsumoto Brewery (Matsumoto City)

Matsumoto Brewery opened in 2016 in the heart of Matsumoto City. Using pure water that springs up from the Japanese Alps and the mountains of Utsukushigahara Kogen together with local hops and grains, this brewery produces a range of beers representative of Nagano’s most cultured city.

Matsumoto Brewery has two tap rooms in downtown Matsumoto: the Nakamachi tap room on a side street of Nakamachi-dori, and the Honmachi tap room on the 3rd floor of the Shinano Mainichi Media Garden building, which you’ll pass on the way to Matsumoto Castle.

Website
Matsumoto Brewery Official Website (Japanese)

Access
The Nakamachi tap room is a 12-minute walk, and the Honmachi tap room is a 7-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.

Reijin (Suwa City)

Reijin first opened in 1789 and is one of Suwa’s five major sake breweries. Recently, these masters of Japan’s traditional sake-making craft have turned their skills to beer brewing as well. The pure well water they use to make sake is blended with mineral-rich onsen water of Suwa to bring out the best flavor in their beers.

Suwa’s five Gokura sake breweries line the road beside Kamisuwa Station and make for a perfect pub crawl. Each one offers a unique flavor of sake, and at Reijin you can try their beer on tap as well.

Website
Reijin's Official Website (Japanese)

Access
The Reijin Brewery is an 11-minute walk from Kami-Suwa Station.

Minami Shinshu Beer (Komagane City)

Minami Shinshu beer opened in 1996 and is considered Nagano’s first craft brewery. In 2022, their beer line was rebranded as Ogna. With pure mountain water, wheat and hops, they brew a variety of regular and premium beers as well as seasonal offerings.

If you’re visiting Senjojiki Cirque, stop by the Minami Shinshu Beer Ajiwai Kobo for lunch and some local beer on tap. Or, you can walk a little further to visit the Mars Komagatake Distillery. Minami Shinshu Beer’s brewery is located on the distillery grounds, and there is a distillery shop and bar counter that offers a taste of Mars whiskey and Minami Shinshu beer.

Website
Minami Shinshu Beer's Official Website (Japanese)

Access
From Komagane Station, take the Komagatake Ropeway bus to the Suganodai bus center. The Minami Shinshu Beer Ajiwai Kobo restaurant is just across the street, and the Mars Komagatake Distillery is across the river about 15 minutes on foot.

And Many More

Here in Nagano where mineral-rich springs, pure mountain water, and zesty hops are available in abundance, it’s no wonder that so many locals have challenged themselves to make delicious beer. There are many other beer breweries around Nagano creating delicious and unique brews, so keep a look out for brew pubs and breweries when you're out about in Nagano.