Exactly 150 years ago today, the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery, the origin of Sapporo Breweries, opened its doors in Sapporo. Behind that historic moment were two young pioneers whose vision, determination, and expertise helped pave the way for what would become one of Japan's most enduring beer brands.
When people ask who founded Sapporo Breweries, there is no single answer.
At the center of that story were two remarkable pioneers.
One was Hisanari Murahashi, who believed Hokkaido was the ideal place to brew beer. The other was Seibei Nakagawa, who returned from Germany with modern brewing techniques that were virtually unknown in Japan at the time.
Together, they played a vital role in establishing the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery and paving the way for the birth of Sapporo Beer. Their pioneering spirit continues to inspire Sapporo Breweries 150 years later.
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan launched a nationwide modernization effort. The government established the Hokkaido Development Commission to develop Hokkaido and introduce new industries from overseas. Beer brewing was one of them.
Hisanari Murahashi was the driving force behind the establishment of the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery.
While studying in Britain, he saw firsthand how the Industrial Revolution was changing the world. The experience left a lasting impression and inspired him to help build modern industries in Japan.
After the Meiji Restoration, Murahashi joined the Hokkaido Development Commission, where he became involved in plans to launch a brewery.
At the time, officials intended to build the brewery in Tokyo and eventually relocate it to Hokkaido. Murahashi believed this was the wrong approach.
The German-style beer they hoped to produce required cold fermentation and maturation.
Without refrigeration, brewers had to depend on large amounts of natural ice. Murahashi believed that Hokkaido's cool climate made it the right place to brew beer from the start.
Convincing officials to change the approved plan was not easy. But Murahashi never gave up and eventually succeeded in moving the brewery project from Tokyo to Sapporo.
Without that decision, Sapporo Breweries as we know it today might never have existed.
If Murahashi provided the vision, Seibei Nakagawa brought technical expertise.
As a teenager, at a time when overseas travel was still prohibited in Japan, Nakagawa left his homeland and eventually made his way to Germany. There, he underwent intensive training at a brewery in Berlin.
After more than two years of rigorous study and hands-on experience, he mastered the craft of brewing and malt production and earned a formal certificate. He is widely recognized as the first Japanese brewer to complete professional brewing training in Germany.
After returning to Japan, Nakagawa became the chief engineer of the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery.
There, he met Hisanari Murahashi.
Murahashi was 32 years old and Nakagawa was 28.
Together, they embarked on the challenge of building a brewery unlike anything Japan had seen before.
The responsibility for designing and building the brewery fell largely to Nakagawa.
Drawing on the knowledge and experience he had gained in Germany, he designed the facility, secured equipment and materials, and oversaw construction.
With Murahashi's support, he worked through countless practical and administrative challenges to bring the project to life.
Finally, on September 23, 1876, the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery opened its doors in Sapporo.
That day marked the beginning of the story of Sapporo Beer.
The opening of the brewery was only the beginning.
An unusually warm winter led to ice shortages, delaying production and making brewing more difficult. Even as pressure mounted from Tokyo to speed up production, Nakagawa remained focused on quality.
Meanwhile, Murahashi worked tirelessly behind the scenes, securing transportation routes, arranging supplies of ice for refrigeration, and obtaining bottles for distribution.
The brewery's first beer was finally completed in June 1877, five months behind schedule.
Yet new challenges soon emerged. Bottles sent to government leaders experienced problems when cork stoppers popped out under pressure. Even so, Murahashi remained determined. The corks were improved, trial sales began in Hakodate, and preparations continued.
In September 1877, chilled Sapporo Beer was released to the public in Tokyo.
Its quality reportedly earned high praise from foreigners familiar with European brewing traditions, helping establish the reputation of Sapporo Beer.
The label of early Sapporo Beer featured the iconic red star of the Hokkaido Development Commission.
Inspired by the Pole Star, a trusted guide in the northern skies, the five-pointed star became a symbol of ambition, exploration, and pioneering spirit during the development of Hokkaido. The same symbol was adopted by the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery and would later become the enduring symbol of Sapporo Breweries.
Today, the star remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Sapporo Breweries, connecting our origins with the present day.
For 150 years, the star has stood as a symbol of the pioneering spirit that continues to guide Sapporo Breweries today.
Hisanari Murahashi envisioned a brewery in Hokkaido.
Seibei Nakagawa brought world-class brewing expertise to Japan.
Neither could have succeeded without the other.
The success of the Kaitakushi Beer Brewery was built on the vision, determination, and collaboration of both men.
Together, they laid the foundation for Sapporo Breweries and helped create a legacy that has endured for 150 years.
Their pioneering spirit remains at the heart of who we are today.
Like the star that has symbolized Sapporo Breweries for generations, their legacy continues to guide us as we look to the future.
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