Solo Traveler's Guide: How I Got Into Hokkaido Coca-Cola Factory Tour

For me, a Coca-Cola collector, seeking out Coca-Cola-related spaces has become an essential part of my travels. Discovering that there was a Coca-Cola factory in Sapporo became an important catalyst for planning my Hokkaido trip. After finalizing my destination, I set the factory tour as one of my must-do activities.

 

📍 Location: Hokkaido Coca-Cola Bottling Factory (Sapporo) 🕐 Tour Duration: Approximately 40 minutes + tasting time 💰 Admission: FREE 👥 Requirements: Officially 2+ people (However, I managed to tour solo through individual consultation) 📝 Reservation: Online advance booking required 🔗 Booking Site: https://www.hokkaido.ccbc.co.jp/factory-tour/

 

The Challenging Booking Process

I applied for the factory tour, but encountered a problem. Only groups of 2 or more were accepted. Since I was traveling alone, I couldn't book for 2 people. When I tried booking for 2 people but indicated 1 adult in the party composition field, I received a rejection email. The email stated that the policy required 2 or more people. As expected from Japan, the land of manuals. Although the email said replies wouldn't be answered, I responded anyway. I wrote that I was traveling alone and really wanted to visit.

Rejection email stating only groups of 2+ are accepted

 

They asked if dates during my Hakodate stay would work, but I declined. When I asked if there were any available dates during my Sapporo stay, they responded again—but there were no available dates.

 

Still, I didn't give up. I told them I would contact them again closer to my travel dates and wrapped up the conversation. When my trip was approaching, I sent another email. I told them my available dates ranged from this date to that date, and asked if they had any available time slots. They then informed me of one available date.

The single slot offered for solo participation

 

December 2nd at 3 PM was available. So I planned my route to travel from Hakodate to Sapporo, check into my hotel, and head straight to the factory.

Getting There

It's a combination of subway + bus. When the Google route interpretation became ambiguous and I felt rushed, after a couple of wrong turns, I returned to the safest route. The conclusion: take the Tozai Line to Naebo-juhatchome, transfer to a bus, get off at Kitano-ichijo-nichome, then walk following the Coca-Cola logo. Just follow what Google Maps suggests. I wandered around trying to find a more efficient route, but ended up taking the first suggested route anyway. Since it's quite far in the outskirts, taking a taxi from downtown Sapporo areas like Susukino would be burdensome.

Delivery warehouse encountered on the way to the tour

Colas and beverages displayed at the tour meeting point. As a Coca-Cola collector, I wanted to take all of them home.

 

The Tour

The tour lasted approximately 40 minutes. You sit down and listen to the history and characteristics of Coca-Cola, explained in Japanese. Some stories I knew, but there were also new ones. Since it's about Coca-Cola's history in Japan, they explain things like when it first entered the country. Photography and videography are prohibited during the factory tour, so I don't have anything to show you. Here are some memorable points from the tour:

• Coca-Cola first entered Japan during the Taisho era (1910s), and full-scale production and sales began in 1957 when Tokyo Coca-Cola Bottlers was established.
• The famous contour bottle was designed so that even in the dark, you could identify it as Coca-Cola by touch, and in Japan, the container itself was recognized as a three-dimensional trademark in 2008.
• Coca-Cola's color is caramel, and regarding the rumor that the acid in the beverage dissolves bones and teeth, they explained that drinking time is short and it doesn't directly contact bones, so there's no need to worry.
• In Japan, Coca-Cola Japan handles product planning and development, while regional bottling companies handle manufacturing, sales, empty container collection, and recycling.
  
  • There are 5 Coca-Cola bottling corporations in Japan. Hokkaido Coca-Cola Bottling is the corporation responsible for the Hokkaido sales region.
• Early in the tour, they show you a vending machine that displays welcome messages for tour participants. Wait for your name to appear and take a photo. I missed mine.
• They introduced the 'disaster response vending machine.' It can switch to 'free distribution' mode during disasters to provide beverages at no cost, with about 900 units installed in Hokkaido, and they explained it's actually been used after earthquakes. I was curious what kind of vending machine it was.

When administrators change the mode during disaster situations, it transforms into a free beverage distribution mode. In normal times, it operates as a regular paid vending machine. The notice also indicates it only works when electricity is available.

 

• The large automated warehouse measures approximately 80m in length, 100m in width, and 31m in height, with racks as tall as a 10-story apartment building stacking product boxes, and 12 automated equipment units moving back and forth handling storage and retrieval. When the guide turns the warehouse lights on and off, gasps of amazement naturally escape.
  • It can store up to approximately 1.5 million boxes, products are automatically shipped in order of approaching expiration dates, and even this quantity is consumed in about 2 weeks based on Hokkaido shipments.
• They also share the story of how the red-suited Santa Claus image spread through Coca-Cola's Christmas campaigns, establishing the red Santa image. Several Christmas campaign posters are displayed, and I wanted to take one home to hang on my wall.

Tasting

At the end of the tour, participants can choose one bottle from Hokkaido-limited beverages (such as Lohas Haskap, Georgia Milk Coffee, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sokenbicha, Fanta, etc.) for a tasting session.

About 15 people participated in the experience, and almost everyone chose the bottled Coke. Bottled products must be consumed and returned inside the factory, PET bottles can be taken home with the cap closed, and you can experience PET bottle compression.

This is what the bottled Coke vending machine looks like.

 

Gift Shop

There's no gift shop, but there's a special vending machine. You can select and get plastic tumblers, towels, bottle openers, canisters, magnets, or badges. It's essentially a gacha system. Many people get tumblers here. I chose an opener as a souvenir. The Coca-Cola bottle design looks beautiful wherever you place it.

Coca-Cola goods vending machine

Coca-Cola opener, with the opener at the bottom of the bottle.

 

Visiting a Coca-Cola factory has been on my bucket list every time I came to Japan. I'm so glad I could finally participate during this Hokkaido trip and return home having fully enjoyed and experienced Coca-Cola.

 

As a solo traveler, I initially thought it would be impossible, but thanks to persistently inquiring without giving up, I was able to have this special experience.

 

I recommend this to anyone who loves Coca-Cola, is interested in factory tours, or wants a unique experience during their Hokkaido trip!