When it comes to Okinawa beer, Orion Beer is the name that comes to mind. While occasionally found in supermarkets in other prefectures, Orion’s market share in Okinawa is overwhelming.
Since I was there, I decided to visit the Orion Beer factory tour!
The factory is located in Nago, a city in Okinawa Prefecture.
The tour facility is called Orion Happy Park.
Entrance is through this gate.
Same-day visits are possible if there’s availability, but advance reservations are recommended.
There’s also a dining space where lunch buffets are available.
Right at the entrance are large brewing kettles on display.
Before the factory tour, visitors wait at the top of the escalator.
There’s the ORION Retro Museum where you can learn a bit about ORION’s history.
There’s also a recreation of an old Okinawan shop.
There was nothing like this near my hometown, yet it feels strangely nostalgic.
There are also vintage newspapers on display.
A collection of historical Orion Beer cans. Even the old designs were quite stylish.
And here are vintage bottles.
You can also see barrel-filling machinery through glass. (Though it wasn’t operating at the time…)
When the brewery guide arrives, the factory tour begins.
…However, unfortunately photography isn’t allowed during the tour, so there are no photos from that section.
At the end of the tour, a display shows how much Orion Beer is produced in just one minute.
It’s quite impressive production volume!
After the tour, visitors can enjoy free beer tastings in the adjacent space. You can even exchange your badge for a refill of canned beer.
For non-drinkers and drivers, soft drinks are also available.
Fresh beer, produced 3 days to 1 week prior, is poured for guests.
Looks delicious! And it was!
Turmeric jelly and peanut snacks are also included.
These were surprisingly delicious too.
If you’re in the area or visiting Okinawa for tourism, why not stop by?
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