Rikka

Do you know RIKKA? It's a brewery in Urahoro, Tokachi, Hokkaido, where they handle everything themselves, from growing barley to brewing beer.

What's more, they use no-till farming, an organic method that doesn't plow the soil. They grow barley while restoring abandoned farmland, and they handle malting themselves too. About 90% of Japanese beer companies rely on imported ingredients, so 100% domestically produced organic ingredients are truly rare.

The representative, Masayuki Suzuki, used to be a construction consultant and also worked for an outdoor apparel maker. He says he was inspired by Patagonia's beer 'Long Route' and its slogan, 'Save the planet with a glass of beer.' The company was also founded on Earth Day, April 22.

Vice representative Saori Kanno used to do medical administration at a university hospital and also worked at a macrobiotic restaurant in Sendai. She also has an aromatherapist certification and once ran a cafe at Lake Toya. She has very deep knowledge of organic products.

Their first beer was called 'Mugifumi.' It's made with Hokkaido-grown barley and hops, and many people who have tried it say it 'doesn't leave you with a bad hangover' and is 'easy to drink.' They also work with the Hokkaido University Faculty of Agriculture to grow an old Taisho-era variety called 'Hokudai No. 1,' and through the annual membership program 'RIKKA∞2026,' they share the story of the fields and brewing process.

There is a brewery called RIKKA DESIGN WERX in Urahoro. It was renovated from an old hardware store. They also hold collaboration events with Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery and a local hard cider workshop, so you can enjoy Tokachi's craft beverage culture as a whole.