New Chitose Airport Alcohol Souvenir Guide | Whisky & Wine 2026

Hokkaido's signature whisky, wine and craft beer can all be bought as souvenirs at New Chitose Airport. Here's a rundown of which brands the airport stocks and the rules for taking alcohol on board.

Hokkaido Alcohol at New Chitose Airport — The Big Picture

This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.

The domestic terminal at New Chitose Airport has several specialty shops and general souvenir shops that sell Hokkaido-made alcohol. Where you can buy each type — whisky, wine, craft beer or local sake — differs from shop to shop.

There are three things to keep in mind when buying alcohol souvenirs at the airport. First, rare labels (such as Yoichi and Akkeshi whisky) arrive irregularly and can sell out the same day. Second, which shops carry a given wine or local sake depends on the brand. Third, there are rules based on alcohol content for taking bottles on the plane (see below).

Knowing these points before you shop will help you make the most of your time at the airport.

Whisky (Yoichi, Akkeshi, Niseko)

Hokkaido whisky keeps winning awards at international competitions and is drawing attention from overseas. Here's what to know about each brand's availability at the airport.

Yoichi (Nikka Whisky) is the Single Malt Yoichi made at the Yoichi Distillery (Yoichi Town, Yoichi District), known for its smoky, powerful flavor. It has been stocked at Hokkaido Honpo general souvenir shop, but popular labels arrive irregularly and sometimes sell out the same day. Bottles are sometimes kept behind the counter, so asking the staff is the surest way to find out.

Akkeshi whisky is the "24 Solar Terms" series from the Akkeshi Distillery in the Kushiro area, a rare, internationally acclaimed whisky. It has reportedly been sold at Hokkaido Honpo and JAL Duty Free, but sales are mostly by lottery or reservation, with limited regular availability. If you're thinking of buying it at the airport, we recommend checking in advance with Hokkaido Honpo using the contact details listed on hokkaido-airports.com.

Niseko whisky is a relatively new whisky produced at the Niseko Distillery in Kutchan Town. Confirmed information about regular sales at the airport is limited at the moment, so we recommend contacting the distillery or the airport shops directly.

This image was generated by AI for illustrative purposes.

Wine (Otaru, Yoichi, Furano)

The quality of Hokkaido wine has improved in recent years, and its white wines in particular are earning praise in Japan and abroad.

Otaru Wine (Hokkaido Wine Co., Ltd.) is one of Hokkaido's leading wineries, based in Otaru. Its white wines are especially popular, and they're confirmed to be sold at both Wine & Cheese Hokkaido Kounousha and Hokkaido Honpo.

Yoichi wine: Yoichi Town is drawing attention as a wine-grape growing region, and small wineries such as Domaine Takahiko are highly regarded. Because these are rare labels, it's unclear whether they're regularly sold at the airport; the surest approach is to ask the staff at Wine & Cheese Hokkaido Kounousha or Hokkaido Honpo directly about stock.

Furano Wine has a solid reputation as good-value Hokkaido wine, and is reportedly sold at Hokkaido Honpo and Dosanko Sanchoku Ichiba (Dosanko Direct Market). Please check prices in store for all of these.

If you'd like to taste before buying, try the tasting service at Wine & Cheese Hokkaido Kounousha (2F, inside Dosanko Sanchoku Ichiba) or wine by the glass at World Wine Bar by Pieroth.

Craft Beer & Local Sake

Compared with whisky and wine, many Hokkaido beers and local sakes are easy to get hold of.

Sapporo Classic is a draft beer sold only in Hokkaido — a classic souvenir you can't get anywhere else in Japan. It's carried at several shops, including ANA FESTA (Chitose Lobby store, 2F departures lobby) and Hokkaido Honpo, and since it comes in cans, it's an easy option to take on the plane.

Hokkaido Honpo and Dosanko Sanchoku Ichiba carry a range of craft beers. In 2026, brands that highlight terroir (the character of the land) are getting attention; to find out whether specific brands such as Hokkaido Brewing are regularly stocked, it's best to ask in store.

For local sake (Hokkaido nihonshu), Hokkaido Honpo carries labels from across Hokkaido, including the junmai daiginjo "Kojin." Many labels are best stored somewhere cool and dark, so think about when to buy and how you'll transport it.

Shops and Opening Hours

Here's a summary of the main shops.

This article includes two tables: the one above gives basic information on each shop, and the one below sets out the carry-on rules.

Opening hours are subject to change. Please check each shop's official page or hokkaido-airports.com for the latest information.

Carry-On and Checked Baggage Rules (Latest for 2026)

Before taking alcohol home, it's important to check the rules for bringing it on the plane.

On domestic flights, the following rules apply depending on alcohol content.

Most whiskies are 40–60-something percent alcohol, so you can take them on board within the 5-liter limit. Liquid size restrictions don't apply to domestic flights. We recommend wrapping bottles in clothing or padding to prevent breakage.

On international flights, we strongly recommend putting bottles in your checked baggage. Carry-on liquids must be in containers of 100 ml or less, so wine and whisky bottles can't be brought on board as they are. Under new rules in effect since April 24, 2026, liquids bought at duty-free shops in town can no longer pass through security checkpoints. They must be checked in as checked baggage. Items bought at duty-free shops inside the airport can still be taken on board as before.

FAQ

What should I know about taking whisky home by plane?

On domestic flights, you can carry up to 5 liters per person of whisky at 70% ABV or less. On international flights, put bottles in checked luggage (the 100 ml rule prevents carrying them on). Wrap them in clothes or padding to prevent breakage.

Can I be sure to buy Yoichi or Akkeshi whisky?

Both arrive irregularly and can sell out right away. It's safest to check with Hokkaido Honpo first (contact listed on hokkaido-airports.com).

Summary: Taking Hokkaido Alcohol Home as a Souvenir

At New Chitose Airport, you can buy a wide range of Hokkaido whisky, wine, craft beer and local sake.

For rare labels (Yoichi and Akkeshi whisky), checking stock in advance is essential. At Wine & Cheese Hokkaido Kounousha you can taste wines before choosing, so you can buy even an unfamiliar label with confidence. Classic beers like Sapporo Classic are available at several shops, making them an easy, casual souvenir.

For your journey onward, please use the JR Rapid Airport train or a bus. To avoid drink-driving after buying alcohol, we recommend using public transportation to travel from the airport into the city.