Hakkaisan's craft beer and Mochibuta pork sausage pizza |
![photo IMG_1299_zps9a1fa5a4.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1299_zps9a1fa5a4.jpg)
![photo IMG_1300_zps0c47f34a.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1300_zps0c47f34a.jpg)
![photo IMG_1309_zpsbc4c94fa.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1309_zpsbc4c94fa.jpg)
The area is surrounded by mountains covered in snow. From the station, we headed to our first destination, which is Hakkaisan Beer Brewery. Yes, the famous sake brewery also has a micro-beer-brewery operation. Their beer has a serious fan base among beer aficionados in Japan.
![photo IMG_1298_zps41845972.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1298_zps41845972.jpg)
![photo IMG_1306_zps8626e394.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1306_zps8626e394.jpg)
We were very happy we finally got there. They make 3 kinds of artisan beer, so we wanted to try.
![photo IMG_1311_zpsafefb645.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1311_zpsafefb645.jpg)
![photo IMG_1321_zps4512a5b0.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1321_zps4512a5b0.jpg)
![photo IMG_1373_zps6cba66df.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1373_zps6cba66df.jpg)
![photo IMG_1313_zps838f0106.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2014/IMG_1313_zps838f0106.jpg)
T the brewery, they have a casual Italian restaurant with the wood fire oven. We enjoyed the fresh beer with local vegetable salad and pizza. Pizza was Niigata's mochibuta pork sausage. Wonderful.