Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town

Immediately after our visit to the Sapporo Beer Museum, we drove north for about 30 minutes to Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town in Tobetsu. Opened in 2023, this modern chocolate factory and visitor attraction offers an engaging insight into the fascinating journey of chocolate - from the cultivation of cacao beans to the production of the premium chocolates enjoyed around the world.

My first impression upon seeing the name Royce' was that it sounded distinctly European. I assumed it was probably a foreign company rather than a Japanese one. A little research later proved me wrong. Royce' is, in fact, a Japanese brand that was founded in Hokkaido in 1983 and has since earned an international reputation for producing some of Japan's finest chocolates.

The company is devoted to the art of chocolate making, combining carefully sourced cacao beans with high-quality ingredients to create its signature products. One of the reasons Royce' has become so closely associated with Hokkaido is the region's outstanding dairy industry. Hokkaido's fresh milk and rich cream contribute to the smooth, velvety texture that distinguishes many of Royce's chocolates, especially its famous Nama Chocolate.

Today, Royce' chocolates are exported to numerous countries across Asia, the Middle East, North America and beyond. Yet Hokkaido remains the heart of the company, allowing visitors like us to experience firsthand the chocolate manufacturing of Japan's most celebrated chocolate brands.

The beautiful rose garden that greeted us as we approached the entrance to the factory was a delightful surprise and a heartwarming welcome. Before stepping inside, we paused to admire the vibrant blooms, which displayed a stunning variety of colours and species. The garden was well maintained, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the modern factory beyond. Like many other visitors, we could not resist stopping to take photographs, capturing both the beauty of the roses and the joy of the moment. It was a wonderful prelude to our visit, reminding us that even before experiencing Royce's famous chocolates, we were already being treated to something special.