Tobetsu is a town located about 40 minutes from central Sapporo by car and train, surrounded by a lush natural landscape of rice paddies and fields. Similarly, the ROYCE' Town Plant is also surrounded by rice paddies and fields.

Founded in 1983 in Higashi-ku, Sapporo, ROYCE' embarked on its chocolate-making journey, relocating its production base to the current site in 1999, known then as the ROYCE' Futomi Factory. In 2008, it expanded with a raw material factory in Ainosato, Kita-ku, Sapporo. Then in 2014, the company opened its own cacao farm, ROYCE' Cacao Farm, in Colombia, South America.

Fast forward to 2022, the ROYCE' Futomi Factory underwent was rebranded as the ROYCE' Town Factory, with the addition of a hands-on tour facility called ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town. Initially introduced as a pre-opening due to ongoing preparations within the manufacturing and other facilities, the grand opening took place in August 2023, coinciding with the company's 40th anniversary.

The museum offers explanatory displays in English (some in Chinese and Korean) for the convenience of overseas visitors.

ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town is a facility designed to introduce visitors to the farm-to-bar journey of their chocolate. The journey illustrates the entire cacao cultivation process through a range of exhibits and experiences, from growing it on the company's own “Farm” to transforming it into chocolate “Bars.”

During the tour, visitors can peek through glass windows and observe the inside of the factory itself (may not be in operation at all times), as well as view displays of intriguing collections, and even take part in a DIY chocolate-making workshop (not included in admission).

To get to ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town, we recommend going by JR train or car. From Sapporo Station, take the Gakuentoshi Line to ROYCE' Town Station, about a 30 minute ride. Notably, ROYCE' Town Station is the first newly constructed station on a JR Hokkaido line in nearly 20 years! It was specifically designed to connect travelers to ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town in March, 2022.

A free shuttle bus service is also available, connecting the station with ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town and operating in accordance with the train schedule. From spring to fall, when the weather is fine, we recommend taking the leisurely 7-minute stroll to get to the destination on foot so you can take in the peaceful countryside scenery along the way.

Upon arrival at the plaza in front of ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town, visitors are greeted by an elegant white building with a golden logo. In the winter, the building itself may be covered in a white blanket of snow, however, the plaza remains snow-free and easily traversable thanks to road heating. In front of the square is a rose garden, showing off its peak blooms from mid-June to early July (depending on climate).

Inside, you are welcomed by a spacious entrance hall with a prominent centerpiece: a large golden cacao statue. This area is freely accessible and houses the Royce' Town Factory store, with an assortment of products for purchase, a designated rest area where you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream and any refreshments purchased here, and a reception desk with information on the facility.

Within this free-of-charge area, visitors can witness the actual production process of the "mold line," where the chocolate is poured into molds and cooled to solidification (note that it may not always be in operation). Watching the precise movements of the manufacturing robots will surely delight any mechanical enthusiast!

To gain entry, apply for advance reservation by specifying date and time through the official website. Tickets can be purchased by credit card or D-payment.

However, Yusuke Watanabe, head of PR and marketing at ROYCE' Confect, Inc., informs: "If space is available, we may be able to accept same-day reservations at the information desk.”

While the general public is free to explore the exhibit on their own without guides, Mr. Watanabe graciously provided a special tour for this interview.

Pass through the entrance gate to enter the ROYCE’ Cacao & Chocolate Town Tour and Experience Zone. Taking the elevator to the third floor, the journey begins with the Cacao Farm Zone. The first exhibit is a diorama depicting the ROYCE' Cacao Farm in Colombia, South America, where the company grows its own cacao.

"The farm is the realization of a chocolate maker's dream to produce chocolate from cacao cultivation. The farm officially opened in 2014, but we began working with local staff two years prior, starting with the acquisition of the land and its subsequent maintenance," explains Watanabe.

As you stroll through, surrounded by the sounds of chirping wild birds and other realistic sound effects, you will see cacao trees with lifelike fruit hanging down on both sides.

We were astonished by the size of the trees, exceeding expectations, measuring over 20 cm in length! There was also a true-to-life model of a cacao nut, accurately reproducing its weight, which visitors can hold in their hands to feel for themselves.

A series of interesting exhibits shows the process of fermenting cacao beans. Visitors can also experience the process of drying the beans post-fermentation by interacting with the tools firsthand.

Here, visitors can delve into the world of cacao and its history, not only through written explanations but also through interactive games, quizzes, and images viewed through peepholes. Guests can also enjoy the hands-on experience of lifting a burlap sack filled with 70 kg of cacao beans!

Next up is an immersive experience of being engulfed in a sea of chocolate in a room featuring a 360-degree screen showcasing the journey from cacao to chocolate making. Afterwards, visitors proceed to the Factory Experience Zone, spanning the second and third floors.

Here, visitors can learn how cacao beans delivered to the factory are transformed into chocolate through videos, gadgets, interactive games, and a look at a real production line. This area of the facility is especially enchanting for young children, sparking excitement and wonder in their eyes!

The first thing you see before the production line is a box displaying factory staff uniforms. On one side of the box sits a monitor. When you stand in front of it, a virtual image of yourself wearing the uniform is projected on the monitor. It's fascinating how the image mimics your movements as you move your arms and legs!

Before stepping into the factory, visitors encounter the forceful gust of an air shower, effectively whisking away any dust and foreign particles.

The cacao bean processing plant and an explanation of the process are showcased through a range of mechanisms, letting visitors not only observe but also actively engage with the machinery for an immersive, hands-on experience of its functionality.

After witnessing the process of transforming cacao beans into chocolate, a spacious hall with white floors, walls, and ceilings comes into view. This serves as a photo spot decorated with designs of chocolate and logos.

At the end of the hall lies a theater, marking the end of the cacao journey with an artistic video presentation of how chocolate is crafted into a finished product.

After the 4-minute video, the screen opens to reveal an area reminiscent of a fantasy movie set, where a variety of fun games await that allow visitors to experience the chocolate-making process for themselves. You just can’t help but say "Wow!"

There are many active games, including one where you make chocolates by moving your body in sync with images on the monitor and fulfilling missions. There are also games designed for two players. Scores are recorded, adding an element of excitement as visitors compete against each other.

There's also a spot where you can snap a photo with your face peeking out of a massive package of Nama Chocolate. There’s also a machine where you can twist a dial to receive a piece of pure chocolate (one per person).

After losing track of time with the excitement, the ROYCE' Collection Street awaits with another breathtaking spectacle. This exhibition features a valuable collection of beautifully-designed chocolate labels, tins, tableware, and various other items gathered from all corners of the globe.

Within the museum is a corner displaying carved wooden bears, a cherished traditional craft of Hokkaido. The bears exhibited vary from lifelike to adorable, crafted by a diverse array of artists. Seeing so many carved bears in one place is a unique and memorable experience, even for Hokkaido natives themselves!

As ROYCE' is a sponsor of the Tour de Hokkaido, there are also bicycles on display.

The exhibition showcasing ROYCE' packaging and its history is equally noteworthy, evoking nostalgic memories of the ROYCE's chocolates we enjoyed in childhood!

The Chocolate Workshop located in the middle of the ROYCE' Collection Street was our most eagerly anticipated attraction for the visit. This workshop consists of crafting your very own huge custom chocolate bar (approx. 23cm x 12cm), complete with nuts, dried fruits, and other toppings.

Visitors can choose from between two molds to pour their chocolate into: the Choco Monogram, made in the likeness of ROYCE' chocolates, and the Cacao Factory, shaped like the silhouette of a cacao fruit. Next, you can choose from three types of chocolate: milk, white, or half-and-half. Finally, you can purchase your ticket from the ticket machine.

After signing up, you'll enter the workshop room where you'll be provided with a hair cap, mask, and apron to wear. You'll then select your preferred mold and choose your main topping.

You'll be tasked with pouring the chocolate into the mold of your choice. My selection was a half-and-half blend of milk and white chocolate. The sight of the smooth chocolate pouring out is enough to make your mouth water—absolutely delicious!

The chocolate molds are shaken and leveled as the mixture is poured into them. It seemed challenging to maintain the separation between the milk and white chocolates without having them blend together. However, it was a relief to have the staff handle everything up to this point with precision.

Proceed to the workbench, where you will embellish your creation with the toppings of your choice while the chocolate is still setting. Our toppings were mixed nuts and dried fruits. There were also colored chocolate sprays and strawberry crunch arranged on the worktable, for adding extra detail to your masterpiece.

"This is tough,” I think nervously. There was a bit of tension as we had to put the toppings on the chocolate before it set, but we persevered, adding them little by little. To avoid any mishaps, it's best to decide on your toppings before receiving your chocolate!

After you finish with the toppings, place the chocolate in the chilling machine and allow it to cool thoroughly for about 10 minutes. The sheer size of this machine was startling—it was much larger than you’d imagine!

As the chocolates cooled down, we assembled our boxes to take home. There were three different box designs to choose from. We assembled the folded box into a three-dimensional shape, attaching a string handle to complete the process.

See how the milk and white chocolate have transformed into such a delightfully colorful(?) chocolate bar! How’s that for a finished product?

Place it into your box, and there you have your own unique chocolate creation! Aside from its design, you’ll also enjoy eating your oversized chocolate, whether you choose to share it with friends, or savor it yourself over several days. It was indeed a fun and budget-friendly activity!

Chocolate Workshop:
・Time Required: About 30 minutes
・Fee: 1,500 yen per person (Admission fee not included)
・Hours: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Last admission: 4:00 PM)
*Advance reservations not available. Purchase tickets from ticket machine in front of workshop venue. First come first serve.

After exploring the facility, head back to the entrance hall. Don’t forget to check out the ROYCE' Town Factory Shop before leaving!

In addition to over 200 varieties of chocolates, baked goods, breads, soft-serve ice cream, and other gourmet delights, the store also carries an array of exclusive ROYCE' merchandise, from tote bags to capsule toys and more. The selection is so diverse, it's hard to resist looking around! We sought out Mr. Watanabe's recommendations, focusing on limited items exclusive to this location. All prices include tax.

ROYCE' Farm to Bar Nama Chocolate (pictured right / 864 yen)
This special Nama Chocolate is crafted with milk chocolate from ROYCE' Farm to Bar, using a process that oversees every stage from cacao cultivation to the final product.

ROYCE' Farm to Bar Potato Chip Chocolate (pictured left / 918 yen)
The potato chip is coated on one side with ROYCE' Farm To Bar chocolate, creating an irresistible balance of sweet and salty.

ROYCE' Variety Can Series 721 (1,210 yen)
The can features a design of a Series 721 train that runs on the JR Gakuentoshi Line, and contains two popular varieties of pure chocolate along with ROYCE’ Earl Chocolates.

Marugoto Kitaakari no Curry Bread (324 yen)
This bread is filled with a special curry and whole pieces of Hokkaido’s local Kitaakari potatoes, deep-fried to perfection, with coarse breadcrumbs used to achieve its crispy texture.

ROYCE' Town Pizza: Milk Potato & Tobetsu Pork (756 yen)
ROYCE' Town Pizza was developed from scratch by ROYCE', with a focus on five key elements: shape, dough, cheese, sauce, and ingredients. The meat used is Smile Pork sourced from Asano Farm in Tobetsu-cho.

Jumbo Nama Chocolate Croissant Au Lait (pictured left / 1,296 yen)
This one is about four times the size of the regular Nama Chocolate Croissant Au Lait, which is a popular product at many other stores (pictured right, 270 yen). Nama Chocolate Au Lait is available in a box of 20 pieces, a dreamlike offering exclusive to the factory-direct shop.

ROYCE' Farm to Bar Chocolate Soft Serve Ice Cream (450 yen)
Soft serve ice cream crafted with ROYCE' Farm To Bar chocolate, with a rich cacao taste complemented by a gentle sweetness and a refreshing flavor.

Private tours are also available, with English or Chinese-speaking guides, along with private car pickup and drop-off services, allowing visitors to fully enjoy ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town.

The impression of ROYCE' Cacao & Chocolate Town formed during our visit and firsthand experience can be summarized in one phrase: a factory tour on a grand scale. Despite believing we know the ingredients and processes behind the chocolates we regularly enjoy, this visit revealed a depth of knowledge we hadn't previously thought about.

Upon touring the factory, we were astounded at the size of the full-grown cacao nuts, and learned about the various processes behind transforming cacao beans into chocolate. Hokkaido’s ROYCE' chocolates are crafted in pursuit of exceptional taste!

This experience, presented through videos, games, and hands-on activities, proved both enjoyable and enlightening, with plenty of content for a half-day visit. With that, we highly recommend putting aside some time, and embarking on a thorough exploration for yourself!

Information in article as of February 2024. Please see official website for the latest updates & information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki