---
title: "Japanese beer brands: Which are most popular?"
description: "Compare the Japanese beer brands people buy. Share of Search among Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin, Orion, Suntory, Yebisu and Hitachino Nest, the Japanese beer brands Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/japanese-beer-brands"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Japanese beer brands: Which are most popular?

Compare the Japanese beer brands people buy. Share of Search among Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin, Orion, Suntory, Yebisu and Hitachino Nest, the Japanese beer brands Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Japanese beer brands
- **Market**: Global
- **Brands compared**: 7
- **Month measured**: Oct 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Asahi, 33.5%

## Which brand is most popular in search among Japanese beer brands worldwide?

- Asahi and Sapporo tie for the highest share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, at 33.5% each in October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Asahi’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide decreased from 34.6% to 33.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sapporo’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide decreased from 34.6% to 33.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Kirin’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide increased from 18.9% to 20.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Orion’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide increased from 4.7% to 5.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Yebisu’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide decreased from 3.8% to 3%.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Asahi’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 38.9% in June 2026 and was lowest at 29.6% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sapporo’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 38.5% in February 2026 and was lowest at 31.7% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Kirin’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 22.2% in May 2026 and was lowest at 18.9% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Orion’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 6.1% in August 2026 and was lowest at 3.8% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Suntory’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 3% in October 2026 and was lowest at 1.9% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Yebisu’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide peaked at 4.1% in January 2026 and was lowest at 2.7% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Suntory rose from 6th to 5th among Japanese beer brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Yebisu fell from 5th to 6th among Japanese beer brands worldwide.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hitachino Nest held steady: its share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top Japanese beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin and Yebisu appeared every time. Asahi was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. Sapporo was second, and Kirin was third.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Asahi | 1st | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Sapporo | 2nd | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Kirin | 3rd | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Yebisu | 4th | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Suntory | 5th | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 |
| Hitachino Nest | 6th | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Orion | 7th | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 |

## Every AI answer about Japanese beer brands

- Asked ChatGPT "Which Japanese beer should I try?": 1. Asahi, 2. Sapporo, 3. Kirin, 4. Yebisu, 5. Hitachino Nest
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best Japanese beer brands?": 1. Asahi, 2. Sapporo, 3. Kirin, 4. Yebisu, 5. Hitachino Nest, 6. Suntory, 7. Orion
- Asked ChatGPT "What's a good Japanese beer to drink with sushi?": 1. Asahi, 2. Sapporo, 3. Kirin, 4. Yebisu
- Searched Google, AI Overview "japanese beer": 1. Asahi, 2. Kirin, 3. Sapporo, 4. Suntory, 5. Orion, 6. Yebisu, 7. Hitachino Nest
- Searched Google, AI Overview "japanese beer brands": 1. Asahi, 2. Kirin, 3. Sapporo, 4. Suntory, 5. Orion, 6. Hitachino Nest, 7. Yebisu

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in the United States on October 25, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Asahi vs Sapporo: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/asahi-beer-vs-sapporo-beer): 33.5% Share of Search each.
- [Asahi vs Kirin: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/asahi-beer-vs-kirin): 33.5% against 20.5% Share of Search.
- [Asahi vs Orion: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/asahi-beer-vs-orion-beer): 33.5% against 5.5% Share of Search.
- [Asahi vs Suntory: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/asahi-beer-vs-suntory-beer): 33.5% against 3% Share of Search.
- [Sapporo vs Kirin: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kirin-vs-sapporo-beer): 33.5% against 20.5% Share of Search.
- [Sapporo vs Orion: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/orion-beer-vs-sapporo-beer): 33.5% against 5.5% Share of Search.
- [Sapporo vs Suntory: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/sapporo-beer-vs-suntory-beer): 33.5% against 3% Share of Search.
- [Kirin vs Orion: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kirin-vs-orion-beer): 20.5% against 5.5% Share of Search.
- [Kirin vs Suntory: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kirin-vs-suntory-beer): 20.5% against 3% Share of Search.
- [Orion vs Suntory: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/orion-beer-vs-suntory-beer): 5.5% against 3% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for Japanese beer brands worldwide in October 2026?

- In October 2026, Asahi overtook Sapporo to become the leader among Japanese beer brands worldwide, with 33.5% of the searches.
- In October 2026, Suntory overtook Yebisu to rank 5th among Japanese beer brands worldwide, with 3% of the searches.
- In October 2026, Kirin gained share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, from 19.2% to 20.5%.
- In October 2026, Sapporo lost share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, from 38.4% to 33.5%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Orion worldwide rose 50% over 12 measured months, from 14.8K to 22.2K in October 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Hitachino Nest worldwide rose 24.1% over 12 measured months, from 2.9K to 3.6K in October 2026.

## Which Japanese beer brands do people search for most?

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Asahi | 33.5% | 135K | +22.7% | Asahi Beverages |
| 2 | Sapporo | 33.5% | 135K | 0.0% | Sapporo Breweries |
| 3 | Kirin | 20.5% | 82.6K | +22.2% | Kirin |
| 4 | Orion | 5.5% | 22.2K | +22.7% | Orion |
| 5 | Suntory | 3% | 12.1K | +49.4% | Suntory |
| 6 | Yebisu | 3% | 12.1K | +22.2% | Sapporo Breweries |
| 7 | Hitachino Nest | 0.89% | 3.6K | +24.1% | Hitachino Nest |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nov 2025 | Asahi | 110K | 34.6% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Sapporo | 110K | 34.6% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Kirin | 60.2K | 18.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Orion | 14.8K | 4.7% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 3.8% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.5% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.91% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Asahi | 110K | 34.2% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Sapporo | 110K | 34.2% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Kirin | 66.2K | 20.6% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Orion | 12.1K | 3.8% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 3.8% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.5% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.9% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 37.4% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Asahi | 90.5K | 30.7% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Kirin | 60.2K | 20.4% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Orion | 12.1K | 4.1% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 4.1% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Suntory | 6.6K | 2.2% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.99% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 38.5% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Asahi | 90.5K | 31.7% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Kirin | 54.2K | 19% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Orion | 12.1K | 4.2% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 3.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Suntory | 6.6K | 2.3% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.4K | 0.84% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 37.4% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Asahi | 90.5K | 30.7% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Kirin | 60.2K | 20.4% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Orion | 12.1K | 4.1% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 4.1% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Suntory | 6.6K | 2.2% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.99% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 37.1% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Asahi | 90.5K | 30.5% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Kirin | 60.2K | 20.3% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Orion | 14.8K | 5% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 3.3% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.7% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.98% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Asahi | 110K | 33.2% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 33.2% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Kirin | 73.6K | 22.2% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Orion | 14.8K | 4.5% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 3.7% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.4% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.87% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Asahi | 135K | 38.9% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 31.7% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Kirin | 67.6K | 19.5% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Orion | 14.8K | 4.3% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 2.9% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Suntory | 6.6K | 1.9% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.84% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Sapporo | 110K | 36% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Asahi | 90.5K | 29.6% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Kirin | 67.6K | 22.1% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Orion | 18.1K | 5.9% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 3.2% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Suntory | 6.6K | 2.2% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.95% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Sapporo | 135K | 37.3% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Asahi | 110K | 30.4% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Kirin | 73.6K | 20.3% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Orion | 22.2K | 6.1% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 2.7% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.2% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.8% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Sapporo | 135K | 38.4% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Asahi | 110K | 31.3% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Kirin | 67.6K | 19.2% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Orion | 18.1K | 5.1% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Yebisu | 9.9K | 2.8% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Suntory | 8.1K | 2.3% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 2.9K | 0.82% | 7 |
| Oct 2026 | Asahi | 135K | 33.5% | 1 |
| Oct 2026 | Sapporo | 135K | 33.5% | 2 |
| Oct 2026 | Kirin | 82.6K | 20.5% | 3 |
| Oct 2026 | Orion | 22.2K | 5.5% | 4 |
| Oct 2026 | Suntory | 12.1K | 3% | 5 |
| Oct 2026 | Yebisu | 12.1K | 3% | 6 |
| Oct 2026 | Hitachino Nest | 3.6K | 0.89% | 7 |

## How are branded searches counted for Japanese beer brands?

- **Asahi**: Measured on the search term “asahi beer”.
- **Hitachino Nest**: Measured on the search term “hitachino nest”.
- **Kirin**: Measured on the search terms “kirin beer” and “kirin ichiban”, summed into one figure.
- **Orion**: Measured on the search term “orion beer”.
- **Sapporo**: Measured on the search term “sapporo beer”.
- **Suntory**: Measured on the search term “suntory beer”.
- **Yebisu**: Measured on the search term “yebisu”.

- [Asahi](/demand/global-en/brands/asahi-beer)
- [Hitachino Nest](/demand/global-en/brands/hitachino-nest)
- [Kirin](/demand/global-en/brands/kirin)
- [Orion](/demand/global-en/brands/orion-beer)
- [Sapporo](/demand/global-en/brands/sapporo-beer)
- [Suntory](/demand/global-en/brands/suntory-beer)
- [Yebisu](/demand/global-en/brands/yebisu)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among Japanese beer brands worldwide?

Asahi and Sapporo tie for the highest share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, at 33.5% each in October 2026. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Japanese beer brands: Which are most popular?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/japanese-beer-brands

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/japanese-beer-brands. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.