This pub is smokin'

If you like to smoke when you drink, here’s something you should think about: For every drag of your fag, that’s another 5 seconds of your life gone where you could have been drinking beer instead. If that reality doesn’t hit home to you – well, you may as well just go and drink superdry.

The smoke-free movement in Japan is something which I wholeheartedly support. To bring to people’s attention that there are a fair number of craft beer bars which are smoke free and still successful, here’s a rundown of the bars from Beer in Japan listings which are smoke free (some may allow smoking outside the bar, but not inside).

Tokyo:

• The Aldgate, Shibuya
• The Cat & Cask Tavern, Kanamecho
• Craftheads, Shibuya
• Craft Beer Moonlight, Mukogaokayuen
• Dry Dock, Shimbashi
• Gambrinus, Kokubunji
• Kimono Wine Bar, Nishi Azabu
• Kura Kura, Kanda
• Popeye, Ryogoku
• Taproom, Nakameguro and Harajuku
• Towers Standing Bar, Tokyo/Kyobashi
• Ushi Tora 2, Shimokitazawa

Yokohama:

• Cheers, Yokohama
• Craft Beer Bar, Kannai
• Thrash Zone, Yokohama

Outside Tokyo:

• Beer Cafe Barley, Nishinomiya
• Taproom, Numazu

Thanks to Beer in Japan reader John for suggesting this feature. For those who can read Japanese, the Kinen Style website is an excellent resource for non-smokers, covering a range of categories nationwide.

In order to get a photo of a smoking cigarette for this feature, I had to invite out a friend who is a smoker and go to a non-smoke-free bar. Is that dedication or what? ;)