Beer in Japan » Listings-Main http://beerinjapan.com/bij There's more to Japanese beer than Superdry Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:07:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 Smoke-free bars in Japan http://beerinjapan.com/bij/1016/smoke-free-bars-in-japan/ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/1016/smoke-free-bars-in-japan/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:01:39 +0000 BIJ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/?p=1016 This pub is smokin'

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:

Yokohama:

Outside Tokyo:

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? ;)

]]> http://beerinjapan.com/bij/1016/smoke-free-bars-in-japan/feed/ 0 Japan wide listings http://beerinjapan.com/bij/910/japan-wide-listings/ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/910/japan-wide-listings/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:36 +0000 BIJ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/?p=910 It's taken months to get this far, but Beer in Japan now has the beginnings of Japan wide craft beer bar listings.

It's still a work in progress, but covering from Sapporo to Okinawa, it goes some way to help find decent beer outside the Kanto and Kansai regions.

]]> Sandaya Kihachiro beer overlooking Kobe Port Tower

Sandaya Kihachiro beer overlooking Kobe Port Tower

The Japan wide listings are a work in progress. I’ve not travelled everywhere in Japan so I am relying on beer lovers like yourself to get in touch and let me know of bars with craft beer that I don’t have listed.

Over the next few months I’ll be trying to expand the listings by looking for bars in places not covered and to include breweries with bars on premises.

This page covers the whole of Japan excluding the bars covered in the Tokyo and Yokohama and Osaka listings. It includes only bars which have craft beer or, at the very least, Belgian beer – it’s not meant to be a complete listing of gaijin bars!

For more ideas/options read Finding good beer in Japan.

(NS) = Smoke-free bar.
(WIFI) = Free WIFI.

Japan Beer Map

Japan Beer Map

Okinawa (not shown on map):

  • I’s Public Ale House, Chatan: Website, Google Map
  • Helios: Brewery in Okinawa – main website, beer website. They have a bar in Naha (Website, GR Navi, Google Map). Helios is the only Japanese brewery I have contacted that refused to allow me to feature the brewery on Beer in Japan – every other brewery has been happy to do talk about their beer and brewery if they’ve had the time. Given that they open their Sake distillery to the public and are happy to talk about sake, I can’t help but wonder why they want to hide their beer brewery.

Amami Island (not shown on map):

  • Wachi and Bar Gecko’s, Amami City: Website, Google Street View (opposite Urban Box, 2nd floor). Wachi has a branch in Kyoto also.

Sapporo:

Akita:

Morioka:

Sendai:

Oritate, Toyama (not shown on map):

Hiroshima:

Fukuoka:

See this page for more on Fukuoka. Some of the info may be a little inaccurate/out of date – I’m told Bravo! sells imported beers from Nagano Trading, for example – but it’s a good blog post.

Kagoshima:

Detail for Kansai and Chubu

Central area - detail

Central area - detail

Kobe:

  • Sapporo: English website and coupon, Google Map. There are other branches in Kobe but they don’t brew on premises – see the New Munchen Japanese website for info.
  • Cafe de Brugge: Website seems broken, Google Map, Equiv listing
  • Kobe Sandaya 三田屋, #13 on the 3rd floor of the Mosaic shopping center that overlooks Kobe port. Google maps link here. It serves Sandaya’s own Kihachiro beer on draught - and it’s pretty good beer. As well as being able to drink inside the restaurant, there’s a take-away window for beer so you can drink outside on the stepped decking overlooking the bay – very nice. I’ve never eaten inside the restaurant – it’s a steakhouse. Kobe Sandaya has other places in Kobe – I assume they all have the same beer.

Nishinomiya:

Kyoto:

  • Tadg: Website, Google Map – Renamed from McLoughlin’s Irish Bar to Tadg’s Irish Bar & Restaurant in May 2010, Tadg has the largest draft craft beer selection in Kyoto with 15 taps. Craft beer is 1000yen a pint and if you have the BIJ app and show the coupon in the app, you get free food with your first pint!
  • Bar This Way: Website, Google Map – claims to have the best beer selection in Kyoto, but misses out on beers from Nagano Trading (so doesn’t have Green Flash, Stone, etc) and they have few Japanese craft beers (only Ginga Kogen at present, with Minoh to come in July 2010). That said, they do have bottles of Rogue, Pilsner Urquell, Anchor, a bunch of Belgians, and some “special beers” such as Mugbitter. Very close to Tadg.
  • Wachi: Website, Google Map
  • Yamaoka Sake Shop (Saketen): Website, Google Street View, Google Map, Reusebin listing
  • Jerry’s Pies: Website, Google Map. No craft beer here, but I have to give Jerry’s Pies a special mention, because in the same way that I want to support craft beer, as a Brit, I also want to support a good craft pie! The Cat and Cask in Tokyo serves Jerry’s Pies, and they are pretty good. If you’re in Kyoto and want to pick up a British pie to cook at home, visit here (or get the pies delivered to your home – Japan wide delivery is possible). Tip from The Cat and Cask – instead of just microwaving the pies, finish them off in the oven to crisp the pastry.

Nagoya:

  • Craft Beer Keg, Nagoya: Website, Google Map – newly opened in September 2009. Photos here. I visited here when I was in Nagoya – 10-12 taps, all with Japanese craft beer. Around 800 yen for 9oz, 1200 yen for 14oz. Definitely the bar to visit for craft beer in Nagoya.
  • Don Juan: Website, Google Map. One of the few places open in the afternoons at weekends. Only one craft beer tap – when I was there it was Racer 5. A pint was 950 yen but had a huge 3cm+ head. Second pint I asked for a small head and was told I would have to pay 100 yen more because the head was priced into the 950 yen. I appreciated the honesty and at 1050 yen for a properly poured pint – just 1cm of head – it wasn’t a bad price. Good food but be prepared to wait. Nice place to relax on a Sunday afternoon with a book, a pint, and some good food.
  • Moku Moku. Website, other restaurants in the chain. On the 13th floor at Nagoya Station. Serves beer and food made by the Moku Moku farm in Mie-ken. You can only drink the beer if you eat at the buffet restaurant (around 2000 yen for 90 minutes – beer is extra). I wanted to try this place but they wouldn’t let us reserve a table by phone and said we would need to wait up to an hour if we arrived at 1pm. We were told that if we arrived after 3pm we could probably get in immediately – but they neglected to tell us they close at 4-5pm and we arrived just after 4pm. Even if we’d arrived at 3pm, we would have had to pay for a 90 minute buffet to drink the beer when there wasn’t 90 minutes left. I can’t understand why places close for an hour midday, especially somewhere that insists you pay for a 90 minute buffet. An option if you’re at Nagoya station anyway and can match with the weird hours and don’t mind waiting.
  • London Pub Towser: Website, Google Map – I’ve yet to visit here but I have been told there’s a 550yen per person charge here.
  • Seijo Iishi: Website. Now that Okadaya is gone (they’ve opened Keg instead), this is your best choice for buying takeaway craft beers. The range is very limited but it’s better than nothing. Nagoya station, just outside the Hirokoji side exit. There are a few other locations in Nagoya also – search for 名古屋 on this page.
  • Land Beer Circus: Google Map. Kinshachi Beer’s brewpub. Near Fuishimi station – come out exit 7, go straight and turn left at the 2nd lights. Opposite Hilton hotel. (Not on map)
  • Loreley Beer – Inuyama, near Nagoya. Website, English info. Brewery pub. See the English info for map and directions. (Not on map)
  • Holde Fest – Anjo, near Nagoya. Website. Brewery pub at Den Park – there’s an entrance fee for the park but you don’t need to pay it if you only want beer, you can go to Holde Fest through the east entrance for free. From JR Anjo station, take the bus from stand #4 at the south exit. The ride takes about 25 minutes. (Not on map)

Hamamatsu (not shown on map):

  • Beer House Tir nan-Og: New bar opened in 2010 selling Baird Beers – essentially a Baird taproom but not owned by Baird (though the owners have invested in Baird). Not sure what’s going on with the name of the bar – looks like it was formed by picking out random letters from a bag of scrabble tiles, but it’s actually Irish meaning “Land of Youth” – strange choice given that Baird beer isn’t particularly Irish and neither is the bar design. Maybe all will become clear if you visit the bar! Open from 6pm weekdays, 3pm weekends and national holidays. Closed Tuesdays. Google map here. Phone: 053-450-6006. Baird beer write-up here.

Ise (not shown on map):

  • Biyagura and Nikenchaya: Two restaurants from Isekadoya brewery. Website here with details and maps. I’ve been to Biyagura – the beer was superb, and at 1890 yen for 2 hours all you can drink, was a bargain. English menus at both restaurants.

Okazaki City (not shown on map):

  • Zig Zag (WIFI): Website (English!), Google Map. About 30 minutes south-east of Nagoya by express, 5 minutes walk from Okazaki JR station. Tap beers are the big names - Sapporo, Guinness, Hoegaarden White, Leffe Brune, and Bellevue Kriek or Bass Pale Ale (Kriek is definitely the better of those two) – but there’s a range of Japanese craft beer in bottles from the likes of Ginga Kogen, Nagahama, Kinshachi, Baird, and Isekadoya. There are also a number of Belgian bottles. No cover charge, free WIFI, bilingual staff, and the counter area is no-smoking. Open only Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 5pm.

Numazu (not shown on map):

  • Taproom (NS): Website contains map and directions.

Shizuoka (not shown on map):

  • Beer Yokota: Website, Google Map. From the former manager of Baird’s Nakameguro Taproom. Stocks mainly Baird beers, including one especially made for the bar.

For listings in Osaka, click here. For listings in Tokyo and Yokohama, click here.

Outside the areas listed above? Try Finding good beer in Japan for pointers.

Note: Google Maps often offers discount coupons.

Please do get in touch if you know any bars which can be added to these listings.

The page is not meant to list every bar in Japan. Rowdy gaijin bars, meat markets, bars with rude staff, bars which have nothing more than Kirin + Guinness, etc are not included here. No bars have paid or offered any incentives to be included on this list.

Japan wide listings removed from BIJ

  • I’ve been told Okadaya (store) in Nagoya no longer has craft beers. Instead they are selling beer online and through Craft Beer Keg, which they manage (see Nagoya listings above). Website, Google Map for Okadaya.
]]> http://beerinjapan.com/bij/910/japan-wide-listings/feed/ 0 Beer in Osaka http://beerinjapan.com/bij/858/beer-in-osaka/ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/858/beer-in-osaka/#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:01:29 +0000 BIJ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/?p=858 Osaka's population falls from 3.7 million to 2.6 million in the evening, but that's still the third largest in Japan and enough to ensure that hidden amongst the Superdry Izakaya's and generic gaijin bars, there are a number of places where you can get decent craft beer.

Check out Beer in Japan's guide to find out where the bars and off-licenses with good beers are in Osaka.]]> Osaka Beer Map

Osaka Beer Map

It’s unfortunate that every time I’ve been to Osaka it has coincided with either a public holiday or a Sunday, when, astonishingly, most of the craft beer bars are closed! This guide, then, is based on the places I’ve been to, the supermarkets that saved my sanity when the good bars were closed, and the recommendations of people I know whose judgement I trust.

Beware that a lot of online guides to Osaka’s bars are out of date. Kirin Plaza Osaka – which, despite being part of Kirin served pretty good beers brewed on premises – is now gone, and Beer and Bear has been renamed Bakusyu Syokudo and no longer has any craft beers!

In Tokyo/Yokohama? See the Tokyo/Yokohama listings.
Outside Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka? See Japan wide listings.

Take-away

Hankyu and Seijo Ishii, Umeda

Hankyu and Seijo Ishii, Umeda

  • Hankyu Department Store: In the main building, near Umeda and Osaka stations, there’s a small but reasonable range of Japanese craft beers on sale in the alcohol section of the food hall. If it’s Japanese craft beer you want, Hankyu is better than Seijo Ishii and Yamaya. Full map in English is here.
  • Seijo Ishii: Two locations – one in Hankyu Umeda, the other in Whity East Mall – both of them near Osaka/Umeda stations. A small international range with the likes of Pilsner Urquel, Duvel, and Zillertal with the odd Japanese craft beer.
  • Yamaya: There are five Yamaya’s in Osaka including one on the third floor of the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) building, signposted from JR Namba station, and one near Nagahoribashi (exit 2). Like Seijo Ishi, it has a range of international beers with the odd Japanese craft beer. For the fill list of Yamaya’s in Japanese, visit here and look for 大阪 – English pages seem broken.

Brewed on premises

Microbrewed beer at Tachibana

Microbrewed beer at Tachibana

  • Tachibana: Just around the corner from the famous Ezaki Glico neon sign in Namba, is a rare thing indeed in Japan – an Izakaya that makes its own beer on premises! In fact it’s the only Izakaya I know of in Japan that makes its own beer – and while they only make two beers, Alt and Kolsch, they are both pretty good and served ice cold. The food isn’t bad either, being standard Izakaya fare. The only problem with this place is that it lacks atmosphere. Still, if you’re in Osaka and want real beer made on premises – especially on a Sunday or national holiday when most places are closed – I’d recommend a visit. Gnavi link with map and coupon here. Google maps link here. From the small bridge with the Ezaki Glico neon sign, walk south to the crossing with Tsutaya and AM/PM. Tachibana is in the basement of the building next to AM/PM. 06-6212-6074. Open Sundays and national holidays!

Craft beer bars

  • Beer Belly and Beer Belly Edobori: Two bars owned and operated by the local Minoh Brewery. As well as Minoh’s beers, they also serve craft beers from other Japanese microbreweries. Both bars are west of Higobashi station – click here for a map. Beer Belly details on the Minoh Beer website here. Beer Belly, 06-6441-0717, is closed Sundays and National Holidays. Beer Belly Edobori, 06-6445-6366, is closed Mondays and although it should be open National Holidays, I’d check. Both bars sometimes both close to staff events that Minoh Brewery attends so confirm in advance if you’re thinking of making a special trip.
  • Masamichi: An Izakaya with six or so Japanese craft beers on tap. Google maps link here. From exit 2 of Tamatsukuri station. 06-6977-4466. Closed Sundays, and probably National Holidays.
  • Qbrick: 16 taps with a mix of Japanese and American beers. Qbrick website is here. Google maps link here. South east of Higobashi station. 06-6203-0690. Closed Sundays and National Holidays.
  • Nola: Shot bar near Namba with bottled beers from Stone, Southern Tier, Ballast Point, etc. Google maps link here. On the 2nd floor. 06-4396-6867. Closed Sundays but may be open some National Holidays.
  • The Beer Works Osaka: 17 taps featuring imports from likes of Stone, Rogue, Speakeasy, and Green Flash. Unfortunately it’s about 30 minutes south from Namba by subway. Two websites: here and here. 072-277-6023. Closed Sundays.
  • Eni-Bru: Same group as The Beer Works. 21 taps featuring Japanese and import craft beers, though it seems to have less focus on international beers than The Beer Works. Located in Nakamozu, about 20 minutes south of Namba by subway. Website here. Coupons here. 072-255-8317. Closed Sundays.

Belgians

  • Doll Dress: Lolita goth mixed with Belgian beer under the railway tracks? I’ve yet to get to Doll Dress myself but it’s highly rated by those I know who have been there for its unique atmosphere and large selection of Belgians. The website is here. Google maps link here. Walk from exit 3 of Nakazakicho station east towards Tenma with the tracks to the left of you. It’s about 3 blocks from Nakazakicho station. 06-4802-0155. They appear to have be open Sundays but sometimes have events booked – check in advance.
  • Belgian Beer Cafe Barrel: Small chain with three bars in Tokyo and one in Osaka. 06-6233-0455. Eas of Higobashi Station. Google maps link here. Website here. Closed Sundays and National Holidays.

If none of those bars take your fancy, there are some other options – mostly the odd Belgian bar. Vedett has a list of outlets for its beer here.

If you know of any other bars in Osaka selling craft beers, please get in touch. I have the names of some bars which I have been unable to verify still exist.

Namba is written on some maps as Nanba.

The page is not meant to list every bar in Osaka. Rowdy gaijin bars, meat markets, bars with rude staff, bars which have nothing more than Kirin + Guinness, etc are not included here. No bars have paid or offered any incentives to be included on this list.

]]> http://beerinjapan.com/bij/858/beer-in-osaka/feed/ 0 Bar listings in Tokyo and Yokohama http://beerinjapan.com/bij/173/bar-listings-in-tokyo-and-yokohama/ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/173/bar-listings-in-tokyo-and-yokohama/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:01:12 +0000 BIJ http://beerinjapan.com/bij/?p=173 The Beer in Japan guide to the good bars in Tokyo and Yokohama - the bars where you can find craft beers on tap or in bottles, or which have an excellent atmosphere.

The page is not meant to list every bar in Tokyo/Yokohama. Rowdy gaijin bars, meat markets, bars with rude staff, bars which have nothing more than Kirin + Guinness, etc are not included here.

]]> Tokyo Beer Map v13 (Click to enlarge)

Tokyo Beer Map v13 (Click to enlarge)

The Beer in Japan guide to the good bars in Tokyo and Yokohama – Kanto –  the bars where you can find craft beers on tap or in bottles, or which have an excellent atmosphere. The bars I’ve written listing details about are listed in bold; other bars I’ve either still to write listing details for – those links open a new window with the bar’s own website.

Listings in italics below and in (brackets) on the map are off-licenses (liquor stores).
(NS) = Smoke-free bar.
(WIFI) = Free WIFI. Not many bars have free WIFI – if you’re travelling in Japan/Tokyo and need WIFI, this site can help.

So many bars – where should you start? Check out our recommendations.
In Osaka? See the Osaka listings.
Outside Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka? See Japan wide listings.
Want to know what’s on tap at some of these bars? Try Boozelist.

Yamanote Line stations

Non-Yamanote – West Tokyo

Non-Yamanote – East Tokyo

Yokohama Direction

The page is not meant to list every bar in Tokyo/Yokohama. Rowdy gaijin bars, meat markets, bars with rude staff, bars which have nothing more than Kirin + Guinness, etc are not included here. No bars have paid or offered any incentives to be included on this list.

Tokyo/Yokohama listings removed from BIJ

  • Christon Cafe: No longer has good beer
  • Cataratas: The only bar where I’ve had bad condition beer three times
  • JHA Bar: Rude management, and the single beer I had was also in bad condition
  • Failte: Dangerously undercooked food – I don’t want to send people where they could get food poisoning!
  • Town Cryer, Kamiyacho: Closed
]]> http://beerinjapan.com/bij/173/bar-listings-in-tokyo-and-yokohama/feed/ 0