101 Tokyo The Bottom Line I really wanted to be able to recommend 101 Tokyo, but the prices for beers and the food push it into the realm of needing a second mortgage to be able to have more than four or five beers with some food. Moreover, the peculiar table charge system ticked me off as well – sit at a …
Fukuoka Kitchen in Matsumoto, Nagano
Fukuoka Kitchen The Bottom Line If it wasn’t for the table charge and lack of tax included in the price, then Fukuoka Kitchen would be the craft beer bar to go to in Matsumoto. Right now, it’s just a recommended place but don’t let that get you down too much. Fukuoka-san is a great host – even on a Monday night – …
Yona Yona Beer Works Shinjuku in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Yona Yona Beer Works Shinjuku The Bottom Line Yona Yona Beer Works Shinjuku doesn’t offer up anything different to the rest of the chain – and that’s a shame. With identical decor, beer, and food, Yona Yona Beer Works has become the McDonald’s of the craft beer world. It would have been nice to have seen something different – perhaps a …
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Sylvans Restaurant in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi
Sylvans Restaurant The Bottom Line Let’s get the negative out of the way first – Sylvans Restaurant is a pain to get to. However, it’s worth the effort if you do make it out there. The beers are world class fresh, cheap, and the outside gardens make you want to stay for much longer. While we did go the anniversary on …
Hansharo Beer Homura in Izunokuni, Shizuoka
Hansharo Beer Homura The Bottom Line If you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and you see Hansharo Beer Homura and are hungry, then you’re in for a decent amount of food at reasonable prices. If you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and you want beer, keep on going to the FamilyMart down the road instead and then come back for …
Baird Numazu Fishmarket in Numazu, Shizuoka
Baird Numazu Fishmarket The Bottom Line Sometimes the original isn’t always the best. That’s not saying Baird Numazu Fishmarket isn’t worth going to, but I’ve been spoilt by Baird Beer in Kanto too much – BBQ, Pizza, Yakitori, and fried food on sticks, along with tasty beer. Baird Numazu Fishmarket offers up the Baird Beer on tap, along with some of the …
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Numazu Craft in Numazu, Shizuoka
Numazu Craft The Bottom Line How can such a “small” place have so many good craft beer bars? Numazu Craft is another addition to a growing list of places to try when you’re in the area. While Numazu Craft is more of a taproom than a fully fledged bar, the beers are well made, cheap, and also come in a variety of …
Barley Wheat Hamamatsucho in Daimon, Tokyo
Barley Wheat Hamamatsucho The Bottom Line It’s really not worth trekking out to Barley Wheat Hamamatsucho considering what is in the area. While it does have a nice chilled out atmosphere, especially at the weekend where it seems the whole area is cleared out due to the lack of office workers, the prices and servings just do not justify going there. …
Beer Pub Ichi-ya in Kawaramachi, Kyoto
Beer Pub Ichi-ya The Bottom Line With brewpubs galore in Osaka, it’s a surprise that Beer Pub Ichi-ya is one of very few in Kyoto. It offers up some cheap, and drinkable, craft beer just off the beaten track in Kyoto’s busy Kawamachi area. The food may not be up to everyone’s standards; however, it was pretty spectacular to see Beer Pub …
Platinum Fish Beer Marche in Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Platinum Fish Beer Marche The Bottom Line Platinum Fish Beer Marche puts me in a dilemma – if you live, or are shopping, in the area then Platinum Fish Beer Marche is well worth a visit for a couple of relaxing beers. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this is more of a bar for that – a quick beer …