Swan Lake Pub Edo Shinjuku The Bottom Line Swan Lake Pub Edo Shinjuku is nothing like the other two branches in Kyobashi or Tamachi – it’s far more upmarket and not really aimed at craft beer drinkers. Instead, it’s aimed at the local office workers – as I found out on the day. While it follows a similar vein to …
Brussels Beer Project Shinjuku in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Brussels Beer Project Shinjuku The Bottom Line If you come to Brussels Beer Project Shinjuku to find some cheap domestic beer, then you’re going to be severely let down. If you like Brussels Beer Project beers then Brussels Beer Project Shinjuku will be right up your street – if you can afford it. At least those yen coins won’t be …
The Silver Lining in Umeda, Osaka
The Silver Lining Bottom Line The Silver Lining is a great bar to go to for friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere. It’s a little off the beaten path in Umeda, but well worth the walk, especially if you’re hungry. While the bar doesn’t have a huge beer selection, what they do have is always good quality. Their food is some …
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Brunton’s in Ishikawacho, Kanagawa
Brunton’s The Bottom Line It’s great to see a place styled like Brunton’s, more in tune with its surroundings and with some character, and I wanted to like Brunton’s – but the prices for the beer and food left me feeling a bit like I was paying for the style of the bar, rather than actually for the beers. The …
Kokopelli in Ishikawacho, Kanagawa
Kokopelli The Bottom Line Kokopelli is definitely one of the nicest little bars I’ve been to and I will be going back again – both for the beers and for the great food served there. That’s not to sound dismissive about the beers – the three taps they had did have some variety on there and was good value for …
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Tsukinowaguma in Gakugeidaigaku, Tokyo
Tsukinowaguma The Bottom Line If you’re in Gakugeidaigaku, and you’re desperate for some craft beer, then you can get the train to either Nakameguro or Jiyugaoka, as it is hard to recommend Tsukinowaguma over anything else that’s close by. While there are some taps of craft beer, the place is pricey for what you get both in terms of beer …
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Sidewalk Stand Nakameguro in Nakameguro, Tokyo
Sidewalk Stand Nakameguro The Bottom Line While Sidewalk Stand Nakameguro stretches the boundaries of what is classified as a craft beer bar, it is a cosy little place that should be on your list for a quick beer while you’re going to Deguchiya or perhaps for a nice respite from the crowds along the River Meguro. Sidewalk Stand Nakameguro ticks off …
Barchie’s Kamakura in Kamakura, Kanagawa
Barchie’s Kamakura The Bottom Line Barchie’s Kamakura was a great little find for us and we’re definitely going back down there – but for the food and not for the beer. Not to say that the beer is bad, but the narrow range of taps meant that it was pretty much limited to one or two types of beer. Make …
Trunk Coffee & Craft Beer in Nagoya, Aichi
Trunk Coffee & Craft Beer The Bottom Line Trunk Coffee & Craft Beer was a surprise for me as a random find and is a bit off the beaten track, but if you’re in the area then pop along to get a decent selection of craft beer from Japan, while your friends can drink some very nice coffee. The chilled …
Y Market Brewing Kitchen in Nagoya, Aichi
Y Market Brewing Kitchen The Bottom Line If you go to Nagoya, then you have to go to Y Market Brewing. Heck, if you live in Nagoya and haven’t been to Y Market Brewing Kitchen, then what are you doing?! Y Market Brewing Kitchen ticks all the right boxes that we love in a craft beer and we could have …