Tokyo’s Top Beer Spots: A Craft Beer Guide
After another recent trip to Japan, with a heavier focus on tracking down the best breweries, it’s safe to say I’ve experienced some of the best Tokyo has to offer. From century-old buildings hiding psychedelic taprooms to record stores doubling as craft beer bars, the city offers a wide array of different backdrops for a pint.
If you’ve already booked your travel to Japan or maybe you’re just looking for more excuses to start planning a trip, here’s a fresh look, in no particular order, at my picks for top beer spots in Tokyo.
FETISH CLUB
To say Fetish Club Beer was a standout visit would be an understatement. If you want something completely detached from the standard industrial brewery aesthetic, this spot is a must-visit. Drenched in vivid pink lighting, a disco ball and fetish-themed decor, Fetish Club makes you think you’re walking in to, ahem, a “gentleman’s club” rather than a tasting room. Beyond the provocative aesthetic, they’ve also built a reputation for producing an incredible beer lineup spanning everything from hazy IPAs to rich stouts and crisp lagers. I’d also say they produce some of the best brewery merch I’ve ever seen. That is, of course, if you’re willing embrace your kinky side.
THIS BREWING
Just a short walk from Ueno Park, This Brewing offers a bit of a reprieve from the business of Tokyo. Well, at least it did when I visited. Located off the main street, you’ll find a two-story building with a lively standing-room area on the lower level and a more spacious area with tables upstairs, but the real highlight is the outdoor stoop. Grab a glass, pull up a spot outside and spend an afternoon people-watching in one of the city’s classic neighborhoods. Known for a welcoming, neighborhood-centric atmosphere, it serves as an ideal baseline for exploring the quieter, greener side of Tokyo’s craft scene.
TOWER RECORDS BEER (SHIBUYA)
Combining two of my favorite expensive hobbies, this spot is tucked inside the 6th floor of the legendary Tower Records building in Shibuya. You can dig through crates of rare Japanese pressed vinyl while sipping pints from their 12 taps of beer sourced from a lineup of Japanese craft breweries. Tower Records Beer brings together Tokyo’s historic love for physical music culture and the modern craft beer boom, proving what I’ve been saying for years….. record shopping and craft beer belong together. (I’ve actually never said that, but it does sound like something I’d say).
OMNIPOLLOS TOKYO
A locally run business tied to the iconic Swedish brewery, Omnipollos Tokyo masters the art of contrast. The tasting room occupies a century-old traditional Japanese building complete with a historic wooden facade. Step inside, however, and you are immediately immersed in a psychedelic explosion of color, innovative pastry stouts and fruit-forward sours. It has an energy that bridges Nordic brewing, old-Tokyo architecture and the feeling of a light acid trip. Whatever that means.
UCHU BREWING
Widely regarded as one of the absolute best craft beer producers in Japan, Uchu Brewing is legendary for its hazy IPAs, cosmic branding and epic collaborations with global brewing heavyweights like; Other Half, Fidens, Brujos, Verdant and many more. While their main production facility sits a couple of hours outside the city in Yamanashi Prefecture, their Tokyo tasting room lets you sample their hype, hop forward releases from 6 different taps without making the full trek out to the country. Be warned, the tasting room has limited space inside (check out the photo below), but thankfully you can take your drinks outside to enjoy them in the surrounding outdoor area.
MIKKELLER SHIBUYA
Situated right in the thick of Shibuya’s bustling nightlife district, Mikkeller’s Tokyo outpost is built for social drinking. The building itself is iconic, featuring a curved, retro-modern facade with a massive open window facing the street that creates a seamless flow between the indoor bar and the outdoor crowd. Backed by a massive rotation of Mikkeller classics and guest taps from around the globe, it’s an essential anchor on any Tokyo beer crawl.
ANTENNA AMERICA
If you’re brave enough to attempt a real life escape room, Antenna America’s Tokyo Station location serves as a hub for craft beer travelers. Known primarily for importing heavily sought after and hype-driven craft beers from the United States, it provides a unique selection of American beer culture right in the middle of a massive Japanese transit terminal. When I visited 2 years ago, they even had a Monkish Brewing tap takeover! It’s the ultimate pitstop to grab a cold pint or a can to-go before catching your next train.
Google Maps Coordinates (good luck finding it)
TWO FINGERS CRAFT BEER
A vibrant, welcoming neighborhood tasting room with a tight community feel, Two Fingers pours a 9 tap rotation of their own beer alongside a carefully curated selection of domestic and international imports. Whether you’re hanging out inside the lively taproom chatting with the staff or grabbing cans to-go from their impressive selection of imports, Two Fingers and their owners represent the absolute best of Tokyo’s intimate craft beer culture.
INKHORN BREWING
Located in the Mejiro area, Inkhorn has quickly earned a reputation for brewing some of the highest-rated beers in Japan. Founded by Shun Nakade, a brewer with professional experience in the Pacific Northwest US, the small taproom focuses on an ever changing lineup that frequently features West Coast IPAs, hazies and barrel aged stouts. It’s an absolute must visit destination for fellow beer nerds looking to taste Tokyo’s up-and-coming brewing talent.
Did I miss any hidden gems? Drop a comment and let me know what your favorite spots in the city are!
I look forward to updating this list after my next trip to Tokyo.
