The best craft beer in Tokyo, Japan

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Long an epicenter of trendy culture, Tokyo is now the epicenter of Japan’s burgeoning craft beer scene. While many of the breweries themselves are located elsewhere in the country, there are plenty of great places to drink craft beer in Tokyo. The bars have every vibe you can ask for, from sports bars to dingy basement dives. Each time I visit Tokyo, I visit as many new craft beer bars as I can find. Here is my guide to the best craft beer in Tokyo, including beer bars, breweries, tap rooms, and bottle shops. Since Tokyo is a huge city, I’ve split things up by neighborhood or major train stations (Shinjuku-Yoyogi-Harajuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Kitazawa, Meguro-Gotanda, Shinagawa, Ginza-Shimbashi-Hamamasucho-Nihonbashi-Tokyo, Kanda, Ryugoku, Mejiro) so the beer bars & breweries are a bit easier to find in the list.

Craft beer in Shinjuku-Yoyogi-Harajuku

Since these areas run into each other along the JR Yamanote Line & there’s a lot of nightlife here, I’ve combined them into one section. You can easily visit several of these bars in a single evening.

Watering Hole

Watering Hole used to be one of the only craft beer bars in the Shinjuku/Yoyogi area, but that is rapidly changing. Despite how busy Shinjuku is, Watering Hole is actually on a fairly quiet street just southeast of Shinjuku station. The bar’s 21 rotating taps feature the best craft beer from Japan, plus a nice selection of mostly West Coast beers from the United States. While I was there for Japanese beers, it was nice to know I could get good American beer had I wanted it. The food is also great. I recommend the gyoza. Just be careful not to walk face-first into their very clean glass door.

Address: Japan, 〒151-0051 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sendagaya, 5 Chome−26−5 代々木シティホームズ 103 (map)

Baird Harajuku Tap Room

Harajuku Tap Room is owned by Japanese craft brewing mainstay Baird Beer. The bar has 15 taps that feature a comprehensive selection of the brewery’s offerings. Harajuku Tap Room has a lively atmosphere with a great layout that allows customers to chat with each other across the bar, making it one of the best places for craft beer in Tokyo. The beer selection is great, plus the bar offers great izakaya snacks to pair with your drinks. Some are traditionally Japanese, while others such as the bacon might not be, but are still damn tasty with beer.

Address: 1 Chome-20-13 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan (map)

Brussels Beer Project

Brussels Beer Project is a massively popular bar located on a quiet street on the edge of Shinjuku & Yoyogi, serving the brewery’s modern Belgian beers, plus some from local breweries.

Address: 2 Chome-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan (map)

YYG Brewery & Beer Kitchen

YYG Brewery & Beer Kitchen is located just down the street from Brussels Beer Project. It has one of the rarest drinking experiences in Tokyo – an outdoor patio!

The bar has a total of 15 taps across a wide variety of styles, most of which are their own. The brewery is The beer kitchen on the 7th floor has a full food menu.

Address: 2 Chome-18-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan (map)

Tamsang Tokyo Thai Tea & Craft Beer

Tamsang Tokyo Thai Tea & Craft Beer is a cute little craft beer bar & coffee/tea shop in Yoyogi. With 16 craft beer taps, plus indie rock playing, it’s a cool, friendly spot.

Address: 1 Chome-7-9 Tomigaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan (map)

Craft beer in Shibuya

The Aldgate

Take a British pub, with all its dark snarkiness, casual neighborhood vibe, and nice beers, put it down in Shibuya, and you end up with The Aldgate. Brits who are nostalgic for home should seek this bar out, but going beyond the British vibes, The Aldgate serves some great Japanese craft beers in addition to a selection from the U.K.. Plus, you can’t beat the music playing, as a great selection of British music gives the place the necessary vibe. Don’t be fooled by the signs that say the restrooms are out-of-order, that’s just the bar having some fun.

Address: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 30−4 新岩崎ビル (map)

Goodbeer Faucets Shibuya

With 40 taps, Goodbeer Faucets in Shibuya is one of the largest places to drink craft beer in Tokyo. The selection of beers is of course nice, with several “house” beers offered as well as other beers from Japan and the United States. When I visited the bar it was fairly crowded, though with the bar area itself being fairly small, it didn’t present as many opportunities to chat with other customers. There’s a lot of space at Goodbeer Faucets so even when it’s crowded, it’s not overwhelming. Compared with some other bars I went to, it came across as a bit more sterile. At the time of my visit, you could save 200 yen off of a beer until 7pm on Sunday, or 8pm Monday through Thursday, taking each beer down to a very nice 700 yen.

Address: Japan, 〒150-0046 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shoto, 1 Chome−29−1 クロスロードビル (map)

ØL by Oslo Brewing Co.

As you might guess from the name, ØL by Oslo Brewing Co. features their Norwegian beers. However, they also offer local Japanese beers amongst their 20 taps. The prices are on the higher side, but that’s not unexpected given that they’re importing from an expensive country. There is a happy hour, which helps with pricing.

ØL also has a rare outside patio, so this is a great option on a nice day.

Address: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 37−10 麻仁ビル (map)

Craft beer in Roppongi

Two Dogs Taproom

Missing the United States? It happens. If you’re thirsting for a taste and atmosphere of home, you’ll do no better than Two Dogs Taproom in Roppongi. With several large television screens showing American sports, plus 25 taps featuring both Japanese and American beers, you’ll feel right at home in Tokyo. I didn’t try any of the food, but the pizza looked and smelled good.

Address: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 3 Chome−15−24 アリエスビル 2F (map)

Ant N Bee

If you know that the best bars are dive bars, and there are always good things to be found in basements, then you’ll want to visit Ant N Bee in Roppongi. Between the selection of all Japanese beers & the bar staff’s limited English, you will not feel like you’re even slightly in an American craft beer bar here. Ant N Bee features 20 taps of Japanese beers, plus some snacks. One negative is that there’s smoking inside, though this might be a positive for some and contributes to the diveyness. Oh, and if you want to have a really late night, Ant N Bee is open until 6:00 AM. This is not a bar for the dilettante, and that’s what makes it one of the best places to drink craft beer in Tokyo.

Address: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 5 Chome−1−5 地下1階 (map)

BrewDog Roppongi

Scottish craft brewers BrewDog also have a tap room in Roppongi. Over time, the selection has grown to feature a bit more Japanese beer, but it still remains highly focused on BrewDog’s own beers.

Address: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 5 Chome−3−2 齋藤ビル 1F (map)

Craft beer in Kitazawa

Coaster Craft Beer & Burger

Coaster is located south of Shimo-Kitazawa station, a bit further away from the rest of the bars in the area. This 15 tap bar is also a coffee shop, with a relaxing corner with a TV. The tap mix is about half Japanese, half imports.

Address: Japan, 〒155-0032 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Daizawa, 5 Chome−19−13, Kosei Haimu, １F (map)

Ushitora

There are two Ushitora locations in Kitazawa. Beer Bar Ushitora Ichigo is the main location, offering a selection of their own beer as well as guest taps, along with snacks. With 30 taps plus 3 casks, there’s plenty to drink here.

Address: 6 Chome-3-27 Daita, 世田谷区 Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan (map)

Kazenori Merry

Kazenori Merry is a beer and sake bar located right next to the second Ushitora location. It has 16 taps, about half of which are Japanese. The rest were from Firestone Walker, making it a great place to go if you’re a fan of theirs. Country music added to the American vibe.

Address: Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−9−3 三久ビル 2F (map)

Tap&Growler

Tap&Growler is on the expensive side, offering only half pint pours ranging from 500-1200 yen (growlers are also available). However, the selection is fantastic, so if there’s something great you’re after, Tap&Growler might be the place to find it. There’s also a selection of bottles & cans that are mostly from the United States.

Address: Japan, 〒155-0031 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 2 Chome−33−6 飯嶋ビル1階 (map)

Craft beer in Meguro-Gotanda

Another8

Meguro’s Another8 appropriately has 8 taps, which are often the scene of tap takeovers. It’s also a sake bar. This clean, modern place has a DJ booth in the corner and small snack plates.

Address: 1 Chome-2-18 Shimomeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0064, Japan (map)

Craft beer in Shinagawa

Antenna America

Antenna America is the place to go if you’re looking for American craft beer in Tokyo. They also have a couple of locations in Yokohama. You’ll find beers here from American breweries such as Stone, Sierra Nevada, Revision, & Maui.

Address: Japan, 〒108-0075 Tokyo, Minato City, Konan, 2 Chome−18−1 アトレ品川３F (map)

Craft beer in Ginza-Shimbashi-Hamamasucho-Nihonbashi-Tokyo

Craft Beer Bar iBrew

Craft Beer Bar iBrew now has 4 locations that have some of the largest craft beer selections in Tokyo. The Ginza location has over 45 taps, while the smaller Shinbashi bar “only” has 30 taps.

These great hole-in-the-wall bars have a wide variety of beers from all over Japan, including seasonal offerings such as fresh hop beers.

Address: Japan, 〒104-0028 Tokyo, Chuo City, Yaesu, 2 Chome−11−7 京橋東栄ビル 1Ｆ (map) – Ginza

Address: Japan, 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 2 Chome−20−15 新橋駅前ビル1号館 1階 (map) – Shinbashi

Address: Japan, 〒101-0025 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Sakumacho, 3 Chome−38 大陽ビル１F (map) – Akihabara

Address: Japan, 〒150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Ebisuminami, 1 Chome−8−1 ＳＴＭ恵比寿ビル B2F (map) – Ebisu

Craft Beer Market

Craft Beer Market is a chain of beer bars in Tokyo, with 10+ locations scattered all over the center of the city, including Kanda. Depending on the bar, there are around 30 taps of mostly Japanese beers, with a few American selections thrown in. The vibes of the bars are cool, with some good music on, as well as decorations in the style of a slighly-divey, slightly-trendy American craft beer bar. The prices were more than reasonable for craft beer in Tokyo, plus they even offer all-you-can-drink options. With some good planning, you could do some serious damage at a Craft Beer Market trying their full tap list.

DevilCraft Hamamasucho

DevilCraft has a few locations in Tokyo. They brew their own beer, but they also have an additional selection from around Japan and the United States. DevilCraft Hamamasucho is one of their larger locations, with 20 taps and plenty of space to sit. With Chicago pizza and wings, plus sports on television, it feels like an American sports bar.

Address: Japan, 〒105-0013 Tokyo, Minato City, Hamamatsuchō, 2 Chome−13−12 ライズウェルビル１F (map)

Nihonbashi Brewery

Nihonbashi Brewery is an upscale-feeling kind of place. The 14 taps are mostly their own beer. One notable quirk is that you can order their IPA “sake style.” This means that it comes in a box. You can either drink it from the glass or the box, which is filled with overflow. It’s certainly a different way of drinking a beer, though not one most people would need to try twice.

Address: 1 Chome-11-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan (map)

Shinshu Osake Mura

Shinshu Osake Mura is a stand bar that specializes in sake & offal snacks, but they also offer craft beer. It’s a very popular place on Friday evenings.

Address: Japan, 〒105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi, 2 Chome−20−15 新橋駅前ビル1号館 (map)

Brewin’ Bar Monde

Brewin’ Bar Monde is a basement bar in Ginza with a small, but nice selection of craft beer (plus Pilsner Urquell). Of the 9 rotating taps when I visited in October, 3 of them were fresh hop beers, interestingly in styles that you don’t usually see done with fresh hops (a kolsch, a cream ale, and an alt).

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8 Chome−11−12 正金ビル B1 (map)

Beer Lupulin

Beer Luplulin is also located in Ginza. There are no English menus, and a handwritten menu that makes Google Translate an adventure. However, get past this, and it’s a cool little upstairs bar with an eclectic 6-tap beer selection. Nowhere else in your life will you see something like an oyster sour from a brewery in Kyoto. Somehow, it works well.

Address: 3f ６丁目-７-7, 7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan (map)

Craft beer in Kanda

DevilCraft Kanda

The DevilCraft Kanda location is a tiny phone booth of a space, and with 14 frequently-rotating taps they might actually have more taps downstairs than seats. There is an upstairs section as well. In addition to the good local beer, DevilCraft also serves Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, which smelled pretty good. There were several seats at the bar, so I had a good time chatting with the bartenders & other patrons.

Address: Japan, 〒103-0022 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashimuromachi, 4 Chome−2−3 石川ビル (map)

Hinomoto Beer Parlor

Hinomoto Beer Parlor is a lovely little bar tucked back in a quiet area of central Tokyo near Jimbocho. It has 10 rotating taps of Japanese craft beer, plus craft sake. Both go well with their food, which includes a daily sashimi selection.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0051 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Jinbocho, 1 Chome−44−8 CK1448 1階 (map)

Yona Yona Beer Works

Yona Yona Beer Works is also located in Kanda, with 7 other locations around Tokyo as well. The food menu focuses on meat, with roasted chicken & grilled sausages as specialties. As you might expect, the place smells amazing as a result.

The beer selection (13 taps plus 2 cask) includes their standard beers from Yo-Ho Brewing and rotating seasonal offerings, such as a mochi pastry stout.

Address: Japan, 〒101-0041 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Kanda Sudacho, 1 Chome−24−6, Acn Kanda Suda Cho Bldg., １階 (map)

Craft beer in Ryogoku

Popeye

Popeye is the oldest craft beer bar in Tokyo. It’s been around for about 30 years, long before craft beer surged in popularity. This was the last bar I visited in Tokyo, and honestly it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The 70 tap beer selection was excellent, and there were some interesting happy hour food specials as some drinks came with a free snack. However, the bar was overly-packed. I don’t know if it was due to the nearby sumo tournament which had just finished, or if this was a normal night. What took away from the experience was how badly the crowd & space were managed. Instead of having to wait outside, people were allowed to block the space of servers & people who were already seated. I was sitting at the bar, and at one point one of the servers grabbed my chair and dragged it backward so they could cram more people in. That’s not something you want to have happen as you’re about to take a sip of beer. I’d give Popeye another try to see if I was just there on an off-night, since the bar is nearly-unanimously highly-rated. The selection certainly merits it. Recently, that selection has expanded to include beer from the Ryougoku Lab & Brewing.

Address: 2 Chome-18-7 Ryōgoku, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0026, Japan (map)

Craft beer in Mejiro

Tanakaya

Tanakaya is a liquor store in Mejiro that has perhaps the best selection of craft beer bottles & cans in Tokyo. The bottle shop has hundreds of different beers, especially from Belgium & the United States. There are also a few dozen from around Japan. The Japanese beer selection was from good breweries & was all fresh, with several seasonal beers available. It’s also perhaps the best place to go for liquor in Tokyo, period.

Address: Japan, 〒171-0031 Tokyo, Toshima City, Mejiro, 3 Chome−4−14 地下田中屋ビル (map)

That’s it for my craft beer recommendations in Tokyo. If you have limited time, you’re best off visiting Shunjuku, Yoyogi, Harajuku, Shibuya and Roppongi if you want the best bars for craft beer in Tokyo, but other neighborhoods are rapidly filling up with good beer options so you can’t go wrong. If you spot any other great Tokyo craft beer bars or breweries, let me know in the comments! Happy drinking!

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