Kansai area craft beer bars

Map of Kansai beer bars and retailers

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Osaka

craft beer

Pogo - Bar: Fukushima

Formerly known as "Craft Beer Kitchen Pogo," the bar transformed itself into a more cocktail-friendly "Tansan Bar Pogo" in July 2019. In addition to a wide range of highball varieties, they still serve nine craft beers on tap, a mix of imported and...

craft beer

Beer Belly - Beer bar: Higobashi

Minoh Beer is a craft brewery a bit north of Osaka city, and this centrally located taproom serves a line-up of their regular beers (including their excellent W-IPA) plus a few limited-edition special seasonal brews. They also offer nicely chosen...

craft beer

Craft Beer Base Garden - Beer bar: Higobashi

Open Thursdays through Sundays, this Higobashi branch of the beloved Craft Beer Base chain offers eight craft beers on tap in a pleasant outdoor-terrace setting. The food menu features barbecued chicken and ribs, paella and pizzas. Children and pets...

craft beer

Garage 39 - Beer bar: Honmachi

The fifteen taps at this relatively spacious beer bar serve up a mix of Japanese and US craft beers, with US pints selling for Y950. The food is also good.

craft beer

Kamikaze - Beer bar: Kita-Horie

The 23 taps at Craft Beer Works Kamikaze serve mostly Japanese craft beers, with a few US imports as well. Food and service are good, but it can get crowded during busy times and seating can be cramped.

brewpub

Depaas Diner & Brew - Brewpub: Kitahama

If you're in the mood to sample some unusual beers, this small basement brewpub might be worth a stop. A recent tap list featured Depaas' takes on Belgian Saison, Cucumber Kolsch, Ume Sour, Raspberry Stout, Vanilla Wheat, and Grape Sour. They...

craft beer

Yellow Ape Craft - Beer bar: Kitahama

Thirty beers, mostly Japanese craft beers, are served on tap here along with bar snacks like pizza. The Y320 table charge includes a small appetizer.

craft beer

Hathor - Beer bar: Kyobashi

Kyobashi may be off the beaten track for Osaka craft-beer bar denizens, but this cozy neighborhood spot is worth checking out if you're anywhere nearby. There's a big tap list, including eight well-selected Japanese craft brews and seven mostly US...

craft beer

Gulp - Beer bar: Namba

A bit more stylish than your average beer bar, Gulp is managed by a veteran of Osaka's craft-beer scene, and offers a well-curated selection of domestic Japanese and US import craft beers from its ten taps. Beers average Y1200 a pint or Y800 for a...

craft beer

Maruho Saketen Namba SkyO - Beer bar: Namba

Located in a small food court, this craft-beer specialist offers 18 taps of domestic and imported beers along with a decent-sized bottle selection. The food menu features beer-pub dishes like gyoza, fish and chips, and grilled salmon belly, although...

craft beer

TNT Bar - Beer bar: Taisho

This extremely informal, charmingly scruffy bar has one of the most impressive selections of US craft beers by the bottle that we've seen in town, usually with more than 100 to choose from. Most bottles are in the Y900-1200 range, although you'll...

craft beer

Harenohi - Beer bar: Tanimachi 4-chome

Six US craft beers on tap plus nice Utsunomiya-style gyoza are served at this convivial beer bar. From the folks who brought us Q-Brick.

craft beer

Lingua World Cafe - Beer bar: Tanimachi 9-chome

The menu here promises sandwiches (grilled cheese, roast chicken), poutine (!) and craft beers, and while there are only a couple of taps, Lingua does offer an excellent selection of canned and bottled imports, and cans are just Y700. They also...

craft beer

Beer Belly Tenma - Beer bar: Tenma

Fourteen taps, including four hand pumps, all dispense beers from Osaka's Minoh Brewery at this spacious company-run taproom. The food menu is decent, with a wide range of tapas dishes.

craft beer

B and G Nicholson - Beer bar: Tenmabashi

Oversized Utsunomiya-style gyoza (fried pork dumplings) are one of the draws at this cozy craft-beer bar, from the same management of the nearby Harenohi bar and the legendary (now defunct) Q-Brick. Well-chosen Japanese craft beers from breweries...

craft beer

Beer Stand Molto! - Beer bar: Umeda

A lively standing bar, conveniently located in the Hankyu Sanbangai station complex, Molto serves four craft beers on tap along with several dozen by the bottle. They also have around ten wines by the glass and tapas-style small dishes to go with...

Retail

Craft Beer Base - Beer bar: Umeda

This tiny standing beer bar attached to a retail liquor shop has only four taps, but they change fairly often. However the real reason to come here is their amazing selection of 200-300 bottled beers, including interesting US and European craft...

craft beer

Craft Beer Base Branch - Beer bar: Umeda

This fifth branch of the popular Craft Beer Base chain is an informal standing bar that's simply called "Branch" because all their outlets have plant-related names. Seven taps dispense three beers from their own CBB Brewing Lab plus four Japanese...

craft beer

Craft Beer Market - Beer bar: Umeda

When Craft Beer Market opened their first branch in Tokyo they shook up the craft-beer scene with their low prices, wide beer selection, good food and overall mass appeal. Their first Osaka branch offers similarly low prices (starting at Y480 for a...

craft beer

Craft Beer Market Whity Umeda - Beer bar: Umeda

It's hard to beat Craft Beer Market for price and beer selection. Offering thirty domestic and imported craft beers on tap, they charge just Y480 for a small glass and Y780 for a pint, plus a very reasonable Y300 cover charge after 3pm. The...

craft beer

Marciero - Beer bar: Umeda

The eight taps at this tiny bar here dispense a rotating selection of well-chosen craft beers, mostly from Japan, the US and Germany. Imperial pints are priced at Y1080. Open from 3pm weekends.

restaurant

Molto - Italian: Umeda

Craft Beer House Molto is definitely the highest craft-beer bar in Osaka, offering a fine view of the city from its 31st-floor location. There's a full menu of Italian food (budget around Y4000 at dinnertime), or you can just stop by for a beer,...

craft beer

Craft Beer Base Bud - Beer bar: Umeda 1-chome

A lively, very down-to-earth craft-beer bar, Bud offers an inspired selection from their eight taps - generally four brews from the US and two each from Japan and Europe. All pints are priced at Y1000 while half-pints are Y700. The very casual...

Kobe

restaurant

Hop Stand Harborland Mosaic - Yakitori: Harborland

This big second branch of Hop Stand yakitori restaurant has forty terrace seats and another forty inside. They serve several different craft beers from Rokko brewery plus a collection of fruit-infused beer cocktails. Like the original branch, the...

craft beer

Hop Stand - Yakitori: Sannomiya

Craft beers from Rokko brewery are served with yakitori at this small bar. There are generally five or six craft beers on draft (along with three macros), served in four different sizes and priced at Y920 for around a UK pint and Y480 for a small...

brewpub

In Tha Door Brewing - Brewpub: Sannomiya

This attractive brewpub serves five or six original beers on draft along with a handful of brews from Kibidote brewery in Okayama. Beer styles include English Pale Ale, Belgian White, Session IPA, Coffee Stout, Orange Ale and Strawberry Ale.

craft beer

Starboard - Beer bar: Sannomiya

Formerly the Rokko Beer Diner, this brewery taproom serves beers from Rokko Brewery, Starboard, and a decent selection of guest beers - we noted Boundary Bay and Coronado among the breweries during our last visit. Glasses are around Y480 while US...

restaurant

Mother Moon Cafe - American: Sannomiya south

This popular cafe-style restaurant serves "farm-to-table" fare, with a salad buffet and bread bar at lunchtime. Four Japanese craft beers are served on tap, from Shiga Kogen and Minoh Beer plus a couple of local Hyogo-ken breweries. The lunch...

craft beer

New Munchen Kobe Taishikan - Beer bar: Sannomiya south

This charming Kobe landmark serves a full range of Sapporo beers, and a huge, 150-item food menu. The small brewery in the basement produced two craft beers - a somewhat fruity wheat beer and a Vienna-style beer that uses Saaz hops. English menus...

Kyoto

craft beer

Komachi - Beer bar: Heian Shrine

Seven craft beers on tap and good food at this neighborhood craft-beer bar.

craft beer

Bungalow - Beer bar: Karasuma

One of the better places for craft beer in Kyoto (there isn't much competition), Bunglaow has ten taps devoted to Japanese craft breweries as well as a good menu of French and European bistro fare. There's no sit-down bar, just a standing bar area...

craft beer

Bakujun - Beer bar: Karasuma-Oike

This quiet bar has good food and craft beers, although the atmosphere is rather subdued. There are eight taps along with a selection of bottled beer (both Japanese and Belgian), with beers ranging from Y700-1100 per pint and a Y300 table charge. ...

craft beer

Before 9 - Beer bar: Karasuma-Oike

This stylish two-story bar, located in a converted machiya townhouse, serves both craft beer and artisanal sake. Kyoto Brewing Co, a local brewer, is well represented on the bar's eight taps, and there are also frequent beer-related popup events...

craft beer

Takanoya - Beer bar: Karasuma-Oike

This attractively appointed two-story restaurant offers ten taps of well-chosen imported craft beers along with an impressive selection of food to go with it. The menu ranges from smoked-food platters and roast duck to curry rice, and prix-fixe...

craft beer

Takumiya - Beer bar: Karasuma-Oike

Appetizing aromas wafting from the direction of the deep fryer are one of the charms of this lively craft-beer bar, although they occasionally clash with customers' cigarette smoke. Eight taps dispense Japanese craft beers, which are priced at...

craft beer

Hachi Record Shop and Bar - Bar: Kawaramachi

Like its sister shops Before 9 and After 8, Hachi serves both beer and sake. The standing-only bar is located downstairs from their vinyl record shop, and the space includes an impressive sound system. Four well-chosen Japanese craft beers are...

brewpub

Ichi-ya - Brewpub: Kawaramachi

Ichiya's spacious dining room is definitely a cut above your average beer bar, with stylish modern decor, comfortable seating and an invigorating musical soundtrack. Launched in August 2016 by Kyoto's Ichijoji Brewery, the bar serves excellent food...

craft beer

Len - Bar: Kawaramachi

Located on the ground floor of a popular hostel, this budget-friendly cafe-bar offers a good selection of drinks, including draft beers from Kyoto Brewing and Baird (Shizuoka), a few types of sake, wine from Y2500 a bottle and lots of whiskey. The...

craft beer

Karr - Beer bar: Kyoto City Hall

'Good beer! Good ham! Good music!' reads the sign on the wall, and this is a manifesto we wholeheartedly endorse. Pub Karr is a cozy, friendly little spot, well suited to a group outing if you don't mind cigarette smoke. In addition to table...

restaurant

Miyama 162 - Beer bar: Kyoto City Hall

This cozy dining bar offers venison, wild boar and other game dishes along with craft beer and craft whisky. Draft beers include four types from Kyoto Brewing, a local favorite, along with Yona Yona American Pale Ale.

craft beer

Taigu - Beer bar: Kyoto City Hall

One of Kyoto's pioneering hangouts for craft-beer aficionados, Taigu (formerly known as Tadg's in English) offers several Japanese craft beers on tap along with wine and cocktails. The meat-centered food menu includes burgers, wagyu beef-offal...

craft beer

Crafthouse Kyoto - Beer bar: Kyoto Station

A very attractive two-story bar-restaurant, Crafthouse offers excellent food and drink in a beautiful setting. Twelve taps dispense beers from well-regarded Japanese craft breweries like Two Rabbits (Shiga), Isekadoya (Mie) and Minoh (Osaka), with...

brewpub

Kyoto Beer Lab - Brewpub: Kyoto Station

This small brewpub offers eight of their own beers on tap, including varieties like Macadamia Brown Ale, Blueberry Cheesecake Sour, and Wasabi-Salt Gueuze. The food is fancier than average beer-bar fare - artisanal bacon, hand-cut french fries and...

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