West of Shinjuku
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Nakano
craft beer
craft beer
Citraba - Beer bar: NakanoThis second branch of Koenji-based craft-beer bar Citraba serves 14 beers on tap from well-regarded breweries like Drake's (California), Westbrook (South Carolina), Sennan (Miyagi) and Distant Shores (Tokyo). Most are priced at Y580 for a half pint...
one or two beers
one or two beers
Zingaro - Cafe: NakanoLocated in the midst the manga, anime and toy stores of Nakano Broadway, Bar Zingaro is a project of well-known pop artist Takashi Murakami. The cafe-bar opened in early 2014 along with four contemporary art galleries in the same complex. It's...
craft beer
craft beer
Lodi - Bar: Nakano-SakaueLocated above Nakano-Sakaue subway station, Lodi serves both domestic microbrew beers (with a rotating selection of five on tap), and American wines (with six by the glass). At lunchtime (weekdays only) they serve gourmet coffee.
Koenji
restaurant
restaurant
El Pato - American: KoenjiTasty American-style burgers are the main draw at this casual diner, along with tacos and small tapas-style dishes. They also serve some top-notch craft beers from Nagano brewery Shiga Kogen on tap (IPA plus one seasonal beer), along with US craft...
craft beer
craft beer
Citraba - Beer bar: KoenjiThis spacious beer bar offers 16 or so well-chosen craft beers from breweries like Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland, OR), Omnipollo (Stockholm), Wylam (Newcastle upon Tyne) and Outsider (Yamanashi). Citraba occupies the former location of Craft...
Retail
Retail
Drink Up!! Craft Beer Shop - Liquor shop: KoenjiIf you're on the hunt for unusual craft beers, this tiny retail shop specializes in small, innovative breweries from under-represented corners of the world. There seems to be a emphasis on fruit flavors and dessert-influenced beers, and their...
craft beer
craft beer
Bankan - Beer bar: KoenjiThis pioneer in Tokyo's craft-beer scene (open since 2011) offers a dozen or so Japanese microbrews on tap along with a menu of bar snacks like curry rice, pate de campagne and "Mexican Salad." Prices are typically Y1200 for a pint and Y770 for a...
world beer
world beer
Shimeji II - Bar: KoenjiIf you're looking for a change of pace from Koenji's many crowded izakaya and craft-beer bars, Shimeji is a budget-friendly, old-fashioned pub-style bar. The interior is funky and unpretentious, with beer and liquor posters on the walls, a...
Asagaya
craft beer
craft beer
Stone - Bar: AsagayaA half-dozen beers from San Diego's Stone and other craft brewers are served on tap here, at prices ranging from Y980-Y1300 per pint. There's also a well-stocked retail shop with some fifty microbrews from both Europe and the US, ready to take home...
Ogikubo, Nishi-Ogikubo
craft beer
craft beer
Turquoise - Beer bar: OgikuboLocated in an alleyway full of tiny drinking spots just across from Ogikubo station, Turquoise offers six Japanese craft beers on tap along with Suntory Malts'. There are five seats inside (where it can sometimes get smoky), and a small standing...
Kichijoji
german
german
Schmatz - German: KichijojiThis German bar-restaurant chain offers a variety of German and German-style beers at very reasonable prices, especially compared to other German restaurants in town. The eight beers on draft are mostly original beers from Schmatz, although they do...
craft beer
craft beer
Craft Beer Market - Beer bar: KichijojiThe bars in the CBM chain all offer different food menus, and this sixth branch features Okinawan-style Chinese cuisine. The food is quite beer-compatible, with tasty small dishes like maguro poki (tuna poke), stewed pork and chozume...
restaurant
restaurant
Yona Yona Beer Works - Beer bar: KichijojiThis fourth branch of the popular Yona Yona beer bar, its first venue outside central Tokyo, offers the same lineup of a dozen or so beers from Nagano brewery Yo-Ho, including seasonal specials. The stylishly appointed, massive dining room is far...
craft beer
craft beer
Craft Beer Market Penny Lane - Beer bar: KichijojiGyoza dumplings and budget-friendly craft beers are the draws at this second Kichijoji branch of the popular CBM chain. Along with several types of dumplings, the kitchen also specializes in Ryukyu-style Chinese dishes, with Taiwan-style mazemen...
Tachikawa
craft beer
craft beer
My TaBReW - Eclectic: TachikawaWith its wildly multinational food menu and over-the-top ethnic-restaurant decor, My TaBReW (aka "My Table") is a fun spot to grab a bite and a drink. And if you're a fan of craft beers, the tap list is well worth exploring. Small domestic...
Hatsudai, Hatagaya
german
german
Danke - Beer bar: HatsudaiA very lively after-work beer hall, Danke serves a variety of Belgian and German bottled beers and inexpensive wines starting at under Y2000 per bottle. The extensive snack menu offers seasonal pizza variations as well as typical izakaya dishes.
craft beer
craft beer
Gremlin - Beer bar: HatagayaSix Japanese craft beers are on tap here, including three hand pumps. Prices are reasonable and there's no cover charge. The soundtrack tends towards rockabilly.
restaurant
restaurant
La La Chai Thai - Thai: HatagayaLa La Chai serves Thai food and craft beer, with a half-dozen taps dispensing beers from breweries like Y Market (Nagoya), Black Tide (Miyagi-ken) and Yatsugatake (Nagano). The food menu features lots of grilled meats and a number of southern Thai...
Shimo-Takaido
craft beer
craft beer
Hatos Outside - Beer bar: Shimo-TakaidoCraft beer and curry are the draws at this neighborhood curry shop and beer bar. You can choose from four different types of Indo-style Japanese curries, all distinctively flavored and very tasty. Two- and three-curry sets are available if you...
belgian
belgian
Aglio - Bar: Shimo-TakaidoAglio is a cozy neighborhood bar with a nice selection of Belgian beers and frites. They also serve several wines by the glass.
Yoyogi Uehara
craft beer
craft beer
Swanlake Pub Edo - Beer bar: Yoyogi-UeharaIf you're in the Uehara neighborhood and have a hankering for craft beer, this taproom run by Swan Lake may be of interest - they offer a handful of beers from Swan Lake plus a few guest taps. Guest beers are priced around Y1350-1400 a large glass,...
craft beer
craft beer
Shujitsu One - Cafe: Yoyogi-UeharaWith its minimalist industrial decor livened up by floral arrangements from the resident flower shop, this small craft-beer counter shares its quarters with gourmet-coffee shop Tomoca Coffee, an excellent use of the space. The coffee counter is...
craft beer
craft beer
Good Town Bakehouse - American: Yoyogi-UeharaThe huge breakfast menu here (served all day long) covers everything from buttermilk waffles and brioche french toast to a hefty cornbread plate with chili con carne, smoked bacon, onion soup and cole slaw. The classic American breakfast (Y1700)...
Shimo-Kitazawa
Retail
Retail
Le Petit l'Ouest - Liquor shop: Shimo-KitazawaThis Star Wars-themed neighborhood liquor shop stocks a wide selection of over 100 Japanese craft beers, one of the better selections in town. It helps to know what you're looking for though, as there are plenty of clunkers as well as hidden gems.
craft beer
craft beer
Ushitora One - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaOne of Tokyo's pioneering craft-beer bars, Ushitora devotes several taps to their own beers, brewed in Tochigi, along with a good selection of Japanese and imported craft beers - there are 25 taps in all. The small food menu offers tasty...
craft beer
craft beer
Festa - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaThis lively neighborhood bar offers a decent selection of craft beers - both Japanese and imported - from their dozen taps. One unusual feature is that they serve a number of Belgian and other European beers in addition to the usual American and...
craft beer
craft beer
Kazenori Meri - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaThe well-chosen selection of twenty craft beers here is accompanied by a very nice food menu, with enticing dishes like stewed pork belly and chicken wings, herb-infused fish and chips, and potato salad with chicken breast and avocado. There are...
craft beer
craft beer
Ushitora Two - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaThis cozy standing-bar branch of the Tochigi craft-beer brewery has fourteen taps, dispensing several of their own beers plus a good assortment of Japanese and imported craft beers. They also have a casual food menu that's bigger than you might...
Retail
Retail
TDM 1874 - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaRun by Yokohama's excellent TDM 1874 Brewery, this stylish retail outlet and bar serves as a tasting room for their beers as well as an all-purpose liquor store, with sake and wines for sale in addition to beer and cider. There's a small but...
german
german
Schmatz Bakery and Beer - German: Shimo-KitazawaConveniently located in the Shimo-Kitazawa station complex, Schmatz offers an extensive menu of German dishes as well as German craft beers. Lunch is served from 11am-3pm, with a choice of schnitzels, sausages, sandwiches (German meatball,...
craft beer
craft beer
Tap and Growler - Beer bar: Shimo-KitazawaCraft beer to go is the selling point at this tiny neighborhood bar. They've got eighteen taps dispensing a nicely varied selection of Japanese craft beers, including some rarities, and you can either enjoy a half-pint here or fill a growler to...
Sangenjaya
Retail
Retail
Pigalle - Beer bar: SangenjayaWhile other Tokyo craft-beer bars may specialize in small Japanese breweries or US imports, Pigalle is a good place to find interesting European craft beers, both on draft and by the bottle, as well as craft ciders. The funky interior has a cozy...
craft beer
craft beer
Apart - Beer bar: SangenjayaA self-styled "craft-beer izakaya," Apart offers an impressive selection of craft beers from their eleven taps, representing breweries like Pipeworks (Chicago), Jester King (Austin), Swanlake (Niigata) and Shiga Kogen (Nagano). There's also a...
Futago-Tamagawa
craft beer
craft beer
Ibeer Le Sun Palm - Beer bar: Futako-tamagawaOther than the bottled selection at the nearby Good Meals cafe, there's not a lot of choice for craft-beer fans in Futako-Tamagawa, so iBeer is worth knowing about for that reason. Their ten taps focus on Japanese craft beers, and if you have...
british beer
british beer
Good Meals Shop - Cafe: Futako-tamagawaNestled in a greenery-filled corner of the lovely Tsutaya Electrics megastore, Good Meals Shop serves gourmet coffee from a Kyoto roastery. The buttermilk-fried chicken with Incan potatoes and home-made mayonnaise is a specialty of the kitchen and...
Yamanashi-ken
brewpub
brewpub
Hops and Herbs - Brewpub: KofuUp-and-coming craft beermakers Outsider Brewing run this brewpub twelve minutes away from Kofu station. There are six taps, and prices range from Y450-550 for a 300ml glass, and Y750-900 for a 500ml pint.
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