10+ Best Beer Bars in Tokyo Voted By Most of Customers in 2022

Craft beer is growing in popularity, and there are many new breweries in Japan. We list the 10 best beer bars in Tokyo to drink craft beer in this article.

The most affordable method to enjoy a drink in Tokyo is to get some from a bottle shop and consume it either outside or indoors. However, one of the more reasonably priced Tokyo craft beer bars listed below may be what you’re looking for if you want to try some rarer brews or you can’t persuade your pals to hang out with you in the park frequently.

To give you an idea, an American pint (450 ml) typically costs between 1,100 and 1,300 yen in Tokyo. The 10 best beer bars in Tokyo listed below are all much more affordable.

People who go to beer bar

Other than my coworkers, the majority of the male Japanese friends and acquaintances we’ve made in Tokyo have come from craft beer pubs. In general, we’ve discovered that Japanese men who frequent craft beer bars appear a little more receptive to speaking with foreigners in English.

We occasionally have pleasant one-off conversations with people, and other times we share information and reconnect.

Best Beer Bars In Tokyo

1. Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen( ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

A brewery called Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen appears out of nowhere in Yoyogi’s residential area. The brewery, which debuted in April 2016, is situated in a peaceful area three minutes’ walk from Toei Shinjuku Station. It has a ground-floor brewery and bar as well as a seventh-floor beer garden.

The beer pub on the ground floor is perfect for a fast evening drink. Along with house beers created in the neighboring brewing room, the menu offers domestic and foreign craft beers. The beer garden, which is on the building’s 7th floor, provides a variety of American-French food as well as views of the Shinjuku skyline.

One of Y.Y.G’s specialties is food and beer pairing, and one of its most well-known dishes is the small oyster burger (1080 yen), which is stuffed with big Hiroshima oysters. The brewery works to produce goods as quickly as possible and continually improves its recipes in response to client input. Future customers will have even more options thanks to plans to create robust barley wine and fruit beer.

Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen

• Address: O-tyu First Bld., 2-18-3, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03-6276-5550
• Hours: 1F 17:00~23:00(L.O.), Sat/Sun 12:00~23:00(L.O.), Sun 12:00~20:30(L.O.)
• 7F 18:00~23:00(L.O.), Sat/Holidays 12:00~23:00(L.O.)
• Regular holiday: Sunday (Only 7F)
• Average Price: $22-$28

2. RISE & WIN Brewing Co. KAMIKATZ TAPROOM(⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Tokushima-based Rise & Win Brewing Co. BBQ & General Store has launched its first store in Tokyo, the Rise & Win Brewing Co. Kamikatz Taproom. The intriguing room, created by Hiroshi Nakamura and NAP, has a counter built from wood from a sacred tree retrieved from a shrine in Kamikatsu (the Tokushima town where Rise & Win is situated), while other interior components were made out of junk.

Eight beer taps in a row that are linked to beer tanks are located on the counter. Rise & Win’s beers are brewed in Kamikatsu, and they come in a variety of flavors, including Leuven White (made with yukou citrus from the area), Pale Ale, and Porter Stout, which took home a silver medal in the 2016 Asia Beer Cup.

Selected beers from Portland and all over Japan are also on the menu. Additionally, there are beer cocktails using soda and ginger ale as foundation ingredients for those seeking something a little lighter.

The oven-baked BBQ chicken item on the menu costs 1500 yen and features Tokushima chicken roasted on the bone until the skin is crispy and the meat is incredibly juicy. The delicious beers from Rise & Win pair perfectly with this dish, which is a must-try.

RISE & WIN Brewing Co. KAMIKATZ TAPROOM

• Address: 1F, WORKERS&CO, THE, 1-4-2, Higashiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03-6441-3800
• Hours: 12:00~14:30(L.O.), 18:00~22:00(Food L.O.), 22:30(Drink L.O.)
• ※Sat/Holidays: only Night time
• Regular holiday: Sunday
• Average Price: $11-$5o 

3. SVB TOKYO(⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

SVB Tokyo, a brewery with all-day dining options, is a component of the Log Road development in Daikanyama. The brewery, which opened in spring 2015 and focuses on the brews of Spring Valley Brewery, Kirin Beer’s new craft beer brand, has enormous tanks and barrels that can be seen from the high-ceilinged ground floor space.

With the help of unique equipment, the brewery can customize its beers by adding fruit and vegetables, creating a variety of seasonal brews. Six different varieties of craft beer are available, each one run by a different brewer.

Try the tasting set (6 x 100ml glasses, 1300 yen) or the pairing set for a variety of beers (6 x 100ml glasses with snacks, 2300 yen).  Visitors may appreciate the synergy between beer and food thanks to the menu’s emphasis on meals produced with seasonal ingredients that are obtained directly from farmers and producers.

SVB TOKYO

• Address: In LOG ROAD DAIKANYAMA, 13-1, Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03-6416-4975 (Only for vooking)
• Hours: 8:00~22:30(L.O.), Sun 8:00~21:00(L.O.)
• Average Price: $10-$70

4. CAMPION ALE(⭐⭐⭐⭐)

William James, an Englishman, founded Campion Ale with the intention of displaying the caliber of English craft brews. James was instrumental in the opening of the Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen in addition to this significant Asakusa brewery.

Five sizable storage tanks are put up behind the bar in the ground-floor brewery, and they are connected directly to the draft beer servers, which is a somewhat uncommon configuration. The decor was styled after an ancient bar in the English countryside and has imported furniture. The meal menu has traditional pub fare like ham steak and fish and chips, which contributes to a setting that feels more like England than Asakusa.

CAMPION ALE

• Address: 2-2-2, Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03-6231-6554
• Hours: 17:00~23:00(L.O.), Sat/Sun/Holidays 12:00~23:00(L.O.)
• Average Price: $12-$40

5. Goodbeer FAUCETS(⭐⭐⭐⭐)

40 different types of craft beer from Japanese and international brewers are available at Goodbeer Faucets. The chic location in Shibuya has grown to draw affluent tourists from all around the world. The staff serves from a central counter with 40 taps and 3 hand pumps, taking care to condition beer thoughtfully.

Eight unique beers made in collaboration with three breweries—Baird Beer (Shizuoka), Brimmer Brewing (Kanagawa), and Atsugi Beer—make up the beer selection (Kanagawa). A well-balanced mixture of freshly minced pork, herbs, and spices is used to make the handmade pork sausage (900 yen), one of the most well-liked delicacies. The filling sausage never fails to please and is simple to share with guests.

In March 2016, Goodbeer Faucets inaugurated its sibling store, On The Table. The Daimon location’s bar offers eleven guest beers in addition to its own original beers. The store is an excellent place to get a drink day or night because of its vibrant green décor.

Goodbeer FAUCETS

• Address: 2F, CROSSROADS Bld., 1-29-1, Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03-3770-5544
• Hours: 17:00~24:00, Fri 17:00~27:00, Sat 13:00~24:00, Sun 13:00~23:00
• Average Price: $11-$40

6. Smokehouse (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

There are several American-style diners in Tokyo that provide standard burgers and milkshakes, but it can be difficult to find one that also serves up real barbeque. The wide meat menu at this roomy Cat Street restaurant has all the fixings.

The smoked chicken and espresso-rubbed beef brisket are popular items from the barbecue platters, but they are only offered in the evenings because they need a day to simmer slowly. Particularly the combo platters with a side of mac & cheese, the amounts are on the bigger side and are ideal for splitting.

Check the beverages menu for a chart listing the best craft beers to combine with your meal if you want to enjoy your dinner with a drink. By the way, Tyson & Company also manages the café located downstairs, where you can relax with a cup of single-origin coffee while taking in the sights of Harajuku. Additionally, customers can purchase a variety of freshly roasted beans to take home.

Smokehouse

• Address: 5-17-13 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
• Phone number: 3 6450 5855
• Hours: 11.30am-10pm, Sun 11.30am-9pm
• Average Price: $7-$40

7. Watering Hole(⭐⭐⭐)

Ichiri Fujiura won the title of Homebrewer of the Year for the first time in 1998. However, the Japanese authorities were also drawn to him because of his Toasted Coconut Porter because homebrewing is forbidden in this country.

After 14 years, the beer fanatic finally had the last laugh with the establishment of Watering Hole, a craft beer bar close to Shinjuku Station that also houses his own “nano” brewery. This time, everything was done legally.

For the most up-to-date beer menu, visit the official website. At pricing that are competitive with those at other beer bars in Tokyo, you may choose from up to 21 draft microbrews, some of which are hand-pumped, from both Japan and beyond.

Watering Hole

• Address: 5-26-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03 6380 6115
• Hours: 3pm-11.30pm (last orders for food 10.30pm, drinks 11pm) daily; irregular hols
• Average Price: $8-$45

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8. Mikkeller Tokyo(⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Mikkel Borg Bjergs and his distinctive “gypsy brewery” are impossible to stop. The short-lived Tomigaya pub owned by the Danish beer outlaw was forced to close in the winter of 2016, but he has since returned. A new permanent venue opened in April 2017 after a few months of pop-ups and various frothy events.

The sequel to Mikkeller Tokyo takes place in a corner building in Shibuya’s gay district of Hyakkendana. There are 20 taps overall, offering a modest but comfortable space to enjoy Bjergs’ own handmade brews as well as guest beers from Japan and abroad. It’s a lovely addition to an eccentric neighborhood where sex stores coexist with chic restaurants and even a Shinto shrine.

The ground floor, which partially opens up to the street, is where you can enjoy a drink while standing up and always gets crowded after the sun goes down, while tables are located in the upstairs calm area. Mikkeller, which adds a bit of Scandinavian flair to Shibuya, is the kind of place we’d like to visit every evening.

Mikkeller Tokyo

• Address: 2-19-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
• Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-12 midnight, Sat, Sun & hols 2pm-12 midnight
• Average Price: $9-$50

9. The Aldgate(⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Aldgate is one of only a few British-style pubs in Tokyo that has the vibe of a place we’d truly want to go in Britain. From the inviting dark wood paneling to the no-smoking policy, it certainly plays the part.

There are about 20 beers on draft, including a few staples like Old Speckled Hen, Yona Yona Real Ale, and Baird IPA as well as a few special guests from British, Japanese, and American microbreweries.

Food options like toad in the hole, fish and chips, and baked potatoes with beans will make the limey contingent long for home. The results are always excellent, even if they aren’t always quite accurate. There are almost 6,000 albums total in the collection, many of them on vinyl, with a laudable tilt toward rock and indie music.

The Aldgate

• Address: 3F, 30-4 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03 3462 2983
• Hours: Mon-Fri 6pm-2am; Sat, Sun & hols 5pm-2am
• Average Price: $12-$40

10. Tap Stand Craft Beer(⭐⭐⭐)

Tap Stand Craft Beer is tucked away behind one of Shinjuku Station’s many exits, which makes it simple to overlook. That would be a shame because its large selection of imported craft beer and excellent pizza make it the ideal post-work hangout.

Although there are more than 20 domestic and overseas beers on tap, Tap Stand is particularly adept at locating boutique breweries that are new to Tokyo. The bar charges a 300 table fee per person, is non-smoking, and offers a partially bilingual menu.

Tap Stand Craft Beer

• Address: Mori Bldg 1F, 3-35-3 Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Phone number: 03 3226 0566
• Hours: 3pm-11.30pm daily
• Average Price: $8-$30

Beer Bar in Tokyo is expensive than other city

It is really expensive to go out. The amount of alcohol is substantially more in bars and clubs than in many other settings, and the drinks are also smaller and weaker. Entrance fees to clubs are extremely exorbitant, and movie tickets are approximately twice what they are for Americans. (The snacks are less expensive, but there is no candy available.) A cheap night out would be to arrive late at a karaoke bar with unlimited drinks, then make the most of your time there. In addition, happy hours and deals aren’t all that cheerful or unique.

Even though it’s still pricey, things are improving and if you come as a visitor, the currency rate is considerably better now. Go ahead, it’s a great destination to visit, and this is the finest time to go in years! ( Just feel sorry for you if you’re trying to pay off international debt while residing there!)

FAQs

1. Is Japanese beer any good?

Japanese beers are renowned for their excellent quality and flavor throughout the world. Since the 19th century, Japan has produced beer, with Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory dominating the domestic market.

2. In Japan, is it permitted to brew beer?

It is difficult and not very popular to do homebrewing in Japan. Making ordinary beer at home is technically against the law, but it is also entirely legal as defined by the law. While it’s not prohibited to brew beer, it is prohibited to ferment wort at a rate higher than 1%.

3. In Japan, what age is the legal drinking age?

It may come as a surprise to some people that Japan has age limitations for purchasing and consuming alcohol as well as a smoking age of 18, especially for those who are from nations where these activities are legal at 18: You must be at least 20 years old and have a legitimate ID (for foreigners, a residence card will do).

4. What distinguishes Japanese beer?

You might detect a lighter flavor in Japanese beer. Although beer recipes around the world are similar, Japanese beer is special in that many (but not all) of them use rice. Beer brands like Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo have that flavor. Additionally, Japanese beers often include less malt.

5. Why does beer from Japan taste so good?

It is genuinely unique. Many craft beers have names derived from the cities in which they are produced or from ingredients that can be found there. Each one is distinctive to its own surroundings and unmatched by any other brewery, big or little, Japanese or not, thanks to the utilization of regional ingredients.

Conclusion

Despite having such a strong drinking culture, Japan is not known for having a wide selection of beers. Microbreweries were heavily taxed until the mid-1990s, while Asahi, Kirin, and Suntory controlled 88% of the domestic beer market in 2014. These factors are not exactly conducive to a vibrant craft beer culture.

But the mid-1990s are long gone. In recent years, there are many options in Tokyo to satisfy your craving for unique beers thanks to the slow but steady growth of craft beer in Japan. They are some of the breweries in Tokyo. Consult our guide to Japanese table manners to avoid embarrassing yourself until you’ve had at least a few beers.