DH in Tokyo: A Fish out of Water

Tokyo is a different world. That is one thing that is for sure. Of course, I live in Japan--but where I live resembles Kentucky more than Tokyo. Walking on the streets of Shibuya at night, I passed more people in ten minutes than I have passed on the streets in Toei in two years. Even my fiance, who is Japanese, comes from a smaller town and is completely lost on the streets in Tokyo. You name it, Tokyo has it.

Of course, that means it has tons of options when it comes to good beer.

We had to make the trip to Tokyo for the purpose of visiting the embassy. As you can imagine, that is not all giggles and smiles. Once that was done with, we decided to hit a few hot spots and drink some good brews. We did the touristy things (we were tourists after all) and of course saw the Asahi Golden Turd and went to Sumida Brewing, which lies in the Turd building itself. Good lunch buffet, OK beers.

For me, being in Tokyo is almost too much. I guess my simple brain has gotten used to not having to make any choices. Where I live, a Friday night presents these choices: Do I buy beer at the one combini, the grocery store, or the sparsely supplied liquor shop? Do I want to go to one of the four restaurants in town, or do I want to cook at home? Do I purchase the Ichiban Shibori, or the Malt's?

In Tokyo, there are more places than you can shake a stick at. (Good KY phrase) Do I want to drink this, that, or that? Do I want to try this bar, that store, or this place?

So what did I do? Of course, like all who are presented with daunting decisions, I stuck with the familiar. I decided to hit up the Baird Beer Harajuku Taproom, and then to go meet Chuwy.

The Harajuku Taproom was nice--it had great beers, atmosphere and staff. It deserves and will get its own post. For now, suffice it to say that if you are in Tokyo and around Harajuku--you owe it to yourself to go. It's a sanctuary of good beer and of welcome relief from the thousands of crazy folk on the Tokyo streets.

Two lovely Baird Beers. Them boys in Numazu sure can brew it!

After we had a few pints there, we went to Aldgate to meet Chuwy and Canadian Dave--who we had previously seen at The Harajuku Taproom. The Aldgate was having a IPA festival and Estonian food. I don't know about you, but when it comes to IPAs, I just can't help but think of Estonian grub.


At the Aldgate we had some great company and brews. The IPAs were tasty and even though the place was pretty dead (so Chuwy said), I enjoyed it greatly. As I sat there I couldn't help but wish that Nagoya had more places like this...

The next day we grabbed some excellent (and cheap!) sushi before we left. Sometimes Japan is great. Where else in the world could you take a picture of cold beer and a menu featuring $2 otoro and whale sushi!



You can find much more about Tokyo and the great bars that it has to offer on sites like Chuwy's Boozelist and Beer in Japan. Since I am from outside the Tokyo world, these cats are much more competent to tell you about Tokyo than I.



However, if you find yourself in the Kitashitara-gun of Aichi-ken, I know a KILLER bar by the onsen that is always poppin'. It only seats 6, so make sure you get there early. I met up with some inaka boys there recently. Usually the average age is about 85, but the old fellers always enjoy a few young cats to spice things up. They only serve Sapporo, but if your bring your own fifth of Kentucky's finest Jim Beam, you can get the party started. Just remember to pour a bit for the old guys too!

Notice the self brought bottle of Beam on the table....