Quick answer
Tokyo's craft beer scene offers a range of experiences, with pints priced from ¥800 to ¥1,600, and Watering Hole stands out as a top recommendation for its focus on rare domestic Japanese breweries. This unfiltered guide explores the best places to drink craft beer in Tokyo, from legendary taprooms to hidden gems, editor-curated.
- Best overall
- Beer Club Popeye
- Top pick
- Beer Club Popeye
Top verdicts
- Beer Club Popeye: The undisputed craft beer legend of Tokyo.
- DevilCraft Kanda: The bar that proved craft beer + Chicago deep-dish pizza is a combination Tokyo didn't know it needed.
- Watering Hole: The Shinjuku-area staple that never disappoints on quality, even if the prices run higher than average for Tokyo craft beer.
Tokyo's craft beer scene is a slow-burn revelation. Japan legalized microbrewing in 1994, and while the explosion that hit the US never quite happened here, what emerged instead is a network of obsessively curated, personality-driven bars that reward the curious drinker.
Area map
1. Beer Club Popeye
All 9 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beer Club Popeye | 70-Tap Legend | ¥800–1,200/pint | Ryogoku, Sumida City, Tokyo |
| 2 | DevilCraft Kanda | Brewpub + Deep Dish | ¥900–1,400/pint | Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo |
| 3 | Watering Hole | Shinjuku Craft Staple | ¥1,000–1,500/pint | Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo (near Shinjuku) |
| 4 | Mikkeller Tokyo | Danish Craft Pioneer | ¥1,000–1,600/pint | Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| 5 | Goodbeer Faucets | 40-Tap Institution | ¥800–1,400/pint | Shoto, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| 6 | Hitachino Brewing Lab | Japanese Craft Pioneer | ¥800–1,300/pint | Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo (Manseibashi) |
| 7 | ØL by Oslo Brewing Co. | Norwegian-Japanese Fusion | ¥1,100–1,600/pint | Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| 8 | Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen | Shibuya Microbrewery | ¥800–1,300/pint | Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| 9 | Stand Umineko SiB100 | Osaka-Brewed In Shibuya | ¥900–1,400/pint | Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo |
1Beer Club Popeye
70-Tap Legend
Verdict: The undisputed craft beer legend of Tokyo.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- 70-Tap Legend in Ryogoku, Sumida City, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for 70-Tap Legend · Ryogoku, Sumida City, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥800–1,200/pint
- Why it made the list
- The undisputed craft beer legend of Tokyo. Running since the mid-1980s with ~70 taps, Popeye is the bar every single craft beer guide mentions first — and for good reason. The free-snack happy hour is genuinely one of the best bar deals in Tokyo. Join their beer club for a gold membership card and return discounts. Closed Sundays.
- What to order
- Beer Club Popeye, a 70-tap legend in Ryogoku, Sumida City, Tokyo, offers pints for ¥800–1,200 and boasts a 4.3★ rating from 1639 reviews. For the best experience, ask the staff for their recommendation from the Japanese craft selection, as the rotating taps ensure a unique visit every time; during happy hour, every beer comes with a free hot snack — karaage, sausages, or gyoza.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon3:00 – 11:30 PM
Tue3:00 – 11:30 PM
Wed3:00 – 11:30 PM
Thu3:00 – 11:30 PM
Fri3:00 – 11:30 PM
Sat2:00 – 11:30 PM
SunClosed
“Beer Club Popeye's is known for its smartly dressed serving staff and olde worlde pub style interiors. They have a VERY Happy Hour most evenings whereby you get a free hot food snack with every beer purchased.”
— — Plan My Japan · Tokyo Craft Beer Guide, 2024
“I'm wondering where I can experience cool beers in Tokyo. Currently looking at Beer Club POPEYE — it's consistently the first place mentioned.”
— Editor's note
2DevilCraft Kanda
Brewpub + Deep Dish
Verdict: The bar that proved craft beer + Chicago deep-dish pizza is a combination Tokyo didn't know it needed.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Brewpub + Deep Dish in Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for Brewpub + Deep Dish · Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥900–1,400/pint
- Why it made the list
- The bar that proved craft beer + Chicago deep-dish pizza is a combination Tokyo didn't know it needed. Four locations across the city means you're never far from a DevilCraft. The Kanda flagship has the best atmosphere — go on a weeknight to avoid waits. Consistently mentioned across every Reddit craft beer thread for Tokyo.
- What to order
- DevilCraft Kanda, a brewpub in Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo, known for its deep-dish pizza, serves pints for ¥900–1,400 and holds a 4.3★ rating based on 1432 reviews. The Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is a must-try — possibly the best in Japan — paired perfectly with a house-brewed IPA on rotation; DevilCraft has multiple locations (Kanda, Gotanda, Hamamatsucho, Jiyugaoka).
🕐 Opening hours
Mon5:00 – 11:00 PM
Tue5:00 – 11:00 PM
Wed5:00 – 11:00 PM
Thu5:00 – 11:00 PM
Fri3:00 – 10:00 PM
Sat3:00 – 10:00 PM
Sun3:00 – 10:00 PM
“Devilcraft (Kanda, Gotanda, Hamamatsucho, Jiyugaoka) good beer, good food, good atmosphere, decent prices compared to other Tokyo craft beer prices.”
— Editor's note
“Devil Craft — constant rotation of locally brewed beers with guest taps also in rotation. Paired with Chicago style pizza.”
— Editor's note
3Watering Hole
Shinjuku Craft Staple
Verdict: The Shinjuku-area staple that never disappoints on quality, even if the prices run higher than average for Tokyo craft beer.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Shinjuku Craft Staple in Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo (near Shinjuku)
- Strengths
- Known for Shinjuku Craft Staple · Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo (near Shinjuku)
- Price / value
- ¥1,000–1,500/pint
- Why it made the list
- The Shinjuku-area staple that never disappoints on quality, even if the prices run higher than average for Tokyo craft beer. Open every day including Sunday — one of the few craft beer bars with no weekly closing day. Great tap selection of Japanese craft beers from smaller regional breweries. The atmosphere is genuinely good, and it's consistently busy with a mix of locals and expats.
- What to order
- Watering Hole, a Shinjuku craft staple located in Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo (near Shinjuku), offers pints for ¥1,000–1,500 and has a 4.6★ rating from 1102 reviews. Order whatever Japanese craft is freshest on the rotating taps, as they focus heavily on domestic Japanese breweries you won't find easily elsewhere.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon3:00 – 11:30 PM
Tue3:00 – 11:30 PM
Wed3:00 – 11:30 PM
Thu3:00 – 11:30 PM
Fri3:00 – 11:30 PM
Sat3:00 – 11:30 PM
Sun3:00 – 11:30 PM
“Watering Hole (Shinjuku) Good beer, good atmosphere, lousy prices.”
— Editor's note
4Mikkeller Tokyo
Danish Craft Pioneer
Verdict: The Tokyo outpost of Denmark's most famous craft beer brand delivers exactly what you'd expect — a globally curated tap list in a sleek Shibuya setting.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Danish Craft Pioneer in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for Danish Craft Pioneer · Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥1,000–1,600/pint
- Why it made the list
- The Tokyo outpost of Denmark's most famous craft beer brand delivers exactly what you'd expect — a globally curated tap list in a sleek Shibuya setting. It's where Two Fingers' owners first met, and where much of Tokyo's craft beer community connects. Open late on Saturdays (until 1:30 AM) making it perfect for a Shibuya night out.
- What to order
- Mikkeller Tokyo, a Danish craft pioneer in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, serves pints for ¥1,000–1,600 and has a 4.5★ rating based on 1348 reviews. Try the Mikkeller house beers plus whatever Japanese guest taps they're pouring, as manager Hamilton Shields has built one of the best curated tap lists in Tokyo.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Tue4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Wed4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Thu4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Fri2:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sat2:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Sun2:00 PM – 12:00 AM
“Craft beer is still very young here. One of the strong things about Japan bar culture and craft beer culture is there are these little places, and that's where it shines, where the owner's personality really comes out.”
— — Hamilton Shields, Mikkeller Tokyo Manager · Hop Culture interview, 2023
5Goodbeer Faucets
40-Tap Institution
Verdict: The other heavyweight in Tokyo's craft beer scene.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- 40-Tap Institution in Shoto, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for 40-Tap Institution · Shoto, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥800–1,400/pint
- Why it made the list
- The other heavyweight in Tokyo's craft beer scene. Where Popeye skews traditional pub, Goodbeer Faucets has a more modern, spacious feel. 40 taps + 3 handpumps means serious selection. The English-speaking staff and English menu make it one of the most accessible craft beer bars for tourists. Closed Mondays.
- What to order
- Goodbeer Faucets, a 40-tap institution in Shoto, Shibuya, Tokyo, offers pints for ¥800–1,400 and holds a 4.2★ rating from 892 reviews. With 40 taps and 3 handpumps, ask the staff for their current favorite Japanese craft, as they pour from both domestic and international breweries with constant rotation.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue4:00 – 11:00 PM
Wed4:00 – 11:00 PM
Thu4:00 – 11:00 PM
Fri4:00 – 11:00 PM
Sat4:00 – 11:00 PM
Sun4:00 – 11:00 PM
“Goodbeer Faucets is one of the largest craft beer bars in Tokyo. 40 taps and three handpumps pour craft beers from Japanese and foreign brewers. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly.”
— — Our Tasty Travels · Craft Beer Tokyo guide
6Hitachino Brewing Lab
Japanese Craft Pioneer
Verdict: Japan's most internationally famous craft brewery has a stunning taproom inside the historic Manseibashi station building in Kanda.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Japanese Craft Pioneer in Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo (Manseibashi)
- Strengths
- Known for Japanese Craft Pioneer · Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo (Manseibashi)
- Price / value
- ¥800–1,300/pint
- Why it made the list
- Japan's most internationally famous craft brewery has a stunning taproom inside the historic Manseibashi station building in Kanda. The architecture alone is worth the visit — a converted railway viaduct with industrial-chic seating. Opens at 11 AM, making it one of the few craft beer bars where you can drink at lunch. The vintage beer selection is a genuine rarity in Tokyo.
- What to order
- Hitachino Brewing Lab, a Japanese craft pioneer located in Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo (Manseibashi), offers pints for ¥800–1,300 and has a 4.4★ rating from 1309 reviews. Start with the Hitachino Nest White Ale — Japan's most internationally recognized craft beer — then try the Red Rice Ale and any seasonal exclusive; this location also stocks vintage beers for the adventurous.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tue11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
“Hitachino Brewing Tokyo Distillery — although there are a few Hitachino locations in Tokyo, this one houses one of their distilleries and has a really nice seating area. This is also the only one I've seen vintage beers at, which are surprisingly good.”
— Editor's note
7ØL by Oslo Brewing Co.
Norwegian-Japanese Fusion
Verdict: A Norwegian-Japanese craft beer collaboration in the heart of Shibuya's Udagawacho.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Norwegian-Japanese Fusion in Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for Norwegian-Japanese Fusion · Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥1,100–1,600/pint
- Why it made the list
- A Norwegian-Japanese craft beer collaboration in the heart of Shibuya's Udagawacho. Opens at noon daily (one of the earliest-opening bars on this list), making it an excellent daytime drinking option. The pricier end of Tokyo craft beer but the spacious setting and Shibuya location justify it. Late-night hours on Friday and Saturday (until 1 AM) make it a natural stop during a Shibuya night out.
- What to order
- ØL by Oslo Brewing Co., a Norwegian-Japanese fusion spot in Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo, serves pints for ¥1,100–1,600 and has a 4.1★ rating from 1017 reviews. Try the Oslo Brewing house beers — the Norwegian approach to craft brewing brings Scandinavian flavors to Japanese ingredients; they also have a great food menu.
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🕐 Opening hours
Mon12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Tue12:00 – 11:30 PM
Wed12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Thu12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Fri12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Sat12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Sun12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
8Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen
Shibuya Microbrewery
Verdict: A proper microbrewery taproom where you drink steps from where the beer is brewed.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Shibuya Microbrewery in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for Shibuya Microbrewery · Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥800–1,300/pint
- Why it made the list
- A proper microbrewery taproom where you drink steps from where the beer is brewed. Founded in 2015, Y.Y.G. has quietly become one of Shibuya's best-kept secrets. ~15 house-brewed taps means you're drinking beers you literally cannot get anywhere else. The cozy taproom on the brewery floor plus a restaurant upstairs makes this a complete beer experience. Closed Mondays.
- What to order
- Y.Y.G. Brewery & Beer Kitchen, a Shibuya microbrewery in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo, offers pints for ¥800–1,300 and has a 4.3★ rating from 576 reviews. Try the house-brewed seasonal specials — Y.Y.G. is known for experimental styles; the herbal IPA with Thai kaffir leaves and their spicy black lager are highlights, and there's a restaurant upstairs for a full meal.
🕐 Opening hours
MonClosed
Tue4:00 – 11:00 PM
Wed11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thu4:00 – 11:00 PM
Fri12:00 – 11:00 PM
Sat12:00 – 11:00 PM
Sun12:00 – 10:00 PM
“Y.Y.G Brewery & Beer Kitchen — founded in 2015 and tucked away in a side-street near Shibuya. With a cosy taproom located in the heart of the brewery and around 15 of their own brews on tap, this is one top Tokyo taproom.”
— — Plan My Japan · Best Tokyo Craft Beer Bars, 2024
9Stand Umineko SiB100
Osaka-Brewed In Shibuya
Verdict: A personal favorite of the Tokyo Reddit craft beer community.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Osaka-Brewed In Shibuya in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Strengths
- Known for Osaka-Brewed In Shibuya · Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Price / value
- ¥900–1,400/pint
- Why it made the list
- A personal favorite of the Tokyo Reddit craft beer community. This Shibuya taproom serves Osaka-brewed beers with creative flavor fusions you won't find elsewhere. The chill, personable staff and intimate setting make it feel like a neighborhood local despite being in Dogenzaka. At 4.7★ on Google, the people who find it tend to love it. Walking distance from Mikkeller Tokyo for an easy two-stop crawl.
- What to order
- Stand Umineko SiB100, an Osaka-brewed spot in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo, offers pints for ¥900–1,400 and has a 4.7★ rating from 111 reviews. The Osaka-brewed house beers focus on interesting flavor fusions, and the staff are personable and happy to guide you through the rotating taps.
🕐 Opening hours
Mon4:00 – 11:00 PM
Tue4:00 – 11:00 PM
Wed4:00 – 11:00 PM
Thu4:00 – 11:00 PM
Fri3:00 – 11:00 PM
Sat3:00 – 11:00 PM
Sun3:00 – 11:00 PM
“Stand Umineko SiB100 is my favorite taproom in Tokyo (technically most of their beers are Osakan). Always have some interesting fusions of flavors, and the staff are all real chill and personable.”
— Editor's note
Frequently asked questions
Is craft beer popular in Tokyo?
Craft beer in Tokyo is a growing scene but still niche compared to the US, UK, or Australia. Japan's craft beer movement started in the mid-1990s when laws were relaxed to allow microbrewing, but growth has been slow and deliberate. The upside: bars that do exist are high-quality, lovingly run, and full of personality. Tokyo has an estimated 200+ craft beer bars and taprooms, with Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa, and Ryogoku as key neighborhoods.
How much does craft beer cost in Tokyo?
Expect to pay ¥800–¥1,500 ($5–$10 USD) per pint at most Tokyo craft beer bars. Happy hour specials can bring prices down to ¥500–¥700. Beer Club Popeye offers free snacks with each beer purchase during happy hour. Compared to London or New York craft beer prices, Tokyo is roughly equivalent — not cheap but not outrageous.
What are the best Japanese craft beer brands to try?
Top Japanese craft breweries include: Hitachino Nest (Kiuchi Brewery) — Japan's most internationally recognized craft brand, known for White Ale and Red Rice Ale. Yo-Ho Brewing (Yona Yona Ale) — the gateway Japanese craft beer for many. Baird Beer — Numazu-based with a legendary taproom. Minoh Beer — award-winning Osaka brewery. Shiga Kogen — from Nagano's ski country. Tokyo-based breweries like Y.Y.G., DevilCraft, and TDM 1874 are worth seeking out at their own taprooms.
What is the best area in Tokyo for craft beer?
Shibuya has the highest concentration of craft beer bars, including Goodbeer Faucets, Mikkeller Tokyo, ØL by Oslo Brewing, Stand Umineko, and Y.Y.G. Brewery all within walking distance. Shinjuku/Sendagaya has Watering Hole. Shimokitazawa has TDM 1874. Ryogoku has Beer Club Popeye. For a craft beer crawl, start in Shibuya and you can hit 4-5 bars on foot.
Can you do a craft beer bar crawl in Tokyo?
Absolutely. The best route: Start at Goodbeer Faucets (Shibuya, opens 4pm) → walk to ØL by Oslo Brewing (10 min) → Mikkeller Tokyo (5 min) → Stand Umineko SiB100 (3 min). That's 4 world-class beer bars in under an hour of walking. Alternatively, combine Watering Hole (Shinjuku) with a train to Shimokitazawa for TDM 1874 — 2 stops on the Odakyu line.
Are Tokyo craft beer bars foreigner-friendly?
Very much so. Many Tokyo craft beer bars are run by international owners (DevilCraft, Two Fingers, Mikkeller, ØL Tokyo) or have English-speaking staff. Beer Club Popeye and Goodbeer Faucets have English menus. The craft beer community in Tokyo is inherently international — expect to meet expats, tourists, and curious locals at any of these bars. Language is rarely a barrier.