Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the greatest craft beer cities in the world. The Japanese capital has an extraordinary density of quality craft beer bars, taprooms and bottle shops, spread across neighbourhoods as varied as the beers on tap. Shibuya and Shinjuku offer convenience and volume — dozens of craft spots within walking distance — while Shimokitazawa has a more indie, neighbourhood feel with several standout taprooms tucked between record shops and live music venues. Nakameguro, Koenji, Kichijoji and Ryogoku each have their own craft beer identities, and the older downtown areas of Asakusa and Akihabara are catching up fast.

Tokyo's craft beer scene is defined by exceptional technical quality, deep tap lists and an almost obsessive attention to freshness. Locally brewed beers from producers like Yoho, Baird, Coedo and a new generation of Tokyo-based nano-breweries sit alongside carefully curated imports from Belgium, the US and the UK. Many bars specialise in particular styles or origins — you'll find dedicated Belgian bars, New England IPA specialists and sake-hybrid taprooms all within a short train ride of each other. Use this directory to find the best craft beer bars and taprooms in Tokyo by neighbourhood.