ShimoTakaido

So, walking to the store in Shimotakaido in need of a few groceries, I happen on a new bar. Actually, as it turns out, the place has been there for over a year, but you know how it is when you don't visit a particular area for awhile! Plus, I don't always take the same route. Lesson learned: it's good to take a little extra time, and take a different path. You sometimes see new things. Such is what happened as I came across Kagoya. At first glance, it's a little shop that looks to sell liquor, but it isn't Just a liquor store. Kagoya happens to specialize in nihonshu--Japanese sake--as well as shochu. We can get into all the nuances of nihonshu and shochu but suffice to say that what we westerners often call sake is a brewed rice alcohol, whereas shochu is distilled. I enjoy both, so it's a nice addition to the neighborhood, but not only does Kagoya have a nice selection of these excellent Japanese beverages, they also have coolers at the back providing a selection of craft beers--lucky me! And compared to the other place in the Shimotakaido area, at much more reasonable prices. As I was pressed for time I bought a can for later, but they do indeed have beer on tap; about ten taps, though I noticed a few were sold out. And there are some seats in the back corner so yes, you can park yourself inside for a bit and relax, and they serve food, but this is more of a tasting bar...don't expect to turn it into a real hangout. Open from 13:00 to 21:00, it is a welcome place to visit for a short bit during your afternoon shopping but definitely not your late-night watering hole. And what a great chance for the nihonshu/shochu lovers out there. I'm not a connoisseur by any stretch but I am always up to try their daily selections--I'm sure you will be, as well. Bottoms up!

ShimoKitazawa

Well, it’s been a few years. We have COVID-19 to thank, so to speak, for disrupting our lives and interfering with our getting out and sharing a beer with each other. It has also interfered with volunteer organizations that rely on people getting together and rallying their collective energies to benefit less well-off members of our communities.

With the ease on social restrictions, such organizations may be able to remedy the ebb in activity over the past few years. A charity group I’ve been sort-of involved in is making a return to the public stage. Beers for Books is a promoter of education, by funding reading materials for underprivileged children in developing countries, in a non-profit program called Room to Read.

Local (i.e. Tokyo) businessman and event organizer Gary Bremmerman has long-hosted the Japan chapter of Beers for Books, and on December 14 held a return event, the first since 2019. It was a very welcome event for yours truly; it was good to see some old faces!

The premise is pretty straightforward: for every drink purchased during the evening, a portion goes towards Room to Read for the express purpose of buying and distributing books to children in over 20 countries. To date, nearly 40 million books have been provided! My own contribution to this cause is very small in comparison, but I’m keen to champion such a positive cause as I firmly believe in education and the empowerment that literacy brings to people.

This latest event was hosted at a well-known Shimo-Kitazawa British pub, Good Heavens! If you are ever in the mood for UK fare I can attest to a healthy serving of fish & chips, and the cheese plate is Very satisfying, I have to say. You can always expect to get your fill of Guinness and Fuller’s Pride there, of course. Congratulations, Gary, on reviving the event and we supporters of Room to Read--and beer—are looking forward to seeing you at the next one! Kampai! 

Sangenjaya

So you're out for the evening, maybe a late Saturday afternoon stroll in the Sangenjaya area, window-shopping and whatnot, and you head towards ShimoKitazawa. It's a nice day, the weather is good, there are lots of people out and about--it's a perfect day for a walkabout.

And you're about halfway between, make a turn somewhere and wonder which way is which, and you notice through the window of a little store a big screen TV, music in the air, a selection of LPs against the wall, and ... some beer taps behind the counter?! Yes, those are beer taps...next to a coffee maker...?

This eclectic little shop is quite the local gem -- one of those cool little places in Tokyo that make people fall in love with visiting the country. For small world records is exactly all of the above: a record store, selling indie and alternative records that any music lover would love to shop at. But for me, it's the beer, and on this particular evening, the World Cup is on, live from Qatar, and while I'm not big into the sport, I know the beer is going to be good.

The owner has excellent taste in craft beer, and a nice variety. I usually find myself getting a porter or stout, and then a nice sour or IPA. He keeps about 6-8 taps going, and as far as I have seen showcases Japanese breweries. If you're an overseas visitor you'll likely not be familiar with most of them. Trust me when I say you'll be pleased with the product. Now, that said, be aware that this is a small venue of about half a dozen seats, and local customers...if you are up for practicing your Japanese then great. If you are looking for a big night out with a full meal and English-speaking staff to fawn over you...well, there are other places.

Oh, and that night the dog wasn't there...if you go and she gets out from behind the counter, mind your fingers. She is Very cute and looks So pettable, but she isn't the friendliest! That said, I look forward to heading back!

Kampai!

ShimoTakaido

びいる黄瀬 -- Biirukise, or Beer Kise (kee-say) -- is a relatively small craft beer place, up the stairs on the 3rd floor of a narrow little building across the street from Seiyu supermarket/department store. You'd not even notice it unless you can read "beer" in Japanese, and the signage isn't really going to catch your eye.

It's a pretty small place with six taps or so, but a stylish industrial atmosphere, and very welcoming to the modern urban beer drinker. It isn't exactly a hipster hangout but they do embrace modern electronic payments. As for the beer...delicious! This was my first experience with Totopia Brewery products, and man do they make excellent beer! I see from Untappd that they're carrying a wider variety of brews since my visit so I'll have to go back sometime.

Price-wise, a little high...expect 1500 yen for a pint, give or take. The quality is good, and it is a very nice hangout space. Definitely worth your time to check it out!