2025.10 A Toast to Japanese Craft Gin and Beer: Regional, Rare, and on the Rise When it comes to selecting a good tipple in Japan, the country’s iconic sake is often the first that comes to mind.
When it comes to selecting a good tipple in Japan, the country’s iconic sake is often the first that comes to mind. These days, however, Japan is also embracing artisanal alcohol—particularly craft beer and, more recently, craft gin. Reflecting Japan’s meticulous craftsmanship at its finest, these drinks have a uniquely Japanese twist—with precision, care, and regional character evident in every sip. Read on and take a journey through Japan’s craft-beverage scene, discovering the flavors, stories, and traditions in every bottle.
Tapping into Japan’s Craft-Beer Scene
To see the country’s blossoming craft-beer culture firsthand, stop by any Michi-no-Eki roadside station or any stylish souvenir shop in a popular sightseeing area. Local brews are often sold there as regional mementos loaded with personality in both flavor and package design. With breweries popping up across the country, the craft-beer business is booming, and many of these brewers offer tours or tastings.
Hitachino Brewing Lab is one such spot, tucked beneath the train tracks along the Kanda River in Tokyo. Equal parts cozy bar and craft beer education hub, it also offers hands-on wort-making workshops for curious beer lovers.
For those willing to venture a little further, West Coast Brewing in Shizuoka delivers a complete craft-beer getaway. Its guesthouse, a sleek five-room villa called The Villa & Barrel Lounge, sits next to the brewery and even has in-room taps. Visitors can tour the expansive facilities, unwind in the stylish taproom, or grab a bottle, can, or growler to enjoy a beer outside with a view.
Other remarkable craft-beer spots can be found in cities, such as Yokohama—the birthplace of beer in Japan, where visitors can hop on a beer bike for a tour and a sample of local brews. You’ll also find a wealth of intriguing and sometimes quirky microbreweries dotted around Japan—some surrounded by exciting urban nightlife; others, by countryside calm.
A Sip of Japan’s Craft-Gin Revolution
Japan’s craft-gin boom began in the mid-2010s, with the House of KI NO BI emerging as a trailblazer in the country’s artisanal gin movement. Since then, over 40 distilleries—from bold independents to major producers like Suntory and Nikka—have swelled the wave of craft gin, infusing it with a variety of local botanicals like yuzu, shiso, and sake lees to create unmistakably Japanese flavors.
The Sakurao Distillery is one such distillery that takes a boldly local approach, being nestled in a quiet Hiroshima town and taking pride in using local ingredients. Visitors can tour the impressive distillery, where custom-built stills and traditional English distillation methods come together to craft a truly one-of-a-kind gin.
Meanwhile, in the heart of bustling Tokyo, the Tokyo Riverside Distillery offers a sleek urban take on craft gin. Its second-floor bar and dining space provides a modern setting for guests to enjoy curated food and gin pairings. Tours include samplings of its signature varieties, offering a taste of artisan gin with a contemporary twist unique to Tokyo.
Discover Distinctive Craft Beer and Gin Throughout Japan
One of the many distillery hot spots in Japan is the Setouchi region, known for its peaceful seaside location and unique beers and gins that incorporate locally grown citrus fruits. Craft-beverage fans can spend a relaxing time here, traveling from brewery to brewery and sampling the many diverse flavors.
・SETOUCHI BEER
This stylish microbrewery located in Kagawa Prefecture is known for its beer cans’ cute and eye-catching designs. Visitors can relax in the onsite taproom, which serves eight unique varieties on draft Friday evenings and every weekend.
・Setouchi Distillery
This distillery produces a one-of-a-kind craft gin that contains local lemons and green tea, and it houses a gallery where visitors can browse and buy its creations.
・And more!
Still thirsty for Setouchi flavors? Make your next drink a beer from Mushima Hama Brewery who make a fine beer using barley cultivated on the tiny island of Mushima. Or how about a vibrant citrus gin from Rudder Ltd. finished with a flourish of sansho peppers and cilantro?
Of course, with more suppliers now branching out to serve izakaya, restaurants, and bars, artisanal beer and gin are becoming easier to find across Japan. For a memorable souvenir, local liquor stores and regional specialty shops often carry a curated selection – perfect for toasting your trip.
Related Links
Hitachino Brewing Lab |
West Coast Brewery |
SETOUCHI BEER |
Sakurao Distillery |
