Matsumoto
If you like jazz, it doesn't get any better than Eonta, a tiny 15-seater upstairs, directly above Katsu Gen restaurant. The friendly owner has been…
Must-see nightlife in Central Honshū
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Nagano Region
This extremely popular beer-hall-type place is upstairs only a couple of minutes' walk from Nagano Station. Plenty of beer and wine from around the globe…
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Nagano Region
Smack in the middle of the village, Libushi is Nozawa Onsen's very own artisan brewery. With a taproom up front, a brewery out the back and a very…
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Nagano Region
This lively izakaya (pub-restaurant) isn't far from the station and should be on your to-do list. You'll spot it by all the sake barrels plastered around…
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Matsumoto
Tasty local brews, highlighted by the Awesome! Pale Ale, can be enjoyed in a delightful two-storey taproom in a lovely old building in Nakamachi. There's…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This Echoland favourite has a cosy, natural-wood, log-cabin vibe about it, offering a solid range of drinks and pub food on an English menu with great…
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Central Honshū
Come for the Fukui Prefecture–grown green tea packaged for gifting, stay for the mind-blowing matcha (powdered green tea) soft ice cream. Onabi is 100m…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
It's hard to go wrong when you're at the bottom of the Iwatake slopes and are home base for the local brew, Hakuba Beer. This winter-only place is a top…
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Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
What a delightful surprise to find excellent coffee in deepest Noto! The barista behind Kalpa's counter is also a third-generation lacquer craftsman; his…
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Takayama
You'll feel like you're walking into a friend's living room in this cosy, dimly lit basement bar. The hip and happy owner, Hisayo, deftly adjusts the vibe…
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Central Honshū
Although this is more of a wine merchant where you can sit and sample the merchandise than a wine bar per se, it's still worth popping in if you're…
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Nagoya
Through the passageway to the left of the main Ōsu Kannon temple building you'll find this teeny motorcycle- and Vespa-repair shop-pub (that's right)…
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Nagoya
Order your cold-brew coffee or regional Japanese craft beer downstairs, then head upstairs to soak in the David-Lynch-via-Stockholm design vibes at this…
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Nagoya
Hideo-san, the personable owner of this wood-panelled gem, has decorated his out-of-the-way bar with bric-a-brac from extensive antiquing in America…
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Central Honshū
Run by the Canyons crew, this popular cafe-bar offers riverside barbecues in summer, a pool table, plenty of beer, hamburgers and occasional live music…
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Kanazawa
An original Kanazawan institution. With live rock bands and every manner of everything hanging from the ceiling, this place'll make you feel as though you…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This chilled-out, family-friendly, smoke-free bar to your right as you exit JR Habuka Station serves juicy original burgers and comfort-food favourites,…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
The only English pub in the village is found in a Swiss-style chalet on the grounds of the Mominoki hotel in Wadano. By Japanese standards, it's huge and…
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Kanazawa
You can't miss this trendy brewhouse at the entrance to Higashi-chaya-gai: it's always humming with Japanese and international guests, who love the mellow…
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Nagoya
You'll love it or you'll hate it. This 'sexy' mega-club complex sometimes pulls international acts. Its throng of gaijin (foreigners) and Japanese punters…
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Nagano Region
This cosy basement bar is open late and run by a music-loving Japanese man who has lived abroad. He's especially keen on Jackson Browne's 1977 classic …
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Nagoya
Cowboys and cowgirls greet you in this cruisy, colourful, friendly basement bar. Staff will make you feel welcome and may try to matchmake; with all-you…
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Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This Irish pub has a weird name and an even weirder sign, but more importantly it has Guinness on tap, killer fish and chips (¥950), pool, darts and a…
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Kanazawa
Class and character in the heart of Katamachi, this basement bar has an extensive picture menu and a billiard table, and attracts a lively crowd. There's…
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Matsumoto
This sophisticated little whisky bar, going for more than 20 years, is run by a colourful character who'd love to pour you a single malt or one of his…
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Matsumoto
Tantalisingly located on the way to the castle, across from Nakamachi, is this popular place with good pub-meal dinner options and, appropriately, a wide…
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Takayama
There's no cover charge at this friendly pub–sports bar with a great open patio out front. It's American-Euro styled but stocks a good selection of…
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Central Honshū
A fun pub with a good selection of beers and bar food, close to JR Takasaki Station.
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Nagano Region
The Nagano branch of this izakaya (pub-restaurant) chain, plastered with Shōwa-era movie posters and advertisements, is particularly cool, as are the…
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Kanazawa
Kanazawa's grungy, foreigner-friendly reggae/dive bar is littered with years' worth of sawdust and peanut shells. Its appeal lies in the warm, open-minded…
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Takayama
If you're a fan of Bob Dylan, you'll likely connect with Ken, the friendly owner of this mellow bar with a real rustic charm. Ken speaks some English, but…
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Nagoya
Things can get raucous at Nagoya's largest American-themed sports bar: over a dozen big screens attract plenty of gaijin (foreigners) and their admirers…
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Central Honshū
In Kawara-machi, this charming cafe and antiques gallery makes homemade doughnuts (from ¥200). From the bus stop, walk east along Nagarabashi-dōri and…
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Nagoya
Craft-beer lovers and subscribers to the microbrewery trend will love the atmosphere of this funky brewpub, tucked behind Midland Square. It's an extra …
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Located between Kamishiro Station and Goryū in the south of the valley, this is a favourite night spot for the younger, foreign crowd, with live music,…
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Takayama
Come to this authentic, century-old machiya (traditional Japanese town house) to enjoy good coffee, dango (sweet dumplings) and sesame goheimochi (sticky…
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Central Honshū
The friendly staff at this popular and spacious pub near the Meitetsu station will make you feel welcome. Guinness is the beer of choice and simple meals…
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Kanazawa
Smack in the heart of Katamachi you'll find this shiny, welcoming bar. The friendly young owner spent time in Canada and is happy to chat. There's a ¥400…
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Matsumoto
A Belgian beer bar overlooked by Lord Ganesha, the Hindu 'God for every man', in the Japanese Alps. Quirky, but it works. It's up the stairs above the…
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Nagano Region
This casual place on the main street goes off in winter once the lifts are closed for the day. There are big-screen TVs, lots of beer on tap and foosball.
