RISE & WIN Brewing Co has put Kamikatsu on the itinerary of every beer aficionado touring the Tokushima Prefecture. Several repurposed window panels make the facade of this brewery and general store that's built from reclaimed wood and drenched in a rusty-red hue. The place's rustic interior is decorated with a waste glass-bottle chandelier and the furniture too is created using scrap items thus ensuring zero waste. An environmentally conscious establishment, the brewery brings their principles into their brewing process as well. They ensure minimum wastage with every batch through the optimum usage of raw materials. Fruits skins and other materials go into the making of the food items that are sold on-site. Beer bottles handed are returnable and they also serve beers by the glass, both of which are best enjoyed with some pulled pork and grilled sausages.
This popular spot is the quintessential pub in Tokyo, offering a wide assortment of beers and hearty portions of homemade English favorites, such as steak and kidney pie. Live music is on tap nearly every night (as is Bass ale), and some of the bands are very good. On the second floor, you can relax, drink and soak in the atmosphere, but it can be crowded and a bit loud and rowdy, on good nights. The restaurant opens on Saturdays at 5 p.m.
Thrush // Cafe is a somewhat typical Japanese cafe and bar but what really sets it apart is its lovely terrace, overlooking the Happo-En garden, a garden that was host to many high-ranking officials during the Edo period. Thrush // Cafe serves a decent selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non, and, predictably, it gets crowded in cherry-blossom season.
Tucked into Shinjuku's Golden Gai bar district is the famous La Jetee. The bar is tiny, with movie posters covering the walls, and is a popular hangout for journalists, photographers, and filmmakers. Francis Ford Coppola, Juliet Binoche, Wim Wenders, and Chris Marke, director of La Jettee, the 1962 film after which the bar was named, have all frequented this unique gem, which pays homage to French cinema. There is a reasonably priced food and drink menu, which when combined with the interesting company you will meet should equal a memorable night.
Colorful and eclectic, the walls of Junkadelic are adorned with crucifixes, Catholic icons, and candles. More funk than junk, the crowd here appear to be bohemian-chic, and it's always packed. The reason? Junkadelic is one of the rare places in Tokyo where you can get your fix of high quality Tex-Mex fare. Enchiladas, tacos, burritos, chili rellanos, quesadillas, and crispy chimichangas are all featured on the menu. Entrees generally cost between 1000JPY and 1500JPY, not including sides. Of course, there is a huge margarita selection to wash it all down, coming in a wide variety of flavors which include mango, strawberry and guava (800JPY). There is also a long list of tequilas, rums, and cocktails to choose from, and cake, flan, and ice cream for dessert. Yum!
Originally located in Oslo, Fuglen has also opened up in Tokyo. This trendy coffee bar sources its coffee beans from four roasteries in Oslo, thus making for an authentic coffee experience. Whether it is the aromatic coffee that is brewed here, the rustic wood interiors which make you feel at home, or the friendly staff, Fuglen is your dependable fix for good quality coffee. While mornings bring coffee, evenings bring amazing cocktails as this coffee bar turns into a regular bar.