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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Central Honshū
A fun pub with a good selection of beers and bar food, close to JR Takasaki Station.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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,…
Takayama
Come to this authentic, century-old machiya (traditional Japanese town house) to enjoy good coffee, dango (sweet dumplings) and sesame goheimochi (sticky…
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…
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…
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…
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.
