Osaka
With its worn leather couches, big wooden communal table and industrial fittings, this is a little slice of Brooklyn in Osaka and the perfect pit stop…
Must-see nightlife in Kansai
Osaka
With a waterfall and a grand, spiralling staircase out front, the Misono Building (built c 1956) was once a symbol of the high life. It's now fallen into…
Osaka
This small club is the heart of Osaka's underground electronic scene. The dance floor is nonsmoking. It's open on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes…
Nara
In a small, wooded, brookside clearing between Nigatsu-dō and Kasuga Taisha, this quaint thatched-roof teahouse is one of Nara's most atmospheric spots…
Himeji
It's all about local sake at this modern, sophisticated standing bar, which stocks 270 varieties from Hyōgo, Himeji's prefecture. Touch screens let you…
Himeji
Both locals and out-of-towners agree that this cafe (running since 1975) is the place for coffee (freshly ground and siphon brewed, from ¥430) in Himeji…
Kii Peninsula
Along the Nakahechi trail halfway between Hosshinmon-ōji and Kumano Hongū Taisha – about an hour's walk from each – is this inviting pit stop run by a…
Kōbe
This standing bar has a daunting selection of 90 kinds of sake, including about 50 from local brewers, on its (Japanese-only) menu. Anticipating your…
Osaka
Frenz Frenzy calls itself a 'rainbow haven' and it means that literally: the whole place is awash in colour (including the front door, thankfully, because…
Osaka
Beer Belly is run by Osaka's best microbrewery, Minoh Beer, and features Minoh's award-winning classics and seasonal offerings (pints from ¥930). Pick up…
Kōbe
A big chain wouldn't normally be worth listing, but this Starbucks is different: it's housed in a beautifully preserved former ijinkan (foreigners' house)…
Osaka
With its 1940s interior intact and waitresses in long skirts, American is a classic jun-kissa – a shop from the first wave of cafes to open in Japan…
Kansai
This cafe is in one of Oharai-machi's beautifully maintained wooden buildings, but set back from the street, with window- and terrace-front views over the…
Kansai
Small-batch-chocolate speciality shop Dandelion serves decadent hot chocolates (¥580 to ¥630), along with cookies and brownies (¥330 to ¥450); the stylish…
Osaka
This cafe in a restored wooden building was the first of its kind in Nakazaki-chō – and it set off a wave of followers. Run by local performing artist…
Osaka
Serving the music-loving community since 1995, Rock Rock has a history of hosting after-parties for international acts and attracting celeb visitors…
Osaka
Crammed with vinyl and knick-knacks, Phoebe looks like a drinks counter operated out of an old hippie's storage closet (we mean that in a good way). The…
Osaka
In the bustling maze of restaurants and bars in the ultra-local area of Ura-Tenma (behind Temma station) is this branch of Beer Belly from the Minoh…
Osaka
This tiny takeaway stand – the vintage Probat roaster takes up half of it – raised the bar for coffee in Osaka when it opened in 2016. The owner speaks…
Osaka
If heights aren't your thing, you'll need a stiff drink once you've peered down over the city from the 40th floor at this ultrasuave hotel bar. Service is…
Kansai
Inside one of the farmhouses in Kayabuki-no-sato, this cafe serves handmade local specialities like dango (soft rice-flour balls; ¥520 for a set with tea)…
Nara
Drop in on this small standing bar in Naramachi for tastings (¥200 to ¥600) of sakes produced in Nara Prefecture (120 varieties from 29 makers, also…
Osaka
Sitting pretty in a small, whitewashed building next to the Kyū-Yodogawa, Moto serves quality coffee drinks (from ¥450), along with cakes and pastries, on…
Kansai
With convenient early hours and open generously late, this simple spot serves pour-over coffee, with beans from cult-fave Tokyo roaster Onibus, and local…
Osaka
In the shadow of the Umeda Sky Building, this bar and bottle shop specialises in local and international craft beers. Order and enjoy around the counter,…
Osaka
Pop in for a drink at this cosy, mellow bar with a beach-shack vibe, Southeast Asian and Okinawan munchies and a big window for bang-on views of the…
Kōbe
This large and lively bar draws an international crowd with a rotation of salsa dancing, live bands, open-mic events, acoustic nights and sport broadcasts…
Kōbe
With a hushed atmosphere and no menu, this is the kind of bar that feels intimidating to enter – but actually the staff are welcoming, speak some English…
Osaka
Have a Guinness or two and relax in the friendly atmosphere of this Irish-style pub, popular with local expats and Japanese for after-work drinks and the…
Osaka
This popular, dimly lit bar in the Kita-Shinchi district is a short walk from JR Osaka Station and draws a good crowd of expats and Japanese. The staff…
Osaka
On the 35th floor of the Hilton Osaka, this upscale yet slightly dated bar has excellent views and a good wine and whiskey list. Drinks cost about ¥2000…
Osaka
This is one of the oldest Irish-style pubs in Japan, and a good place to rub shoulders with expats and Japanese; enjoy free live music; catch sports…
Nara
Fresh fruit smoothies are just what you need on a hot day of temple touring. The seasonal ones (melon in summer or persimmon in fall, for example, are the…
Osaka
In the Rihga Hotel, this warm wooden bar has an interior designed by legendary potter Bernard Leach (who spent significant time in Japan). A few of his…
Kii Peninsula
Get coffee (¥300), castella (Nagasaki-style sponge cake; ¥250) and a seat on the terrace, across the street from the Kumano Hongū Heritage Centre.
Osaka
Running for 70 years, Madura is a glorious time capsule of retro-future styling, with tulip chairs, mirrors and chrome, and also vintage pricing – coffee…
Osaka
This small, long-running gay bar in Dōyama-chō is welcoming to locals and visitors alike. There's no cover charge and drinks are reasonably priced.
Kansai
For when you need your latte and wi-fi fix. It's across from Kinosaki Onsen Station.
Osaka
Zerro has a good range of drinks (from ¥500) and food, energetic bilingual bartenders, and a street-level location ideal for a spot of people-watching…
Osaka
The name is Italian for '500', appropriate since everything at this small cocktail bar costs ¥500. It's not far from the corner of Sakai-suji; look for…
