Downtown Kyoto
Named for Yoramu, the Israeli sake expert who runs Sake Bar Yoramu, this bar is highly recommended for anyone after an education in sake. It’s very small…
Must-see nightlife in Japan
Kumamoto
An only-in-Japan experience, Bar Rose (not to be confused with Rose Bar, nearby!) is a quiet, polished place. Stools are plush and comfy, and it's where…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Your Shibuya pit stop for green-tea lattes, fresh-brewed ice teas, earthy hōjicha (roasted green tea) and more, all made from organic leaves harvested in…
Ginza & Tsukiji
Cafe Paulista is Tokyo's longest running cafe, in business since 1911 (though the building has been redone), and has seen decades' worth of celebrity…
Yokohama
Gigs, live art shows, DJ events and pop-up vintage shops are held in this psychedelically decorated basement space a short walk north of Yokohama Station…
Ueno & Yanesen
Exploring Yanesen can be thirsty work so thank heavens for this craft-beer bar, a cosy place with some outdoor seating. It's part of a charming complex of…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
As well as serving coffee from local third-wave roasters Little Nap, this super-stylish cafe casts a beguiling spell with its creative range of doughnuts…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
This charming cafe, which also sells alcohol, is stacked with antique goodies, including rocking horses, clocks, puppets, old photos and beautifully…
Asakusa & Sumida River
This stylish coffee shop has an interior that mixes traditional Japanese dark wood with more modern features. In addition to hand-drip coffee, light meals…
Beppu
On the ground floor of Beppu Tower and with windows looking out onto the busy street, Creole Cafe brings together Beppu's Japanese and foreign communities…
Western Honshū
Through the old gate of the Kogawa family residence is this small cafe with large windows overlooking a pleasingly unkempt garden. Sit among the games and…
Kyoto
Located just across from the Keihan Uji station, this is Japan’s oldest surviving tea shop and the building dates back to 1672. It's a convenient spot by…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Teeny-tiny Tight is always a good bet in Nonbei-yokochō, the narrow nightlife strip along the elevated JR tracks. Like the name suggests, it's a tight fit…
Tokyo
This coffee counter looks like it could be the work of Studio Ghibli: a wooden cottage secreted in the woodsy fringes of Inokashira-kōen concealing a…
Fukuoka
This artful, art-filled cafe draws a hip, creative crowd for tasty espresso drinks, hot sandwiches and seasonal special drinks such as floats for summer…
Kyūshū
Off Shimabara's central arcade, this delightful Meiji-era teahouse features a lovely garden, a spring-fed pond and an obsessive collection of maneki-neko …
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Lively, loud and filled with bohemian characters, Never Never Land is a long-running fixture on Shimokita's bar circuit. It's a good place to wind up when…
Downtown Kyoto
This intimate whiskey bar is a good place to go for a quiet drink when downtown. It can only seat a handful of guests around the small wooden counter. The…
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…
Downtown Kyoto
This chain is a Kyoto institution and has branches across the city. Though slightly expensive, the old-Japan atmosphere makes it worth a try, especially…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Pretty much everything here is chipped, frayed or torn – and none of it is artifice. This well-worn and well-loved bar, open for some 40-odd years, is…
Southern Higashiyama
This branch of % Arabica sits in the shadow of nearby Yasaka Pagoda on an atmospheric stone paved street. Grab a takeaway single-origin brew and continue…
Fukuoka
This Morris bar is just down the street from its Red Fox cousin. It's often packed, loud and fun, and may open even later on Friday and Saturday nights,…
Around Tokyo
Run by a former flight attendant and usually packed with a mix of flight crew and locals, this bar is a lively spot to get your bearings – or lose them…
Yokohama
Sup imported cans of American craft beer for just ¥500 at this showroom-turned-bar attached to a beer distribution company. Nerdy staff know their hops…
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)…
Osaka
Serving the music-loving community since 1995, Rock Rock has a history of hosting after-parties for international acts and attracting celeb visitors…
Tokyo
Sub Store is many things: used-vinyl store, sometime art gallery, Indonesian restaurant (the original Sub Store is in Jakarta) and always a great place to…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Beat is a dive in the best sense of the word, comfortably shabby with cheap drinks (from ¥600), no cover, late hours, lipstick (blood?) red walls, random…
Yokohama
Stacked Marshall amps and a hardcore soundtrack set the scene at this L-shaped dive that pours its own range of 'extreme' beers (full body and high…
Around Tokyo
Follow the coastal road east of the main pier towards Okumura for around 10 minutes to find this convivial driftwood bar run by island-born, English…
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…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Stare out from this serene tea lounge across the beautiful late-16th-century garden, hidden behind International House of Japan. There are plenty of…
Hiroshima
Six small izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries) squeezed into one large room make up this convivial spot, where beer and sake come with the usual izakaya fare,…
Fuji Five Lakes
A shrine to 'piano man' Billy Joel, this tiny Fuji bar has even sacrificed table space for a grand piano, and the doting owner mixes cocktails (¥600-800)…
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…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Oath is a tiny space covered in gilt and mirrors, dripping with chandeliers and absolutely not taking itself seriously. It's a very popular spot for pre…
Kamakura
Run by a couple of relaxed reggae dudes, this louche hang-out has Japanese craft beers on tap, island rhythms on the stereo and a menu of tacos, fried…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Coffee making is treated as an exact science at this sleek stand in Toranomon Hills. Here you'll find gleaming espresso machines, test tubes of coffee…
Ueno & Yanesen
In business for over two decades, this authentic pub is the rare expat hang-out on the east side of town. There's live music most weekends and on some…
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