Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Off an alley parallel to Yasukuni-dōri, this wonderfully retro cafe plays old tango tunes on the sound system and serves blends such as Kilimanjaro coffee…
Must-see nightlife in Japan
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Dress to impress to gain entry to this bling-tastic, two-level dance club that's one of the classier late-night joints around Roppongi. It's always free…
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…
Tokyo
This rustic cafe and art gallery is worth dropping by for a drink and a snack break if you're exploring the Agata Takezawa Building. As well as coffees,…
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…
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…
Izu Peninsula
Run by a cool couple who abandoned Tokyo for the slower life of Shimoda, this cafe-bar offers excellent coffee and alcoholic beverages, plus pasta and…
Izu Peninsula
Sample some lovely craft beers in a peaceful setting, or take a brewery tour (check the website for tour times). From Shuzen-ji Station, take a Laforet…
Western Honshū
Low lighting, sofas and a broad terrace with a river view make this relaxed cafe-bar a pleasant place to end your evening. Snacks include homemade pizzas…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
On the road to Onegawa Onsen, this hip cafe offers excellent filter coffee, as well as iced drinks and waffles (from ¥250). It also has a side trade in…
Downtown Kyoto
If you're in need of a coffee break while boutique shopping downtown, stop in at this small cafe that does excellent single-origin brew from locally…
Naha
This 3rd-floor international bar on Kokusai-dōri attracts a friendly, mixed crowd and has cosy nook seating, imported beer and two-for-one drinks on…
Izu Peninsula
Halfway along Perry Rd, this atmospheric spot mashes up a traditional residence from the era of the Black Ships with a soul-music bar. Note the ¥500 …
Nagasaki
This standing bar sits on the back alley of Shianbashi-yokochō and serves beers, highballs and 'strawberry milk' (with shōchū liquor). Look for the tiny…
Yokohama
Just off the main drag through Motomachi you'll find this convivial cafe and florist with terrace seating and a scrumptious selection of baked goods like…
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…
Naha
Craft-beer lovers who tire of Orion can perk up bored palates with a sample flight of four house brews (¥900) and pints for ¥525. Edibles cover the pub…
Kamakura
A hole in the wall in the lanes off Komachi-dōri, this tachinomi-ya (drink-while-standing bar) has plenty of old Rolling Stones vinyls and friendly banter…
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…
Western Honshū
A popular bar on the beach, run by resident expat Amy Chavez, which only operates during summer.
Fukuoka
This cosy pub hosts a friendly mix of English-interested locals and expats, and doubles in the day as an English-language learning centre, with classes…
Sapporo
Set in a teeny-tiny old wooden house, with red eaves and clinging ivy, this cafe delivers big on ambience. The hand-poured coffee (¥580 to ¥700) and…
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…
Nikkō
Stave off shrine fatigue with a rich 'cinnamon brown' or a spicy 'ginger pale ale' brewed at this one-person operation along the main drag southeast of…
Kamakura
Surprisingly roomy upstairs bar kitted-out in retro vintage decor, with friendly owners, table football and a relaxed vibe. A five-minute walk from the…
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…
Around Tokyo
A sprawling British-style pub with beers on tap, pub grub like pies and fish and chips, pool tables, a friendly international vibe and a big downstairs…
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…
Kamakura
By day this old house is a whimsical cafe with antiques for sale; after 5pm Milk Hall morphs into a moody bar with a good whisky menu and occasional live…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Run by a wild gang of local hippies, 'Cuzn is the kind of bar where anything can happen: a barbecue, a jam session or all-night karaoke, for example.
Sapporo
Glitzy shows and elaborate, pricey cocktails make this a memorable night out. ID is mandatory, so travellers will need their passports on hand.
Izu Peninsula
Intimate bar spinning soul and funk vinyl, on the main road towards the station from the Matsukawa.
Central Honshū
A fun pub with a good selection of beers and bar food, close to JR Takasaki Station.
Tokyo
Down your beer or sake as trains rattle overhead on the tracks that span Harumi-dōri at Yūrakuchō. This convivial izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery), plastered…
Harajuku & Aoyama
Glass-fronted cafe with indoor and outdoor seating on the path to Meiji-jingū. Good for a coffee break; they also serve ice cream.
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
With decor that is a cut above the other yodelling parlours, Pasela offers six floors of karaoke rooms (including swanky VIP suites), an extensive…
Tokyo
Oddly, this cafe inside Nakano Broadway from well-known artist provocateur Takashi Murakami has zero shock value. It just serves really good coffee from…
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