I'm Bill — a Canadian expat who's called Tokyo home for years now, ever since I traded a food sciences degree for a one-way flight and never quite left. This site started as a hobby project during COVID lockdown, a way to stay busy and sharpen my writing while my work hours were thinner than I'd have liked. It's grown into three things I genuinely enjoy: exploring Tokyo's craft beer scene, keeping tabs on Japan news that catches my eye, and developing my podcast.
Craft beer has been a small passion since I first fell in with a local brewers' group here in Tokyo. I'll share the bars and pubs that impress me on the Kampai! page, and help you find your next favorite spot on Where to Beer.
News on Japan is where I round up stories on business, culture, science, and whatever else catches my attention that week — I'm not a news professional, just a guy who reads a lot and likes sharing what he finds.
And if you'd rather listen than scroll, theTokyoBill news brief presents the same news in short-form podcast episodes, twice a week. I also publish a weekly deep dive on a single subject every Saturday. Both are available on your favorite podcast player. :)
So — whether you're after a new bar to check out, a quick catch-up on Japan, or something to listen to on your commute, I hope theTokyoBill gives you a bit of insight into life here. And, If you're ever out at a Tokyo brewpub and spot a guy alone with a laptop and a pint, that's probably me...so come say hi and tell me what you're drinking!
Cheers!
This site is my contribution to the Tokyo area craft beer scene...something I got into around 2008 after meeting with a local craft beer brewers group. But, what is so interesting about beer in Japan, you may ask?
Well, for many years, if you wanted to down a cold lager, then getting some cold Super Drys at a nearby combini, followed by a jug of Suntory Malts at the karaoke box were par for the course. If you ended your day at a Thai, Indian or Chinese restaurant, then you'd likely wash your meal down with a couple of bottles of Singha, Kingfisher or Tsingtao. And if you craved an actual pint, albeit a U.S. pint, the local Irish/British pubs were sure to serve a particular Irish stout.
My point is that beer choices were pretty limited to the major, common brands. Japanese brands were pretty limited in style and fairly similar in taste, with only a few specialty beer bars around -- some Belgian and German places come to mind, and of course, there was Billy Barew's Beer Bar.
However, as tax restrictions eased up, brewers were able to experiment more freely and imported beer was easier to manage. The few craft beer bars that opened weren't widely known, but then the boom really took off around 2010. Since then, we Tokyoites have found a great selection of craft beer pubs featuring a battery of taps. And the trend is not limited to Tokyo! Yokohama is a great place for me to visit with lots of pubs within walking distance of each other. I only wish I could explore the whole country.
So, are you looking for a new place to check out? Whether you live here or are planning a visit, I hope you find theTokyoBill offers you a bit of insight to the craft beer scene. I'll compile local venues, and write my opinions on some of the places I visit on the Kampai! page.
Oh, and once again, for those of you interested in Japan generally, visit the News on Japan page, where I'll present some Japan-related newsworthy items. You don't need to be a hop-head to enjoy theTokyoBill!
Craft beer is made by small breweries that prioritize quality, flavor, and traditional brewing methods.
Visit our directory page for an extensive list of craft beer bars and pubs in Tokyo and nearby areas.
Yes! The events page includes beer tastings, festivals, and other local happenings.
Absolutely! I'll dedicate some space for beginners to understand the brewing process and beer types.
I might add a bit of Japanese translation, but English is my strong suit.
That depends on how often I get out! :)
