Craft Beer Guide: Osaka Edition
Osaka has a pretty exciting craft beer scene that varies from local dives to fancier bars. You can find everything from small Japanese microbreweries to international beers in Osaka. Here are some spots for craft beer in Osaka that are perfect for food and beer lovers who want to experience the local beer culture.
Craft Beer Locations in Osaka:
Goul Goul
Most of my visits to Osaka include a stop at Goul Goul. I was introduced to it by a friend, and over time, I’ve made even more friends there. While there are only three taps, the selection is carefully selected and planned, and there are also canned beers and other drinks available. Everything on the menu is delicious, but my personal favorites are the pastas and carpaccio.
The atmosphere is fun and relaxed with an amazing playlist that spans from punk to rap to 90s grunge and everything in between. Mai-san, who is both a DJ and chef, curates both the food and music menus perfectly. Yamada-san adds lively conversation and is one of the original Yuya Boys. Be sure to check out their Instagram for upcoming events.
Pogojiro
Another regular stop for me is Pogojiro. I stumbled upon the location while walking from Shinsaibashi to Goul Goul. The bar combines delicious food with Japanese craft beer. The menu tends to focus on more Chinese or Chinese fusion dishes. If you visit in summer, you might even find a frozen beer (think Icee or Slushie).
Kyun-san, the manager, makes some of the best mapo dofu and tantanmen around. He even helped me perfect my own recipe. If you’re lucky, you might be about to visit on a night with interesting specials, like pizza gyoza.
Beer Parlor Pogo
Any bar or event under the Pogo name is always worth visiting, and Beer Parlor Pogo is no exception. They menu ranges from traditional Japanese fare to Italian dishes that are all designed to pair perfectly with craft beer. It’s hard to make a wrong decision with the food and beer combinations available.
The owner Hosomi-san is often at the shop, but even when he’s not there, the staff are friendly and welcoming. It’s the perfect place to grab a beer and dinner before heading off to the Shinkansen or starting a pub crawl.
Torne
One thing that many people don’t know about me is that I love heavy metal. If you also love heavy metal and craft beer, Torne is a good spot. I first went for their Doritos taco salad but quickly realized the beer list and music make it a cool place to visit. Expect some unique beers on tap and in cans, and the food choices don’t disappoint either.
Don’t skip the bathroom when you visit. It’s painted bright pink and only plays speed metal. This is one of the most unique craft beer bars in Osaka for metal fans.
Maruho Sake Ten Minami Ten Craft Beer
While I do not spend as much time in Namba, Maruho is worth a visit. As many readers and friends know, I don’t love crowded areas and tend to hunt for quieter side streets. This was the perfect quiet location away from the crowds of Namba.
The beer selection was good, and they seem to have a decent food menu (including tacos) as well. Its proximity to Namba Station makes it an easy stop. If beer isn’t your thing, there are other options as well.
Craft Beer Imazato
This shop is especially popular with locals. Matt, the owner, is friendly and consistently attracts a great crowd thanks to his excellent beer selection. The bar also has games, a TV that often shows sports, and occasional DJs or live music. The focus of the food menu is usually pizza, wings, or other classic foods that pair well with beer.
The interior is cozy and relaxed. While it’s a little outside of central Osaka, it’s absolutely worth the trip, especially if you live in or near the city.
WCB Dark Lab
This was the first West Coast Brewing shop in Osaka. Its theme is a dark décor with American bar food. After Smitty took over the kitchen, the menu leveled up significantly. Now you’ll find burgers, wings, and some of the best tacos in Osaka. The birria fries are especially delicious.
You can try a variety of West Coast Brewing beers on tap or in cans. English menus are available, and ordering is done by QR code. It’s located near Shinsaibashi and Amemura. Another bonus is that they are open for lunch.
WCB Umeda
The second West Coast Brewing location in Osaka is just minutes from Osaka Station. While there are a few seats around the bar, it’s mostly standing-only space. They offer light Japanese snacks along with WCB beers on tap and in cans. Unlike Dark Lab’s darker aesthetic, this location is bright with mostly blues and whites used in the décor. It’s a great place to grab a beer before leaving Osaka starting a night out, or taking a break from shopping.
Craft Beer Bar Micca
This small craft beer bar offers seven taps featuring breweries from across Japan. When I visited, it was fairly quiet, but I am sure the space fills up in the evenings. There are a few snack options in addition to the beer. The interior feels like a rustic mountain cabin with lots of wood décor, and the staff are incredibly friendly, too.
Craft Beer Works Kamikaze
This bar is located in Kitahorie between Shinsaibashi and Namba. You’ll find around 20 taps on rotation. However, sometimes they have less. They offer a mix of Japanese and international options. The space is casual and often visited by locals and travelers who are there for the beer rather than the atmosphere. The owner has a very particular way about how things are done, so don’t expect a lot of conversation at this shop. It’s an easy stop if you are visiting multiple places in Osaka.
Nito Coffee & Craft Beer
Like many locations that I have tried to include, this one is outside the main tourist areas. While it can be busy with locals or office workers on a break, it isn’t usually a tourist hotspot. They have a small beer list, some desserts, sandwiches, and coffee. The coffee is excellent, the beer choices are good, and the interior is stylish and comfortable. You can enjoy beer or coffee at any time they are open. On my next visit, I’m determined to finally try one of the sandwiches.
Craft Beer Base Mother Tree (and satellite shops)
One of the original craft beer shops in Osaka, Craft Beer Base has expanded into multiple locations and now operates its own brewery at the Mother Tree location. While they previously offered a mix of Japanese and American beers on tap, most of the draft selection now comes from their own brewery.
They still carry cans and bottles from across Japan and around the world. They even have a special beer cellar. While this used to be one of my go-to spots, I find myself gravitating more towards smaller neighborhood bars or those that offer a different variety of beer.
Marciero
This stylish bar is within walking distance of Osaka Station. The owner is incredibly kind, but it may take a bit of time for him to warm up and chat. He’s knowledgeable not only about beer but also whisky, and he has an impressive selection of unique bottles. The taps are well maintained, and the location makes it a convenient place to rest and recharge between plans.
Stand Umineko
This bar is owned by the Derailleur Brew Works but showcases beers from all over Japan. The food menu is quite simple, and the space is small. However, it’s the perfect standing bar to visit after shopping in Shinsaibashi or wandering Dotonbori. The staff members are always friendly, and the beer is fresh. While I don’t visit so often, it’s a nice place to pop into occasionally.
Craft Beer GULP
Located in Namba, Craft Beer Gulp is easy to visit while exploring the area. The atmosphere feels closer to a modern izakaya or bistro rather than a beer bar. They offer a solid food menu and a draft list featuring beers from both Japan and the US. The space is comfortable and tends to attract a mix of locals and travelers.
iiie
This basement bar is located on the edge of Amemura and offers an extensive selection of canned beers and taps. You’ll find everything from Japanese microbrews to the latest foreign imports.
The large space frequently hosts art exhibitions and events. Food is also available, and it’s worth checking their calendar for brewery meet-ups and special events, too.
Happy Hoppy Days
This is very much a local space and is LGBTQ+ friendly. It’s located between Osaka Station and Tejinbashisuji (the longest shopping arcade in Japan). While the beer list isn’t huge, the staff and regulars are incredibly welcoming. The shop is small but cozy, which makes it a great place to connect with locals or learn more about similar spaces in Osaka.
Kamigata Beer
With SDGs and waste reduction getting more attention in recent years, Kamigata really stands out. The brewery is located on one side of an old sento, or public bath. The other side of the sento was left in its original design (minus the water) and repurposed as seating. There are quirky little homages to the original purpose everywhere. You’ll find rubber ducks, okes, and bath stools scattered around. Even the glasses are recycled milk bottles (you know everyone wants a cold milk after a dip in the bath).
As a snack, you can grab some of the crackers made from leftovers from the beer production. Very little goes to waste in this tap room as you can see. They don’t make it seem performative either. It’s just a unique approach to reducing waste while making beer. Another interesting point is that the brewery is ran by women, which is still quite rare in Japan.
It’s a bit north of downtown, but it isn’t far from Shin-Osaka Station. Stop by and check it out before you head into the city or out of town.
Funs Brewing Beerhouse
Located in the Kitahorie area between Namba and Shinsaibashi, this brewpub offers their own unique beers as well as a few guest beers. The interesting aspect of the beers made by Funs Brewing is that many of their beers use sake yeast as an ingredient. If that’s not something that interests you, the guest beers and other drinks usually don’t contain sake yeast. The shop is very relaxed, and the staff members anre incredibly friendly. The menu has snacks that pair well with their beers. If you look around the shop, you’ll find some traditional games to try with your friends too.
Craft Beer Market
This shop originally started in Tokyo and later expanded to other cities in Japan. While the beer lineup has changed quite a bit over the years, it’s still a place to try a few of Japanese craft beers. In Osaka, there are two locations. One is in the LUCUA basement, and the other is in Whity Umeda. The menu usually includes familiar craft beer names like Hitachino or Ise Kadoya, but they occasionally rotate in beers from some smaller microbreweries or new breweries. Because of the convenient location, both shops work well for a quick break between shopping or while exploring the area.
Baird Beer Tasting Room
As I mentioned in my Tokyo beer blog, if you want to experience one of Japan’s original craft breweries, Baird is worth visiting. These days I am more into other beers and styles. However, there’s no denying Baird’s influence on the Japanese craft beer scene. The Osaka location has a small pub feel even though the space is quite large, and the staff are usually friendly. These days, the taps tend to stick to their core beers rather than anything experimental.
ビールと羊 (Beer to Hitsuji)
Beer to Hitsuji is a newer addition to Osaka’s craft beer scene. The beers followed traditional interpretations of each style. Nothing I tried was bad, but nothing was memorable. My main complaint was staffing. Despite the large space, service was slow. If you visit, be prepared to wait. One unique feature though is all the cuts of lamb that they have available for order. (You’ll need to search the name in Japanese to find it.)
Final Thoughts
Osaka’s craft beer scene is constantly evolving, but that’s not the only reason I go back to the city frequently. I return for the friends I have made and all the unexpected conversations that make life even more interesting. While some spots are easy to find, others require a bit of wandering off the usual tourist routes.
This list isn’t a definitive one, and the shops are in no particular order. If you slow down and try a few new places, Osaka has more to offer than just the next pint and many visitors never see that side.
If you have a favorite spot I didn’t include or if you discover a new one from this post, I’d love to know in the comments.
