※This article was created in February 2026.
Please note that the information provided is subject to change.
What you’ll learn in this article.
- We introduce local alcoholic beverages you can enjoy in Asakusa.
Hello! This is Nabe from K’s House Tokyo Oasis.
Everyone enjoys traveling in their own way, but food and drinks are definitely one of the highlights, right? Being able to taste local dishes and drinks that you can only find in that area is one of the best parts of any trip. As for me, Nabe, I’m very passionate about food when I travel—especially local alcoholic beverages such as sake, shochu. 🍶🍷
So today, I’d like to introduce some drinks that you might only be able to enjoy here in Asakusa (maybe?!). I’ll also share where you can try them, so I hope this helps make your trip even more enjoyable!
Alright, let’s get started! 🍺
Draft Hoppy
Some of you may already know this, but “Hoppy” is a beer-flavored beverage produced and sold by Hoppy Beverage Co., Ltd.. It’s typically mixed with shochu (Japanese distilled spirit ) before drinking. While it seems to be available nationwide, it’s said that people in the Kansai region aren’t as familiar with it.
In the Kanto area, Hoppy is quite popular. When you order it at a bar, it’s usually served separately—a bottle of Hoppy and a glass with shochu—and you mix it yourself before drinking. However, here in Asakusa, there are actually places where you can enjoy “draft Hoppy,” (* it’s called Nama Hoppy in Japanese ) poured directly from a server! Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ！
I had known about it for a while but had never actually tried it myself—so for the purpose of introducing it to all of you, I, Nabe, finally gave it a try this time.
Here it is—draft Hoppy!
Hoppy has two types, “white” and “black,” but this time I went for a half-and-half mix of both.
Just like draft beer, it has a nice foamy head on top, and it’s served in a mug with ice.
So, what does it taste like??!!
Honestly… it was surprisingly ordinary. (・。・; Just my personal opinion!
Compared to regular bottled Hoppy, it felt lighter and easier to drink. It might be a great option when you just want to take a refreshing first gulp. The balance isn’t too strong or too weak, which makes it a good choice even for those trying Hoppy for the first time.
That said, unlike regular Hoppy, you can’t order just a refill of the shochu (“naka”) to mix in, so it may not be the most cost-effective option. According to the place I visited, this is the only spot in Asakusa where you can try draft Hoppy—so if you’re in the area, why not give it a try?
You can try it here!
Suzuyoshi （鈴芳）
- Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Payment: Cash only
- Map (via Tabelog): https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131102/13016820/
If you’re in Asakusa, it’s definitely worth stopping by for a unique draft Hoppy experience! 🍺
Suzuyoshi is an izakaya located on the west side of Sensō-ji, along the area commonly known as “Hoppy Street.”
The restaurant has a U-shaped counter with around 100 seats. Perhaps because it’s the only place in Asakusa where you can enjoy draft Hoppy, it’s always lively and bustling. Inside, you’ll also find many autograph boards signed by famous visitors displayed on the walls.
It’s necessary to order at least one-drink + one-dish per person, so this time I ordered their recommended Korean-style beef tendon stew . It had a slightly spicy, kimchi-like flavor, and the tender beef tendon made it really delicious.
Please note that credit cards and electronic money are not accepted, so don’t forget to bring cash when you visit.
Also, since there are only a limited number of seats for solo guests, you might not be able to get in alone even if it looks like there are empty seats. Please keep that in mind. (I, Nabe, only managed to get in on my second try!)
Denki Bran & Hachijirushi Kōzan Budōshu
【 Denki Bran 】
“Denki Bran” is a cocktail created by Denbei Kamiya, the founder of Kamiya Bar, in Meiji 15 (1882). It has been loved for generations ever since.
According to the bar, the “bran” in Denki Bran comes from the brandy used as its base. It’s also blended with gin, wine, curaçao, and various herbs—but the exact recipe remains a secret to this day.
Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ！ Just like Coca-Cola!
The first sip is quite sweet, but right after that, the rich brandy flavor and the complex blend of other ingredients hit your palate all at once, leaving a slightly numbing, bitter finish from the alcohol. With an alcohol content of around 30%, it’s quite strong—even though the glass is small, one drink was enough to make me feel tipsy. (#^.^#)
At Kamiya Bar, you can also try “Denki Bran Old,” which recreates the original flavor from when it was first sold. However, this version has an even higher alcohol content of 40%, so please enjoy it with caution!
If drinking Denki Bran straight feels a bit too strong, I’d recommend trying a Denki Bran Sour instead.
It’s a cocktail made with Denki Bran mixed with a citrus-based juice—something like orange or lemon. It’s served in a small glass, nicely garnished with an orange slice and a cherry, which gives it a charming look.
The sweetness and refreshing citrus flavor help mellow out the strength of the Denki Bran, making it much easier to drink. That said, since it’s still based on Denki Bran, be careful not to overdo it—just one glass can already give you a nice buzz. (#^^#)
【Hachijirushi Kōzan Budōshu】
“Hachijirushi Kōzan Budōshu” is the wine produced by Denbei Kamiya in 1881—actually even earlier than Denki Bran Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ！
After being impressed by the taste of imported wines at the time, Kamiya first set out to produce his own. To better suit Japanese tastes, he blended high-quality wine with honey and traditional herbal ingredients, which turned out to be a huge hit. It became so popular that imitation products even appeared on the market.
Today, it’s made with a blend of 25 different extracts, including royal jelly, dokudami (houttuynia), and yomogi (mugwort), and you can still enjoy it here in Asakusa across generations.
This was also my first time trying it. The taste is like a sweet red wine infused with various herbal extracts—quite unique, with complex and somewhat medicinal notes. For those used to modern wines, it may feel a bit unusual. But imagining people in Asakusa—once at the forefront of culture—drinking this and sharing lively conversations adds a special charm to the experience.
You can try it here!
Kamiya Bar 神谷バー
- Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays, and the second Monday of each month
- Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted (except at the 1st-floor bar)
- Map (via Tabelog): https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131102/13003664/
A historic spot in Asakusa—definitely worth a visit if you want to experience these classic drinks where they were born! 🍷
Kamiya Bar is a long-established bar in Asakusa, founded in 1880 (Meiji 13) by Denbei Kamiya, whom I mentioned earlier. Its address is Asakusa 1-1-1—right at the very entrance to the area.
According to its official website, it is considered the first bar to have opened in Japan, making it not only a historic spot in Asakusa but also one of the oldest bars in the entire country. Amazingly, the building itself has even been designated as a cultural property. Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ！
Even though it’s a long-established bar, Kamiya Bar is not intimidating at all—you can easily walk in without feeling out of place. In fact, I, Nabe, went in wearing a casual outdoor jacket and jeans. (^-^;
The interior is more spacious than it looks from the outside, with seating for over 100 people. The décor has a nostalgic, retro feel that perfectly matches the atmosphere of its historic drinks like Denki Bran and its wines. Inside, you’ll see waiters in uniform and bartenders shaking cocktails behind the counter, giving the place an elegant, classic vibe.
This time, I only visited the 1st-floor bar at Kamiya Bar, but the 2nd floor is a restaurant area, so it looks like a great spot for families as well.
If you’re visiting Asakusa, why not stop by for a drink and soak in a bit of old-world charm and nostalgia? 🍷
Craft SAKE
“Craft sake” is a new type of alcoholic beverage made using traditional sake-brewing techniques as a base. Because ingredients other than rice are used during the brewing process, it can’t legally be labeled as “nihonshu” (Japanese sake). However, its appeal lies in the unique and innovative flavors that you won’t find in conventional sake.
This time, I tried a tasting set at Konohana no Brewery, located not far from Asakusa, and I’d like to introduce each of the flavors I experienced.
【Hanagumori】 *Right in the photo.
This is the signature doburoku (unfiltered sake) from the brewery.
As soon as you take a sip, you’ll notice the aroma of rice combined with a champagne-like character, giving it a very refreshing taste. The pleasant acidity and slight natural carbonation that linger on the tongue make it especially enjoyable.
【Hazy Sake】*Center in the photo.
Slightly more brown in color than Hanagumori, this drink looks similar to doburoku but is classified differently as a “miscellaneous brewed alcohol.” The menu described it as a “fusion of craft beer and doburoku,” and after trying it, that description really made sense. You get a subtle bread-like (yeasty) aroma, and the finish feels almost like drinking a craft beer—unique in a very good way.
【Matsunami Yuzuki】*Left in the photo.
This lightly cloudy sake is a collaboration between Matsunami Shuzo—affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake—and Konohana Brewery.
True to its name, the aroma of yuzu spreads across your mouth with the first sip. The flavor combines the richness of doburoku with the refreshing acidity of yuzu, leaving a light, slightly bitter citrus note on the palate.
Finally, I’d like to introduce one more drink I ordered separately.
【Dashi Punch】
An eye-catching name, and it lives up to it—this is a doburoku made with dashi (Soup stock with such as kombu, bonito, and plum etc.) added during the brewing process, inspired by oden broth.
The base is still doburoku, but with savory umami notes layered in. To me, it even had a slightly bacon-like aroma (maybe just me…!). The lingering dashi fragrance through the nose after each sip was surprisingly pleasant and a bit addictive. I’ve heard that if you drink it warm, the plum aroma becomes even more pronounced.
You can try it here!
All (W)RIGHT – sake place –
Here’s the information for Konohana no Brewery:
- Hours: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
(Weekends: 3:00 PM – 10:30 PM) - Closed: Mondays, public holidays, and the day after holidays
(Open on some holidays—check in advance) - Payment: Cash, credit cards, and electronic money accepted
- Website & Map: http://xn--konohanano-brewery-5988c.com/allwrightsakeplace
A great spot near Asakusa to explore unique craft sake—definitely worth a visit if you’re curious about new flavors! 🍶
All (W)RIGHT – sake place – is a bar attached to Konohana no Brewery, located about a 10-minute walk from Kaminarimon.
Inside, you can of course enjoy drinks from Konohana no Brewery, along with a wide variety of other selections. Even if something isn’t listed on the menu, you can often order any bottle you see on display by the glass—so feel free to explore and try whatever catches your eye!
The atmosphere at All (W)RIGHT – sake place – is stylish and relaxed, making it a great spot for friends or couples to enjoy a drink together.
They also sell bottles in the shop, so if you find something you like, it could make a perfect souvenir to take home! 🍶
The shop is located toward the back of the building, while the front area houses a small brewery equipped with a koji (Rice molt) room.
During opening hours, you can actually see the brewing process through a glass window at any time, which makes the visit even more interesting!
How did you like it? This time, I introduced a variety of drinks you can enjoy in Asakusa, from classic favorites to more modern creations. If any of them caught your interest, be sure to stop by and give them a try!
And of course—don’t drink too much! (^_-)-☆
See you in Asakusa!
