THIS WAS A ONE SUMMER ONLY THING, SO PLEASE DON’T TRY TO GO THERE NOW. I’LL UPDATE IF THERE IS ANYTHING INTERESTING THERE THIS YEAR.
A quick post on what is one of the first craft beer beer gardens that I have seen. As you may be aware, Summer is the season for drinking beer on top of the roof of department stores in Tokyo. Normally this means drinking more Super Dry than anyone could want but still having a nice time. Thankfully, this year we have Omohara Beer Forest.
The concept is pretty much the same. You sit on top of a department store, this time Tokyu Plaza in Omotesando/Harajuku and drink beer. This time though the beer is supplied by Sankt Gallen. There are 6 types on offer. When we visited these were Shonan Gold, Amber Ale, Pineapple Ale, Golden Ale, Extra Cold Wheat Ale and a Coffee Vanilla Stout. There will be rotation of beers too; the last two listed were marked as for a limited time only. I have heard that at some stage there will be an apple IPA which sounds interesting. All beers are served in decent size (must be at least 350ml if not a bit more) plastic cups for ¥500, so pretty good prices too. And you get to drink them in a forest environment. Well as close as you can get to that on top of a department store.
So, to find it, make your way to Tokyu Plaza and head for the 6th floor. No reservations are taken as the seats are of various types and spread all over the place, so it’s not really that kind of place. No extra charges, no limited time deal, so all in all a pretty refreshing experience. It’s open daily until the 8th September, Monday to Fridays from 17.00 to 21.00 and Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 till 21.00. Weekend opening hours also from the 12th-16th August for the public holidays. Pretty good stuff!
Japanese breweries on tap when I visited:
Sankt Gallen
Opening Hours:
SUMMER 2013 ONLY
Monday-Friday, 17.00-21.00
Saturday and Sunday, 12.00-21.00
Location/map
6F, Tokyu Plaza, 神宮前 4-30-3, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001
Directions:
No map necessary this time. Leave Meijijingumae metro station from exit 5. Turn round and you’ll be able to see it on the corner just across the road. Difficult to miss it.