Love Beer & The Earth At Kamikatz Taproom

Step into the world of eco-conscious Tokushima right in the heart of Tokyo.

Though it’s becoming common to dine and wine at eco-conscious restaurants, you may experience a hard time if you’re trying to combine love for earth with the joy of a few pints. Here at Kamikatz Taproom, a craft beer bar right next to Tokyo Tower, however, eco-cautiousness and beer gulps are intertwined.

“Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” Operated by the “three Rs” as its core value, Kamikatz Taproom opened its doors in Tokyo’s Minato ward only a year ago. Yet, lunch or dinner, there is no time of the day this unique place stays calm.

Named after the town of Kamikatsu (aha, “Rise” and “Win” in English) in Tokushima prefecture known for its zero waste policy, Kamikatz Taproom is the little sister of Rise & Win Brewing Co.’s BBQ & General Store microbrewery that was founded in the city in 2013 — and has since attracted more tourists than the town’s population.

At Kamikatz Taproom […] eco-cautiousness and beer gulps are intertwined.

Design With A Cause

Shabby chic, mismatched chairs, chandeliers made from glass bottles instead of crystal, patchwork traditional Japanese windows, perfectly cut wooden table tops. Although you may think that they spent a small fortune for the perfectly designed ambivalence of the decor, every piece of furniture has been recycled — reused after once residing in a home in Tokushima. The main bar counter is crafted out of a huge recycled tree trunk from Kamikatsu city, as are the dining tables. The walls are colored with persimmon juice and red ocher.

The thoughtful designs have ensured the surroundings have the ambience of a Tokushima garden, where the streets are filled with deer and antlers. This is reflected in the strong theme of bucks and does — from the trophy stag head that adorns the wall to the antlers used for the eight beer taps behind the bar.

Kamikatz is also a great location to relax with a beverage in hand during the cherry blossom viewing season.

Beer Heaven

While the atmosphere may be a little like a hunting lodge, beer is the weapon of choice at this establishment. Although it has a small selection of guest beers and ciders from other Japanese and U.S. breweries on tap, the main — and varied — options on the menu are locally sourced brews from the original Rise & Win store.

The choice of beers available include the Leuven White, spiced with citrusy, lemon-like yukoh peel (which would otherwise be thrown away after squeezing the juice); a pale ale made with a combination of European and American hops; a porter-stout that uses Tokushima Prefecture Naruto Kintoki (sweet potato) and coffee as a flavoring and an IPA — with a low alcohol content and subtle hints of coriander seed. Pint prices start at ¥650.  

Not only is the craft beer sold by litres in the general store to reduce waste from excess packaging or overbuying, Kamikatz also provides a take away beer service: patrons can visit with their own bottle (or use one of the bar’s returnable bottles) and fill it from the tap with the beer of their choice to go.

But if beer isn’t your thing, there is also a strong cocktail menu (some beer based, some spirit based) such as the “Kamikatz Golden Citrus,” the “Ginger Pale Ale” and the “Kamikatz Yukoh Fizz,” all served for ¥700.

Exceptional Local Bites & View

The food menu is vast and there are items for carnivores and vegetarians alike. As you would expect, all the ingredients have been sourced from Tokushima. Oven-baked chicken (¥1,500), barbecue chicken with maple-mustard sauce (¥1,200), fried chicken (¥400-¥800), spare ribs (¥1,800), pulled pork (¥1,000) and deer sausage (¥900) all feature on the char broil menu for the meat lovers. Diners can also indulge in a garden salad with mushrooms, spinach and organic yukoh-ponzu dressing (¥850), a shiitake mushroom and shrimp ajillo (¥850), spinach and cheese omelette (¥680) and Naruto Kintoki sweet potato French fries (¥700).

Kamikatz is also a great location to relax with a beverage in hand during the cherry blossom viewing season — Shiba Koen and Tokyo Tower are a quick jaunt away and a sprinkling of sakura trees line the street where it’s located — with some outside seating to enjoy them and watch passersby.

So whether you’re a beer connoisseur, lover or novice, a fan of the sustainable zero waste ideology or want to try something a little bit different to the haunts of Minato, then Kamikatz should be your go to choice. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re supporting a cause whilst being gluttonous with beer and BBQ.

The Deets

Rise & Win Brewing Co Kamikatz Taproom

Address: The Workers & Co, 1-4-2, Higashi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: Akabanebashi, Kamiyacho, Azabu-juban stations
Tel: +81-(0)3-6441-3800
Business hours: Weekdays 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Lunch), 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Dinner), Weekends 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Closed Sundays.

RISE & WIN Brewing Co. KAMIKATZ TAPROOM

Tokushima-born Eco Taproom In The Heart Of Tokyo