hopulist issue 4

京 都 市
KYOTO
The next leg of our craft beer adventure saw us
arrive in Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto after hurtling
across the countryside in a train fired from the
barrel of a gun. Kyoto has a very different vibe as
a city compared to Tokyo, but the craft beer scene
is no less dominant. If anything, craft beer seems
to be a bigger deal in Kyoto, which one Japanese
person described to us as a more hipster, Los
Angeles-style city, likening Tokyo to New York.
Interesting comparison and we could kind of see
what they were getting at as we entered the openair
bar Bungalow in Shijo Dori, right near the
city centre. This stylish bar features stools around
overturned barrels which serve as tables for the
clientele to enjoy the fine craft beers on offer – most
of which came from the Kyoto Brewing Co on our
visit. Sampling Kyoto-brewed beer in the heart
of the city itself helped us feel like we were truly
experiencing the ‘real’ craft beer scene of Japan.
Bungalow actually has two locations in Kyoto, the
other being in Teramachi, but the low key setting
really fits in with the city itself. Kyoto is packed
with temples and shrines and there are many strict
building laws, which mean buildings cannot be
over a certain height, so there’s no skyscrapers
at all. The public transport is also limited for the
same reason – planning permission to build more
underground metro lines is simply too much of
a pain – so getting taxis is a good option, as is the
humble bicycle. We’ve already likened this city
to LA, but to us it felt more like Copenhagen or
Amsterdam with the constant whizzing of bicycles
on every corner.
Using said bicycles, we jettisoned off to another
watering hole – CraftMan in Dojisacho. This bar
is much more of a local’s affair and has the typical
standing bar that many Japanese establishments
employ. The bar was surrounded by workers who
we presume were drinking away the stresses of the
day in the humble bar’s setting. There was laughter,
there was heated debate, there was a great selection
of bar snacks and food – this place has the feel of
something more traditionally Japanese, less like the
usual format of craft beer bars. That doesn’t detract
from our enjoyment as we sample some beers from
the wide range of Japanese brewed beers on offer
and drink in the surroundings. Even though we
can’t understand a word anyone is saying, we can
fill the gaps with our imagination. “I’m a strict IPA
man, I don’t like to try other beers.” “You can’t say