Craft Beer Tourism in Japan- Asunaro Brewery, Hakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture

North of Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture. Looking at the map, the area above the Mikasa River is the administrative center where the Fukuoka Prefectural Government Office and the Prefectural Assembly are located. Asunaro Brewery is located behind Chiyohigashi Park, at the southern end of this area.

Asunaro Brewery 
Address: 1F Ebisu Garden, 4-6-3 Chiyo, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

From Hakata Station, it's only a 15-minute walk from Yoshizuka Station, which is one stop on the JR line, but from Tenjin, it's easy to get there by taking the Hakozaki subway line at Nakasu-Kawabata Station, then transferring to Chiyo-Kencho-guchi Station, which is two stops away, and then just a few minutes' walk. There aren't as many shops as around Hakata Station or Tenjin Station, but since it's near the station, which is the home of the government, there are a few cafes, restaurants, and convenience stores scattered around. Opposite Asunaro Brewery is a Korean restaurant with a wall painted with a large feather, and even from the outside it was bustling with people.

I visited just after 8pm on a Friday in mid-December. At night, the softly colored lights from Asunaro Brewery, which is located on the first floor of an apartment building with a park behind it, make it stand out.

The shop is not particularly large, with five counter seats and two high tables that seat four people. Unfortunately, it was fully booked, so the head brewer and owner of the shop quickly turned the area next to the counter into stand seats.

I ordered Chiyo Saison on this day. Unfortunately, Chiyo IPA was sold out that day, but there were bottles in the refrigerator in the corner of the shop, so I bought that.

On my way out, I was talking to a staff member while paying the bill, and he told me that they have a lot of regulars on weekdays, but they fill up quickly on weekends too. It's better to make a reservation.

Asunaro Brewery Craft beer tourism based in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Aozora Brewery is located just a few minutes walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Station, two stops on the Hakozaki subway line from Chiyo-Kenchoguchi Station, and close to Reizei Park . This relatively new brewery is easily accessible from Nakasu, and because it is located on the outside of the Nakasu river, the surrounding area can look a bit deserted at night, but I've been there once before .

Also, Hotel Okura, located on the opposite side of Nakasu-Kawabata Station, is home to the Okura Brewery . This craft beer, brewed at a luxury hotel with its own brewing facilities, has a long-established flavor that has been around since the late 1990s, when local craft beer began to be produced nationwide following the revision of the Liquor Tax Law in 1994. Unusually for a brewery, they also offer an all-you-can-drink option, so you'll definitely want to try the different types of craft beer.