Craft Beer Tourism in Osaka: Beer and Yakitori copo

Osaka City is the largest city in the Kansai region and the center of its economy and culture. Shin-Osaka Station serves as the gateway to this city, where the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) connects from the Kanto region and the Sanyo Shinkansen extends toward the Chugoku and Kyushu regions. It is a major terminal bustling with many business travelers and tourists every day.

Just one stop away from Shin-Osaka Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line is Higashi-Mikuni Station. While the area around Shin-Osaka Station is lined with large office buildings and hotels, Higashi-Mikuni transitions into a calm residential neighborhood, giving you a glimpse into the everyday lives of the local residents.

"Beer and Yakitori copo," which opened in 2023, is located about a 4-minute walk from this Higashi-Mikuni Station.

Beer and Yakitori copo
Address: 4-9-4 Higashimikuni, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

A Standing Bar Combining a Brewery and Yakitori

From the outside, the shop has a stylish and clean look that makes it easy for anyone, including solo female customers, to step inside. Upon entering, the first things that catch your eye are the compact brewing tanks visible through the glass on the left side. Despite being a casual standing-style yakitori bar, this establishment functions as a proper brewpub that crafts its own beer in-house.

The interior features a clean, standing-bar setup centered around a counter. Because it is a standing bar, the physical and psychological distance between customers is naturally close, creating a warm atmosphere where lively conversations easily spark among neighbors.

Commitment to Beer, Yakitori, and Side Dishes

The beers brewed at "copo" are crafted with a focus on core, classic styles, aiming for a pint that delivers both "gentleness" and a "playful touch." In addition to their house-brewed selections, they also feature a rotating lineup of guest craft beers, mainly centered around Minoh Beer, providing an environment where you can always encounter a diverse range of flavors.

Their yakitori, grilled over charcoal, is exceptionally fresh. The chicken sashimi (tori-sashi), such as the sasami (chicken breast) sashimi and the rich, creamy yellow liver (ki-gimo), is highly acclaimed for its outstanding freshness and flavor. The savory, charcoal-grilled skewers paired with freshly brewed craft beer create a truly exquisite combination.

Furthermore, the daily side dishes change regularly. Among them, the "Closing Curry" (shime no curry) served at the end of the meal is popular enough to have its own dedicated fans. On days when curry is available, you can enjoy dishes like a half-and-half curry (aigake) featuring a combination of a spicy shrimp curry and a mild, gentle cream stew-style curry. The way the rich spices gently soak into a body already warmed up by beer and yakitori is truly exceptional.

Craft Beer Tourism in the Shin-Osaka and Yodogawa Area

The area surrounding Shin-Osaka and Yodogawa-ku is home to several unique craft beer spots.

• Kamigata Beer : Located in the same Yodogawa-ku, this is a unique brewery established inside a renovated public bathhouse (sento). It is located about a 10-minute drive or a short bus ride from Higashi-Mikuni.
• In the Shin-Osaka Station Building: Inside the station premises, there are multiple restaurants and liquor stores that stock local Kansai craft beers, making it highly convenient to pick up souvenirs or enjoy a quick drink right before boarding the Shinkansen.

With "Beer and Yakitori copo" as your starting point, exploring the craft beer scene in the northern area of Osaka will surely provide a wonderful travel experience that blends the extraordinary world of craft beer with the everyday charm of the local neighborhood.