Craft Beer Tourism in Japan- Martinez Brewey, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

Motoyama Station, located about 8 stops (approximately 15-16 minutes) from Nagoya Subway Station on the Higashiyama Line—which intersects with the Tokaido Shinkansen at Nagoya Station—is a relatively large station that also connects to the Meijo Line. Just a few minutes’ walk from Exit 1 of this station, I visited Martinez Brewery, which is part of the restaurant Shokudo Martinez.

Martinez Brewery - Shokudo Martinez
Address: 4-74-1 Motoyama-cho, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

Exit 1 of Motoyama Station is part of a MaxValu supermarket. Turn the corner just past the adjacent Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, and you'll soon see the sign for Shokudo Martinez. The brewery, Martinez Brewery, is located on the ground floor of this yellow building. I visited in late March around lunchtime, having confirmed on Instagram that they serve lunch.

At Shokudo Martinez, where lunch features burgers and curry, a large brewing area is located at the back of the shop. In the evenings, the place turns into an izakaya-style bar. There's a low counter separating the kitchen from customers and plenty of table seating, giving the space a warm, lively feel. The combination of exposed concrete ceilings, denim-textured walls, and a small gray-tiled counter creates a unique blend of Japanese and Western styles.

On the menu that day were a fruit weizen called “Strawberry Night” and a Pearl Ale. I ordered the Pearl Ale without hesitation, and it was served in a glass featuring a man’s face—likely Mr. Martinez himself.

A few minutes after the craft beer arrived, the burger I had ordered for lunch came as well. At this restaurant, lunch includes self-serve soup, available for unlimited refills.

After finishing the burger, I asked the staff and was allowed to peek into the brewing area. There, I found a display board explaining the layout of the brewery and the craft beer production process. I’ve seen breweries that illustrate their brewing process on the wall before, but this was the first time I encountered one that also clearly presented the layout of the brewing room. The effort and attention to detail demonstrated their passion for craft beer.

Martinez Brewery: A Starting Point for Craft Beer Tourism in Nagoya

Nagoya is a large city, and if you're looking for breweries, you’ll easily find four or five within the city limits. However, if you're seeking breweries with convenient access from Nagoya Station, Martinez Brewery is one of the closest. Another nearby option is Mya-Brew, which is accessible from Imaike Station on the same Higashiyama subway line. There's also Y.MARKET BREWING, which is just an 8-minute walk from Nagoya Station.