Craft Beer Tourism in Japan - Mito Brewery, Ibaraki

It takes about 10 minutes by bus from Mito Station. After getting off at the Daikumachi bus stop and crossing the wide four-lane bus street, I followed Google Maps and turned into the alley beside a drinking establishment building called "Mito Raku Yokocho." I couldn't help but let out a small groan of surprise.

Before my eyes was the sign for the "Danna Yokocho Dining District," and along both sides of the narrow one-way street were signs for bars, clubs, and snack bars. Since it was around 1:00 PM, there were almost no people, and the typical atmosphere of an entertainment district was absent. However, as I walked further, I could see signs featuring photos of flamboyant female hostesses. Having come without any prior knowledge of the area, I was a bit taken aback. As I walked along, looking around curiously, I noticed a sign on my right that said "Nuriya." Its storefront gate gave off an air of high-class refinement. Upon looking it up, it seems to be a locally famous eel (unagi) restaurant. Since my research had mentioned eel as one of Mito’s specialties, I hurried along, thinking it might be a long-established institution.

Turning the corner along this Nuriya building, I immediately found Mito Brewery Daikumachi.

Mito Brewery Daikumachi
Address: 3-5-9 Izumicho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki

The interior consists only of a counter and seems like it would fill up quickly with just 5 or 6 people (in fact, a group of four arrived later, and with myself included, the shop was nearly full). However, there are three camp chairs and a wooden outdoor table set up outside, so the place can likely accommodate nearly 10 people.

The first beer I ordered was the "Tororin Hazy IPA."

Even though it was a Saturday, perhaps due to the location, there were no people around; the only person I spotted was a liquor delivery man carrying drinks to the nearby bars. My visit was in late December, just after the J-League season had ended. Perhaps because the local professional soccer club, Mito HollyHock, had just confirmed its promotion to J1, the shop was filled with an celebratory mood, with HollyHock posters and acrylic stands on display.

While looking at those, for my second glass, I chose the "Ukkari Light Pale."

I noticed that business cards for the eel restaurant "Nuriya" were also placed in this shop. Upon picking one up and looking at the shop's sign inside, I saw the words: "Mito Brewery Daikumachi Powered by Nuriya." It turns out the brewery was operated by Nuriya.

While I didn't see them at the taproom itself, I heard that bottled craft beers from Mito Brewery are sold at "Ibaraki Jizake Bar Mito," a standing bar located outside the ticket gates of Mito Station. Indeed, I was able to confirm this when I stopped by on my way home. I found myself strangely impressed, thinking how logical it is to be able to buy heavy glass bottles right at the station.

Craft Beer Tourism starting from Mito City, Ibaraki

Motoyamacho Brewery is located about 15 minutes by bus from Mito Station. Kairakuen Station on the Joban Line is physically closer, but since that station only operates during the "Plum Festival" season, visitors will likely use Mito Station for most of the year. It is about a 10-minute walk from Mito Brewery Daikumachi, making it perfect for bar-hopping.

Oarai Station is about 20 minutes from Mito Station via the Kashima Rinkai Railway. This station serves as the public transport gateway to the famous Oarai beach area. Inside a commercial facility called "Oarai Seaside Station," located about a 16-minute walk from here, you will find Beach Culture Brewing.

The taproom for Beach Culture Brewing, called "Craft Beer to Watashi" (Craft Beer and Me), is located right near Mito Station in the Miyashita Ginza shopping district, at the foot of the Mito Toshogu Shrine.