Mitsuya’s Liquor

Bottle shop in Asagaya with a small bar in the back and a few taps in the front of the shop. Sam is the owner and is extremely friendly and helpful. He sent me a personal message to let me know when they got the Prairie Artisan beers in stock. There’s a 5% discount if you buy 6 or more beers. The prices are the cheapest that I’ve seen in Tokyo and the selection is pretty good. Last time I was in he had bottles from Evil Twin, Prairie Artisan, Stillwater, Mikkeller, Rogue, Dogfish Head, Heretic, Sierra Nevada, Elysian and many more. The selection of Japanese craft is non-existent unfortunately, but if you’re into American craft there’s a lot to offer. Best bottle shop on the Chuo Line.

Was in Asagaya for Bakushu Dojo so thought I would check this place out. The selection of US beers is pretty good and the prices are ok too. Not much interesting Japanese stuff at all though. They had a couple of taps that they were selling at the front of the shop to passing shoppers which was quite nice. If I am in Asagaya again I might pop in, but like the other review says, Tanakaya has a better selection.

Take Chuo line (on JR system) from shinjuku. Asagaya is maybe the 4th stop (150yen). Exit to the south (minami). There is a mile long path of shops under a covered walkway. Mitsuya is near the end on the left. the stores on the way are interesting, especially on a rainy day with the covered walkway. A decent beer store if you are in the area, but it’s better worth going to Takanaya, which is 210yen away on the subway. Takanaya has 3X the selection, with no macro beers. Mitsuya’s prices are lower, so maybe it’s better for everyday purchases.

Mitsuya’s is simply The Beer Store to me. I have not seen a place with a better selection of import beers in Japan. The owner is a friendly Japanese guy who goes by the name of Sam. He speaks fluent American English, and knows every beer he stocks (all 170!) by heart. He’s a guy who loves beer and it shows. Most of the time, you can see the shop’s cat lounging in a box above the cash register. A bit out of the way, but worth the trip (use the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line’s Minami-Asagaya Station or the JR Sobu Line’s Asagaya station). After you stock up on rare and interesting beers, have a look around the little residential streets of Suginami-ku, overflowing with greenery and flowers.