SAKAMICHI BREWING

Try it now! Unique craft beer brewed in Tachikawa!

Just a 7-minute walk from the south exit of Tachikawa Station, you’ll find a popular beer brewery with a taproom. In the afternoon, you can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer. They even have a special Tachikawa-label beer. It’s exciting, let’s go!

Just a few minutes from Suwa Street, a shop with a stylish black and yellow sign welcomes you. The glass window entrance lets in bright natural light, creating an open-air feel. On pleasant days, you can relax and soak in the comfortable outdoor seats.

Your eyes may be drawn to the handmade tables and chairs with adjustable heights. On the walls, original and stylish T-shirts are displayed, some crafted by artists from the Tama area.

Over the counter, you can see beautifully crafted tap handles. With more than ten varieties of beer that change with the seasons, customers can have a delightful time.

Three recommended beers are the refreshing Dialectic Yuzu, which has a citrusy flavor from Kyushu; Onikouen, which has a light taste; and Tama Chocolate Orange Porter, which features a rich malt and orange flavor. All are shown from the left in the picture. Each is priced at 880 yen for 400ml, tax included.

Mr. Matthew Boynton, the owner of the shop, is from England, which has deep roots in beer culture and pub traditions. He enjoys crafting, which led him to become a brewer. The other founder of the shop is Mr. Daniel Bellamy. They met in cycling. “The shop’s name, Sakamichi, meaning ‘slope,’ comes from our passion for cycling. The hard work and strain of cycling uphill are similar to the challenges of running a brewery for us. We hope the shop continues to move forward in exciting ways,” said Mr. Matthew. He has accumulated experience as a brewer at Baird Brewery, a well-known brewery in Japan located in Izu, and at Ishikawa Brewery in Fussa, Tokyo. In March 2020, he opened his brewery.

In the beginning, when the shop first opened, they served original beers from other breweries. However, since January 2023, they have been brewing and offering their own beers. The beers they create are often inspired by their daily life and experiences. For example, the Cherry Chocolate Imperial Stout, released in February, was inspired while they were running. “We focus on crafting flavors that everyone can enjoy,” said Mr. Matthew. Even beginners can enjoy their beers.

In December 2024, Sakamichi North, the second shop, opened at the north exit of Tachikawa Station. Regular customers say to each other, “See you in the North.” In England, there are many pubs, even in small towns, where everyone can comfortably enjoy beer. “I want to bring that culture to Japan,“ said Mr. Matthew. He is planning an event to attract even more beer fans in the future.

※The content of the article is as of the time of publication. (Posted in February 2025)