Don’t let the end of summer dampen your plans for a lovely beach trip. Autumn is arguably an even better season to head to the coast—with more bearable temperatures and better wave conditions—and Yokohama is lucky to have the Shonan area so close to city limits. This famous beach region has many attractions and a new one in Chigasaki Beer is perhaps one to plan your visit around.
Owner Nozomi Iwase, in explaining her reasons for opening the brewery and restaurant in April of 2023, told us, “There are currently seven breweries in Chigasaki, and I believe the city has the potential to become known as a beer town.” She went on to note that while Chigasaki is famous in the music scene for its ‘Shonan Sound’, she wanted to create something else that was deeply rooted in the local community. Craft beer, she believed, could have long-term staying power while also contributing to the local economy.
A compelling feature of the restaurant for many is that it opens early, offering meals—and beer!—from 7am. Who in the world would drink so early? Surfers after a dawn session, fishermen, maybe those feeling a little festive… Of course, you can always enjoy the “Morning Gathering Course” available on weekdays between 7am and 9am without the beer if you like. For just ¥2000, it includes five dishes, dessert, and all-you-can-drink access to beer and other alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks (reservations required the day before). From 7am to 10:30am on weekends, there is a morning buffet with fresh seafood and pancakes (¥1800; an additional ¥900 for all-you-can-drink). After 11am, there are other hearty, beach-themed courses available that allow guests to savor local ingredients along with the drink offerings.
The commitment to local is robust, not simply symbolic. For example, Iwase has partnered with nearby Saito Farm. Chigasaki Beer has a machine that processes the spent grain from brewing into cattle feed which the farm uses. The farm meanwhile raises Chigasaki Beef, a local specialty that is made into additive-free hamburger steaks by another local meat shop called Jiro. Guess where the final product is served? Along with the hamburger, delicious sausage is also served.
The six regular beers that the brewery offers are all relatively low in alcohol (5.5% or less) for easy drinking and simple pairing with the food. The styles are all approachable, too: a lager, an IPA, a weizen (wheat beer), a stout, a golden ale, and an interesting dragon ale that uses dragon fruit. Maybe they’ll have something special on tap when you visit! The prices are quite reasonable, too, costing just ¥600 or less. Take-away (in bottles) is not only possible, but highly encouraged—enjoy the flavors of Shonan at home!
Iwase relocated to Chigasaki in 2013 and says she was drawn to the area because of its independently owned shops and friendly, welcoming residents—now she’s one of them. And you can help her give back to the community by enjoying some beer and satisfying beach food.
