Does the Noge district really need another bar? If it is Sakura Taps, then yes. Although simple in its approach, it works. Coffee, craft beer and small dishes are all you need to launch a pleasant evening.
The “taps” in the name refers to the eight draft beers the bar serves on tap in peak quality due in part to an excellent server system. That’s what you want when you are drinking some of Japan’s best craft beers. There is something of a craft beer boom going on in Japan right now, but microbrewers in Japan have actually been producing their small-batch, artisanal brews for two decades now. Only recently has the media really given them much attention. A handful of breweries have become highly lauded both in Japan and overseas. Many of them are served here, as well as some lesser known regional ones. When we visited, Sakura Taps was serving Shiga Kogen from Nagano, North Island from Hokkaido, and Isekadoya from Mie, to name a few. Servings come in three sizes: Large (450ml) from ¥1000, Medium (250ml) from ¥600 and Small (150ml) from ¥400. Some rare varieties can go for much more.
The other beverage on the menu, coffee, comes in two varieties, a house blend for ¥400 and a seasonal variety that was ¥500 during our visit. Either can be served hot or cold. Care to take it standing instead of at a table? They deduct ¥100 for you. The house blend is a specialty “seed to cup” variety care of 27 Coffee Roasters in Shonan.
Sakura Taps does have a food menu of about ten items that are mostly snacks, the majority costing just ¥300. Pickles, salads, spreads and simple dishes like cauliflower frites are standard. It all struck us as rather healthy for bar fare.
Seating is limited with only a few small tables for individual patrons or pairs. Like an increasing number of craft beer bars, Sakura Taps is non-smoking so you can enjoy the full aromas of the beverages.