Number 6 is a stone’s throw away from the Tokyo Stock Exchange and next to a popular shrine, Koami-jinja, which is well known for bringing good financial luck to people who pray to the gods there.  It is this same luck that makes Number 6 a fun place to hang out with both Yas and Masaki.

Interview

Taihei: What makes Number 6 stand out in Ningyocho compared to the other restaurants in the area?

Yas-san:  We offer single-origin coffee for our espresso drinks as well as Japanese craft beer to give our customers a variety of choices.

Taihei: With 6 taps, how do you choose which great styles to put on tap at any given time?

Yas-san:  Basically we choose whatever beers we’d like to drink, but we also listen to our customers and brewers for suggestions.  We also have 6 taps so we also consider which beers to choose in order to have a balanced selection of beers.

Taihei: Number 6 has been a work in progress since the taps started to flow, what’s in store for 2020?

Yas-san:  In May, we will brew with Kanpai! Brewing to make an anniversary beer for Number 6.  We will also continue to improve everything within our shop and bring in new beers faster.

Taihei: You must get a variety of people from the financial district as well as Shitamachi (the traditional district of Tokyo).  Do you notice any differences in what they prefer to drink in terms of style?  How about between men and women?

Yas-san:  Our international customers really know what they like, so they often quickly order a pint of their favourite style of beer.  For women, they tend to steer towards wheat beers and fruit ales.

Taihei: You and Masaki are both football (soccer) fans as well, being Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds fans.  Which Japanese breweries would you say match each team and why?

Masaki-san & Yas-san:

Urawa Reds:  Ise Kadoya Microbrewery

Originally I was thinking of Spring Valley Brewery (Kirin Ichiban Shibori is the official beer of the Urawa Reds) or other similar large breweries as the Urawa Reds have the largest number of supporters in Japan.  However, Ise Kadoya’s Imperial Red Ale’s label has a similar aura to the Reds.

Kashima Antlers:  Hitachino Nest Beer

Hitachino Nest and the Kashima Antlers are both from Ibaraki Prefecture and they both have an old-school feel.  In addition, Hitachino Nest is an international brand and the Kashima Antlers came in second place at the 2016 Club World Cup, so I think there is this connection between these two.

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