Craft Beer.
Real Stories.
An Evening in Tokyo or Kobe.
Join a 20+ year Japan expat for craft beer and honest conversation — from running a guesthouse to coding to real estate investing.
Book Your NightThe Experience
This isn't a guided tour with a script and an umbrella. It's a night out at a craft beer spot in Tokyo (Hamamatsucho/Shimbashi) or Kobe (Sannomiya/Motomachi) with someone who's actually lived the expat life in Japan.
Over a couple of beers, we'll talk about whatever you're curious about — what it's really like to:
- Live and work in Japan long-term
- Start and run a guesthouse business
- Work as a software developer in Tokyo
- Navigate Japanese real estate as a foreigner
Small groups only (1–6 people), so there's plenty of room for real conversation. Come with questions.
Details
- Duration
- ~2 hours
- Location
- Craft beer bar in Tokyo (Hamamatsucho/Shimbashi) or Kobe (Sannomiya/Motomachi)
- Group size
- 1–6 people
- Includes
- One craft beer per person
- Language
- English
- Payment
- Cash (yen) on the night
How It Works
We meet at a craft beer spot near Hamamatsucho/Shimbashi (Tokyo) or Sannomiya/Motomachi (Kobe). Easy access by train.
Your first craft beer is on me. We get to know each other and you tell me what you're curious about.
No script, no agenda. We talk about whatever interests you — life in Japan, business, real estate, tech, culture, or all of the above.
After about two hours we wrap things up. You leave with real answers, not brochure talk.
Pricing
What's included
- One craft beer per person
- ~2 hours of conversation
- A local's perspective on life in Japan
- Small group setting (max 6)
Not included
- Additional drinks (order what you like, pay at the bar)
- Food (available to order separately at the venue)
- Transportation
About Ben
I've been living in Japan for over 20 years. I run Ben's Guesthouse in Kyoto, work as a software developer, and invest in Japanese real estate. I've navigated visas, business registration, property purchases, and all the things nobody tells you about before you move here.
This experience came from years of friends-of-friends asking if they could pick my brain over a beer. Now you can too.
This experience involves sharing personal stories and opinions — not professional advice. The host is not a licensed tax accountant (税理士), attorney (弁護士), real estate broker (宅建士), or financial advisor. Please consult qualified professionals before making any financial, legal, or business decisions. Participants must be 20 years of age or older.
What Guests Say
"We were planning to move to Japan and had a million questions. Ben gave us more useful info in two hours than we got from weeks of Googling. Plus the beer was great."
"I travel solo a lot and this was the highlight of my Tokyo trip. It's not a tour — it's like having a beer with a friend who happens to know everything about living in Japan."
"I'm interested in Japanese real estate and Ben was incredibly open about his experience. Totally worth it — left with actual actionable advice and a great craft beer recommendation."
FAQ
Is this a bar crawl or a tour?
Neither. We stay at one craft beer bar for the evening and have a real conversation. Think of it as grabbing a drink with someone who's been where you're trying to go. That said, I'm open to custom arrangements — if you have something specific in mind, get in touch and we can work something out.
Can I come by myself?
Absolutely. Solo guests are welcome and it's a great way to get unfiltered, one-on-one answers to your questions about Japan.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No. The experience is entirely in English.
I don't drink beer. Can I still come?
Of course. If you'd prefer somewhere other than a craft beer bar, just let me know when you book and we can go somewhere else. The experience is about the conversation, not the venue.
How do I pay?
Cash (Japanese yen) on the night. No advance payment needed.
What if I need to cancel?
Just email me and I'll take care of it. No cancellation fees.
Where exactly do we meet?
I'll send the exact bar name and address to your email after you book. In Tokyo, it's near Hamamatsucho or Shimbashi station. In Kobe, it's near Sannomiya or Motomachi station.
Get in Touch
Have a question, or want to arrange something custom? Send me a message.