Every year, as the temperatures begin to soar and the hum of cicadas intensifies, summer in Japan is marked by the advent of beer gardens popping up around the country. After all, what better way to pass a humid evening than on a rooftop bar in the company of friends, knocking back a refreshingly icy ale? Whether accompanied by a light snack of edamame beans, or a fuller meal of barbequed meat, beer gardens are a quintessential summer experience in Japan.
Florence has been hopping between New Zealand and Japan for study, work, and travel since 2008. After receiving her M.A. in Japanese cultural studies, she relocated to Tokyo in 2019, where she spends her time exploring alleyways, izakayas, and cafes along the Chuo Line.