This Shinagawa-ken Beer brand was the first beer in Japan. Whilst we all know the popular brands of Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin it was a little known company based in Tokyo that produced this first beer of Japan.

Back in 1869 (Meiji 2) to 1871 Shinagawa-ken was established and represented some of the key areas that are now known as Tokyo. It covered modern day Shinagawa, Setagaya, Meguro, Shibuya, Suginami, Nakano and a bit of Shinjuku as well.

In 1871 the Shinagawa-ken area was split up and Tokyo-fu (not Tokyo-to), Kanagawa-ken, Saitama-ken were established.

The beer factory was created during this 2 year Shinagawa-ken period and carries the Shinagawa-ken name.

Do you have any old beers in your area of the world? How do they compare tatse wise to the major brands?

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