SHIMA BREWERY highlights its station-connected taproom and train-based beer program
The Mie brewery details its taproom beside Kintetsu Ugata Station, its drinkability-first lineup, and train-linked offerings, including a beer train planned for July 25, 2026.
Hop BroI’ve got a good one today: SHIMA BREWERY in Ise-Shima has a taproom right off Ugata Station, and that alone is dangerously appealing.
MugiBeer at the station!? Steps from the ticket gate sounds like a very efficient way to miss my train!
Hop BroIt gets better. The place is self-serve, cashless, and built around three core beers: GOLDEN ALE, COLD IPA, and PALE LAGER, their main lineup.
MugiOoh, nice! Those names sound bold, but I love that they’re still aiming for easy drinking instead of instant palate exhaustion.
Hop BroThat’s the whole concept. They want beers you can enjoy for a second and third glass, so the brewing philosophy is basically subtraction brewing instead of piling everything on.
MugiWait, subtraction brewing? Beer math!? Is this like ramen with fewer toppings and more emotional depth?
Hop BroNot exactly, but close in spirit. For example, they use dry yeast to keep fermentation steady and the flavor consistent, so they can hit the intended taste every batch.
MugiOhhh, so it’s less showy and more repeatable. And head brewer Masakazu Nakanishi has 29 years of brewing behind him? That’s serious.
Hop BroExactly. After ISEKADOYA Brewery and Y.MARKET BREWING, he joined SHIMA BREWERY and is also turning local Mie ingredients into beers like Shiranui Ale and Karigane Tea Saison.
MugiOkay, now I’m invested. You can drink it on the sightseeing limited express Shimakaze, and there’s even a craft beer train planned? The trip itself became the event!
Hop BroOn July 25, 2026, that beer train runs from Iseshi Station to Ugata Station with all-you-can-drink beer and special decorations. It’s basically a rolling taproom.
MugiThat itinerary is absurdly good. I want to start with the GOLDEN ALE, chase it with the seasonal stuff, and honestly head to Ise-Shima now for a toast.
A taproom inside the station
SHIMA BREWERY is a craft brewery launched in 2025 in the Ise-Shima area of Mie Prefecture. Operated by Kintetsu Retailing, it is the group’s second brewery after Yamato Brewery in Nara. Its brewery and taproom are located on the first floor of Kintetsu Ugata Station, and the taproom is set up next to the brewing facility, where visitors can drop in through a self-service, cashless format.
Built around drinkability
On its official site, the brewery describes its goal as making beers that can be enjoyed for a second and third glass, using the water, sun, and sea breeze of Shima as part of the concept. The core lineup consists of GOLDEN ALE, COLD IPA, and PALE LAGER, all designed with drinkability in mind. Limited releases also reflect local character, including Shiranuhi Ale made with Mie-grown citrus and Karekina Tea Saison made with kukicha tea.
The brewer’s subtraction philosophy
The feature also profiles head brewer Masakazu Nakanishi, a Mie native with 29 years of brewing experience. After working at Isekadoya Brewery and Y.MARKET BREWING, he joined SHIMA BREWERY. His brewing approach is built on subtraction: do what must be done, and deliberately leave out what is unnecessary. That philosophy shows up in practices such as 70-degree circulation cleaning and the use of dry yeast, both aimed at stable fermentation and repeatability.
Beer tied to travel
SHIMA BREWERY also leans into beer as part of the journey. On Kintetsu’s sightseeing express Shimakaze, the brewery sells original-labeled cans featuring its three flagship beers, and onboard taps serve both regular and limited beers. In addition, a special craft beer train is scheduled for July 25, 2026, running from Kintetsu Ise-shi Station to Kintetsu Ugata Station. The plan includes all-you-can-drink SHIMA BREWERY beer, plus special onboard decorations and a custom headmark.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI’ve got a good one today: SHIMA BREWERY in Ise-Shima has a taproom right off Ugata Station, and that alone is dangerously appealing.
MugiBeer at the station!? Steps from the ticket gate sounds like a very efficient way to miss my train!
Hop BroIt gets better. The place is self-serve, cashless, and built around three core beers: GOLDEN ALE, COLD IPA, and PALE LAGER, their main lineup.
MugiOoh, nice! Those names sound bold, but I love that they’re still aiming for easy drinking instead of instant palate exhaustion.
Hop BroThat’s the whole concept. They want beers you can enjoy for a second and third glass, so the brewing philosophy is basically subtraction brewing instead of piling everything on.
MugiWait, subtraction brewing? Beer math!? Is this like ramen with fewer toppings and more emotional depth?
Hop BroNot exactly, but close in spirit. For example, they use dry yeast to keep fermentation steady and the flavor consistent, so they can hit the intended taste every batch.
MugiOhhh, so it’s less showy and more repeatable. And head brewer Masakazu Nakanishi has 29 years of brewing behind him? That’s serious.
Hop BroExactly. After ISEKADOYA Brewery and Y.MARKET BREWING, he joined SHIMA BREWERY and is also turning local Mie ingredients into beers like Shiranui Ale and Karigane Tea Saison.
MugiOkay, now I’m invested. You can drink it on the sightseeing limited express Shimakaze, and there’s even a craft beer train planned? The trip itself became the event!
Hop BroOn July 25, 2026, that beer train runs from Iseshi Station to Ugata Station with all-you-can-drink beer and special decorations. It’s basically a rolling taproom.
MugiThat itinerary is absurdly good. I want to start with the GOLDEN ALE, chase it with the seasonal stuff, and honestly head to Ise-Shima now for a toast.
