Murmur Beer Stand

Did you know there’s a small brewpub along the approach road to Toshogu Shrine in Nikko? It’s called Murmur Beer Stand.

Right. There’s a brewmaster named Katsushi Sudo; he used to brew for Sapporo Beer. After that, he worked at Nikko Beer and Preston Ale Brewery in Utsunomiya, and then went independent and opened his own place in 2018.

And the name "Murmur" is great too. It comes from the Japanese "maa maa," and the idea is to deliver through beer that kind of "maa maa" power that calms people down when they’re arguing or encourages them when they’re feeling down.

They have six taps all the time, and the defining feature is that they keep trying new recipes every time. There’s even one called "Yaki-Manju Stout," a stout inspired by the local confection from Sudo’s home prefecture of Gunma. It has coffee and caramel flavors, which is interesting.

They also make beers like "Plain IPA," which has a lychee-like fruity aroma, plus Cinnamon Brown and Ginger Pale Ale, so they freely use spices and fruit. The brewing water comes from the spring at the Arasawa water source in Nikko City.

The first floor has the brewing equipment and a standing bar, and you can bring in food bought elsewhere. A 250 ml pour is just 500 yen, so it’s easy to try, and it’s great that you can stop by casually while strolling the approach to the shrine.