Yokojikkangawa Sake Brewery Gahaha Beer

Do you know Gahaha Beer in Minamisuna, Koto Ward? There’s a brewery on the first floor of a massive apartment complex that’s 50 years old.

The owner, Tetsuo Baba, has quite the background too. He used to work in the film industry as a freelance assistant director, but at 29 he changed careers and joined the kitchen of a seafood izakaya in Koenji. From there he got hooked on food service and learned brewing techniques at a beer pub.

While honing his skills as a chef, he came to think, "I want to brew beer myself to pair with the food I make." So in 2017, he opened in his hometown of Koto Ward. He obtained a liquor manufacturing license as the first brewery in Koto Ward.

According to Mr. Baba, housing complexes are a great place for a startup. There are supermarkets and daycare centers nearby, so there’s plenty of foot traffic even during the day. At first people were against it, but now it’s a shop that draws beer lovers from all over Japan, bringing life back to a complex that had been aging and getting quieter. It’s been called an "oasis that connects residents."

The beer is great too. The regular IPA uses American and European malt for a punchy 8% finish. The Golden Ale is fruity with American hops, and the Blonde is light and crisp with British and Czech malt. They also have beers with unique names like "Daisosa Golden" and "Komugi Pale."

The shop name comes from Mr. Baba’s hearty laugh, "gahaha." They also serve as a Children’s 110 emergency-safe house, and in 2024 they opened a second location in Oshiage. They’re a place where the distance between staff and customers is incredibly close, and laughter never stops.