Takao Beer

And that Ikeda-san opened KO52 Brewery & Taproom in 2024, right by the south exit of Takao Station. It’s inside a five-story building renovated by Keio Corporation.

It’s the KO52 TAKAO building, and its concept is "a building where small businesses meet the local community." It brings together independent shops that share their hobbies and passions, and Ikeda-san is not only the beer maker but also the building’s overall "manager".

It’s a bit different from a typical caretaker role. He’s more like a hub connecting the tenants. Next door there’s BOREDOM, a coffee shop, so beer and coffee are on the same floor. Ikeda-san originally came from design and advertising, so he’s really good at building community.

They always have about six beers on tap here, and they rotate three to four varieties each month. The key point is that you can drink both bottles brewed at Ongata Brewery and canned beers brewed at KO52. Plus, the bread for the food is homemade, and the rainbow trout used in the pâté is something Ikeda-san caught himself.

They also host talk events and live performances, so it’s become more than just a beer place, it’s a real neighborhood hub. Keio Corporation also brought in the know-how they used for Mikan Shimokita in Shimokitazawa, so the space design is excellent too.