Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please

Western style pubs do exist in Japan and they are staffed by a mix of Westerners, and Japanese who are used to foreigners and their strange ways.

In these pubs you can get real beer and pub grub from back home. Let us drink:

Osaka

The Blarney Stone On the 6th floor (!) Irish pub with a lively atmosphere and authentic interior. Lots of live music, events and you can also hire it out for your do.

Pig and Whistle, Mido Suji. Currently the website seems to be defunct, but the Pig is a British bar located in downtown Osaka on Mido Suji. Darts and of course ex-pats.

Address: Across Building 2F, 2-6-14 Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka. Phone: +81 (0)6 6213 6911 (on Mido suji street, nearest subway station is Nanba).

There are also a couple of ersatz watering holes which appeal to the Japanese curiosity. These aren’t usually filled with foreigners but appeal to the Japense curiosity of things foreign.

The British Victorian style Rose and Crown on Yotsubashi Suji. The website has pictures of the pub and food available. Traditional roast beef and home brew beer. Great traditional amosphere and furnishing with decent grub and brew, although a little expensive. Part of a chain of similar pubs started in Tokyo. Take the Yotsubashi subway Higobachi exit 2 and walk north a couple of minutes, its just over the bridge. (Dojima 2-1-40, Suntory Building 1st floor).

For an Irish night out try Murphys in Shinsaibashi. Proclaiming itself as the first and best Irish pub in Japan, offers 100 inch TV screen for sports, live music, free bubbly for your birthday! and daily happy hour. Also has some decent grub.