Quote Originally Posted by Canuck of NI View Post
I guess it has to be asked: What is the name of "the local" in Kofu?
One DOES wonder... There are a few good places. The first is a place called "The Rink." (As in: skating rink). It was started many years ago by a Canadian ex-pat.... So I suppose you could call it a Canadian pub. Many NHL hockey-themed decorations adorn the walls, they got good food (but by no means "Canadian" as such, though it's not Japanese either). The atmosphere is pretty decent, and after years of going there, the owner knows us by name.

Another place in town is called: "The Vault" (<-- heh... doesn't EVERY city have a bar called that?) But anyway, it's a very large subterranean bar owner by a longtime Ozzie resident. He has a zillion beers on tap, and a zillion more in bottles.

Finally, we have an upper-scale place called the Four Hearts Café. It specializes exclusively in Japanese micro-brews on tap. Pricey as hell but there are some VERY tasty local microbrews to be had. Some months ago when I was invited to join the "Yamanashi Good Beer Club" I had a chance to meet the brewmaster at a local microbrewery. He's won some impressive awards, including a bronze medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup for their Rauch Bock (smoked beer). http://www.fuji-net.co.jp/beer/ (Sorry, link is in Japanese only).

Anyhoo.... I digress... There is no shortage of good beer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day over here and I'm definitely looking forward to it!