Kobo Brewery in the Higashi-Iwase district of Toyama City is a fabulous spot for craft beer and beer-friendly bites like sausages, pate de campagne, cheese, and pickles. Czech brewer Jiri Kotynek has created a portfolio of fabulous beers. A flight of beers is the way to see an ale, lager, IPA, or pilsner. I love the weizen which is fruity with a hint of spice – perfect for the Slovakian big sausage.
We stopped by Masuizumi saké brewery on our way to Kobo Brewery and had a serendipitous meeting with Slovakian Boris Priesol who is a co-owner of Kobo Brewery. Boris is apprenticing at Masuizumi learning about the saké brewing process. He shared with me that the name Kobo, which means yeast in Japanese, and also is a combination of brewer Kotynek and Boris’ names together.
Behind both the sake and beer brewery is 5th-generation Ryuichiro Masuda san of Masuda Shuzo. Masuda san is in the photo standing in front of the wall with the drawing of the Boris, Masuda san, and Jiri. The photo is from a prior visit.
Kobo Brewery is family friendly and on this day there was a nice mix of diners from all over including a family from Australia. Staff here are friendly and the food and beer are all delicious. The big sausage on the menu is the family recipe from Boris.
The Higashi-Iwase district is an historic port city where ships, called Kitmae bune, brought products inculding kombu from Hokkaido to the area. The area is filled with wooden buildings that date back to when the port city was flourishing. The area is in a strong revival, much to the thanks of Masuda san. There is Kobo craft beer, a tasting room for Masuizumi sakes, retail shops for fermented seafood, wagashi, as well as artist ateliers with glassware and pottery.
The Higashi-Iwase district is easy to access from the light rail line from Toyama Station. I highly recommend spending a half day in the area.
Kobo Brewery
Toyama-ken, Toyama-shi, Iwase Omachi 5
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