In the bustling Shibuya section of Tokyo, Japan, PDX Taproom offers a slice of Portland craft beer culture to travelers and locals alongside a healthy serving of the City’s charm. During my two-week stint working abroad, I had the opportunity to visit the ten-year-old pub started by Miyuki Hiramatsu. I found a Portland-themed establishment that accurately represents our City’s brewing stature and embodies some of the Rose City’s more endearing features.
Gigantic Brewing Company – Gravity Drop IPA served at the PDX Taproom Tokyo, Japan
Hiramatsu studied in the Portland area for several years in the early 90s, attending Wilson High School (now named Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School) and Linfield College (known as Linfield University as of 2020). She returned to her home in Tokyo, where she worked for Columbia Sportswear Japan before opening PDX Taproom. In a posted note to visitors, Hiramatsu explained how her business embodies two passions that she now shares with the people of her native City. “I LOVE Portland and craft beer so much that I decided to open a bar of my own so I can deliver Portland culture, community, lifestyle, and trend to people.”
PDX Taproom guest book with message from owner Miyuki Hiramatsu
The small space in a second-floor storefront is packed with Portland stickers and memorabilia. Corners of the bar feature Blazers, Pickles, Timbers, and Thorns supporter-wear. The bathroom pays tribute to The Portland Loo and TriMet. Behind the bar, the tap list features nine craft beers and one cider, mostly from Oregon. On the day of my visit, several regional breweries, including Thunder Island Brewing, Ex Novo Brewing Company, Deschutes Brewery, Baerlic Brewing, Rogue Ales, Migration Brewing, Gigantic Brewing Company, Breakside Brewery, and Bauman’s Cider Company, had tap handles available for a pint or a half-pint pour. Montavilla’s own Threshold Brewing & Blending is represented on the keg cooler door in the collection of stickers.
Portland team sports are well represented at PDX Taproom
TriMet and Portland Loo adorn the restroom
The iconic Portland tagline is present
Craft brew stickers decorate the keg cooler
PDX Taproom’s bartender explained he had visited Portland once in 2018 and greatly enjoyed his visit. Despite having only stayed in the City once, he feels well-connected to Rip City thanks to the consistent stream of Portlanders walking through the door. Since starting there, he estimates that at least three PDX residents walk into the taproom each day. That steady traffic of Rose City residents has recently increased to five daily visitors after a video by Wesleigh Ogle with KATU highlighted the bar’s unique theming. Some days, up to ten people from Oregon order a brew and talk about their home with the people behind the counter, adding to the staff’s knowledge of the City nearly 4,900 miles away.
After exchanging stickers with the bartender, we spoke about his next trip to Portland. I extended an invitation to come to Montavilla to sample our local brews and introduce him to the diverse culinary creations offered by our food carts, which pair perfectly with the City’s brewing culture. People traveling to Tokyo can visit PDX Taproom at 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya, Jingumae, 5 Chome−30−2 2F. Let them know you are from Portland, and they will offer you a special sticker to document your trip to Portland’s Japanese taproom outpost.
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