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It’s not just a brilliant name; Hoppy is also a much-loved Japanese drink. It starts off virtually non-alcoholic, but that is not the case once you drink it. Let me explain…
If you walk into a traditional izakaya in Tokyo, particularly in older neighbourhoods such as Asakusa or Ueno, you may spot locals drinking what looks like beer from a brown bottle labelled Hoppy.
But it’s not beer.
Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Hoppy is one of those drinks you probably haven’t heard of before arriving in Japan, but can definitely get a liking for before you leave!
What is Hoppy?
Hoppy is a beer-flavoured soft drink made primarily from water, malt, hops and yeast. It is brewed in a similar way to beer but contains only around 0.8% alcohol, making it technically a very low-alcohol beverage rather than a beer.
However, most people don’t drink Hoppy on its own. Instead, it is mixed with shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit. This gives it a bit of a kick, but not as much as drinking shochu on its own!
If you don’t normally like beer, the main difference with Hoppy is that it’s not as bitter as beer – although it’s also not sweet. Warning: because it tastes quite light, it can go down very fast!
What’s Its History?
Hoppy was first introduced in Japan in 1948, when beer was expensive and in short supply following the Second World War. It was created in Akasaka.
The company behind the drink wanted to create an affordable alternative that would let people enjoy a beer-like experience without paying beer prices.
They were originally going to call it Hobby, but it was decided that the name was tricky to say, so Hoppy it is.
Originally, it was sold on the black market as a way to make the moonshine-type alcohol that most people were drinking at this time more palatable! As alcohol became legitimate again, so did Hoppy.
How Do You Drink Hoppy?
When you order Hoppy in an izakaya, it usually arrives in two separate parts:
- A bottle of Hoppy.
- A glass containing a measure of shochu.
You then add the Hoppy to the shochu. Apparently, the officially recommended ratio is around five parts Hoppy to one part shochu, although everyone has their own preference.
To have it served perfectly, the glass should also be cold, or even better, icy, and you should pour the Hoppy in quickly so the bubbles rise.
You’re also not supposed to add ice, but every time I’ve been served it, ice has been added to the shochu.
White or Black?
I did not know this until I started researching this piece. Hoppy comes in two types.
- White Hoppy – The original version. Light, crisp and slightly dry, it’s the most commonly served.
- Black Hoppy – A darker version made with roasted malt. It’s darker and more beery.
If you’re a proper beer fan, you might want to try Black Hoppy; those who prefer a lager or who don’t think they like beer should stick to White Hoppy.
Fun Fact
Hoppy only has about 40 calories per 330ml bottle, and a standard shot of sochu has about 60 calories; that’s less than a glass of wine! It’s also relatively low in carbs and sugar.
Where Can You Try It?
The obvious place is Hoppy Street in Asakusa – the road was named after it, after all! This was where I first gave it a try.
Hoppy Street is a whole road of bars with both inside and outside seating. It’s very tourist-friendly- although note that many bars do charge a seat fee, so it’s not the best place for bar hopping. Find one you like and stick with it.
Hoppy Street is also famous for its beef tendon stew, which you’ll find on many menus.
If you aren’t staying near Hoppy Street, don’t despair; you’ll find it on many other izakaya menus in the Kanto region, which is made up of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma. I last drank it in Nagoya while trying the city’s famous chicken wings.
If you’re interested in experiencing everyday Japanese food and drink culture rather than just sampling sake or Japanese whisky, Hoppy is well worth trying.
Don’t blame me if it goes down way too fast, though.
Why Not Take a Bar Tour?
If you’re keen to try Hoppy but are travelling solo and not sure about visiting izakaya on your own, there are a couple of bar tours in Asakusa that mean you can enjoy a drink with others.
Bar tours are also a great choice for couples or groups who want to meet some other people on their trip, or, who would just like to have a local explaining how things work on one of your first nights.
Here are three to choose from
Go bar hopping – and then end up in a karaoke bar. Definitely something you want to do with other people. See more about it here.
Asakusa Japanese Izakaya Bar Hopping Tour. This tour even has ‘trying Hoppy’ as a selling point! See more about it here.
Asakusa Hidden Izakaya Bar Hopping Experience: This one includes a real Japanese drinking experience, one fee, all you can drink for a short period of time – don’t worry, it’s not a competition, and there is also food included! See more about it here.
Who Writes This Blog?
My name is Helen Foster, and I’m a journalist and author. My travel articles have appeared in publications including The Australian, Escape, RAC Horizons, Jetstar Magazine, Sainsbury’s Magazine, and more.
I’ve travelled to Japan nine times before – solo and with my partner and visited over 50 towns and cities. My last visit was in April 2026, so everything here is pretty up to date.