Baird Brewery Shuzenji Gardens

Baird Brewery Shuzenji Gardens is the flagship brewery of Baird Beer, a respected craft-beer brand started by husband-wife duo Bryan and Sayuri Baird.

Find yourself in the Shuzenji area? This brewery is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts looking to experience handcrafted, unfiltered, and naturally carbonated beers in a serene setting.

The brewery has an indoor, woodsy taproom, along with an outdoor section. Visitors can enjoy fresh Baird Beer straight from the source.

What’s on tap?

Baird Brewery is known for its balanced, unpasteurized beers, inspired by both Japanese and American brewing traditions. Some of the staples you’ll find on tap include:

• Rising Sun Pale Ale — A crisp, citrusy pale ale with a balanced malt backbone.
• Shuzenji Heritage Helles — A smooth, German-style lager named after its hometown.
• Angry Boy Brown Ale — A bold, hoppy brown ale with caramel and chocolate notes.
• Wabi-Sabi Japan Pale Ale — A unique take on a pale ale, brewed with wasabi and green tea.

There are also various seasonal brews.

Facilities

• English-friendly service
• Brewery tours: Generally require reservations in advance, from ¥1,200 per person.
• Food options: Food is served in the taproom, albeit from a limited menu. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food.

How to get there

From Shuzenji Station, it’s about a 12-minute bus ride. Take the W39 bus and get off at Yasutake (安竹) bus stop (¥380).

If you’re coming from the Shuzenji town area, take the C10 bus to Yugawabashi (湯川橋) bus stop (¥230 from Shuzenji Onsen bus stop), which will take about 5 minutes.

Then, transfer to the W39 or C50 (for Kawazu) bus, ride for 8 minutes or so, and get off at Yasutake (安竹) bus stop (¥340).

From the bus stop, walk for 9 minutes over to the brewery.

Buses can be limited in this area depending on the time of day. Brewery staff can help call you a taxi.

by Aarohi Narain