Ah, Shinagawa. A home away from home for this twice-a-year Japan visitor. I even can sing you the JR Station  jingle song for Shinagawa station. This ward of Tokyo sits to the south of town, right on the bay. It's home to many hotels, and a place that welcomes and somewhat accommodates foreign travelers. Many foreign embassies are there. It's also a major train hub, making it a perfect base for travel around Tokyo. It's where I stay every time I visit Tokyo.

Shinagawa also has a bit of  history. World-leading electronics company Sony started there, and still has offices there. So does Canon. The famous 47 ronin also took their lives there, at the Sengokuji temple. Strange trivia: You often see Shinagawa on license plates, as a main motor/license office is located there.

Oh, this post was about beer. Before there were mega brands Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin, there was Shinagawa-ken beer. We're talking late 1800's here, when there was still an area called Shinagawa-ken. The above beer was created then, and is still around today. I'll have to try it the next time I'm in town.

[via Shibuya 246]