Beer gets its distinctive flavor from hops, and communities around Japan are putting their own local flavor into beer through projects to grow hops at the grassroots level.
In some places, there are even hopes of promoting the plant as a new local specialty.
An event called Takanawa Hop Fest was held in November near Takanawa Gateway Station on the JR Yamanote Line in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Organized by East Japan Railway Co. and others, the event featured beer made from hops grown at nine locations by companies and individuals in the neighborhood of the station.
