Hoppy Street, Where Everyone Gets Happy

Hoppy Street

(Taito City, Tokyo)

【Hoppy（ホッピー）】 is a mildly carbonated, low alcoholic (alc. 0.8%) beverage. It’s a Tokyo-born drink, produced in a factory located in Tokyo. It is especially popular among the general public at Japanese style pubs in the Tokyo region.

When beer was expensive, Hoppy was developed as an alternative beverage. Originally, the drink was named “Hobby,” combining the word “hops,” one of its ingredients, and “non-beer.” However, since it didn’t sound pleasant, they eventually started calling it “Hoppy.”

If you order a Hoppy, you’ll get a brown bottle labeled “Hoppy” in white, and a cold glass with shochu (a Japanese distilled spirit, about 25% alcohol). You pour the half of Hoppy into the glass and drink it ― the delicate bubbles give your throat a refreshing feeling.

Once you finish your drink, you can order another serving of shochu, which is called “naka.” In Japanese, “naka” means “filling.” You can simply ask the waiter, “Naka, please,” and they will bring you another glass of shochu. You then pour in the rest of the Hoppy and enjoy the drink again. Most people enjoy two or three naka servings with one bottle of Hoppy. Some even go for five or six. It’s entirely up to you how much Hoppy you mix and how many naka you drink with a single bottle. This mixing process is one of the pleasures of drinking Hoppy.

There is an officially recommended way to enjoy Hoppy, called the “three colds”: cold Hoppy, a cold glass, and cold shochu without ice. Especially in the summertime, after walking around in the humid and scorching heat, pouring ice-cold Hoppy straight down your throat brings an extra refreshing sensation. You might even get addicted to the feeling.

Hoppy Street, named after the popular beverage, is located near the famous Senso-ji Temple. Both sides of the 80-meter street are lined with small, old-style eateries. Local residents and tourists enjoy foods and drink at open-air tables. Since most of these restaurants serve Hoppy, the street became known as Hoppy Street.

This street was called Simmered-Dish Street because it features braised beef tendons. Small pieces of beef tendon, konjac, and daikon radish are simmered in sake, sugar, and soy sauce. The dish pairs perfectly with alcoholic drinks. Each restaurant takes pride in its own unique flavor.

A group of friends spends time drinking together, while regular customers order their usual food and drink as usual, eat quickly, and leave. This area is known as a town of entertainers, so it’s not uncommon to see comedians or actors at some restaurants. You can enjoy a drink in this warm, friendly neighborhood atmosphere.

Find your favorite spot, order a Hoppy, and raise your glass with a cheerful “Happy with Hoppy!”