Having first opened its doors on the 8th of April 1934, the Ginza Lion Beer Hall is Japan’s oldest existing beer hall, and is still in operation to this very date.

Located on the first floor of the Dainippon Beer company’s head office building, the interior of the Ginza Lion Beer Hall was considered luxurious and innovative for its time, receiving tremendous praise from both individuals and specialists in architecture.
Whilst many other beer halls and related venues suffered severe damage and demolition following the air raids on Japan during World War II, Ginza Lion Beer Hall managed to escape this fate, and on the 11th of September 1945, it became a beer hall exclusively for use by the American expeditionary forces. This requisition ended in January 1952, when the beer hall was once again open to the general public, and has continued to be so ever since.

Alongside celebrating the 87th anniversary since it’s opening, this year the Ginza Lion Beer Hall joins Japan’s list of Registered Important Cultural Properties.

Remaining almost exactly the same since its founding, the hall’s interior has been one of the driving factors behind it’s popularity, with customers describing Ginza Lion Beer Hall as “a venue that never changes and always welcomes you with the same appearance” and “a beer hall full of rich memories”.

The beer hall’s interior is based on the concept of ‘fertility and harvest’.
A large glass mosaic mural located behind the bar depicts women harvesting beer barley and grapes, whilst an ‘Acanthus flower’, which symbolises love and peace, can be seen in the center of the image. The bar is framed by two elegant fountains which are installed at either end of the counter, however, these fountains have not been in use in recent years due to the aging of the building.
Red brick walls symbolise ‘the nurturing power of earth’, whilst thick pillars covered in green tiles represent barley.
Illuminating the store are polka dot lights that portray the image of beer foam and chandeliers that give off an appearance of a grape bunch dangling from above.

The registration of the building as a Registered Important Cultural Property is thought to have been influenced by the fact that it has been a valued part of Ginza and has held onto the history of the area for more than 80 years.
Through this registration, those behind the venue proudly hope that it can continue to be loved by generations to come through the sharing of beer hall culture.

Ginza Lion Beer Hall can be found on the first floor of the Ginza Lion Building. In Addition, there are four other floors in the building which can be enjoyed alongside a historic Ginza vibe.

Ginza Lion Building
Address:7-9-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1st floor Ginza Lion Beer Hall
2nd floor Ginza Lion Beer & Wine Grill
3rd Floor Ginza Kakoiya Izakaya
4th Floor Ginza Irimoya Shabu-shabu Sukiyaki Restaurant
6th Floor Ginza Classic Private Rental Hall