The Ginza Lion 7-chome Building (Ginza Lion Building) is a historic structure completed in 1934 (Showa 9) as the headquarters of Dai Nippon Beer, housing Japan's oldest surviving beer hall. It was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2022. Architectural and interior features, Art Deco-style design: Designed by architect Eizo Sugawara, it incorporates a geometric exterior and elements of the International Style. An interior themed around “abundance and harvest”: Beer Hall Lion Ginza 7-chome on the 1st floor features decorations inspired by barley and grapes, and Japan's first full-scale glass mosaic mural depicting the harvest of brewing barley. Retro lighting and columns: Grape-inspired chandeliers dating from its founding and substantial barley-inspired columns create a majestic, church-like space. Food and service features, the traditional “single pour”: A traditional technique rotates beer in the glass to remove excess carbonation and trap unwanted flavors in the foam, delivering beer with a clean, smooth finish. A space preserving the Showa atmosphere: Alongside Beer Hall Lion Ginza 7-chome, the building also houses a wine grill, Japanese restaurants, and more, remaining lively today while retaining traces of the past.

August 4, Lion Day. Half-price draft beer day! Even though it was a weekday… 4 of us took paid leave and lined up from 10… (many regulars in the queue are older gentlemen and ladies who seem to have retired, a familiar sight in itself) and got in at 11! Opening time was supposed to be 11:30, but the line on that hot day was so huge that they welcomed us in with smiles! Now, let the feast begin! The drinks were draft beer, of course… but the à la carte food selection was so extensive, it was hard to choose! Since we were there, we splurged and made our CHOICE: a huge platter of sausages & meat & fries & onions! This generously sized set was more than satisfying, right up to our last draft beer refill… on Lion's half-price day, you're asked to leave after 1 hour 30 minutes. No extra food needed! We toasted with large draft beers… then thoroughly enjoyed Perfect Beer, Kohaku Yebisu, Black, Half & Half, and more! Around leaving time, the toilets get incredibly crowded, but there's no way to pace the drinking! Thank you for the meal!

The tables were a little close together, but that was fine in its own way. The atmosphere was nice too, and I really enjoyed the beer. This time of year is the best.

Abe's service on the floor left a great impression❢ It was Beer Hall Day, so getting in took a very long time, but normally the wait isn't that long.