A Guide To Tokyo’s Beer Gardens – Including On Department Store Rooftops

The City’s Nightlife Starts With These Hotspots For Beer (And Champagne) Lovers 

The Tokyo Sumer Olympics  are over but you can still create some Gold Medal moments of your own when PubClubbbing in this lively city.

A big part of the Tokyo nightlife are the beer gardens. And these are not beer gardens like you find in Germany in that they are all in parks. In Tokyo, some are on the rooftops of – get this – department stores.

In the summertime and early fall, department stores turn their rooftops into raucous and bars. The crowd is mostly office workers and each has a different atmosphere, from the crazy atmosphere of Ikebukuro’s Tobu Department store to the Hawaiian stylings of Parco Ikebukuro.

Tokyo’s trendy young locals head to Lumine Est in Shinjuku, which turns its rooftop into a beach resort, complete with glamping options.

Here’s a few other happening spots both from high above the city and on the ground.

• LAND Meat Center at Lumine Shinjuku, Lumine 1

This rooftop beer garden atop Shinjuku Station is a chic bohemian-themed refuge. As you chill in the scenic garden, enjoy a luxurious yakiniku (grilled meat) meal—along with your choice from over 20 types of cocktails. Meal options start at 4,800 yen per person. For a slightly more unique experience, you can wine and dine in a glamping-themed tent for 10,000 yen.

• Rooftop Botanical Beer Garden at Tokyo Afrodite

Tokyo Afrodite offers a unique rooftop beer garden experience. Course menus start at 5,000 yen per person, and are organic health-conscious, low-carb, and rich in vitamins and protein. Don’t forget to order the most popular drink, the color-changing butterfly pea lemonade—it’s perfect for social media!

• Champagne Garden at Hotel Chinzanso

Enjoy free-flowing champagne of the highest quality—Moet & Chandon, Mumm Grand Cordon, Nicolas Feuillatte, Taittinger, and more. Say cheers from the top of the renowned Hotel Chinzanso as you nibble on a variety of gourmet hors d’oeuvres.

Traditional Beer Gardens In Parks

Tokyo has these, as well.  Hibiya Park has its “Hibeer Garden,” with craft beers and live music, along with various food stalls. Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is a spacious park surrounded by world-class art museums that serves beer, cocktails and gourmet food.

Tokyo Beer Garden Tips

• Many beer gardens offer all you can eat and drink packages, generally limited to around two hours
• Check the major department stores in Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya and Ikebukuro for rooftop bars
• Even the biggest venues, such as beer gardens based in parks, get busy on Friday nights and weekends, so reserve in advance
• Reward yourself for hiking up Mt. Takao with a cold brew at the summit beer garden, but be careful: the last cable car down, leaves at 9:15pm