YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO

Located in Tokyo’s Ebisu, YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO is more than a beer lover’s paradise—it’s an experiential museum blending history, culture and modern brewing craft. This is one of the birthplaces of Japan’s iconic Yebisu beer, taking you through 130 years of beer stories and the endless possibilities of beer culture!

Basic Information

Address：〒150-8522 Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu 4-20-1 (inside Yebisu Garden Place)

Opening hours：
🕛 Weekdays 12:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30)
🕛 Weekends & national holidays 11:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30)
Note: Closed on Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a national holiday, closing moves to the following day), plus New Year holidays and certain maintenance days.

Official site：https://www.sapporobeer.jp/yebisu/brewery-tokyo/

What to see inside

YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO combines a museum, brewery and taproom into one unique space that emphasizes “YEBISU believes beer is ∞.” The facility is split into three main areas: the Museum Area, the Brewery Area and the Tap Room Area—each offering a different slice of Yebisu’s charm from history to the present.

Museum Area：Exhibits trace Yebisu’s colorful history since 1890, featuring vintage posters, early beer bottles and steins. Bilingual (Japanese/English) panels and multimedia let visitors see how the brand grew from a local brewery into a symbol of Japanese beer. The displays also include rare old photos linking the brand to the Ebisu neighborhood, showing deep local ties.

Brewery Area：Equipped with high-end German brewing gear and an annual capacity of about 130,000 liters, this is a shrine for beer fans. Transparent glass lets visitors watch the brewing process up close—from malt milling to fermentation. There’s also a “Master Brewer’s Room” where the Chief Experience Brewer may appear to chat and share stories behind the beers.

Tap Room Area：The best place to taste Yebisu: year-round staples like “Yebisu ∞ (Infinity)” and “Yebisu ∞ Black,” plus seasonal or small-batch house beers such as “Foggy Ale 2024” and “En-en.” The lively taproom has varied seating layouts ideal for solo sips or sharing with friends. Simple bar snacks (pickles, light bites) perfectly complement the beer’s rich flavors.

Exhibit types

The exhibits center on beer culture and brand history, mixing interactive experiences with physical displays. Expect historical artifacts, ad design, brewing craft explanations and documentary footage produced with the Ebisu district. The special guided tour “YEBISU the JOURNEY” (reservation required, fee ¥1,800) is a 45-minute deep dive through museum and brewery, ending with a tasting of “Yebisu ∞” paired with snacks—a full-sensory beer journey. The museum also hosts special events and brand collaborations like the “YEBISU BEER HOLIDAY” (usually in September at Ebisu Garden Place) and other limited-time experiences.

History

Yebisu’s story began in 1890 when the Japan Beer Brewing Company (part of today’s Sapporo Breweries) founded a brewery in Ebisu. The brand name comes from Ebisu, one of Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods, symbolizing prosperity—hence the cheerful fisherman on the label. From 1890 until 1988, Ebisu was a major brewing site and earned acclaim at home and abroad. Production stopped when the brewery moved in 1988, but the name and reputation lived on, eventually becoming the area’s place name.

On April 3, 2024, YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO reopened on the site of the original Yebisu Beer Museum after a ¥1.7 billion renovation, restoring traditional brewing techniques. The brewery revived classic Tettnanger hops alongside modern brewing methods to create beers that balance tradition and innovation. YEBISU BREWERY TOKYO is more than a museum—it’s a living space connecting beer culture’s past and future.