Asahi Flame

You’re now standing at the foot of one of Tokyo’s most unusual landmarks: the Asahi Flame. From down here, it might not seem obvious at first, but the taller one on the right was designed to resemble a beer pint with its frothy head. Inside, you’ll find the headquarters of Asahi Breweries, the leading beer producer in Japan. On the left, the smaller black building features a bold golden sculpture on top, meant to evoke the shape of a flame rising from a glass. Built in 1989 by French designer Philippe Starck, it’s home to a three-story restaurant where you can directly try freshly-brewed Asahi beer. The story of Asahi Breweries goes all the way back to 1889, to the company’s foundation in Osaka. Their first beer came out in 1892 and quickly became popular in the whole country. Today, Asahi Breweries is one of the five largest brewing companies in all of Asia. With such a legacy, it’s only fitting that their headquarters should be one of the most recognizable and iconic silhouettes of Tokyo. Don’t worry, if you’re having trouble spotting the buildings from here— you’ll get a much clearer view once we cross the bridge and reach the other side of the Sumida River.