Marunouchi Happ.STORE : The Bottom Line
Marunouchi Happ.STORE is, for want of a better word, a fun place to have some craft beers in. Its quirky nature of books, snacks, and beers, along with some random souvenirs, makes it one of the weirder places that I’ve drunk in; however, I will happily go back here again when I have to change at Tokyo station. Though there are no taps of craft beer, the range of craft beers in the fridge, with styles across the board being represented here, means that there is something for everything, though there is a ¥100 corkage fee for drinking in store. The whole place is non-smoking and there is some free Wifi for you to use in the building.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : Background
There was a time, between the years of 2020 and 2022, that I would have to walk through the Marunouchi Building to change trains for work. At some point in time, there was some mass global event – I forget the name of it – that meant some of the Gyoko-dori passageway between Tokyo station and Otemachi station were closed for vaccinations for people. As such, there was a diversion around the area – either up and down or go around the area. I often went around, especially in the warmer months, and that meant a diversion into the surronding Marunouchi buildings.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE didn’t exist at that time, in spite of the visits, as it opened in February 2024, though if it had done, no doubt those evening transfers between the two stations would have been better, and also boozier. The idea behind the store is “a small local daily store with the theme of being close to the daily lives of working people.” – which makes sense when you realise the amount of offices and workers in the area.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : Atmosphere & Interior
As you approach Marunouchi Happ.STORE, you’re greeted by a large open plan shop, with some snacks and books about beer and coffee – two of my favourite things. It’s only when you go in a bit further that you notice the beer fridges – more about that later on. Though the store is inside, it was open and airy, with space set aside for people to mooch around, or pick up some beers to drink.
The back of the bar is a small food area, though that’s not available for drinking at. However, there are some small tables in the middle of Marunouchi Happ.STORE which you can drink at. There is space for around 8 people in the middle seating, with there not being a table charge. The building itself is non-smoking, so as an extension to this, the bar is also non-smoking, and there is some free wifi that you can use.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : Beer & Tap Information
It’s weird to be writing about a craft beer place that doens’t have any taps of craft beer on – it’s something we’ve asked out Patrons in the past, and the general consensus was that places like Marunouchi Happ.STORE should be included. There are six fridges at the back left of the store, with breweries from Japan mostly on show here. There are some import beers, though not many. I was happy that Our Brewing was in stock – so I had a couple of those to drink.
The beers can be bought to drink in store, at a cost of ¥100, though that does get you access to some funky glassware and some small snacks to munch on. On the other hand, you can take the beers away and drink outside if you so wish.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : Food & Menu Information
There are some lunch boxes on sale at the store, along with a selection of snacks from across Japan. I didn’t get anything to eat here – I had just eaten before coming out to drink; though the pictures on the Instagram feed (listed below) do look enticing.
Marunouchi Happ.STORE : Bar Details
- Open : Weekdays 11:00 – 20:00 (L.O 19:30) Saturdays 12:00 – 18:30 (L.O 18:00)
- Closed : Sundays
- Happy Hour : –
- Phone : 0363736593
- Homepage (in Japanese) :
- Social Media : Instagram
