Did you know? The first McDonald's store in Japan was in Ginza Mitsukoshi

October 2, 2024

Table of Contents

1 A new food culture that begins in Ginza, a trendsetting area

A new food culture that begins in Ginza, a trendsetting area

On July 20, 1971, the first McDonald's restaurant landed in Japan, opening on the first floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi as a take-out specialty restaurant. At the time, the U.S. headquarters planned to open a restaurant in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, assuming that customers would come by car, but Mr. Fujita, a co-founder of McDonald's Japan, strongly promoted the opening of a restaurant in Ginza based on his belief that "fashion starts in Ginza.

New Challenges at Ginza Mitsukoshi

The first McDonald's restaurant in Japan was crowded with people on July 23, 1971, only three days after its opening. At first, there was some criticism that the culture of eating hamburgers standing up was "bad manners," but it was quickly accepted in the fashionable Ginza district. Especially on weekends when the area was open to pedestrians, it was crowded with young people and families, marking the beginning of a new food culture.

Scenery of Ginza half a century ago

Ginza in 1971 had a different landscape from that of today. The beer garden seen on the left of the photo was not open until late at night, but rather at hours that were in line with the prevailing trends of the time. The atmosphere was one in which families and young people could enjoy themselves in peace, avoiding deep drinking.

The first McDonald's restaurant, which breathed new life into Japan's food culture during this era, is still talked about by many people to this day. This new food culture that began in Ginza has now spread throughout Japan and continues to be loved by many people.

Article Supervisor

Yuya Hachimine

President of ZENNO GROUP Inc. known as a distinguished figure in the Ginza night work industry. He has 14 years of experience working in high-end clubs in Ginza and has handled numerous whiskies. He currently provides various services for the industry. In order to improve the inefficient work system, he founded ZENNO GROUP Inc. and is a professional in whisky knowledge and customer service. This article introduces selected whiskies that can be enjoyed at high-class clubs in Ginza. It explains in detail the appeal of whisky, recommended brands, and Ginza's nightlife.