In the fall of 2024, a massive food, entertainment, and leisure building debuted in front of Shimbashi SL Square. The newly opened Grand Hammer lets you experience the otherworldly with diverse dining and entertainment that spans nine floors from the basement to the eighth floor and rooftop. The creator of this building is HAMAKURA-STYLE Store Production Inc., which has produced and managed such new community spaces as Ebisu Yokocho and Shibuya Yokocho. This report explores Grand Hammer, potentially the hottest new tourist destination in Shimbashi.

Grand Hammer is situated a one-minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station, just a stone's throw away from the famous Shimbashi SL Square, often seen on TV. Its glittering façade is enchanting, and when it is lit up, the building brings color to Shimbashi nights. The total area spans an impressive 8265 square meters. Each floor features a unique theme and concept, allowing visitors to eat, watch, play, and unwind, all within a single building.

First, we head to the basement floor. At Amajoh, a restaurant with a massive 20-ton tank at its center, guests can savor a meal while experiencing the culture of ama divers, part of Japanese cultural heritage.

To help more people learn about ama diver culture, the massive tank hosts six free ama diving demonstrations daily. Visitors can observe up close the rare fishing method of the ama, registered as part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage. Hamakura explains, "The demonstrations feature actual ama divers from Minamiizu in Shizuoka Prefecture. I hope the experience at Amajoh will inspire people to appreciate ama culture and the appeal of the region, then ultimately visit the region for themselves."

The free diving demonstrations last about 15 minutes. The unique performance aspect of these demonstrations means they are always a huge hit. "Guests are highly satisfied, plus they can interact with the ama divers once they come up from the tank after the demonstration," says Hamakura. "Since these are actual working ama divers, visitors can ask about how they became divers, their everyday lives, and more. The opportunity to communicate with ama divers, who are not usually this accessible, is a major part of the appeal of Amajoh."

The menu at Amajoh features individual servings of shabu-shabu, hot pots, sukiyaki, grilled seafood, and yakiniku. Guests can enjoy directly sourced fresh lobster and abalone as well as select Japanese black beef wagyu cooked to their liking. The a la carte menu also offers an extensive selection of sashimi and tempura.

As you ascend from the basement to the first floor, you are suddenly immersed in a distinctively Japanese vibe. Shimbashi Yokocho ~Busho~, directly connected to the entrance of Grand Hammer entrance, is a collection of five izakayas that represent the regions of Hokkaido, Tohoku-Kanto, Chubu-Kinki, Chugoku-Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa. Here, enjoy local specialties and soul food from across Japan in a casual setting.

The diverse samurai armor creates a perfect spot for snapping photos. The ceiling is adorned with quintessentially Japanese items - from taiko drums and nebuta floats to lanterns, sake barrels, daruma dolls, and shogi pieces - creating a space that exudes the festivals and culture of Japan.

The Edo-mae sushi platter is the signature dish of the Tohoku-Kanto food zone. Other recommended items include the sauce katsu don from Fukushima and beef tongue from Sendai.

In the Kyushu-Okinawa food zone, Nagahama ramen - one of the top three ramen varieties in Fukuoka - is particularly popular. Its light tonkotsu broth and ultra-thin noodles are perfect for a meal after a night of drinking.

The second floor, Shimbashi Yokocho ~Asia~, brings together restaurants from China, Korea, Thailand, and Japan, and offers everything from 100% buckwheat soba to yakitori. The nearly 800 colorful signs evoke the bustling streets of Asian metropolises. Like the first floor, this level is a collection of country-themed izakayas. Get a group together and come savor flavors from around Asia here.

On the third floor, the show restaurant Za Gran Tokyo offers dining and drinks alongside authentic entertainment performances by musical artists, performers, and illusionists. Equipped with enormous LED screens, the stage showcases performances ranging from internationally acclaimed artists to Showa-era pop songs, traditional Japanese arts, and even martial arts shows. The proximity between the stage and the seats creates a compelling experience as well.

The fourth-floor Grand Cafe Lounge features an atrium design that allows guests to relax and unwind all while experiencing the energy of the entertainment show on the third floor. This high-end space, reminiscent of a luxury hotel lounge, invites guests to relax.

Hama Club on the fifth floor is an island-style bar with a DJ booth. Here, enjoy Tex-Mex cuisine, or Texas-style Mexican food, and drinks while losing yourself to the music of the DJ.

The club boasts an impressive 15 crane game machines. Gather your friends and have a blast!

The Premium Area on the sixth floor features Hamacom, which offers luxurious private rooms for dining and karaoke; Mikan, a snack bar staffed by professional announcers, emcees, and other voice professionals; and Benitsuya, a traditional Japanese restaurant offering authentic kaiseki courses and the chance to experience classic geisha quarters culture.

At Benitsuya, dance performances and traditional entertainment occur three times daily at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM. Featuring genuine geisha from registered geisha quarters, the performances delight both Japanese and international visitors. Sakamoto, who manages Benitsuya, explains, "While first time guests are usually refused geisha entertainment, here at Benitsuya, anyone can enjoy it in a casual atmosphere. Many people associate geisha with Kyoto, but Tokyo actually has six active geisha quarters that maintain this rich cultural tradition. I hope we can share the culture of the geisha quarters from Shimbashi as well."

At Benitsuya, guests can enjoy a course of Japanese cuisine supervised by Naoki Okumura of Gion Okumura, a renowned Kyoto restaurant. Diners can choose from the Pine, Bamboo, or Plum courses.

O2 Plage on the seventh floor is a cutting-edge relaxation area with three distinct zones: private saunas, high-concentration oxygen and zero-gravity massage chairs, and a resting area equipped with showers. After eating and playing to your heart's content, take a moment to unwind on this floor.

The private saunas feature a self-service loyly made with high-quality Finnish sauna stones. A spacious cold water bath - essential to any sauna experience - is also available. The ultimate in relaxation awaits.

The resting area equipped with showers is perfect for a quick break or midday nap between work.

The top floor, the eighth level, features Tatami, a bar that offers rare Japanese sake and Kyoto Uji matcha sweets, as well as Rainbow Star, a rooftop barbecue restaurant. The vast rooftop includes a large LED screen system that allows for events using multimedia.

Forget the hustle and bustle of the city as you devour meat at the rooftop oasis overlooking the Shiodome buildings.

Rainbow Star offers courses, but guests can also order a la carte items that interest them, such as ultra-spicy beef trachea cartilage and skirt steak.

Grand Hammer, emerging as a new landmark in the Shimbashi area as it undergoes redevelopment, combines the luxury of a palace with unprecedentedly entertaining experiences in food, entertainment, and leisure. From the basement to the rooftop, it promises non-stop entertainment that will attract guests from Japan and abroad along with the workers of Shimbashi. If you find yourself in Shimbashi, be sure stop to by Grand Hammer!

Grand Hammer
Location: 2-8-5 Shimbashi, Minato City, Tokyo (in front of SL Square)
Closed: None (open year-round)　
Business Hours:
1st, 2nd, and 7th floors: Open 24 hours a day
Benitsuya on the 6th floor: 5 PM - 11 PM
Mikan on the 6th floor: 6 PM - 2 AM
Other floors/establishments: Sunday-Thursday and Saturdays: 11 AM - 5 AM, Fridays and the day before a national holiday: Open 24 hours a day

*For other details, see the official website.
https://grandhammer.jp/