By NORIHIKO SHINJO/ Staff Writer
July 15, 2024 at 07:00 JST
Families raise a toast in the beer garden atop the Ashiya Monolith in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, on June 20. (Norihiko Shinjo)
ASHIYA, Hyogo Prefecture--The beer garden atop Ashiya Monolith, a wedding venue and restaurant here, is now open, offering diners and drinkers a retreat to beat the summer heat.
The facility was remodeled from the former Ashiya Post Office Telephone Exchange built by the old communications ministry in 1929.
It was designated as a tangible cultural property by the central government in 2017.
The facility has been used as a wedding venue since 2005, and the beer garden has been a summer tradition since 2009.
The garden is equipped with tables and sofas to accommodate up to 50 or so guests.
The menu offers spareribs and other plates. There is also a buffet that features pickled summer vegetables, al ajillo, spicy curry and other dishes.
On rainy days, guests can enjoy meals inside the retro-flavored structure built in so-called Neo-Renaissance architectural style.
Admission is 6,600 yen ($41) for adults, 3,300 yen for elementary school pupils and free for preschoolers.
The venue is open until the end of August from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and when the building is used for wedding ceremonies, except for Aug. 13-14.
For inquiries, visit the official website at (https://produce.novarese.jp/ashiya-monolith/).
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