Asahi Beer Hall, Tokyo

The Asahi Beer Hall, also known as the Super Dry Hall or Flamme d'Or, is a distinctive building situated at the headquarters of Asahi Breweries on the eastern bank of the Sumida River in Sumida, Tokyo. Sporting an attention-grabbing and somewhat pretentious architectural style, the Asahi Beer Hall stands out as a significant example of contemporary architecture in Tokyo. Its most iconic feature is the Asahi Flame D'or, a massive golden structure perched atop the beer hall. This structure is said to symbolize both the passion behind Asahi beer and the frothy head that tops a freshly poured glass.

Remarkably, the 360-tonne golden flame was crafted using techniques employed in submarine construction by skilled shipbuilders. Interestingly, it is completely hollow. Informally, the Asahi Flame is affectionately referred to as "the golden turd" and the Asahi Beer Hall itself as the "poo building" by many residents of Tokyo.

The building itself is designed in the shape of a beer glass, intended to complement the adjacent golden beer mug-shaped building that houses the offices of Asahi Breweries. This architectural marvel was conceived by the renowned French designer Philippe Starck and was completed in 1989. Since then, the east bank of the Sumida River has become a popular destination for both tourists and locals who come to appreciate the unique design of the Asahi Beer Hall. It has earned its place as one of Tokyo's most iconic modern structures.