Japan’s period of rapid postwar economic growth was already well underway in 1956, which is when the Misono building was opened in the bustling Minami neighbourhood of Osaka. Originally built in order to hold lavish banquets, it has undergone dramatic change over the years while still retaining some of its most characteristic features. Today, Misono is a five-storey structure centred around the wonderfully old-school, 500-person grand banquet hall, and also hosts a Showa-style hotel that’s sure to bring back memories of the good old days. More interestingly, around 40 tiny bars call Misono home too, creating an atmosphere not unlike that of Shinjuku’s famed Golden Gai bar quarters. The basement, which once housed a cabaret, boasts impeccable acoustics and is now frequented by trendy counter-culture types who regularly hold concerts and other events here, while a part of the space is reserved for galleries exhibiting the work of up-and-coming artists.