History

Pig & Whistle British Pub
Kyoto's Original Pub Since 1986

The Pig - A True Kyoto Legend

The Pig is a Kyoto institution. It's also Kyoto's very first pub. Our pub opened its doors around the peak of the booming bubble economy in Japan during the 1980s. Even after the bubble burst the Pig hardly noticed, and neither did our happy (and intoxicated) patrons! You couldn't set foot in Kyoto without quickly finding yourself walking up the steps to the 2nd floor of the Shobi building. Those were the days of legend. This is the era that forged the Pig & Whistle British Public House in Kyoto, Japan.

The world has change quite a bit since the days of Japan Inc. but The Pig is still The Pig. Many bars and restaurant have come and gone but the Pig endures and continues to welcome guests and locals with open arms. It's been 30 years of dart tournaments, Halloween parties, live music, world cups, and uncountable kegs of beer consumed. We're looking forward to the next 30 years!

The world has change quite a bit since the days of Japan Inc. but The Pig is still The Pig. Many bars and restaurant have come and gone but the Pig endures and continues to welcome guests and locals with open arms. It's been 30 years of dart tournaments, Halloween parties, live music, world cups, and uncountable kegs of beer consumed. We're looking forward to the next 30 years!

What's in a Name?

Pig & Whistle - a famous British pub name. Maybe you've stumbled upon one before in your travels. The name is thought to have been adapted from the Saxon word piggen (milk pail) and wassail (be in good health). In the past beer was served in pails and customers dipped theirs mugs in and served themselves. The mugs were called "Pigs."

An alternate theory is that the origin of pig was the word hael meaning "the Angels Salutation to the Virgin Mary," which in Danish-Saxon meant "Virgin Hail" or "Health to the Maiden."

How's that for some pub trivia? Wew. I think I made myself thirsty. Time for another pint! Cheers.