[6] Its architectural importance is that it provides a view into the relatively recent past of Tokyo, when large parts of the city resembled present-day Golden Gai, particularly in terms of the extremely narrow lanes and the tiny two-story buildings.

This has left Golden Gai as one of a decreasing number of examples of the nature of Tokyo before Japan's "economic miracle", that took place in the latter half of the 20th century.

[2] Many of the bars only welcome regular customers, who initially should be introduced by an existing patron, although many others welcome non-regulars, some even making efforts to attract overseas tourists by displaying signs and price lists in English.

[7] Many of the bars have a particular theme, such as jazz, R&B, karaoke, punk rock, or flamenco,[2] and their ramshackle walls are sometimes liberally plastered with movie, film and concert posters.

[2] In the 1980s, many buildings in Tokyo were set on fire by yakuza, so the land could be bought up by developers,[8] but Golden Gai survived because some of its supporters took turns to guard the area at night.