Kamiya Bar Main Building

Kamiya Bar Main Building: Asakusa's Iconic Taisho-Era Landmark and Japan's First Bar

Standing on the bustling corner of Asakusa 1-1-1 in Tokyo, the Main Building of Kamiya Bar (Kamiya Ba Honkan) is a striking six-story reinforced concrete structure that has welcomed thirsty patrons since 1921. As Japan's very first establishment to call itself a "bar," Kamiya Bar holds a unique place in the country's modern social and culinary history. The building itself was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2011, recognizing its rare survival as the oldest reinforced concrete commercial building in Asakusa and a treasured emblem of the Taisho era's cosmopolitan spirit.

A Brief History: From a Sake Shop to Japan's First Bar

The story of Kamiya Bar begins in 1880 (Meiji 13), when entrepreneur Kamiya Denbei opened a small sake shop called "Mikahaya Meishu-ten" in Asakusa, named after his ancestral region of Mikawa. He soon began importing wine in 1881 and, in 1882, started producing his now-legendary spiced brandy, the forerunner of "Denki Bran" (Electric Brandy).

On April 10, 1912, Denbei refurbished the shop's interior in Western style and renamed it "Kamiya Bar," giving Japan its first establishment to bear this Western name. The current building, the third generation of the establishment, was completed in 1921 (Taisho 10). Remarkably, it survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the wartime air raids of the 1940s, making it one of the few prewar commercial buildings still in active use in Asakusa.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

The Main Building of Kamiya Bar was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) on October 28, 2011, under registration number 13-0285. The criterion for its designation was that the building "contributes to the historical landscape of the nation."

Several factors make this building exceptionally valuable. It is the oldest reinforced concrete structure in the Asakusa district, a pioneering example of modern commercial architecture in early 20th-century Tokyo. Designed and built by the Shimizu-gumi (the predecessor of today's Shimizu Corporation), it stands as a rare surviving example where the same firm both designed and constructed the building, and where the structure has continued operating in its original purpose for over a century. Its survival of two catastrophic events that destroyed most of central Tokyo's commercial buildings adds enormously to its historical significance.

Architectural Highlights: Reading the Facade

The Main Building stands at the northwest corner of its block, facing south onto the lively intersection where Kaminarimon-dori meets Edo-dori. The reinforced concrete structure rises six stories above ground with one basement level, occupying a building footprint of approximately 181 square meters.

The most striking feature of the exterior is the trio of semicircular arched windows that span the third and fourth floors, anchoring the composition and giving the building its unmistakable silhouette. The facade combines large rectangular windows with small circular high windows above, while engaged pilasters at the corners lend the building a sense of formal dignity. This is architecture designed to be seen from the street, prioritizing what scholars call "frontality" (shomensei). The careful detailing of handrails, window frames, and interior staircases reveals a level of craftsmanship that is increasingly rare in surviving buildings of this period.

The Charm of Visiting: Atmosphere, Denki Bran, and Beyond

Walking through the doors of Kamiya Bar is a step back into the world of Taisho-era Tokyo. The first floor operates in a beer-hall style with a brisk, cheerful atmosphere where patrons purchase meal tickets at the entrance before being seated. The polished floors, the wood-paneled walls, and the soft glow of the lighting create an unmistakable sense of nostalgia.

The signature drink is Denki Bran, the "Electric Brandy" invented by Kamiya Denbei himself. Made from a secret blend of brandy, gin, wine, curacao, and various herbs and spices, it carries an alcohol content of 30 to 40 percent yet drinks surprisingly smooth and slightly sweet. The traditional way to enjoy it is with a chaser of draft beer, a custom rooted in the working-class Asakusa of the early 20th century. The bar also serves classic Japanese-style Western dishes (yoshoku) such as kushikatsu, German potato, hamburger steak, and pork cutlets, all at remarkably accessible prices.

The building has hosted generations of literary figures, including the poet Kinoshita Mokutaro, who praised Denki Bran in his writings. Today, each floor offers a slightly different atmosphere, from the casual ground-floor bar to the more refined Restaurant Kamiya on the second floor and the kappo-style dining above.

Around Kamiya Bar: Exploring Asakusa

Kamiya Bar sits at the very gateway of Asakusa, just steps from some of Tokyo's most beloved attractions. Directly across the street, the iconic Kaminarimon Gate marks the entrance to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the year 645. The vibrant Nakamise shopping street stretches from the gate to the temple, lined with stalls selling traditional sweets, crafts, and souvenirs.

Just a short walk away, you can find the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center designed by Kengo Kuma, the riverside Sumida Park with views of the Tokyo Skytree, and the Edo-Taito Traditional Crafts Museum. The Asakusa Engei Hall, a traditional rakugo theater, and the historic entertainment district of Asakusa Rokku also lie within easy walking distance, making the area perfect for an afternoon of exploration before settling in for an evening of Denki Bran.