Kamiya Bar — Restaurant in Tokyo

It is the first “Bar” in Japan, opened in 1880. They are famous for their history, and their special cocktail called “Denki-Bran” in the iconic cocktail glass. They offer typical Izakaya-type food, plus Japanese-style Western food dishes.

The inside is pretty big, with communal table everywhere. We were lucky to find two seats, as it was busy. Once you get a seat, you need to go back to near the entrance area, where there is an ordering station. It looks more like a host/hostess table. You put in your order, get tickets, and go back to your seat.

Once you go back to your table with your meal tickets, the staffs on the floor will take care of you. Our drink orders came in quickly. We ordered Draft Beer and their iconic, signature drink, Denki-Bran.

They have two kinds of Denki-Bran, “Old” and regular (current) Denki-Bran. The “Old” Denki-Bran has 40%, and the regular Denki-Bran has 30%. It is a very strong drink, the first sip was so surprising with its high alcohol percentage, it was as if you are getting a bit of electric shock…

We waited for our food while we sipped our drinks. Remember to keep the meal tickets on your table so that the staffs know what your table is getting. We got Kushikatsu, Japanese Fried Chicken, Deep Fried Oysters, Crab Croquette, and Shrimp Macaroni Gratin. They were all nice comforting food, went great with alcoholic beverages. Once you place your first order at the ordering station, you can then start placing orders with any staffs on the floor.

For the perfect ending, we decided to get something made with their special sake wine, Bee Brand Kozan Grape Wine. We ordered Bee Brand Grape Punch. It was very nice and refreshing, more on the sweet side which I liked. It had a resemblance to Port wine a bit with the sweetness. You can have the wine as is, without anything added to it as well.

We had a fun dinner here. We consumed comfort food, interesting drinks, and lots of history as well. I am glad I got to visit the first bar in Japan! Be aware that they are CASH ONLY so make sure...

Historic pub, famous for the brandy and beer, great service, very busy, good food but closes earlier than usual?

As someone used to pubs you may find Japan a bit quiet and restrained. This is the closest thing to a pub you could find in Asakusa, a short walk from the train station and the central shopping mall. Aim to get in just before 6pm and then watch the place get crammed.

The idea is to grab a seat first and then go to the till to order a drink and then return to your seat and give the ticket you got to a server. These are very attentive so it won't take long.

If you're not busy with your companion, you can observe people from all walks of life here getting fairly inebriated, from elderly couples in vintage clothing to exhausted office workers eating alone. It's fascinating and usually has a chilled vibe.

The staff are absolutely lovely and the brandy of course has to be tried. Be careful mixing your drinks but they have solid pub food (with that Japanese twist of course) to keep you going. We had a very good time here and kept going back for a quick drink every other...

I visited Kamiya Bar out of curiosity and a love for old-school institutions. This bar has been around since 1880, so I expected some character or at least a hint of charm. Unfortunately, the vibe fell flat.

As you enter, you order at a counter on the right — very cafeteria-style. It’s cash only, and they hand you a coupon to give to the staff, who bring your order to your table. Efficient, sure, but not exactly warm or inviting.

I tried the famed Denki Bran, as recommended. It’s an interesting, slightly medicinal spirit — worth trying once for the novelty. I paired it with a small beer, just to refresh. While both drinks were fine, the overall experience lacked the cozy or nostalgic feel you’d hope for in a bar with this much history.

There aren’t many traditional food or drink options, and the atmosphere feels more functional than friendly. If you’re into historical spots just to say you’ve been, it’s worth a quick visit. But if you’re looking for ambiance, depth, or a proper bar experience, Kamiya might leave you...