MK Guide Recommends

Established in 1880, Kamiya Bar is one of Tokyo’s oldest Western-style bars and a landmark of Asakusa nightlife. Set on the corner opposite Senso-ji’s Kaminarimon Gate, the building’s wood-paneled interior and frosted-glass signage harken back to a different era—one that gave rise to the city’s earliest cocktail culture. The house specialty, Denki Bran (“Electric Brandy”), is a low-proof herbal liqueur that’s been shocking palates since the Meiji period. The menu includes nostalgic yoshoku fare like croquettes, beef stew, and fried shrimp, paired casually with beer and spirits. Fast-paced and affordable, Kamiya Bar remains a beloved holdout of Tokyo’s prewar drinking scene—a rare place where locals, tourists, and the spirit of the past still sit shoulder to shoulder.