ASAKUSA Underground > Kamiya Bar, the oldest bar in Japan
This bar is not just a bar. It is an institution. It is a history. So many writers, artists, actors, comics, and poets have frequented Kamiya Bar.
One night a poet composed a poem.
Hitori nite sake o nomiiru aware naru
Tonari no otoko ni nani o omou ran
一人にて酒をのみ居る憐れなる
となりの男になにを思うらん
What do I think of the lonely man,
Who is drinking next to me?
By Sakutaro Hagiwara, At Kamiya Bar
[Reference] Kamiya Bar home page
www.kamiya-bar.com
The poet himself could be lonely, drinking alone. Sometimes we want to be alone, but not all the time. We need someone to drink with.
Fellow lady tourists, don't be shy. Join them. Don't be afraid. They are neither monsters nor hungry wolves. They may be a little tired after a day's hard work. They may be a bit drunk because they needed to release all the anxieties and job stress. They are human beings as you are. Tell them about your country, your life back there, and your work and stress. Sometimes we need friends even though the friendship may last for one and a half hours.
Of course, they will buy you a drink.
-----Recommendations-----
Try their legendary cocktail, Denki Bran.
It is a nice mixture of brandy, gin, and something else. They don't tell their secrets.
The word "bran" appeared to be derived from brandy. "Denki" is the Japanese word for electricity. Being electric was something cool when they invented this cocktail in 1882.
A shot of Denki Bran will cost you \260.
-Kamiya Bar
zip. 111-0032, 1-1-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel. 03-3841-5400
Business hours: 11:30 to 22:00 (Order before 21:30)
神谷バー
東京都台東区浅草1-1-1
To find out the exact location, use diddlefinger.
The site is your best guide when you work in Tokyo or travel in Japan.
-----Conversation Tips-----
"Denki Bran no nomi kata oshiete?"
"Tell me how to drink Denki Bran?"
[words]
kata: way, method.
oshiete: tell me. "oh-she-ete(like the French word for summer)
"Denki, honto?"
"Electricity, really?"
[words]
honto: really. This word is very handy when you speak Japanese. This is one of the first Japanese words you should memorize. Pronounce it like "hon-toe".
"Denki Bran, ogotte."
"Treat me a Denki Bran."
[words]
ogotte: treat me something; buy me something, in a casual fashion of speech. Say it as cutely as you might feel too embarrassed. Being cute is more important than being beautiful in this country. After all, who can resist your sweet way of asking a drink?
Kamiya Bar, the oldest bar in Japan
This bar is not just a bar. It is an institution. It is a history. So many writers, artists, actors, comics, and poets have frequented Kamiya Bar.
One night a poet composed a poem.
Hitori nite sake o nomiiru aware naru
Tonari no otoko ni nani o omou ran
一人にて酒をのみ居る憐れなる
となりの男になにを思うらん
What do I think of the lonely man,
Who is drinking next to me?
By Sakutaro Hagiwara, At Kamiya Bar
[Reference] Kamiya Bar home page
www.kamiya-bar.com
The poet himself could be lonely, drinking alone. Sometimes we want to be alone, but not all the time. We need someone to drink with.
Fellow lady tourists, don't be shy. Join them. Don't be afraid. They are neither monsters nor hungry wolves. They may be a little tired after a day's hard work. They may be a bit drunk because they needed to release all the anxieties and job stress. They are human beings as you are. Tell them about your country, your life back there, and your work and stress. Sometimes we need friends even though the friendship may last for one and a half hours.
Of course, they will buy you a drink.
-----Recommendations-----
Try their legendary cocktail, Denki Bran.
It is a nice mixture of brandy, gin, and something else. They don't tell their secrets.
The word "bran" appeared to be derived from brandy. "Denki" is the Japanese word for electricity. Being electric was something cool when they invented this cocktail in 1882.
A shot of Denki Bran will cost you \260.
-Kamiya Bar
zip. 111-0032, 1-1-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
tel. 03-3841-5400
Business hours: 11:30 to 22:00 (Order before 21:30)
神谷バー
東京都台東区浅草1-1-1
To find out the exact location, use diddlefinger.
The site is your best guide when you work in Tokyo or travel in Japan.
-----Conversation Tips-----
"Denki Bran no nomi kata oshiete?"
"Tell me how to drink Denki Bran?"
[words]
kata: way, method.
oshiete: tell me. "oh-she-ete(like the French word for summer)
"Denki, honto?"
"Electricity, really?"
[words]
honto: really. This word is very handy when you speak Japanese. This is one of the first Japanese words you should memorize. Pronounce it like "hon-toe".
"Denki Bran, ogotte."
"Treat me a Denki Bran."
[words]
ogotte: treat me something; buy me something, in a casual fashion of speech. Say it as cutely as you might feel too embarrassed. Being cute is more important than being beautiful in this country. After all, who can resist your sweet way of asking a drink?