The Charm of Denki Bran at Kamiya Bar in Asakusa

I first learned about Denki Bran from the movie 'The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl.' Honestly, I don't remember the plot very well, but I clearly remember the fast-paced story and the delicious-looking Denki Bran.

When you think of Denki Bran, you think of Kamiya Bar in Asakusa. I've been to Asakusa many times, but I could never find the right timing and gave up every time.

Of course, Kamiya Bar has other drinks besides Denki Bran, and a variety of delicious food. However, there are just too many places to eat while walking around in Asakusa. Whenever I come with friends or family, we always end up eating on the go. Because of that, I could never make it to Kamiya Bar.

This time, I was finally able to come to Kamiya Bar by myself.

Kamiya Bar is right near the Kaminarimon Gate, and there are food samples lined up in front. Many people were stopping to look at the food samples.

Kamiya Bar uses a meal ticket system. There is a register to the right of the entrance where a staff member takes your order. Once you buy your ticket, you sit at any seat you like, and then another staff member comes to take your ticket right away. They hold a tray in one hand, place your chopsticks and wet towel, tear off the perforated ticket with one hand, and quickly walk away. It's very efficient and pleasant to watch.

I ordered a Denki Bran for 400 yen, an Asahi draft beer (small, 435ml) for 700 yen, and a smoked octopus salad for 700 yen.

I had heard that beer is the best chaser for Denki Bran, so I ordered the Denki Bran and draft beer without hesitation. I also ordered the 'smoked octopus salad,' which was listed as a dish that goes well with Denki Bran. The smoked octopus salad had a plum flavor, and the pink pepper added a refreshing touch.

Denki Bran is stocked in large quantities at the counter, already poured into glasses. However, the Denki Bran served to you is ice-cold. The turnover rate must be incredible.

Looking around, many people were ordering Denki Bran. A lot of people were also ordering beer as a set. The age group was on the older side, and there were few tourists from abroad.

As for the Denki Bran itself, it's easier to drink than when I have it at home. Maybe it's the travel or the atmosphere of the shop, but I don't get as drunk as I do at home. At home, I always drink it with water, but here I can drink it straight without any trouble.

The aroma of Denki Bran is truly the best. It's refreshing and beautiful. In terms of taste, it has a strong herbal quality, and some people say it tastes like Yomeishu. I also like that Denki Bran is amber-colored; it's the same color as beer, but it has a depth that is so beautiful I'd want to keep it as a jewel.

It is said that in the Meiji era, when electricity was a novelty, anything new or exotic was called 'electric something' to capture people's interest as a foreign, high-collar trend.

While I was thinking about this, I finished my Denki Bran. Next, I ordered the Denki Bran <Old> for 500 yen. You can place additional orders either at the entrance or by calling a staff member. The regulars seemed to call the staff to purchase, but I felt a bit shy, so I bought mine at the entrance.

The Denki Bran <Old> was brought in a different shaped glass than the previous one. It had a stronger herbal flavor than the regular Denki Bran, and I thought, 'This is it!' If you like herbal liquors like Jägermeister, I recommend ordering the Old.

However, while Denki Bran is 30% alcohol, Denki Bran <Old> is 40%. It is not suitable for those who cannot handle strong liquor. However, there is also a Denki Bran Sour for 650 yen, a Denki Bran Fixx for 650 yen (Denki Bran with cherry brandy added), and a Denki Soda for 600 yen.

As a Denki Bran lover, I want you to drink it straight, but you shouldn't get drunk and feel sick.

At this point, I ran out of Denki Bran <Old>.

This time, I think I will ask the staff member in the hall to take my order. When a staff member came by at the right time, I ordered Denki Bran <Old> and handed them 500 yen.

When you place an order, the staff member goes to the register at the entrance to buy a meal ticket, and then places the torn stub on your table. Also, Denki Bran comes out quickly. It doesn't even take a minute after asking the staff to order. No, it didn't even take 30 seconds. It's so fast that you wonder if it's even necessary to tear the stub and put it on the table.

Entering my third glass of Denki Bran, I think about it. Denki Bran is a 'downer' type of alcohol. Tequila is an 'upper' type, the so-called 'party animal' drink that raises your tension. Conversely, downer types are more relaxing, and some people feel their thinking becomes sharper. Well, after three glasses, I should have long since passed the point of being sharp.

Looking around the store, I noticed a counter where about three people could stand and drink, on the opposite side of the counter where a large amount of Denki Bran was stocked—perhaps it was for standing patrons. Since it was 15:00 on a weekday, there were few people in the store, and no one was standing and drinking at the counter.

As I started to get a nice buzz, I looked up at the ceiling and noticed there were an unusual number of lights. In this era of energy conservation, there are an incredible amount. If someone told me, 'Well, Denki Bran is famous, you know,' I am drunk enough to be convinced and say, 'I see.'

Just as I was thinking that, a man came to the standing drinking space. Although it is basically partitioned with acrylic boards, the seating arrangement feels like shared seating, so perhaps standing and drinking is more comfortable.

I learned later that you are supposed to secure a seat first and then buy a meal ticket at the register. I wasn't told that specifically when I entered the store, but I suppose that means it wasn't that crowded when I arrived.

Having finished both the Denki Bran <Old> and the octopus smoked salad, I ordered Nasu Shigi-yaki (grilled eggplant) for 600 yen and an additional Denki Bran <Old>. When I paid the 100 yen portion with 10-yen coins and said, 'Sorry for the small change,' the staff member laughed and said, 'Heh heh.'

This is my fourth glass of Denki Bran.

The Nasu Shigi-yaki had fine cuts made into the eggplant, and the flavor had soaked in thoroughly. The moment I bit into it, the deliciousness of the eggplant and the dashi broth spread out, and I decided I would definitely order this again when I come back.

The customers who came after me have left, and I feel like I have been staying for too long. There are empty seats and I am not being pressured to leave, but from the perspective of the staff who are keeping an eye on their surroundings and doing their jobs, there is no doubt they are thinking, 'They are still here.'

Perhaps because Denki Bran is a high-alcohol drink, or perhaps because the staff is kind, they also gave me water with my fourth glass of Denki Bran.

There seem to be many regulars, and they were chatting happily with the staff from time to time. I feel a little lonely thinking that if I lived nearby, I would have become a regular too.

Honestly, there are many times when I think that visiting a sacred site is enough once, but as for Kamiya Bar, I want to come every time I visit Asakusa. The atmosphere is good and the Denki Bran is delicious. The station is close, and it's not crowded on weekdays, so it's comfortable. (I don't know about holidays because I've never been then.)

They pour more water when it runs out. How kind.

And Denki Bran is delicious as always.