Former Kamiya Denbei Inage Villa 旧神谷伝兵衛稲毛別荘

A Taisho era Japanese and western fusion villa

A notable spot in Asakusa is Kamiya Bar, a historical building that houses Japan's first bar. The founder, wine entrepreneur Kamiya Denbei, also left another heritage building, a villa in Chiba City's Inage Ward. This Western-style 1918 guest house is a reinforced concrete building. It's a rare example of concrete Taisho era architecture and it survived the Great Kanto Earthquake. The guest house is free to enter (shoes off at the door) with a first-floor western-style parlor and hall with high ceilings. Head upstairs to see a meticulously designed retreat with a harmonious blend of western and Japanese architectural features. The ranma transom incised with grapes and the grapevine pillar in the tokonoma are two of the elegant winery-themed features of the room. Take your time as you'll notice more and more fine carpentry and design details. I recommend sitting seiza on the tatami for a bit just to gaze around. The villa is located on the south-west side of Inage Park.