---
title: Denki Bran
url: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/notes/denki-bran/
lang: en
journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/asakusa-2/
---

# Denki Bran

A little of each town’s story　/　Taito, Tokyo

A drink created in 1893 by the founder of Kamiya Bar, blending brandy with gin, wine, curaçao and herbs in secret proportions. It appears in Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human. Amber, faintly sweet and fragrant with herbs, it is a strong drink, and at Kamiya Bar it comes with draft beer as a chaser.

## This moment in the journey: Denki Bran and crab croquettes

The chaser for Denki Bran is draft beer. That is the Kamiya Bar style. Beside the mugs of draft beer poured at the counter stood little glasses of amber Denki Bran, and a card on the table read "Made for each other: draft beer and Denki Bran." What a stylish way to drink.

When I was young, curious as could be, I once tried drinking it this way. It is a strong spirit, faintly sweet and fragrant with herbs, and though I thought this was a dangerous way to drink, I soaked up the romance of Asakusa through a tilting view. I can't recommend it to anyone who doesn't hold their liquor well. Tonight I had a non-alcoholic beer.

Asakusa is also famous for yoshoku, Japanese-style Western food. I tasted the stylish flavor once loved by gourmet literary masters in the form of crab croquettes. Breaking through the sauced crust with my chopsticks revealed a white center. This modern bar, born in the Meiji era, was still thick with the air of Meiji modernization and the scent of Asakusa romance.

![Glasses of Denki Bran lined up on the counter](https://karigurashijourney.com/img/asakusa-2/s112-1200.jpg)
- Sources: https://www.moneypost.jp/1433333/4/
- Sources: https://www.gltjp.com/ja/directory/item/14486/
- Sources: https://www.moneypost.jp/1433333

Read this scene in the full journey: https://karigurashijourney.com/en/episodes/asakusa-2/