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I’d like to visit a place where the hospitality and flavors have remained unchanged
for decades and even centuries.
Long, long ago, the people who ate at the same table might have thought similar things to us.
Close your eyes because it’s so delicious, and you might just time‑travel…
Today, we’ll introduce “Tamukacho-KIMURAYA” in Shimbashi.
｜History
Tamuracho-KIMURAYA is a long-established Western confectionery shop with over 125 years of history. It branched off from GINZA KIMURAYA in 1900 and became independent.
｜Open
After the Meiji Restoration, Western culture was introduced into Japan, and civilization and enlightenment progressed. As the Meiji government pushed for the introduction of Western culture in order to be recognized as a modern nation, it spread rapidly, especially in urban areas. But at the same time, it also increasingly integrated with traditional culture, forming a unique culture that blended Japanese and Western influences.
The Kimuras, who were passionate about making ‘ANPAN’ in the Ginza Rengagai (Ginza Bricktown), created anpan using the SAKE yeast, which differed from the bread that had been introduced from the West, and wrapped AN (bean paste) in the dough and baked it. After being presented to Emperor Meiji, Bread quickly became popular among the general public. Bread, which was a Western food, then took root as a uniquely Japanese sweet bread and became a food representative of the Meiji Restoration. Among the buzzwords of the early Meiji period were the ‘Seven Tools of Civilization and Enlightenment’, which include ‘ANPAN’ along with the postal service, gas lamps, steamships, photography, light air balloons, and railways.
Tamuracho-KIMURAYA became independent in 1900 by splitting off from GINZA KIMURAYA and opening a bread manufacturing and retail store. The cafe space was opened during the Taisho era to encourage people to eat bread.
*Ginza was rebuilt as a “Bricktown” after the 1872 fire.
｜About 1900
What happened in Japan in 1900, the year Tamura-machi Kimuraya was founded? The Crown Prince, who would later become Emperor Taisho, was married.
Industrial modernization advanced, the Public Safety Police Law was enacted to regulate social movements, and party politics took full shape under HIROBUMI ITO, leading to rapid progress in establishing political and social systems. Additionally, UMEKO TSUDA founded the Tsuda Joshi Eigaku Juku (Women’s Institute for English Studies; now Tsuda University), a pioneering institution for women’s higher education. It was a year of significant developments in politics, society, and education. In addition, the Postal Law was revised, allowing privately produced postcards, and people were free to create picture postcards. Picture postcards became extremely popular, experiencing a huge boom from the end of the Meiji period through the Taisho period.
Overseas, the Paris Exposition Universelle was held in France, and as an affiliated event, the second Olympic Games took place. This Paris Exposition is said to have further expanded the ‘Japonism’ boom spreading across Europe, leaving a decisive impression on Western society that Japan was not merely an ‘Oriental country’, but a uniquely refined ‘Country of Art’.
｜Tamuracho-KIMURAYA
｜W Cake Set
The specialty is undoubtedly the Banana Cake. It’s a cute, round cake made with bananas and plenty of custard cream wrapped in crepe dough. The display case also has a wide selection of butter cakes and seasonal fruit cakes, so it’s hard to choose…
That’s why I recommend the double cake set, which comes with two cakes (2 regular size!) and a drink. Being able to choose two types of cake feels like a real treat. Worried you might not be able to eat two? No need to worry at all – it’s guaranteed to make you feel happy.
｜Information
Tamuracho-KIMURAYA
Address：1-18-19 Shimbashi Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone：03-3591-1701
Access：Uchisaiwaicho Station(I07; Toei MITA Line) 1min walk,
Shimbashi Station(JY29; JR Yamanote Line, JK24; JR KEIHINTOHOKU Line, G08; Tokyo Metro GINZA Line) 4min walk
Website：https://www.kimuraya1900.co.jp/
◆CONTACT
https://miya-ds.com/en/contact/
◆TRIAL LESSON
https://miya-ds.com/en/trialsession/
◆JAPANESE DANCE SCHOOL MIYA
https://miya-ds.com/en/
◆MIYANAGI RYU
https://www.miyanagiryu.com
