It began as a 5 square meter shaved ice shop my grandfather opened in front of the Kabuki-za Theater.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Mikasa Kaikan is a building of top-tier restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisine from French, Italian and Chinese to Japanese cuisine. I heard that it actually began as a shaved ice shop. Is this true?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Yes. It began as a 5 square meter shop my grandfather opened in front of the Kabuki-za Theater. He sold shaved ice in summer and oshiruko (sweet red-bean soup) in winter. There were some difficult times, but, thanks to the help of many people, he was able to overcome them. Unfortunately, the shop closed down during the war, and my grandfather himself suffered severe shock when Japan lost. Luckily, women are stronger (laughs). After the war, my grandmother put on her cooking apron and took over the shop.
Then, as a fateful move, a certain chef was brought in, and they began serving French cuisine which was as of yet unheard of outside the hotels. I myself was shocked to learn that they were serving such luxurious food.<\/dd>\n - Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What was the origin of the name?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It was named after Mount Mikasa, that is a symbolic place representing Nara.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s not really a typical restaurant name, is it?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s a very local name. My grandfather was born in Yoshino, Nara, so he must have felt very emotionally attached to his hometown.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_01.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI want to focus on value rather than price.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Did your family open various different types of restaurants at first?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- The present building on Namiki-dori was opened in 1966, but the economy was poor at the time, so it did not have a tenant. I guess my grandfather was a bit competitive, because he thought, \u201cOkay then, I\u2019ll take on the whole thing myself.\u201d Then, I succeeded my grandparents at the age of 33, and here we are today.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I assume the poor economy that is affecting all of Japan also affects Ginza. Is business difficult?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Yes it is, but that is not really how I see it. Just because of deflation, I don\u2019t think about reducing prices. I want to focus on value rather than price. Our prices are not set particularly high in the first place, and, most importantly, I want to give customers dishes that spark a feeling of delight in their hearts. I personally try all new menu items during the development stage. If I don\u2019t feel it\u2019s good enough, I won\u2019t give it to our customers.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_02.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_03.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe red shades are a symbol of Mikasa Kaikan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_04.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nI was the type of kid who was always looking out the window in class.<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What were you like as a kid?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- In elementary school, I was the type of kid who was always looking out the window in class. When my teachers asked me what I was looking at, I would say, \u201cI\u2019m watching to see if a deer will come out from the mountains.\u201d I don\u2019t remember it at all, though (laughs). I would also do things like put snails in my pockets and then fall over\u2026\u2026 (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No!! (laughs) It sounds like you were quite a naughty little kid. And now you\u2019re such a respectable man. It gives me hope for my own son (laughs).
What do you like to do on your days off?<\/dd>\n - Tani<\/dt>\n
- I enjoy the outdoors. My elementary school teacher invited me out to climb mountains, go to the sea and do other outdoor activities. I have loved the outdoors ever since then. For winter, I enjoy skiing. I even participate in the Masters Ski Competition. I joined the World Masters a while ago and came in 12th place.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s amazing!<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Even more amazing is my wife, who got a gold, then a silver, then a gold. If you think about it, she might be top in the world (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really?! What an amazing couple. So in the winter you ski, but what about summer?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- I enjoy golf and have also been seriously into ocean yacht racing ever since my university years. I recently started cycling.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wow, you must really like the outdoors.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_05.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInside the French Restaurant, \u201cHaruna\u201d on the second floor of Mikasa Kaikan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_06.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI want it to be a place that exudes the philosophy of those who built it.<\/h4>\n\n\n- Tani<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m currently acting as the head of the Ginza West Namiki Street Association, and I feel like I want us to do something different than the other districts. We used a lot of money to pave the sidewalks in granite. For the next project, we want to create an idea that everyone can share. To fulfill this goal, we want to go overseas and broaden our horizons. We want to study what kind of a town Ginza should be to please its visitors. We hope we can provide some of our budget to help us do this.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What do you think an ideal town would be like?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- An ideal town should have not just beautiful landscapes and great shops, but also exude the philosophy of the people who built it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I, personally, do not want Ginza to become a middle class district. I hope people will take the time to wear something fancy and get dolled up when they go to Ginza.<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- A relaxed style is also fine, but it\u2019s important to add a little bit of excitement. Districts are built on the cooperation between the visitors and the people of the district. I want Ginza to be a district where they care strongly for each other.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- After hearing from various people of Ginza in this talk series, I get the sense that Ginza is almost like a small country. I sense a strong bond among the people of Ginza, with everyone helping each other out and learning from each other through friendly competition.<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s good to have rivals that stimulate each other. The younger people of Ginza belong to the Ginmikai, an organization that works very earnestly. They have taken over the scent of Ginza, and are considered Ginza\u2019s treasure.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_07.jpg\")
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n\n- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Mr. Itoh, president of the world famous Hakuhinkan Toy Park. Hakuhinkan Toy Park is well-known as a toy shop, but is actually a whole entertainment complex, featuring restaurants and a theater. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll hear some fun stories.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Connect_09_08.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nChisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Mikasa Kaikan is a building of top-tier restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisine from French, Italian and Chinese to Japanese cuisine. I heard that it actually began as a shaved ice shop. Is this true?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Yes. It began as a 5 square meter shop my grandfather opened in front of the Kabuki-za Theater. He sold shaved ice in summer and oshiruko (sweet red-bean soup) in winter. There were some difficult times, but, thanks to the help of many people, he was able to overcome them. Unfortunately, the shop closed down during the war, and my grandfather himself suffered severe shock when Japan lost. Luckily, women are stronger (laughs). After the war, my grandmother put on her cooking apron and took over the shop.
Then, as a fateful move, a certain chef was brought in, and they began serving French cuisine which was as of yet unheard of outside the hotels. I myself was shocked to learn that they were serving such luxurious food.<\/dd>\n - Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What was the origin of the name?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It was named after Mount Mikasa, that is a symbolic place representing Nara.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s not really a typical restaurant name, is it?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s a very local name. My grandfather was born in Yoshino, Nara, so he must have felt very emotionally attached to his hometown.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
I want to focus on value rather than price.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Did your family open various different types of restaurants at first?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- The present building on Namiki-dori was opened in 1966, but the economy was poor at the time, so it did not have a tenant. I guess my grandfather was a bit competitive, because he thought, \u201cOkay then, I\u2019ll take on the whole thing myself.\u201d Then, I succeeded my grandparents at the age of 33, and here we are today.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I assume the poor economy that is affecting all of Japan also affects Ginza. Is business difficult?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Yes it is, but that is not really how I see it. Just because of deflation, I don\u2019t think about reducing prices. I want to focus on value rather than price. Our prices are not set particularly high in the first place, and, most importantly, I want to give customers dishes that spark a feeling of delight in their hearts. I personally try all new menu items during the development stage. If I don\u2019t feel it\u2019s good enough, I won\u2019t give it to our customers.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n
The red shades are a symbol of Mikasa Kaikan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nI was the type of kid who was always looking out the window in class.<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What were you like as a kid?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- In elementary school, I was the type of kid who was always looking out the window in class. When my teachers asked me what I was looking at, I would say, \u201cI\u2019m watching to see if a deer will come out from the mountains.\u201d I don\u2019t remember it at all, though (laughs). I would also do things like put snails in my pockets and then fall over\u2026\u2026 (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- No!! (laughs) It sounds like you were quite a naughty little kid. And now you\u2019re such a respectable man. It gives me hope for my own son (laughs).
What do you like to do on your days off?<\/dd>\n - Tani<\/dt>\n
- I enjoy the outdoors. My elementary school teacher invited me out to climb mountains, go to the sea and do other outdoor activities. I have loved the outdoors ever since then. For winter, I enjoy skiing. I even participate in the Masters Ski Competition. I joined the World Masters a while ago and came in 12th place.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- That\u2019s amazing!<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- Even more amazing is my wife, who got a gold, then a silver, then a gold. If you think about it, she might be top in the world (laughs).<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Really?! What an amazing couple. So in the winter you ski, but what about summer?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- I enjoy golf and have also been seriously into ocean yacht racing ever since my university years. I recently started cycling.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Wow, you must really like the outdoors.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n
Inside the French Restaurant, \u201cHaruna\u201d on the second floor of Mikasa Kaikan<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nI want it to be a place that exudes the philosophy of those who built it.<\/h4>\n
\n- \n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- I\u2019m currently acting as the head of the Ginza West Namiki Street Association, and I feel like I want us to do something different than the other districts. We used a lot of money to pave the sidewalks in granite. For the next project, we want to create an idea that everyone can share. To fulfill this goal, we want to go overseas and broaden our horizons. We want to study what kind of a town Ginza should be to please its visitors. We hope we can provide some of our budget to help us do this.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- What do you think an ideal town would be like?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- An ideal town should have not just beautiful landscapes and great shops, but also exude the philosophy of the people who built it.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- I, personally, do not want Ginza to become a middle class district. I hope people will take the time to wear something fancy and get dolled up when they go to Ginza.<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- A relaxed style is also fine, but it\u2019s important to add a little bit of excitement. Districts are built on the cooperation between the visitors and the people of the district. I want Ginza to be a district where they care strongly for each other.<\/dd>\n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- After hearing from various people of Ginza in this talk series, I get the sense that Ginza is almost like a small country. I sense a strong bond among the people of Ginza, with everyone helping each other out and learning from each other through friendly competition.<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s good to have rivals that stimulate each other. The younger people of Ginza belong to the Ginmikai, an organization that works very earnestly. They have taken over the scent of Ginza, and are considered Ginza\u2019s treasure.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Takashima<\/dt>\n
- Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
- Tani<\/dt>\n
- It\u2019s Mr. Itoh, president of the world famous Hakuhinkan Toy Park. Hakuhinkan Toy Park is well-known as a toy shop, but is actually a whole entertainment complex, featuring restaurants and a theater. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll hear some fun stories.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\n\n
Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n
Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n