Kamakura Mikawaya Honten, a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property That Achieved the First-Ever Exemption from Building Standards Law, to Open on May 7, 2026, and Begin Accepting Reservations for Meat Kappo Lunch Courses; Free Guided Tours Included After Meals
Daiyu Co., Ltd. and Mikawaya Goshi Kaisha's 8-year preservation and utilization project has been completed, with the grand opening scheduled for May 7, 2026. It is the first in Japan to achieve an exemption from the Building Standards Law for a nationally registered tangible cultural property and wooden building in a fire-prevention zone. The long-established liquor store, founded in 1900, will continue, while also offering value as a new meat kappo restaurant and wedding venue.
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The preservation and utilization project undertaken by Daiyu Co., Ltd. and Mikawaya Goshi Kaisha over eight years has been completed, and the grand opening is set for May 7, 2026. This marks the first time in Japan that a nationally registered tangible cultural property, a wooden building located within a fire-prevention zone, has achieved an exemption from the Building Standards Law. The long-established liquor store, founded in 1900, will continue its operations, while the facility will also offer new value as a meat kappo restaurant and a venue for weddings.
Mikawaya Honten is located on Wakamiya Oji in Kamakura, practically at the foot of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It is designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property, a Japan Heritage site, and an important landscape building by Kamakura City.
Please see below for previous press releases and stories:
Kamakura Mikawaya Honten: Realizing the Preservation and Utilization of a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property and Wooden Building in a Fire-Prevention Zone, a National First Challenged by Public, Private, and Academic Sectors Over 8 Years
[Press Release Award 2025 Best 101 Selection: Project Story] Realizing the Preservation and Utilization of a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property and Wooden Building in a Fire-Prevention Zone, a National First Challenged by Public, Private, and Academic Sectors Over 8 Years
Project Features
1. The Nation's First Project Finally Comes to Fruition. A Cultural Property in Kamakura Preserved for Future Generations by Obtaining Unprecedented Certification.
Achieved through "8 years of collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors (Kamakura City, Fire Department, University of Tokyo, etc.)." This is a "nationally unprecedented case" of an exemption from the Building Standards Law for a nationally registered tangible cultural property within a fire-prevention zone, and this project, which offers hope for the future preservation of cultural properties in Japan, is finally complete and unveiled.
2. A New Facility Integrating a Liquor Store Founded in 1900 with a Restaurant and Wedding Venue.
The former garage has been converted into a liquor store, and the storefront and main house into a restaurant venue. While preserving the landscape of ancient Kamakura, this new business model is unique in Japanese architecture, not merely preserving the cultural property as a viewing facility, but allowing visitors to stay and experience it as a restaurant integrated with a liquor store.
3. Regeneration and Utilization of Architecture That Experts Said Could Become an Important Cultural Property in the Future.
Experts involved in cultural property preservation across Japan gathered. The project was completed through efforts to regenerate and utilize the cultural property without compromising its value, incorporating traditional joinery techniques like "shikuchi" for repairs, "komai" (wattle and daub) for creating earthen walls with woven bamboo, and the introduction of 7mm stealth wire reinforcement technology also used in Kairakuen Garden.
Mikawaya Honten during its liquor store days. Founded in 1900. The first owner, Fukuzo Takeuchi, quickly recognized Kamakura's potential for development and established the business here.
For the renovation of the earthen walls, "komai" work involves weaving bamboo to form the base of the earthen wall. Carpenters, who worked on the interior of Odawara Castle's main keep, carefully cut out only the rotten parts and repaired them using traditional "shikuchi" joinery. Efforts were made to preserve as much of the existing wood as possible. The 7mm stealth wire, also used in the renovation of Kairakuen Garden, ensures safety by passing two wires through where a seismic wall would normally be required, allowing the entrance to maintain its open feel.
Three Experiential Values Proposed by "Kamakura Mikawaya Honten"
1. A Stay Experience in What Can Be Called the Only Remaining Wooden Cultural Property on Wakamiya Oji.
Within a total floor area of approximately 500㎡, there is a storefront, dining space, an open Japanese garden, a waiting room, a stone warehouse that was once a sake brewery, and a trolley rail extending from the storefront to the warehouse. Such a building still exists on Wakamiya Oji, a prime location in Kamakura, and it is also a special site, the former residence of Hojo Tokifusa.
Kamakura Mikawaya Honten, arguably the only remaining wooden building on Wakamiya Oji. Due to being in a fire-prevention zone, it had not been possible to preserve such cultural properties until now. Kamakura City was able to enforce this ordinance for the first time.
2. "Meat Kappo" Style Restaurant and Free Guided Tours of the Building.
Instead of kaiseki cuisine that emphasizes formality, we offer kappo-style meals that utilize seasonal ingredients without adhering to strict forms. Additionally, after your meal, staff will conduct free guided tours of the building.
The restaurant venue has been renovated from tatami rooms and detached buildings. Japanese architectural styles, such as transoms and pillars, have been preserved as they are. The Japanese garden can be viewed from every seat.
3. A Dining Experience Cycle with an Attached Liquor Store, Founded 120 Years Ago.
Rare signboards, such as "Daikoku Masamune," which were once displayed at the storefront, have been restored and are now exhibited. Visitors can purchase the fine sake they tasted at the restaurant from the liquor store on their way home, offering a "fusion of experience and takeaway."
Daikoku Masamune, which had been traded since before the Taisho era. A wooden signboard was presented when the current building was constructed in 1927 and is still displayed today. We offer Special Junmai, Ginjo Namazake, and Junmai Daiginjo. Daikoku Masamune values sake brewing centered on food-pairing sake that enhances the meal.
Introduction to the Building
Entrance
The entrance, once a liquor store, is entirely made of zelkova wood. A single zelkova slab beam measuring 2 shaku 8 sun (approx. 85 cm), a sake bottle inscribed with "Hachiman-mae Mikawaya," and a safe remain as they were.
Dining Space
The restaurant venue has been renovated from tatami rooms and detached buildings. Japanese architectural styles, such as transoms and pillars, have been preserved as they are. The Japanese garden can be viewed from every seat.
Japanese Garden
Mikawaya Honten is located on Wakamiya Oji in Kamakura, practically at the foot of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. It is designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property, a Japan Heritage site, and an important landscape building by Kamakura City.
Please see below for previous press releases and stories:
Kamakura Mikawaya Honten: Realizing the Preservation and Utilization of a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property and Wooden Building in a Fire-Prevention Zone, a National First Challenged by Public, Private, and Academic Sectors Over 8 Years
[Press Release Award 2025 Best 101 Selection: Project Story] Realizing the Preservation and Utilization of a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property and Wooden Building in a Fire-Prevention Zone, a National First Challenged by Public, Private, and Academic Sectors Over 8 Years
Project Features
1. The Nation's First Project Finally Comes to Fruition. A Cultural Property in Kamakura Preserved for Future Generations by Obtaining Unprecedented Certification.
Achieved through "8 years of collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors (Kamakura City, Fire Department, University of Tokyo, etc.)." This is a "nationally unprecedented case" of an exemption from the Building Standards Law for a nationally registered tangible cultural property within a fire-prevention zone, and this project, which offers hope for the future preservation of cultural properties in Japan, is finally complete and unveiled.
2. A New Facility Integrating a Liquor Store Founded in 1900 with a Restaurant and Wedding Venue.
The former garage has been converted into a liquor store, and the storefront and main house into a restaurant venue. While preserving the landscape of ancient Kamakura, this new business model is unique in Japanese architecture, not merely preserving the cultural property as a viewing facility, but allowing visitors to stay and experience it as a restaurant integrated with a liquor store.
3. Regeneration and Utilization of Architecture That Experts Said Could Become an Important Cultural Property in the Future.
Experts involved in cultural property preservation across Japan gathered. The project was completed through efforts to regenerate and utilize the cultural property without compromising its value, incorporating traditional joinery techniques like "shikuchi" for repairs, "komai" (wattle and daub) for creating earthen walls with woven bamboo, and the introduction of 7mm stealth wire reinforcement technology also used in Kairakuen Garden.
Mikawaya Honten during its liquor store days. Founded in 1900. The first owner, Fukuzo Takeuchi, quickly recognized Kamakura's potential for development and established the business here.
For the renovation of the earthen walls, "komai" work involves weaving bamboo to form the base of the earthen wall. Carpenters, who worked on the interior of Odawara Castle's main keep, carefully cut out only the rotten parts and repaired them using traditional "shikuchi" joinery. Efforts were made to preserve as much of the existing wood as possible. The 7mm stealth wire, also used in the renovation of Kairakuen Garden, ensures safety by passing two wires through where a seismic wall would normally be required, allowing the entrance to maintain its open feel.
Three Experiential Values Proposed by "Kamakura Mikawaya Honten"
1. A Stay Experience in What Can Be Called the Only Remaining Wooden Cultural Property on Wakamiya Oji.
Within a total floor area of approximately 500㎡, there is a storefront, dining space, an open Japanese garden, a waiting room, a stone warehouse that was once a sake brewery, and a trolley rail extending from the storefront to the warehouse. Such a building still exists on Wakamiya Oji, a prime location in Kamakura, and it is also a special site, the former residence of Hojo Tokifusa.
Kamakura Mikawaya Honten, arguably the only remaining wooden building on Wakamiya Oji. Due to being in a fire-prevention zone, it had not been possible to preserve such cultural properties until now. Kamakura City was able to enforce this ordinance for the first time.
2. "Meat Kappo" Style Restaurant and Free Guided Tours of the Building.
Instead of kaiseki cuisine that emphasizes formality, we offer kappo-style meals that utilize seasonal ingredients without adhering to strict forms. Additionally, after your meal, staff will conduct free guided tours of the building.
The restaurant venue has been renovated from tatami rooms and detached buildings. Japanese architectural styles, such as transoms and pillars, have been preserved as they are. The Japanese garden can be viewed from every seat.
3. A Dining Experience Cycle with an Attached Liquor Store, Founded 120 Years Ago.
Rare signboards, such as "Daikoku Masamune," which were once displayed at the storefront, have been restored and are now exhibited. Visitors can purchase the fine sake they tasted at the restaurant from the liquor store on their way home, offering a "fusion of experience and takeaway."
Daikoku Masamune, which had been traded since before the Taisho era. A wooden signboard was presented when the current building was constructed in 1927 and is still displayed today. We offer Special Junmai, Ginjo Namazake, and Junmai Daiginjo. Daikoku Masamune values sake brewing centered on food-pairing sake that enhances the meal.
Introduction to the Building
Entrance
The entrance, once a liquor store, is entirely made of zelkova wood. A single zelkova slab beam measuring 2 shaku 8 sun (approx. 85 cm), a sake bottle inscribed with "Hachiman-mae Mikawaya," and a safe remain as they were.
Dining Space
The restaurant venue has been renovated from tatami rooms and detached buildings. Japanese architectural styles, such as transoms and pillars, have been preserved as they are. The Japanese garden can be viewed from every seat.
Japanese Garden