A long-established picture frame store "Takayama picture frame" is located along the Nayabashi river. The back of the shop is also a cafe bar where you can enjoy the phantom "Kabuto beer" that was born in Handa during the Meiji era. Why is Handa's Kabuto beer available here in Nagoya? We asked about the birth episode of "Nayabashi TWILO".

▼ Click here for the article on the Takayama frame store

An unique long-established "Takayama Picture Frame", rooted in Nayabashi

"Takayama Picture Frame" is located along the Nayabashi River in the west of Fushimi in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City. A long-established picture frame shop that has been in business for over 73 years. The 1st floor is a picture frame shop, the 2nd floor is a gallery, and next to it is a hidden cafe bar "TWILLO". This time, we will introduce the founding secret to the third generation owner, Daisuke Takayama...

2019.03.07

https://life-designs.jp

When you look up at the ceiling of the shop, you can see the picture frame decorated as an interior.

There is also a DJ booth in the center of the store. The owner, Mr. Takayama, is also a DJ, so he sometimes plays at Twilo.

What is Kabuto Beer?

Kabuto Beer was produced in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture for about half a century from 1889 to 1943, and is also called a phantom beer. At the beginning of the Meiji era, famous beers such as Sapporo, Kirin, Ebisu, and Asahi were born. In the midst of this, Kabuto Beer became as popular as the four major beer makers, and won a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

Unfortunately, the Pacific War forced the factory to close and production of Kabuto Beer ended. Kabuto Beer became a phantom beer, but it was reintroduced after many years, thanks to the efforts of local people who had a passionate desire to reintroduce it.

Bringing liveliness to Nayabashi

Mr. Daisuke Takayama, the owner of the Takayama picture frame and Twilo

We asked him about the secret story behind the establishment of the Kabuto Beer Nagoya branch.

Takayama: "The story goes back to the time of the Aichi Expo. When the Expo was held, the city of Nagoya built a bank protection road for the Nayabashi Bridge in order to bring back the liveliness of the area. Since then, I also exchanged information with Nagoya city and discussions were held among the residents of Nayabashi.

As part of that project, the person who was in charge of river management deregulated the bank protection road so that more citizens could use it. Since then, events such as "Nayabashi Night Market" and "Naya Marche" have been held at Nayabashi.

At one point, I was asked if I could attend an event. I was not very good at appearing in front of people, but after my grandfather passed away, I thought that I could do something for him and for this town, and I started attending events. ”

Encounter with Kabuto Beer

The event "Nayabashi Holiday Market" hosted by Mr. Takayama.

Takayama:“After we started holding events, it certainly became crowded. I thought, I can't create the same kind of bustle as Sakae on Nayabashi, but I thought that there might be a bustle that can be created through this river. With the Nayabashi's romantic townscape and nostalgic townscape, I was looking for something with a story.

It was a time when everyone from the Retro Nayabashi Town Planning Association gathered to look back on the history of the town. When I saw a photo of Nayabashi in the Meiji and Taisho eras, I saw a signboard that read "Kabuto Beer Nagoya Branch". When I asked, "What is this?", it seems that there used to be a popular beer shop in this place. When I asked a person in Nagoya, I got the information that "Kabuto beer is still available". Moreover, even though it boasted the No. 1 share in this region, we could not drink it before we knew it. But we can drink it now. I was really drawn to this story.

It is not just a trendy beer, but has a historical background. It is an asset to Handa. I felt that this is the same thing that we have in Nayabashi."

A letter expressing the thought to have Kabuto Beer in Nayabashi once again

Handa Red Brick Warehouse

Takayama: "I contacted Handa City and told them that I wanted to hold an event where I could sell at Nayabashi, but they said, 'Mr. Takayama, that's impossible. We're not doing it for commercial purposes.' I got lost.

When I asked, "Where can I drink it?", he said, "No, you can't." Still, I was able to connect with the chairman of the "Akarenga Club", which reintroduced Kabuto Beer, while calling many times without getting discouraged.

As I expected, they immediately turned me down. But I told them that I am not running a restaurant and that I have my own ideas and concept, and they said, "Well, we'll listen to you." They asked me to bring a proposal.

However, I had never written a proposal before, and I was afraid that people would see through a template proposal. So I wrote a letter with my thoughts in mind. I wanted to pass on the assets of Nayabashi to the next generation. Even if it is not now, I would like people to know that Kabuto Beer has returned to this Nayabashi area someday. I wrote this in the letter."

Takayama:"Then the next day, I got a call from Mr. Baba, the chairman of the board, saying, 'Let's do it together! Come to Handa first!' I went to the Akarenga Club, which is still under construction, and listened to the story. Mr. Baba has a tremendously energetic feeling, and when I heard his thoughts, I thought that I definitely don't want to be ashamed of him. In this way, Kabuto beer can now be sold at Nayabashi. ”