Nakasei

Nakasei (中清) is a long-established Edo-style tempura restaurant located in Asakusa 1-chome, Taito-ku, Tokyo. Its origins trace to the late Edo period, when the first-generation Nakagawa Tetsuzō, a native of Suruga, set up a street stall on Hirokōji-dōri. In 1870 (Meiji 3), the business established a permanent tempura shop in front of the Asakusa Kōkaidō, and it has continued in the same area ever since. The name "Nakasei" was formed by combining the "Naka" from founder Nakagawa Tetsuzō and the "Sei" from his son Nakagawa Seigorō, who became the second generation. The restaurant specializes in Edo-mae tempura made with traditional Edo-mae seafood, a style it has maintained for over 150 years. Its signature dish is the "Raijin-age," a kakiage named by the French literature scholar Dr. Tatsuno Yutaka because it resembles the thunder drum held by the Raijin statue at Kaminarimon. The establishment has been frequented by literary figures; the writer Nagai Kafū often visited and mentioned it in his works, and it was also favored by the author Kubota Mantarō, a childhood friend of the third generation. The current sixth-generation owner, Nakagawa Takanori, continues the tradition. The restaurant is housed in a quiet setting with a pond garden and a Sukiya-style detached tatami room, offering a traditional Japanese dining atmosphere. It serves lunch and dinner, with takeout options such as the special tendon and the "Tenbara Fukiyose" assortment. Nakasei is a member of the Tōto Norenkai, an association of long-established Tokyo restaurants, and is listed by local Asakusa tourism and gourmet associations. It remains a notable representative of Asakusa's traditional culinary culture.

Nakasei's history begins in the late Edo period (bakumatsu), when the first-generation Nakagawa Tetsuzō, originally from Suruga, opened a street stall on Hirokōji-dōri in Asakusa. In 1870 (Meiji 3), the business established a permanent tempura shop in front of the Asakusa Kōkaidō, marking the official founding of the restaurant. The name "Nakasei" was created by combining the first character of the founder's name, "Naka" (中), with the first character of his son Nakagawa Seigorō's name, "Sei" (清); Seigorō later became the second generation. The restaurant has remained in the same family and location for over 150 years, passing through six generations. It has long been associated with literary and cultural figures. The French literature scholar Dr. Tatsuno Yutaka named the signature dish "Raijin-age" because its shape resembled the thunder drum held by the Raijin statue at Kaminarimon. The novelist Nagai Kafū frequently visited the restaurant and depicted it in his writings. The author Kubota Mantarō, a childhood friend of the third-generation owner, also held the restaurant in high regard. Throughout its history, Nakasei has maintained its traditional Edo-mae tempura style, using Edo-mae seafood and preserving old recipes. The current sixth-generation owner, Nakagawa Takanori, continues this legacy. The restaurant is a member of the Tōto Norenkai, an association of long-established Tokyo restaurants, and is featured by local Asakusa tourism and gourmet organizations. It remains a well-known destination for traditional tempura in Asakusa.

• 1870

  Founded as a tempura shop in front of Asakusa Kōkaidō by first-generation Nakagawa Tetsuzō.

• Second generation Nakagawa Seigorō continues the business; the name Nakasei is derived from his and his father's names.

• Third generation runs the restaurant; writer Kubota Mantarō, a childhood friend, becomes a regular.

• Sixth-generation owner Nakagawa Takanori continues the tradition.

Historic, family-run Edo-style tempura restaurant in Asakusa, preserving traditional flavors since 1870.

• Raijin-age

  Signature kakiage named by Dr. Tatsuno Yutaka because it resembles the thunder drum of the Raijin statue at Kaminarimon.

• Special Tendon (takeout)

  Takeout tendon with kuruma prawn, kiss, anago, megochi, and aori squid, priced at 2000 yen (tax excluded).

• Tenbara Fukiyose

  Takeout tempura assortment for 2-3 people, priced at 5500 yen (tax excluded), with tempura sauce and seaweed salt.

1. 1中清 公式サイトnakasei.biz
2. 2中清 (台東区) - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Nakasei - Wikidatawikidata.org