Café 1894: A Rendezvous of History, Art, and Culinary Delights

Past and Present: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and Café 1894

The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and Café 1894 are facilities located within the Mitsubishi Ichigokan area. This building was designed by the British architect Josiah Conder and was completed in 1894 (the 27th year of the Meiji era).

As the first modern office building in the Marunouchi area during the Meiji period, it features splendid structures and decorations that reflect the style of that era, both inside and out.

Although the building itself was dismantled in 1968 due to deterioration, it was elegantly transformed into the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum in 2020. The building primarily showcases Western art from the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century, attracting history and art enthusiasts.

To faithfully recreate this iconic building, the renovation team spent many years researching design drawings, documents, photographs, and other materials, followed by rigorous investigations before its completion.

The Behind-the-Scenes Contributor to the Brick Building: Josiah Conder

You may find the name Josiah Conder somewhat unfamiliar. However, many will immediately think of Tokyo Station when you mention Tatsuno Kingo.

Josiah Conder was indeed Tatsuno's teacher and was known for designing many public facilities in Tokyo during his lifetime. This earned him the title "Father of Modern Architecture in Japan."

*Notable buildings designed by Josiah Conder include the Former Iwasaki Residence & Garden and the Holy Resurrection Cathedral.

The Luxurious Recreation of the Old Bank Office: Café 1894

Café 1894 is located in a space that was originally the banking department of Mitsubishi's joint venture company. This is why the cafe strives to recreate the atmosphere of a bank office.

The design incorporates elements like the service window as low wall partitions, with chandeliers and table lamps replicating the oil pipelines used in the past. The intricate carvings on the towering wooden beams and other details were crafted based on precious photographs. Some physical objects even remain from that time.

Additionally, the Japanese drama "Hanzawa Naoki" was filmed here. To this day, fans from Taiwan and various countries visit to relive the intense scenes of the hit show.

The New Menu at Café 1894

To celebrate its long-awaited reopening, Café 1894 has introduced a total of 16 original new dishes that blend traditional and modern elements. These additions are offered along with limited-time dishes for each exhibition theme.

Some examples include appetizers like salmon with herb yogurt sauce and Kurobuta roasted pork served with burdock sugar and ginger sauce. Among these, the Artist's Palette Lunch is what excites me the most. (Included: seasonal vegetable cream soup, crispy French bread, and coffee or tea.)

Inspired by an artist's palette, the rich appetizers are arranged to create a colorful and delicious work of art. The meal is accompanied by a creamy soup made from fresh seasonal vegetables and fragrant bread.

The offerings include crispy seafood baked shrimp pie, French ham with mayonnaise, purple cabbage and seasonal fruit salad, smoked salmon with cream cheese, and truffle-scented buttery puff pastry. The rich layers offer a delicious texture, and the flavors are delicate and robust, making each bite unforgettable—a dual feast of color and taste.

Image courtesy of Café 1894: This image shows the limited edition collaboration dessert available during the Aubrey Beardsley exhibition from February 15 to May 11, 2025.

Staff Recommended Popular Desserts at Café 1894

Since its opening, the most popular dessert has been the "Homemade Classic Apple Pie." It features a top layer of uniquely textured granola and a crispy, golden pie crust enveloping warm, sweet, and tender baked apples.

The pairing with silky vanilla ice cream that is lightly dusted with an elegant hint of cinnamon makes it a perfect dessert that your taste buds will remember after just one bite!

Enjoy a Delightful Time at Café 1894

If you have ever visited the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and Café 1894, consider stepping once again into this cultural and artistic oasis in the city.

Immerse yourself in the historical atmosphere while letting the exquisite food guide you through time. You'll undoubtedly experience a delightful encounter between the classical and the modern.

About Reservations

Reservations are only accepted for lunch at 11 AM and for dinner after 5 PM. Please wait on-site for other times. Additionally, there may be irregular closing days, so please check in advance on the official website.

Café 1894

2-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005 2-6-2 Marunouchi Mitsubis...

Café 1894 is a facility in the Mitsubishi Ichikan area, and this building was designed by British architect Josaia Condo and completed in 1894 (Meiji 27). As the first modern office building in the Marunouchi district of the Meiji era, it has a splendidness between inside and outside, and has a structure and decoration that shows the style of that era. The space with Café 1894 was originally a bank division of Mitsubishi joint company, so the cafe strives to reproduce the atmosphere of the bank sales room. It offers elaborate dishes and desserts that combine classics and modern times.