Thanks to my former boss, I had the opportunity to visit for the first time. The Koshukai Society is a historic social institution established in the early Meiji era, under the leadership of Yukichi Fukuzawa. It is a place that is not easily accessible, so I am grateful for the chance to visit. The building was rebuilt in 2004, but the stone facade at the entrance of the Koshukai Society building is original and architecturally valuable. I took the elevator to the reception on the 9th floor. The first to fifth floors are operated by the Mitsui Fudosan Group, and house stores like Barneys New York and the Spanish restaurant Sulola. The interior exudes a sense of history with its luxurious decor, including chandeliers, large paintings, and stained glass windows, making you feel like you have traveled back in time and forgotten the hustle and bustle of Ginza. The food and service are from the Palace Hotel, and I was very satisfied with both the taste and presentation.

In Ginza's Kojun Building, there is a social club called "Kojunsha" founded by Fukuzawa Yukichi along with Keio University. The club has a members-only dining room operated by the Palace Hotel. The clientele consists of business leaders, wealthy families, former aristocrats, doctors, and politicians. The menu features traditional dishes like roast beef, and while the atmosphere is grand, the food itself is just delicious. Access to the ingredients requires an invitation from a member.

In the Ginza Koshinsha Building, there are two elevators on the side opposite the one that goes to the restaurant floor, which provide direct access to the Koshinsha Club. This is the oldest private social club in Japan, founded by Yukichi Fukuzawa, while a little later, the Tokyo Club was established by Inoue Kaoru. Both dining rooms, operated by the Palace Hotel and the Tokyo Club, offer consistent flavors and affordable wine. While you can choose from a lunch menu or à la carte, most business people opt for set meals. Members receive menus with prices, while visitors are presented with menus without prices, following the etiquette of a social club. The onion soup and beef stew, which are slowly simmered, were delicious.

I visited on a regular night. First, I couldn't find the elevator and wandered around. The security guard kindly showed me where to go (lol). When I pressed the button, a private elevator appeared behind the right door! Then, I signed in with the names of the members at the reception on the 9th floor. This place is a members-only club. I waited for the members in the lounge. The fluffy sofas and powerful paintings in various places created a very tense atmosphere. After the members arrived, I was escorted to my seat in the "dining room." It had a different atmosphere and made me sit up straight. I was overwhelmed by the magnificent paintings. The roast beef is famous and very delicious. I heard there is a "club room" on the upper floor. After the meal, I had a drink at the bar on the same floor (I forgot the exact name...). I experienced something out of the ordinary.

It seems like a sophisticated social club created by Fukuzawa Yukichi, the oldest in Japan, originally for Keio University alumni, but Tokyo University alumni can also become members. I wanted to visit this adult social club. The atmosphere was overwhelming. The food was reasonably priced. It is a members-only club, so the system is intriguing. There was a sense of tension. There is a dress code. I was able to choose all the dishes I liked. The staff were all from the Palace Hotel. It was wonderful that they provided both familiar tempura and miso soup, even though you can only order Western food. I am grateful for being able to go.

I visited this restaurant for the first time at the invitation of my former boss. I took the elevator to the 9th floor and checked in at the reception. After confirming the reservation, I was escorted to my table. The restaurant had a formal atmosphere with many tables in a spacious hall. We started with a toast with beer and then switched to bottle wine while enjoying our meal. I ordered the roast beef course, but there were various other courses to choose from. The menu also included both Western and Japanese dishes, as well as the option to order individual items. The appetizers, soup, salad, main course, and dessert were all delicious and served in just the right portion sizes. After the meal, we went to the bar for a drink before ending the evening. Since it is a members-only establishment, I may not have the opportunity to visit again, but I was satisfied with the experience.

One of Fukuzawa Yukichi's three major projects was a membership-based social club called the Koshosha. Located in a prime location in Ginza, many are surprised by the unique space it offers. With areas for socializing and a Go club, the Koshosha exudes a historical elegance. The spacious dining room with high ceilings provides a relaxing atmosphere for enjoying seasonal dishes made from high-quality ingredients. The adjoining bar, named "Sakaba," is also stylish and offers a chance to learn sophisticated drinking etiquette.

"Shisou kaiseki"

Elegant

It's a cozy place. I was brought here by my family. The artwork is amazing. It's spacious, quiet, and surprisingly relaxing. I chose the French cuisine, which was classic and easy to eat.

The Jokasai Club, established by Fukuzawa Yukichi in 1880, is Japan's oldest social club. The building, located in a prime location in Ginza, is a historic landmark that was rebuilt as a commercial building in 2004. During the reconstruction, only a part of the original facade was preserved, giving a glimpse of its former grandeur. Members enter through a private entrance and take the elevator to the 9th floor. The elegant space feels like a time warp to the Meiji and Taisho eras, designed in the Tudor Gothic style inspired by British clubhouses. The "conversation room" is adorned with teak wood ceilings, reception chairs, and tables that exude a luxurious atmosphere. The "dining room" sparkles with chandeliers and classic furnishings and paintings that welcome guests. The food and service are in partnership with the Palace Hotel, and the famous roast beef, enjoyed in a suit and tie with proper posture, is truly exceptional.

In late August of 2016, I visited the oldest social institution in Japan, the Koshukai Society, founded in Ginza at the urging of Keio University's Fukuzawa Yukichi sensei. It is customary to refer to Fukuzawa Yukichi sensei as "sensei" only for Keio University alumni, so I will follow this convention in my description. The entrance to the Koshukai Society is not through the commercial entrance shared with Barney's, but through a separate entrance guarded by security guards that leads to an office building. From there, you enter through a solemn dark brown entrance that exudes an air of seriousness, and take a members-only elevator to the 9th floor to gain access. The shops like Barney's are merely decorative, with the true essence of the Koshukai Society being on this side. Upon exiting the elevator, there are three reception desks to the left, each with a receptionist seated behind it. The strong sense of intimidation makes it impossible for non-members to enter without an invitation from a member. Of course, identification is checked at the entrance. After stating your name, you are guided to the waiting member. This place, which is likely frequented by part of Japan's establishment, exudes a calm atmosphere that even older individuals would find comfortable. Portraits of Fukuzawa sensei and noble women from the Meiji era adorn the walls, allowing one to appreciate the deep traditions of this social club. The dining area can accommodate over 100 people, but during our visit, there were only six of us and a few others in the distance. Most of the patrons were in their 60s or older. It is easy to imagine that only gentlemen frequent this place (women are also welcome). Coffee costs around 300 yen, but they are generous with refills. The space is so quiet that you can't even hear the conversation next to you, making it a perfect setting for private gatherings or secret meetings.

I was taken to the Kaikansha in Ginza for a formal dinner. It is a members-only social club established by Fukuzawa Yukichi. It was my first time there. We took a members-only elevator to the 9th floor, entering a classical world. The ceilings were high! We had our meal in a large hall. The restaurant is simply named "Shokudo" (dining hall). It exudes a sense of tradition. I was nervous... They offered both Japanese and Western cuisine. For the Western option, we could choose salad, soup, and main dish individually. I chose terrine, crab salad, chilled potage soup, and roast beef for the main course. Everything was delicious. Oh, and there were also hors d'oeuvres. We had white wine and red wine. The roast beef was so tender and the sauce was delicious. I dipped bread in the leftover sauce. The beef cutlet was also very refined in taste. It was a special experience to spend time in this social setting. I am grateful for the opportunity.

I was invited by the chairman of a major company, so I visited the restaurant. It is a members-only establishment, but I was able to enter as the chairman is a member of the same club as my senior from university. The atmosphere inside the dining room is reminiscent of a classic hotel from the Showa era, exuding a sense of luxury. The cutlery and other items are similar to those at a restaurant in Nara Hotel, creating a nice ambiance for enjoying a meal. The quality of the food was high overall, and I found the meal to be satisfying.

The interior design that recreates old buildings is amazing.

A members-only restaurant located on the 10th floor of the Kojun Building. It may feel like a social club. Established by Yukichi Fukuzawa, although the Kojun Building is not very old, it has a sense of elegance when you enter. The dining hall has a Showa or Meiji era atmosphere. They must have maintained the interior from that time. I visited for a special dinner invitation, so I may not have the chance to visit again. It was a valuable experience. We toasted with Dom Perignon. The food was a classic French course. The consomme soup was delicious. It's a place where you feel grateful to have visited, so if you have the opportunity, I recommend visiting this historic place.