“Katsuno Tofu” Loved by Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka. Do You Know About Kakuei Tanaka, a Symbol of Japan’s High Economic Growth Period?

Do You Know Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka?

In our tofu-making class, led by a tofu master from “Katsuno Tofu,” you can make the same tofu that former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka loved. According to a national public opinion survey by Asahi Shimbun in March 2009, titled “What Comes to Mind When You Think of the Showa Era (1926-1989)?”, Kakuei Tanaka ranked second in the person category with 21% of the votes, following Emperor Showa who had 31%.

While Kakuei Tanaka is very famous among Japanese people, many foreigners may not know about him. Today, I would like to briefly introduce not only “KatsunoTofu” but also Kakuei Tanaka, the former Prime Minister who had a deep connection with Kagurazaka.

Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka Was a Powerful Politician Who Transformed Japan

Kakuei Tanaka was born in Niigata Prefecture in 1918. In 1941, he opened Tanaka Architecture Office in Iidabashi, the starting point of Kagurazaka. This marked the beginning of his relationship with Kagurazaka. He later entered politics and in 1957, at the age of 39, became the first person in the post-war period to become a cabinet minister (Minister of Posts) while still in his 30s.

In 1972, he published the “Nihon Retto Kaizo Ron” (Reconstruction Plan of the Japanese Archipelago), and soon after, became the Prime Minister. The “Nihon Retto Kaizo Ron” aimed to connect Japan with high-speed transportation networks such as expressways and bullet trains, promote industrialization in rural areas, and simultaneously solve issues of depopulation, overpopulation, and pollution.

This plan laid the foundation for Japan’s high economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s. However, it also led to a land price boom and the creation of the “land myth,” which eventually triggered the bubble economy of the 1980s.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, he dealt with significant events such as the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, the Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration, and the First Oil Shock.

Tanaka resigned as Prime Minister in 1974 and was arrested in 1976 on charges of accepting bribes in the Lockheed scandal. Thus, he was a politician who attracted attention both positively and negatively.

Kakuei Tanaka’s Highest Education was Elementary School

Tanaka’s highest level of education was elementary school (Nita Elementary and Higher Elementary School). Despite not having a higher education, he worked his way up to become Prime Minister through sheer effort, earning him the nickname “Now Taiko” (modern-day Hideyoshi) and “Commoner’s Prime Minister.”

“Taiko” refers to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who rose from a peasant to the top of Japan. The term “Now Taiko” came to be used for those who rose to great power from humble beginnings, and Tanaka, who became Prime Minister with only an elementary school education, was a prime example. Another politician who was called “Now Taiko” was Hirobumi Ito, who became the first Prime Minister of Japan from a farming background.

Kakuei Tanaka Had a Deep Connection with Kagurazaka Geisha

When he was young, Tanaka opened his architecture office in Iidabashi, marking the beginning of his connection with Kagurazaka. Additionally, his residence, “Mejirodai,” was only about a 5-minute drive from Kagurazaka. He often passed through Kagurazaka on his commute to the National Diet from Mejirodai, which led to the nickname “Kakuei Road.”

It is said that the “reverse one-way street” system in Kagurazaka, which aligned with his commuting route, was influenced by his commutes. However, this is just an urban legend, as the system started in 1958, before his tenure as Prime Minister.

Tanaka also had a secondary residence in Kagurazaka, separate from his main residence in Mejirodai. He famously lived there with Kagurazaka geisha Kazuko Tsuji for 47 years. During his time in this secondary residence, he frequently ordered tofu from “Katsuno Tofu.”

Why Not Recreate the Tofu Loved by Kakuei Tanaka from Katsuno Tofu?

Kakuei Tanaka, a key figure in post-war history, had a deep connection with Kagurazaka. Creating and enjoying the tofu loved by Tanaka in Kagurazaka is a unique and valuable experience. Why not follow in the footsteps of Kakuei Tanaka and join our tofu-making class led by a tofu master from “Katsuno Tofu”? We look forward to your participation.

Book Experience

Tofu workshop

Clothing Rental (Samue or Outdoor Wear)

How to Access Kagurazaka

The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.