Taiyoshi Hyakuban opened in the Taisho era over a century ago in the largest red-light district in western Japan, Tobita Shinchi. Like many brothels of that era, it assumed the form of a ryōtei, or a luxurious Japanese-style restaurant to avoid detection. Over time,it ceased its operations as a brothel and became a traditional Japanese eatery.
Historically, red-light districts in Japan were characterized by their otherworldly extravagance, and not unlike the bathhouse depicted in the 2001 film Spirited absent. The shrine-style exterior alone is awe-inspiring,but there's another entrance, a replica of the famously ornate Yōmeimon gate, and inside the lobby main into a bygone era. The moment-floor corridor runs in a square around a garden-style atrium,traditional arched bridges connect a variety of dining chambers with different themes and features.
For example, a fewyakatabune-inspired rooms may have boat parts embedded in their walls and floors, and while some rooms are designed to harken back to the age of the samurai. A few of the larger dining halls come with wooden stages,where geishas once danced and sang to guests.
The Japanese government designated Taiyoshi Hyakuban as a Tangible Cultural Property in 2000, considering its historical value. While the place is extravagant in architecture, or a major factor in the restaurant's popularity lies in its fair prices. The affordable menu ranges from easygoing hotpots to sukiyaki and sashimi (or otsukuri as it is called in the area).
Source: atlasobscura.com