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Shibuya 1-chome (Mitake Street)

"Shibuya 1-chome (Mitake Street)" Lunch Recommendations: 5 Restaurants Carefully Selected by Kago-san, Who Works in Shibuya

2025-09-18

Kago, who works for a major company in Shibuya, has been eating his way around Shibuya's restaurants every day for over 10 years, and has visited over 2,000 restaurants, making him "Shibuya's No. 1 Lunch Navigator." Each episode features Kago's recommended restaurants, which are based on a theme. He will secretly tell you about restaurants that are a little different from those found on gourmet review sites.

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Shibuya's best lunch navigator

He usually works for a major company in Shibuya. In 2012, he started going around eating lunch and posting about it on his blog and social media. Now, he visits restaurants not only in Shibuya, but all over Tokyo and the country.

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This time's theme: "Shibuya 1-chome (Mitake Street)"

Shibuya 1-Chome is the gateway to Shibuya's East Exit, stretching northeast from Miyamasuzakashita intersection after exiting Shibuya Station. To the north, along Meiji Dori, you'll find Bic Camera and Miyashita Park (RAYARD MIYASHITA PARK), and a short walk will take you to SHIBUYA CAST and Cat Street. Meanwhile, to the east, the area stretches out from Miyamasuzakashita intersection facing Miyamasuzaka, leading to Miyamasuzaka-ue, where Aoyama Dori and Mitake Dori intersect, and on to the former National Children's Castle and the United Nations University. Located at the nexus between the street culture-rich Harajuku area and the luxury Aoyama/Omotesando area, the area creates a diverse streetscape where different personalities intersect.

Mitake Street connects Meiji Street and Aoyama Street. View from Miyamasuzaka-kami towards Miyashita Park.

Among Shibuya 1-Chome, Mitake Street has a particularly calming atmosphere. Lined with office buildings and apartment buildings, it exudes a more tranquil atmosphere than the hustle and bustle of the area west of the JR line. The Tokyo Children's Hall and Mitake Park were once located in this area, but in recent years they have been closed one after another, and redevelopment is currently underway as part of the Urban Renewal Step-Up Project. Going back even further in time, the Nashimoto Imperial Palace, spanning 66,000 square meters, spanned this area since the Meiji period. The "Miyashita" part of the name of the current Shibuya Ward Miyashita Park is a former street name given to the location below the Nashimoto Imperial Palace, and it continues to convey Shibuya's history to the present day.

Shibuya 1-chome (Mitake-dori) area (the area enclosed in red is the area covered this time)

This time, Kago-san will select five recommended restaurants for lunch in the Shibuya 1-Chome area, centered around Mitake-dori Street, which is close to the station but has a calm atmosphere.

Thin noodle carbonara with rich cheese / goo ITALIANO

It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. From Miyamasuzaka, walk a little way down Mitake Street towards Miyashita Park and you'll see a yellow exterior on your left.

Store name: goo ITALIANO Shibuya Main Store
Address: 1F Daiichi Koyama Building, 1-11-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
This Italian restaurant opened in November 2011. It has a casual atmosphere, yet serves authentic pasta and pizza, making it popular with a wide range of customers, from business people to students.

Image from Kagosan's Instagram

Kago's recommended points!

The recommended lunch menu item, "Carbonara," features thin pasta with a pleasant texture that is perfectly coated in a rich sauce, with the richness of the pecorino cheese and the savory flavor of the pancetta providing an exquisite accent.

The comprehensive set includes salad, homemade focaccia, and even a drink, and the rooibos tea after the meal is a refreshing way to finish off the meal. Although it's located in a semi-basement, the restaurant's open design makes use of the different levels, giving it an open feel that doesn't feel cramped.

A nostalgic "comforting set meal" featuring both fish and meat / Honoji Shibuya branch

It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. It's on the second floor of the same building as "goo ITALIANO." Look for the blackboard outside. "Italian? Japanese?" Why not try it depending on your mood that day?

Store name: Honoji Shibuya store
Address: 2F Daiichi Koyama Building, 1-11-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
This Japanese izakaya opened in 1995. In addition to grilled and boiled fish, they offer a wide variety of main dishes such as hamburgers and ginger pork, as well as a wide selection of side dishes and soups. You can enjoy a satisfying set lunch that will please people of all ages.

Image from Kagosan's Instagram

Kago's recommended points!

The favorite dish for the day was "Grilled Golden-Eyed Snapper with Yuzu Miso." The plump, thick flesh is combined with the gentle umami of white miso and the refreshing aroma of yuzu, creating a luxurious yet approachable flavor.

The side dishes of glass noodles and pickled vegetables are generous, and the taro and mushroom sauce that comes in place of miso soup is also very satisfying. The rice is also generous, leaving you feeling satisfied until the very end. Bustling with a wide range of customers, from young to old, this restaurant continues to convey the charm of unpretentious set meals.

The delicious flavor of fermentation! Healthy miso-marinated grilled chicken / Marked Shibuya

It's about a 7-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. It's located on the first floor of the SHIBUYA CAST complex across from Miyashita Park, and features an open, glass-walled exterior. However, please note that the plaza where food trucks and other establishments along Meiji Dori are parked is on the first basement floor. Go up the stairs from the plaza and you'll find the floor facing the back street that connects to Mitake Dori.

Store name: Marked Shibuya
Address: Shibuya Cast 1F, 1-23-21 Shibuya SHIBUYA CAST-ku
This Scandinavian-style cafe and dining establishment is located in SHIBUYA CAST. They serve healthy set meals and plate lunches incorporating vegetables and fermented foods, and you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere in an open space.

Image from Kagosan's Instagram

Kago's recommended points!

The popular "Miso-marinated Grilled Chicken Set Meal" is a dish of chicken marinated in a blend of miso paste from Kajita Shoten in Ehime, then grilled to a fragrant finish. The rich flavor spreads with each bite, making it a delicious dish that will have you eating more and more rice.

Furthermore, adding the yolk of a free-range egg adds a mellow and sweet taste, allowing you to enjoy a change of flavor. The set meal is well-balanced, with side dishes and miso soup, and is visually satisfying. Recommended for those looking for a healthy and satisfying lunch in a relaxing Scandinavian-style space.

Sandwiches that taste better the more you chew them and comfortable terrace seating / Pain aux Sourires

It's about an 8-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. From Miyamasuzaka, head down Mitake-dori, turn right at the second road, just before the Kewpie headquarters, and after walking a little further, you'll see a small terrace seating area in a residential area. It's only open Thursday to Saturday, so be sure to check before you visit.

Store name: Pain au Sourire
Address: 1-5-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, 1F
This popular bakery uses Shirakami Kodama yeast and homemade natural yeast for its bread. It operates as a cafe on Thursdays, mainly serving sandwiches, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it sells a full lineup of breads, three days a week. It moved to its current location in December 2023 from a location about 100 meters east. It will then add terrace seating, allowing customers to enjoy the open atmosphere.

Image from Kagosan's Instagram

Kago's recommended points!

The sandwich lunch set, available only on Thursdays, includes a Nicoise-style sandwich, which changes weekly. The crunchy baguette releases a rich wheat flavor the more you chew it, and you can enjoy the natural flavors of Shirakami Kodama yeast and homemade natural yeast.

The baguette is filled with plenty of vegetables such as tuna, boiled eggs, tomatoes, radishes, and bell peppers, and is topped off with a homemade tapenade made with black olives, anchovies, and capers.It has a refreshing, not oily taste and is healthier than it looks.

What's more, the meal comes with a rich corn soup, salad with homemade dressing, and a choice of drink. If you sit on the terrace, the breeze will blow through, making you want to take a deep breath. This is a restaurant that will truly enrich your time and taste.

Tasting the "Immoral Soul Food" "Waffle Chicken" / MOJA in the HOUSE

It's about a 5-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. It's in a building along Mitake-dori Street, next to "goo ITALIANO" and "Honoji." The entrance is on the second floor, up the stairs, and the neon sign is a landmark for this American diner.

Store name: MOJA in the HOUSE
Address: 2F, 1-11-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
More than 10 years have passed since the restaurant opened in 2014, but it still maintains its stylish atmosphere and charm with its comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. You can enjoy soul food with a sense of immorality, centered around the specialty "Waffle Chicken."

Image from Kagosan's Instagram

Kago's recommended points!

Their specialty is "Waffle Chicken." Crunchy chicken with the spices of black pepper and a light saltiness, topped with the sweetness of maple syrup, and served with a fluffy waffle, it's "sinfully delicious."

I was surprised when I tried it for the first time, but now it's a classic soul food. I discovered this flavor at MOJA, and when I visit after a long time, I feel like I'm "coming home." I chose the Blue Lychee float that came with the set. The fizzing sensation where the carbonation and ice mix is irresistible, and the striking visuals and junky flavor make this a drink that's addictive.

In addition to waffle chicken, they also offer a lunch set that includes a drink, making it a great option for everyday use.

Shibuya 1-chome (Mitake Street) Lunch Summary

Shibuya 1-Chome is a place where different towns and diverse cultures intersect. This time, we'll be focusing on the area around Mitake-dori, which connects Meiji-dori and Aoyama-dori. Away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets, you'll find a calm atmosphere dotted with unique restaurants.

There are a wide variety of lunch options, from Italian to Japanese izakaya, Scandinavian-style cafes and bread made with natural yeast. There are long-loved classics and cafes that are coming up with new styles, so you can enjoy a place that suits your mood that day. What all these places have in common is that they allow you to spend a little special time in the midst of your everyday life.

This area is perfect for business people on their lunch break or for a weekend snack walk. Take this opportunity to discover the charms of Shibuya 1-Chome lunch that you may not have noticed before.

Gourmet food carefully selected by Kago-san, who works in Shibuya

Interviews and writing

Oyamada Takioto

Started writing and editing in 2014. Mainly covers and writes about "food" and "city things", and works on local news and free papers in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Roppongi, Toranomon, etc. Recently, he has also expanded his reach to Shibuya and Tamachi. Every day, he searches for stories and news that can only be found by visiting the area in person. His favorite food is katsudon.