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.

This time's theme: "Shinsen"

The Shinsen area is centered around Shinsencho in Shibuya Ward, with Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE at its easternmost point. Located at the top of Dogenzaka from Shibuya Station, the area borders Shoto, dotted with cultural facilities, Nanpeidaicho across National Route 246 (Tamagawa Street) to the south, Aobadai and Daikanyama across the old Yamate Street to the southwest, and the entertainment district of Dogenzaka and Maruyamacho to the east. This location offers an appealing contrast between the quiet residential area and the bustling nightlife that characterizes "Ura-Shibuya."

Ura-Shibuya Street (Takizaka-michi), the main street that runs from Maruyama-cho to Shinsen-cho

The name Shinsen comes from the fact that the area was once rich in spring water. Legend has it that the hermit Karahachi Sennin created a miracle medicine here, and in the Edo period it was popular as a public bath called "Kobo-yu" and flourished as a route for pilgrims to Mt. Oyama and Mt. Fuji. In the Meiji period, a restaurant and inn was added to the bathhouse, and eventually the entertainment district of Maruyama was formed. This was a glamorous era that could be said to be the origin of the entertainment culture of Shibuya and Dogenzaka.

Even in the quiet streets of today, the echoes of that history still hang in the air. Step off the main street and you'll find a sprinkling of renovated houses and small, counter-style establishments nestled among the tranquility of a residential area. The wide variety of options, from establishments offering a salad buffet to hearty charcoal grills and dandan noodles, is what makes Shinsen so special. The neighborhood, where long-established establishments coexist naturally with new owners, exudes a sense of calm and mature sensibility reminiscent of Oku-Shibuya. However, lunch opening hours and opening times tend to change from day to day, a common feature of this neighborhood. Popular restaurants often have long lines and attract many inbound tourists, so it's a good idea to check the latest information before visiting.

Shinsen area (red boxed area is the area covered this time)

This time, we will focus on Shinsen and introduce five stores carefully selected by Kago from among the great stores quietly tucked away in the streets and alleys.

Fill your stomach with the bounty of Tokushima and a vegetable buffet! / Turntable

It is about a 4-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE. From Shibuya Station, it is about an 11-minute walk via SHIBUYA MARKCITY "Dogenzaka-ue Exit." From the Dogenzaka-ue Police Box, go along "Ura Shibuya Street" towards the old Yamate-dori Street and you will find it next to Shinsen Children's Park. Look for the entrance with an indigo-dyed noren curtain hanging.

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Store name: TurnTable
Address: 10-3 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku
This is a complex with a restaurant, created by Tokushima Prefecture. In addition to the restaurant (1st and 2nd floors) and accommodation floors, the building also has a market corner in one corner of the store, where ingredients and processed products from Tokushima are lined up. The interior and fixtures are made with materials associated with Tokushima, such as indigo and wood from the prefecture, and the fixtures and materials inside the store also use indigo and wood from the prefecture. Before you know it, you'll be surrounded by Tokushima.

Lunch is famous for its vegetable buffet, featuring vegetables, meat, and fish delivered directly from Tokushima, while dinner is centered around a hearty course meal. After your meal, you can purchase any ingredients you find interesting at the market, making this restaurant's unique appeal one where you can "eat, learn, and take home."

Enjoy the mild spiciness of Thai food at SaamRoa, a Thai restaurant

It is about an 11-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station. It is about a 2-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE Line. It is a white-walled house located in a residential area, a short walk from the south exit of Shinsen Station towards Komaba-Todai Station. You take off your shoes at the entrance before entering.

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Restaurant name: Thai restaurant SaamRoa
Address: 14-13 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku
The long-loved Azabu/Hiroo restaurant "Samro" will be moving to Shinsen in 2022 as its new base. The interior, renovated from a house, features a restaurant on the first floor and a gallery/rental space on the second floor, creating a comfortable atmosphere that makes you feel like you're visiting a friend's home.

The restaurant boasts a gentle flavor created by a chef from Thailand. You can enjoy the "hideaway feel" that is unique to Shinsen, including the experience of a "private house-style restaurant" that you enter from the entrance.

Smoky grilled chicken thighs from Miyazaki go perfectly with rice! / Tamoiyanse

It's about an 11-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station, and about a 4-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE Line. Just past Ura Shibuya Street, behind one turntable, look for the blue sign along the alley.

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Store name: Tamoyanse
Address: 1F VORT Shibuya Shinsen Building, 10-10 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku
As the name suggests, this izakaya restaurant specializes in Miyazaki's local cuisine. Its specialty is charcoal-grilled local chicken thighs, and in the evening they offer a wide selection of Miyazaki shochu. For lunch, it's conveniently located near the station, and they have a selection of dishes that go well with rice, such as grilled chicken thighs and chicken nanban. By the way, "Tamoyanse" means "please enjoy your meal."

Spicy x Numbing x Fragrant, the delicious trio of delicious dandan noodles that will have you queuing up / Usagi

It's about a 10-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station and about a 3-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE Line. It's located just past Ura Shibuya Street, right next to Maruetsu Petit. You'll easily find it as there will be a line depending on the time of day.

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Store name: Usagi
Address: 1F Argus Shimoda Building, 8-13 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku
This popular ramen shop is known as "the Shinsen restaurant with long lines." Its signature dish is dandan noodles, and its truffle-flavored specials are also popular among tourists. It's open for lunch from 11:30 to 14:30 on weekdays (closed on weekends and holidays), so make sure you have plenty of time to visit.

The crunchy texture is amazing! "Tokyo Cuisine" Striped Horse Mackerel Fried / Tokyo Cuisine Anemone

It's about an 11-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station and about a 4-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio INOKASHIRA LINE Line. If you walk along Ura Shibuya Street to just before the old Yamate Street, you'll see the large windows and the greenery inside the store. It's also located close to Turntable and Tamoyanse.

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Name of restaurant: Tokyo Cuisine Anemone
Address: 12-7 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku
Opened in 2019, this restaurant primarily serves Japanese cuisine, so you won't have to worry about Tokyo cuisine. The interior features a wooden counter and sunroom-style table seating with greenery by the windows. You can enjoy carefully prepared set meals in a natural, relaxing atmosphere reminiscent of an izakaya.

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.