About
In a corner of Kasuga 2-chome, Bunkyo Ward, standing in front of the gate of Denzuin Temple, “Inari Soba Mansei” is a long-established soba restaurant with over four hundred years of history, dating back to the early Edo period. The history of this shop is colored by a deep connection with the monk Takuzo, who trained at Denzuin.
Around the Genna era (circa 1615), after mastering the profound teachings of Buddhism at Denzuin, Takuzo suddenly disappeared. Afterwards, he was enshrined as an Inari deity, and the Takuzo Inari shrine was established. According to legend, this Inari deity was actually a fox who had transformed into a human to undergo training. During his training, Takuzo frequently visited none other than this very “Mansei.”
Stepping inside the shop, you are greeted by an atmosphere that conveys the weight of history. On the wall hangs a giboshi (ornamental post-top) from Genna 4 (1618), the year Takuzo Inari was established, serving as a testament to enduring faith across the ages. At the back of the shop, there is a small shrine where Takuzo Inari is enshrined. The tradition of offering the day’s first boiled soba in a vermilion-lacquered box to the Inari deity continues unchanged to this day.
The specialty “Inari-bako Soba” features thinly cut soba noodles and sweetly simmered aburaage (fried tofu). Beautifully arranged in a vermilion-lacquered box, the soba evokes the atmosphere of Edo. The soba dipping sauce is a secret recipe passed down through generations, with a rich aroma of dashi. The accompanying aburaage is simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, and when eaten together with the soba, you can enjoy a subtle change in flavor.
According to the proprietress, there is a legend that on days when Takuzo visited, the shop prospered greatly, but when checking the payments after closing, they would find leaves mixed in with the money. Even now, customers who love folklore and history sometimes jokingly hand over leaves. Such anecdotes have fostered a warm bond between the shop and its patrons.
Around “Mansei,” there are places steeped in history and faith, such as Denzuin and Takuzo Inari. After enjoying soba, touring these sites allows you to feel the atmosphere and culture of Edo even more deeply. Why not take the opportunity to savor the taste and tradition that have been passed down for four hundred years?