Rengyoku-an

There are small, narrow streets in the Northern part of the Ueno area in Tokyo. Most of the buildings in this particular area are adult entertainment business such as topless bars, escort services, erotic massage, even sex houses and all sorts. Those in this area are not categorized as an expensive, hi-​end type of adult entertainment, but more like cheapish and sleazy, and definitely contains a certain fetishism and decadence. The street is not clean but surprisingly safe.
This tiny soba house is located in the middle of one of those streets. The place looks a very old traditional Japanese home, as they’ve been serving soba for over a Century. The street view looks strange because this old looking soba house is surrounded by the adult entertainment buildings and photos, and the traditional culture and the sleazy sex culture are coexisting in the same tiny street.
I desperately wanted to come back here. I couldn’t forget about the taste of the soba when I last visited here. Also how the owner lady treated me, her welcoming smile. the impression they gave me was very strong. Hoping to see the same people again, I entered the restaurant.
I realized that this place was very small. There were only 7 tables and 5 items on the menu. As soon as the owner lady saw me, she came and greeted. She took an order and brought my food. When she put the tray on the table, she quietly said, «welcome back.» I didn’t expect her to remember me since I had been here only once. «You came back from far away.» She smiled and walked back to the kitchen. The soba was very fresh, the texture was great, and the firmness was just right as well. Everything was exactly the same as before.
When I was to leave and opened the door, I saw drizzling. The lady came up to me with an umbrella and tried to give it to me without saying anything. The umbrella wasn’t a cheap kind but looked more like personal belongings. She smiled at me and said, «Take it so you won’t get wet.»
I politely declined the offer and told her that I would be seeing her again one day and left there. After I started walking, I felt tears filling my eyes. I was having one tough day on that day and didn’t know where to release. This unexpected kindness just hit me. She fed me the delicious soba and fed my soul with her genuine kindness.
While walking in the rain, these half naked girls were smiling at me in their ads. I looked at the ads and thought, «we are both working our ass off and we can hang on.» I headed another tough meeting and was ready to nail it.
5 Stars for everything.