🟢 Great-in-Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
A richly flavored bowl of kamo-nanban soba in Togoshi-Ginza — where duck broth, duck fat, and grilled green onions come together in a deeply satisfying way at a long-loved neighborhood soba shop.
Last updated: 2025-12-05
Introduction
In Japan, when people hear "duck cuisine," many immediately think of kamo-nanban soba. It has a depth completely different from other soba dishes, and it has long had devoted fans.
The photo shows the kamo-nanban soba from Okina, a popular soba shop located at the far end of the Togoshi-Ginza shopping street. It has long been loved by locals, but in recent years it has become so popular that even travelers visit based on word of mouth.
What to Try
Kamo-Nanban Soba
The charm of kamo-nanban soba lies in the elegant yet rich flavor created when duck broth and duck fat gently meld together. To that, the aroma and freshness of grilled green onions are added, and the dish suddenly gains remarkable depth and dimension.
Even those who find tempura soba "a bit too heavy" will likely enjoy this bowl until the very last bite.
Okina’s noodles are thick, firm inaka-style soba. They have a strong presence that pairs beautifully with the rich broth, making an excellent match for the duck’s umami.
Soba-Yu
The broth infused with duck flavor is so good you may want to drink it straight, but it can be a bit salty. After finishing your noodles, it’s recommended to pour in soba-yu (hot buckwheat water) and enjoy it slowly.
Some people hesitate at the idea of soba-yu containing duck fat, but Okina’s duck fat has no unpleasant heaviness—only refinement. It makes for a very satisfying final sip.
Tokyo or Trip?
🟢 Great-in-Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
Kamo-nanban soba can be found throughout Japan, but if you usually eat only cold soba or tempura soba, you should definitely give it a try.
It will likely change the way you think about soba. And as a bowl enjoyed in a local Tokyo shopping street, it’s an experience that is easy to recommend.
About "Tokyo or Trip?"
This blog explores a simple question for travelers: "Can you find the authentic soul of Japan's regional flavors right here in Tokyo, or does the true experience demand a journey to the source?"
Based in Togoshi-Ginza, I guide you through Japan’s diverse food culture to help you find the best dining option for your itinerary.
Our Rating System:
- 🟠 Local-First: Best experienced in its home region. Worth a trip.
- 🟢 Great-in-Tokyo:A nationwide favorite or regional specialty that offers a fully satisfying, authentic experience right here in Tokyo.
- 🟣 Tokyo-Do-Must: A unique food culture born in or exclusive to Tokyo.
Explore Nearby
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- Kaisendon in Togoshi-Ginza — All-Day Seafood Izakaya Comfort 🍱
- Coffee Jelly Symphony at Coffee-kan — A Retro Japanese Café Classic ☕
- Juwari Soba in Togoshi-Ginza — Pure Buckwheat Aroma in a Rustic Bowl 🍲
- Menchi-Katsu in Togoshi-Ginza — Freshly Fried Butcher-Style Japanese Comfort Food 🥩
Similar Dishes
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- Tori-Chiku Udon at Onyanma, Gotanda — Tokyo’s Stand-Up Udon, Fresh and Fast 🍲
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About "Taste of Japan"
Hello, I'm Yuta.
Born in landlocked Yamanashi and having lived in the gourmet city of Sendai for 10 years, I now call Togoshi-Ginza home. My frequent business trips across Japan allow me to constantly explore the diversity of regional flavors.
Why Togoshi-Ginza?
This street is Tokyo’s longest shopping arcade (about 1.3 km), but it holds a special history. It was the very first street in Japan to adopt the "Ginza" name—a tradition that later spread across the country—after receiving bricks from the famous Ginza district following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
My Wish as a Local
I am not a culinary expert. However, as a Japanese local who knows both the convenience of Tokyo and the origins of regional food, I want to share the "atmosphere" and "personal feelings" that you won't find in standard guidebooks.
The Concept: "Tokyo or Trip?"
Visiting every region of Japan in a single trip is nearly impossible. Some food experiences are worth the travel to the source, while others offer a fully satisfying experience right here in Tokyo.
This blog is a guide to help you make that choice. Based in Togoshi-Ginza, I share my honest experiences and "my personal answer" to help you maximize your culinary journey in Japan.
- 🟠 Local-First: Best experienced in its home region. Worth a trip.
- 🟢 Great-in-Tokyo: A nationwide favorite or regional specialty that offers a fully satisfying, authentic experience right here in Tokyo.
- 🟣 Tokyo-Do-Must: A unique food culture born in or exclusive to Tokyo.