Located on a hill less than a 10-minute walk from the Yui Rail Shimin Byoin-mae Station, "Shimujo" is a Ryukyuan-style house offering panoramic views of the city. Here, you can savor traditional home-style cooking, primarily Okinawan soba noodles.

What's amazing is its popularity. A long line forms as soon as they open at 11am, and on some days they sell out by 12pm.

This popular restaurant offers a timeless Okinawan atmosphere and comforting dishes that nourish both the heart and the stomach. I was finally able to visit this long-desired restaurant, and I would like to share my experience in a report format.

1. Access to Shimujo! We recommend arriving before the 11:00 opening time.

"Shimujo" is about a 10-minute walk from Shimin Byoin-mae Station on the Yui Rail. I got off at Shimin Byoin-mae Station just before 10am. I thought I had arrived quite early, anticipating the 11am opening time, but there were several other customers also heading to "Shimujo."

Shimujo is located at the top of a hill, at the end of a winding, sloping residential street.
As you go further, the road gets narrower and narrower, and the road in front of the shop is only wide enough for one car. If you are coming by car, it would be a good idea to check the route carefully beforehand. There is a parking lot behind the shop with space for about 12 cars.

I arrived at the shop right at 10:3. There were about three groups of customers ahead of me, but I was relieved to know I was in the first seating after opening. However, customers kept coming in without interruption until around 10:1, and a line quickly formed.
It seemed they were ready, as they let us in around 10:40 AM, before their official opening time, and we were able to enter the shop smoothly without much waiting.

I thought we might have arrived a little too early, but in conclusion, arriving before opening time was the right decision. By the time we, the first group to enter, left the shop (just before noon), the shop's sign had already been changed to say "Preparing to Open."
It seems they served the soba noodles to the customers already in line and then sold out. It's incredibly popular!

2. Find solace in the original scenery of traditional Ryukyuan houses.

One of the main attractions of "Shimujo" is that you can enjoy an Okinawan atmosphere. Upon entering the shop's gate, you'll find a traditional Ryukyuan house with stone walls and a red roof. Ancient trees, some over 100 years old, are planted all around.

Even while waiting for your order, you'll be amazed to learn that this old house, which seems to stand still in time, is a registered tangible cultural property. You can also see Shisa statues all over the grounds.

The interior of the shop perfectly matches the exterior, creating a space that conveys a traditional way of life. The warmth of the wood is comforting, and the room is open and airy with a breeze blowing through. It's warm all year round, so there's even a fan.

Although it's a restaurant, it feels like you've come to visit an old traditional Japanese house. For some reason, the customers seem to be closer to each other. After sitting down and relaxing for a while, my order arrived.

3. Enjoy flavorful Okinawan soba noodles and home-style cooking.

The second appeal of "Shimujo" is its flavorful Okinawan soba noodles and comforting home-style cooking. The standard menu consists of three items: pork belly soba, pork rib soba, and yushi tofu.

You can add a set meal to your soba noodles for an extra 400 yen, but the yushi tofu comes as a set meal from the start. The set includes juicy (Okinawan mixed rice), jimami tofu (tofu made with peanuts), and two small side dishes that change daily.

I ordered the Soki Soba set. First, here's the soba. It has curly noodles in a soup made with pork bone and bonito. The toppings are green onions and fish cake, and the soki (pork ribs) are served on a separate plate.

The clear, light broth offers a comforting taste that will make you relax with every sip. It has a light yet rich flavor that blends perfectly with the noodles. The tender pork ribs are also flavorful and satisfying. Finally, add some homemade ginger for an extra touch of flavor.

The juicy rice has a light flavor thanks to the broth. It goes down easily even when served with noodles. The jimami tofu is chewy and rich, almost like a dessert. In addition to Okinawa soba, being able to enjoy these kinds of Okinawan home-style dishes is something unique to "Shimujo."

I added "tebichi" to the set meal. It's a traditional Okinawan dish of braised pig's trotters. The first bite is chewy, and then it melts in your mouth. It's also well-seasoned with soy sauce, making it an addictive flavor.

So, what did you think? Shimujo is a traditional Okinawan house surrounded by nature, where you can enjoy comforting Okinawan soba and home-style cooking. It's a famous restaurant where you're sure to find a line, but it's definitely a place I highly recommend visiting.

Yuhei Tonosho, a cyclist and photographer who delves deep into Japan

Born in 1993 in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Cultural History and Department of English Literature. While working as a salaryman, he is a travel writer who travels all over Japan by bicycle and mountain climbing. He captures and shares the changing seasons of Japan with all his senses.

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