Yabu Soba opened its doors for business in 1880 serving buckwheat noodles in the Edo Period. Soba noodles are a favorite anytime all over Japan, but are also traditionally enjoyed on certain special occasions such as New Years or when someone moves, and are said to bring good fortune.

Luckily close Japanese friends lined up very early in the morning on January 1, 2013 to make sure we were number one in the long line. The soba posting: http://mykonosfoodlab.com/2013/01/05/kanda-yabu-soba

But unfortunately old wooden structures in Japan are susceptible to a flash, smoke and flames. After 130 years of service Kanda Yabu Soba was on fire. The fire started during dinner service and the restaurant was quickly evacuated, no one was injured in the fire and sadly the restaurant  lost.