Ramen shop closes; too popular

Shinji Hijikata / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

A ramen shop where customers line up for hours to eat a bowl of noodles has decided to close its doors. The reason: customers line up for hours to eat their noodles.

Rokurinsha in Shinagawa Ward will close on Aug. 29 in response to repeated complaints from neighbors about customers blocking traffic, smoking on the street and talking loudly. "We don't want to cause any more problems for our neighbors," the shop said.

Rokurinsha, a six-minute walk from JR Osaki Station and located on a shopping street next to a residential area, opened in April 2005. Its tsuke-men, thick noodles dipped in a rich sauce, has attracted ramen-lovers and the media, and has been featured several times in magazines and on TV. As soon as the shop opens, a line starts to form.

According to Matsufuji Shokuhin, a company based in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, that runs Rokurinsha, the line stretches to about 100 people on weekends, and waiting times of two hours are common. The thick noodles take longer to boil, exacerbating the long waits.

The shop has tried to solve the problem by opening early, or changing the way customers line up, but failed to come up with a good solution.

Smoking on the street, loud customers and people blocking the 2.5 meter-wide street next to the shop have caused residents to complain to the police. The Osaki Police Station has asked the shop to do something about the situation several times. Under the circumstances, the shop has decided it has no choice but to shut down.

A woman who lives near the shop said: "People are always lining up on the street and blocking traffic. I understand what the shop went through, but I wanted them to do something about [the problems]."

Another nearby resident said: "Quite a few times I saw cigarette butts scattered around the street. But the shop recently started delivering to my house and I liked their ramen. I'm sorry to hear they're closing."

A company employee from Ota Ward, Tokyo, said: "Most of the customers were well-mannered. It's sad that the line caused the shop to close."

Matsufuji said Rokurinsha's new location and opening date have yet to be decided.

"We have to be careful when choosing a new location," the shop said.