About
Tokyo was no more than a small fishing village before it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603, so its history is relatively short compared to such cities as Nara and Kyoto, the latter of which is even home to a teahouse dating all the way back to 1000 AD.
In Tokyo, the oldest culinary establishment dates back to 1648, a century or two older than a majority of its shinise (old shops). Ohgiya was originally founded by a local farming family in the town of Ōji as a teahouse catering to those traveling along the Nakasendō road between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), who would go around seeking a rest stop near the Itabashi post-station.
About a century later, shogun Yoshimune redeveloped the nearby Mount Asuka into a public park, which became popular among hanami-goers. The area grew busier and busier, and Ohgiya flourished, going on to become a fancy restaurant with a garden, its fame noted in a number of contemporary ukiyo-e paintings and rakugo stories.
The restaurant itself closed permanently in 2002, leaving only a tiny streetside takeout stand on the site, doling out delectable tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), which has been a popular staple since 1648. Thick in layers and mild in flavor, the sweet, juicy omelet is a treat like no other, simple yet somehow profound, a true Tokyo tradition rarely found elsewhere.
Know Before You Go
The Ohgiya stand can be found near Ōji Station, just outside the North Exit. It is open every day except Wednesdays from 1 PM to 7 PM. Note that the name (扇屋) may be alternatively romanized as Ohgiya, Ougiya, or Ōgiya, but they all refer to the same establishment.
Ohgiya’s tamagoyaki comes in two kinds, atsuyaki-tamago (plain; 650 yen) and oyako-tamago (with chicken; 760 yen); the standard version is half-sized, and a full cut can also be purchased for 1,300 yen. There is also a secret third kind, kamayaki-tamago, which is more cake-like; it costs 4,100 yen and must be ordered at least three days in advance.
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Published
June 19, 2026
