Enjoying a bowl of ramen while listening to Nujabes

10/30/2024

One of the music artists I absolutely adore is Nujabes. There’s a dream spot for fans where you can enjoy delicious ramen while listening to his amazing music, so I’d love to introduce it to you!

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So, who is Nujabes?

He is a world-renowned music producer and DJ, beloved by fans across the globe. Nujabes had a profound influence, especially in the genres of jazz hip-hop and lo-fi hip-hop. His music continues to be cherished by a diverse range of listeners, transcending generations and nationalities. It is also well known that the name Nujabes was born from the romanization of his artist name at the time, “Seba Jun,” written backwards (his real name was Yamada Jun). Sadly, in 2010, he passed away in a car accident at the young age of 36. Nujabes was known for being a very private and introverted person who rarely gave interviews or revealed much about his personal life, which added to his mystique. His music, filled with rich emotions that captivated listeners, continues to resonate with people, attracting new fans even today.

Music Style

Nujabes’ musical style is a unique blend of jazz and hip-hop, masterfully fused with lo-fi beats, creating a signature sound that is instantly recognizable. You hear it, and you know—it’s Nujabes! As the owner of a record shop in Tokyo called Guinness, he likely had an extensive collection of music to draw from. His mellow jazz, which feels nostalgic and deeply moving, has an addictive quality that makes you want to listen again and again. It’s spiritual and soulful, with a strong beat, yet somehow soothing—a style that’s distinctively Nujabes. He has influenced many musicians, and while there’s a lot of music that resembles his, the true Nujabes is in a league of his own!

Collaboration

While Nujabes has many instrumental tracks, he also collaborated frequently with rappers. Among these, the “Luv(sic)” series, co-created with Shing02, is one of his most popular and iconic works, spanning six parts. Notably, Part 6, which Nujabes had been working on before his passing, was completed by Shing02 as the final chapter, bringing the series to its full six-part completion. For Nujabes fans, this series holds a special and emotional significance! The concept behind “Luv(sic)” is said to be a letter addressed to the muse of music—such remarkable creativity, right?! I absolutely love the “Luv(sic)” series as well!

Nujabes also collaborated with many international artists, fusing English rap with Japanese jazz sounds, resulting in numerous tracks that embody his unique style. Transcending language barriers, Nujabes continues to be loved around the world to this day.

So, why Ramen?

I’m sure you now understand just how amazing Nujabes’ music is. But you might be wondering—what’s the connection with ramen?! Well, it turns out that the delicious ramen shop “Ramen Usagi,” famous for its tantanmen (spicy noodle soup), is run by none other than Nujabes’ brother! It’s a dream spot for music lovers, especially Nujabes fans, where you can enjoy ramen while listening to his music! I hadn’t been able to visit before, but finally, my dream has come true!!

While standing in line, it became clear that Nujabes fans from all over the world come here. Of course, I’m sure there are regulars who come just for the tantanmen or ramen as well. But from what I could tell while waiting, the majority of the foreigners seemed to be Nujabes fans. Some arrived by taxi, while others navigated with Google Maps, determined to get there—just like we did (LOL). When we chatted with the people in line ahead of us, it turned out they were also from California. We arrived early, so we only had to wait about 40 minutes to get in. Before entering, you purchase your ticket at the ticket machine inside the shop, but be careful—it only accepts cash! Some customers without Japanese yen were told to go to a nearby convenience store. I felt a bit sorry for them, especially in the heat. Even after being seated, you have to wait a bit for the ramen, so from standing in line to actually eating, it takes about an hour or so. But no worries, you can enjoy immersing yourself in Nujabes’ music to the fullest!

The Experience of Enjoying Nujabes + Ramen

My daughter ordered the shoyu ramen, and I went for the popular tantanmen. The broth was rich and absolutely delicious. Eating ramen made by Nujabes’ brother (what I believe to be) while listening to Nujabes’ music was pure bliss! The music wasn’t blasting at a high volume; instead, it played naturally in the background, blending seamlessly into the atmosphere, which made the experience even more pleasant. The shop was filled with many foreigners, all seemingly enjoying their ramen while soaking in Nujabes’ music.

Many foreign visitors were also buying T-shirts as souvenirs, which were sold at the shop. The “Usagi” original T-shirts (limited edition) don’t actually have “Nujabes” written on them, but for fans, they might be a must-have item to commemorate the experience. After spending time listening to Nujabes again, I’m reminded of just how amazing his music truly is.

If you’re a Nujabes fan, I highly recommend experiencing this unique spot at least once!

Usagi Ramen
8-13 Shinsencho, Shibuya, Tokyo
About a 15-minute walk from Shibuya Station