The story takes place in the Kansei era, around Shinbashi in Edo, where a faintly lit soba stall named Genan appears beneath the willow trees as if from a dream. The stall is run by Gentaro Makino, a former samurai who easily gave up his important position in the accounting department to retire early. Viewing this as his second life, he devotes his heart and soul to making soba, attracting many customers daily. The central conflict and narrative thrust begin when a starving girl collapses in front of the stall, and Gentaro serves her a meal, initiating a series of events that reveal his compassionate nature. The manga is comprised of heartwarming episodic stories centered on the proprietor and his customers. The series is created by author Kengo Kaji and artist Hiroshi Kadota, with serialization beginning in 2008.