In Edo period, people payed their tax by rice. However, because this area was not good for growing rice, people here pay their tax to Shindaiji by Soba instead of rice.
When the priest of Ueno Kaneji Temple visit Shindaiji, he was treated Shindaiji Soba. He really loved its Soba, and told all of his priest friends that Shindaiji has best Soba.
Also, the 3rd Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu loved this Soba, when he was enjoying Takagari.