Togakushi Soba


Taste One of Japan’s Three Great Soba Noodles

In Mt Togakushi, Togakushi village is home to one of the “Three Great Soba Noodles” of Japan – Togakushi soba. The other two being Iwate’s Wanko soba and Shimane’s Izumo soba.

During the Heian Period, Shinto practitioners regularly ate soba noodles along with wild mountain vegetables, Nagano prefecture’s natural landscape and moderate climate is conducive to cultivating high quality buckwheat; soba’s main ingredient. 

Togakushi soba is characterised by its darker hue and stronger taste due to using a type of buckwheat called “Hikigurumi” which includes the hull of the buckwheat in it’s making process. The dough is also rolled out into a oval/circular shape before being cut, it’s flavour is also further enhanced by boiling it instantly after cutting then cooling it in the clear, fresh waters of the Togakushi Mountain Range. The soba is also traditionally served in small portions, called “Bocchi-mori”, where the noodles are grouped in a loose horseshoe shape 

Please Note: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a reservation through one of these links,
I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Every property and destination featured on this website has been personally experienced by the writer, and are their personal thoughts and opinions.

Visit The Togakushi Soba Museum

In Togakushi village, there are several dining options to taste the specialty of Togakushi soba, however if you choose to stop by Tonkururin  (Togakushi Soba Museum), one can also learn how to make Togakushi soba from a local soba master above the museum’s restaurant (though we accidentally just heaped our soba noodle in one pile as we made so much!)

Enjoy Your Own Handmade Soba

After making your own soba from scratch, enjoy the soba deliciousness paired with ground daikon and fresh tempura mountain vegetables (cooked by Tonkururin’s chef) downstairs.

DETAILS

WEB:TOGAKUSHI TONKURURIN

IG: @TOGAKUSHI_TONKURURIN

OTHER PLACES TO STAY / THINGS TO DO

Oumeitei Tsuji Ryokan - a traditional shukubo temple stay by Chusha shrine.

Kai Matsumoto - one of Hoshino Resorts onsen ryokan - a boutique property in Asama Onsen

Matsumoto Honbako - a historic onsen ryokan turned into a modern onsen hotel celebrating books

Sacred Togakushi Shrine - walk this sacred cedar path in the mountain forest to this magical shrine

Nagano City

Hakuba Happo One

TRAVEL FURTHER

Fukui Prefecture - visit Tojinbo cliffs, soak in relaxing onsen and eat yummy seafood.

Ishikawa Prefecture - discover a prefecture full of rich arts, culture, history and fabulous onsen

Niigata Prefecture - coming soon

Toyama Prefecture - a charming prefecture beautiful in Spring and with delicious seafood

WONDERING WHERE TO STAY? EXPLORE OPTIONS BELOW

Previous
Previous

Nagano City

Next
Next

Sacred Togakushi Shrine