Izushi Sara Soba – The Samurai’s Meal of Choice

A quintessentially Japanese dish, buckwheat soba noodles are known throughout Japan as a delicate, acquired taste - the clean flavor and fine texture are staples in Japanese cuisine. Izushi, a small samurai castle town south of Kinosaki Onsen, boasts a rich history as a cultural hub for this beloved dish.

Soba first came to Izushi in 1706 when control of the Izushi domain was handed over to a new samurai clan, the sengoku clan. The feudal lord loved soba noodles so much that he decided to bring his personal soba chefs with him to his new post in Izushi! This gave birth to a new style of eating soba noodles on five small plates, dipping them in dashi broth. It is customary to gradually adjust the broth flavor with each new plate by adding daikon (radish), grated yam, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), spring onions, and raw egg one by one.

What sets Izushi Soba apart from other soba noodles in Japan lies with its special presentation. Izushi Soba noodles are served on five small plates for one serving – a unique way to display the town’s art, Izushi Pottery, in abundance. Izushi Pottery is the canvas of many local restaurants' unique plate designs.

Izushi Pottery is created with one stone called kakitanitoseki, found locally in town. At the 1904 World Expo, it gained international recognition after receiving a gold medal. Now, it’s registered as one of Japan’s national traditional crafts.

Start your culinary career with Mikura’s head chef! Starting from freshly-ground buckwheat flour, mix the dough with water, knead it, stretch it, fold it, cut it, and boil it with the help of a pro. After, enjoy your soba with chilled Japanese soup stock called dashi, daikon (radish), grated yam, wasabi (Japanese horseradish), spring onions, and raw egg.

For a more in-depth look at how soba noodles are made, start from step 0, the very first stage of grinding 100% pure buckwheat using a traditional stone mortar. The traditional method of grinding the buckwheat in a stone mortar involves grinding only small amounts at a time so that no heat from friction is produced and no flavor is lost.

The perfect way for foodies to spend a day in Izushi! Unleash your appetite and eat your fill in Izushi Sara Soba, Izushi's culinary specialty in a 60-minute unlimited all-you-can-eat experience. It's a local tradition to measure your stacked plates up against your chopsticks. If your plates stand taller than your chopsticks at around 20 plates, you know you've definitely reached "pro soba-eater" status!

The Izushi Must-Visits Pass is your insider go-to for all of Izushi Castle Town's must-see attractions and shops. Visit Samurai House Karoyashiki, Eirakukan Kabuki Theater, and more! Receive 3 "Eiraku" Soba Coins to taste test Izushi Sara Soba noodles at 3 different restaurants! Choose from over 30 participating soba shops. 1 coin can be used at 1 soba noodle restaurant in town. Each coin will give you 3 plates of soba at 1 restaurant!