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Handmade Izumo Soba Kizuki

Handmade “Wariko Soba” that lets you savor the aroma of stone-ground buckwheat

Since opening, this soba restaurant has been popular with both tourists and locals alike. They use domestically produced buckwheat flour coarsely ground in a stone mill, carefully adjusting the origin and blend according to the season. The slightly whitish, thin noodles are notable for their slightly gritty texture and smooth glide down the throat.The bonito-based dipping sauce has a slightly spicy, clean finish that perfectly complements the flavor of the coarsely ground soba.

In addition to classics like “wariko” and “kamaage,” the restaurant offers a daily changing “Today’s Special” menu. You can enjoy a variety of flavors depending on the day, such as “Duck Broth Soba” and “Fresh Yuba Soba.”

A serene Japanese-style space housed in a renovated traditional home

Pass through the gate marked by a noren curtain, walk through the garden, and enter the restaurant—a renovated traditional Japanese house. After removing your shoes, you’ll find a spacious, charming Japanese-style room.It’s a rustic, homey tatami room that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Tables seating 2 to 4 people are spaced widely apart, allowing you to relax and enjoy the carefully crafted soba—handmade fresh every morning—while gazing out at the garden through the windows.

Located along the “Kamimukae-no-Michi” (Path of Welcoming the Gods), which stretches from Izumo Taisha to Inasa Beach, it’s the perfect spot to stop for a break while traveling.

Local Guide
Supporters

The “Today’s Specials” menu sometimes features rice dishes and appetizers in addition to soba options. In the past, items such as “Ika-don” (squid rice bowl) made with local ingredients and “Ago-no-yaki,” a Matsue specialty, have been featured, allowing you to experience authentic local flavors alongside “Izumo Soba.”

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Authentic Handmade Izumo Soba: Sunaya

A 1-minute walk from the Setame Torii. A restaurant where you can savor 100% buckwheat “Izumo Soba”

This restaurant, specializing in 100% buckwheat soba, is located about a one-minute walk from the main gate of Izumo Taisha. The noodles are made using only domestically produced stone-ground buckwheat flour and water, with the flour itself being coarsely ground. Although these are 100% buckwheat noodles made with raw flour and no binding agents, they are remarkably resilient and boast a springy texture.Because the noodles are thick, you can fully enjoy the firm bite and distinctive flavor unique to “Izumo soba.”

The broth has a rich flavor, carefully crafted primarily from Japanese sardines, along with Rausu kelp and bonito flakes. A delightful touch is the sweet “one-bite soba-gaki” served on the side, reflecting the owner’s wish to “help you recover from the fatigue of travel.”

Authentic flavors enjoyed in a modern Japanese setting

While the exterior has a traditional Japanese appearance reminiscent of a storehouse, the interior features a modern and calm atmosphere. It’s a welcoming space that’s easy to walk into, yet it’s beloved as a spot where you can savor authentic Izumo soba.

In addition to the simple “Wariko Soba,” the “Colorful Three-Color Wariko” (1,560 yen)—a combination of deep-fried shrimp balls, grated yam, and grated daikon with plum—is another staple. The hot “Kamaage Soba” comes in 10 varieties with different toppings, such as beef, “Tsukimi” (egg on top), grated daikon with soy sauce, and grated yam with plum.After your meal, be sure to try the aromatic “Soba Ice Cream,” made with buckwheat flour.

Local Guide
Supporters

This is a rare soba restaurant where you can enjoy “Izumo Soba” made with 100% buckwheat flour. Another delightful feature is that the noodles are served thick-cut to ensure they retain their texture even as time passes. You can add rice dishes, soups, and other items to your soba for an additional charge, allowing you to enjoy a set meal-style experience.

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Tanakaya Soba Restaurant

The signature “Three-Color Wariko Soba,” featuring three distinct flavors

“Soba-dokoro Tanakaya” is located right in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine.Its specialty is “Wari-ko Soba,” which lets you enjoy three different flavors: grated yam, deep-fried tempura bits, and hot spring eggs. The soba is hand-made every morning by skilled artisans using buckwheat flour ground from domestically grown whole buckwheat grains—husk and all—in a stone mill. It has a deep color and a rich, aromatic flavor that lingers in the nose.

The noodles have a firm bite and a smooth texture. The dipping sauce is made using “Urume sardines,” a high-quality variety known for its refined sweetness and rich umami. The deep, full-bodied broth enhances the aroma of the soba, allowing you to savor the unique flavor of Izumo soba with every bite.

A long-established soba restaurant beloved by locals right in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha

Located right in front of the main gate of Izumo Taisha, this soba restaurant is a convenient stop before or after visiting the shrine. In addition to the “Three-Color Wariko Soba,” other popular items include “Natto Soba”—domestic natto topped with plenty of condiments—and “Tempura Wariko Soba,” which comes with shrimp and organic vegetable tempura.With a kids’ menu featuring items like the “Rabbit Plate,” the restaurant caters to a wide range of customers, from solo travelers to families.
The restaurant also offers the “TableCheck Fast Pass” priority seating service; purchasing this in advance allows you to skip the line and be seated first, ensuring a relatively smooth entry even during peak hours.

Local Guide
Supporters

Behind the restaurant is the “Izumo Souvenirs: Tanakaya Branch.” It offers a wide variety of items—such as bowls, bamboo baskets, and condiment dishes—to help you enjoy “Izumo Soba” to the fullest. With a selection of Izumo souvenirs on display, be sure to stop by after your meal.

Soba Restaurant Tanakaya

• 364 Kizuki-Higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 5 minutes walk from Izumo-taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Line.
• Take the bus from JR Izumo-shi Station, get off at “Seimon-mae,” and walk about 1 minute
• 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Closes when soba runs out)
• Thursdays; other irregular holidays may apply
• 0853-53-2351
• Parking available (only for compact cars)

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Kenjo Soba Haneya Main Store

“Three-Tier Wariko Soba,” offering the unique flavor of hand-made noodles

A long-established restaurant founded in the late Edo period that has been beloved by locals for generations. Using buckwheat flour from Izumo and prepared using traditional hand-made methods, the rich aroma and firm texture embody the local flavor that can truly be called “the essence of Izumo soba.”The house-made dipping sauce, based on a broth of dried bonito and kelp, is deep and mellow. Its rich flavor perfectly complements the taste of the soba.

In addition to “Wakizoba,” which is enjoyed simply with condiments and dipping sauce, we also recommend the “Three-Color Wakizoba” topped with wild mountain vegetables, grated yam, and tempura crumbs, as well as the “Five-Color Wakizoba,” which includes fried tofu and a raw egg yolk.

A long-established “Izumo Soba” restaurant beloved by locals for generations

“Kenjo Soba Haneya” operates two locations in Izumo City. Known as a renowned restaurant with a history of presenting soba to the Imperial Family—including Emperor Taisho—it is popular not only with tourists but also with locals. The main branch, located in the city center, features a space filled with subdued lighting and the warmth of wood. In addition to table seating, a separate tatami room is available for a relaxed dining experience.

In addition to Izumo region staples like “Wakizoba” and “Kamaage Soba,” the hot soba topped with duck meat, “Kamo Nanban,” is also popular. You can also enjoy an “Oyako-don” (chicken and egg rice bowl) that makes the most of the umami from the soba dipping sauce.

Local Guide
Supporters

Located a short distance from Izumo Taisha, this long-established soba restaurant attracts many local patrons. The surrounding area is dotted with historic Japanese confectionery shops and sake breweries, and the Takase River, with its swaying willows, is within walking distance. If you take a stroll through the town after your meal, you’ll get a sense of local life and experience the authentic charm of Izumo.

Kenjo Soba Haneya Main Store

• 549 Honmachi, Imaichi-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• About a 10-minute walk from JR Izumo-shi Station
• Take the bus from JR Izumo-shi Station, get off at “Yokocho-kado,” and walk about 1 minute
• 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 5:00 PM–6:45 PM (Closes when soba runs out)
• January 1–4 (Closed for New Year’s holidays)
• 0853-21-0058
• 23 spaces *If full, please use nearby paid parking lots

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Arakiya

Izumo Taisha's traditional buckwheat noodle restaurant

Izumo's oldest and most famous buckwheat noodle store, which has been in business for 240 years since the late Edo period (1603-1868). 8 generations have passed down the tradition of stone-ground "Nihachi-soba," a blend of three types of buckwheat flour, including some from Shimane Prefecture. The soba is thin but firm and full of flavor, and is served with the same sweet soba sauce that has been used since the restaurant's establishment.

Conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Izumo-taisha Shrine

The Wariko Soba can be enjoyed as a stand-alone dish, and in addition to the standard three-tier, four-tier, and five-tier options, additional orders can be placed for as little as one-tier. You can also order more than one buckwheat noodle. Each buckwheat noodle is served with various toppings, such as a finely-selected egg, grated yam, and ten-tamago (tempura egg). Another Izumo soba staple, kama-age soba, is also available.

The restaurant is located about a 5-minute walk from the "Seidamari no Torii" gate of Izumo Taisha Shrine. Since many people stop by before or after visiting the shrine, there is usually a long line on weekends, so it is recommended to visit the restaurant early in the day.

Local Guide
Supporters

The basic way to eat wariko soba is to place yakumi (condiments) on top of the soba and pour a small amount of soba-tsuyu (buckwheat sauce) over the top of the soba in a "no" shape. The remaining dipping sauce is poured over the next bowl and eaten, and the last remaining dipping sauce is added to the soba water and drunk.

Arakiya

• 409-2 Kinezukigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• 10-minute walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Railway.
• Take a bus from JR Izumo City Station, get off at "Shomon-mae" bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes.
• 11:00-16:00 *Close when all soba is gone.
• Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a national holiday)
• 0853-53-2352
• Free of charge

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Soba Restaurant Kaneya

One of the most popular restaurants in the Izumo-taisha area

This popular soba restaurant is a lunch choice for many visitors to Izumo Taisha Shrine. The most recommended dish is the three-tiered wariko soba (buckwheat noodles) topped with grated yam and raw egg, along with condiments. The noodles are relatively firm and satisfying, and the uneven thickness of each strand is evidence that they are handmade. The rich aroma of the soba is carefully complemented by the broth made from Hidaka kelp and Japanese sardines.

Located within walking distance of Izumo Taisha Shrine, the restaurant is open from 10:30 am. It is an easy place to stop by before or after visiting the shrine.

A relaxing space that is easy to visit by yourself or with your family.

When you pass through the curtain, you will see a row of tables in front of the restaurant, and five small tables from the front left to the back of the restaurant. Compared to other restaurants, many customers visit alone.

In addition to Wariko, the menu offers a wide variety of hot soba, including kama-age, tsukimi, yamakake, and "Awasuki" topped with yam and egg, and "Goen-soba" topped with grated daikon and hanagatsuo (dried bonito). The thick, thick sobayu (buckwheat paste) is also unique to this restaurant, so why not order it along with the wariko soba?

Local Guide
Supporters

Oroshi-wariji" topped with grated daikon radish is a refreshing dish that allows you to simply enjoy the texture and aroma of the firm buckwheat. The spiciness of the grated radish and the sweetness of the sauce are a perfect match.

Kaneya Soba Restaurant

• 659 Kinezuki-higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane MAP
• 10-minute walk from Izumo Taisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Railway.
• Take a bus from JR Izumo City Station, get off at "Shomon-mae" bus stop, and walk about 6 minutes.
• Weekdays 10:30-14:00
  Sat. and Sun. 10:30-14:30
• Tuesday, Thursday
• 0853-53-2366
• Free of charge

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Kamiyo Soba

Stone-ground Jyuwari-soba served with dipping sauce containing "Jiden-shu" (local sake).

You can enjoy soba noodles from various regions, mainly locally produced. All soba noodles are made from raw buckwheat flour (juwari), with no wheat or other "glue" mixed in, and the buckwheat noodles are ground three times using three millstones.

The homemade dipping sauce is made with "Jiden-shu," a special cooking sake that has been popular in the Izumo area since ancient times. The rich flavor and sweetness of the sake takes the edge off the soy sauce, giving it a mellow taste. Another appeal of the restaurant is its insistence on local ingredients, such as the use of Matsue-grown brown buckwheat noodles for some of the toppings, as well as eggs and sweet potatoes from Shimane Prefecture.

A soba restaurant where you can stop by while sightseeing at Matsue Castle

Located within walking distance of Matsue Castle, a national treasure, many people stop by this restaurant while sightseeing. Direction from Matsue Station is also very convenient, as the bus stop is right in front of the restaurant.

The menu is relatively simple, with three types of cold soba: wariko soba, tororo wariko, and sansai wariko. The most popular is the "Tororo Wariko," but if you want to enjoy the true flavor of soba, we recommend the Wariko Soba with only condiments. Hot soba noodles such as "Kama-age-soba" and "Torisoba" with sobayu (buckwheat paste) are also available.

Local Guide
Supporters

There are many popular spots along nearby Shiomi Nawate Street, including the Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Museum and the Matsue History Museum. It is a perfect place to have lunch while sightseeing in Matsue.

Jindai Soba

• 324-5 Okutani-cho, Matsue City, Shimane MAP
• 10 minutes drive from JR Matsue Station
• From JR Matsue Station, take the "Gurutto Matsue Lake Line" and get off at "Koizumi Yakumo Kinenkan-mae" stop. 1 minute walk.
• 11:00 - 14:00 (L.O. 14:30) *Close when all soba is gone.
• Closed on Wednesdays and irregular holidays
• 0852-21-4866
• Free of charge

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Chugoku Mountains Soba Workshop Funatsu

Natural, 100% buckwheat soba made by artisans from the very beginning of the cultivation process

The store is run by a craftsman who pursues soba production from the ground up, including personally visiting the contracted cultivation sites. The buckwheat seeds grown in Oku Izumo Town, Shimane Prefecture, which is ideal for growing buckwheat, are milled on a millstone. The "juwari soba" made without wheat flour is thick and crisp, and its mellow aroma spreads with every bite.

The soup, made from mackerel bones, shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients, is slightly sweet and full of flavor. The restaurant also has a selection of locally brewed sake, which is selected by the chefs. Enjoying Izumo soba with a glass of dry junmai sake is a moment of sheer bliss.

Two types of soba noodles to choose from

The restaurant has been in business for about 50 years. The folk art-style exterior blends in with the streets of Matsue, and the interior, with its aged beams and furniture, is a tasteful space that makes the soba even more delicious.

The hot soba menu has a regional flavor, including "Maitake Tempura Soba" made with maitake mushrooms, a specialty of Oku Izumo, and "Kama-age Soba," a standard Izumo soba dish. On the other hand, two types of cold soba are milled, and it is attractive to be able to taste both Izumo soba, which is ground with the hull still attached, and so-called "Edo soba," which is ground after being de-hulled.

Local Guide
Supporters

The restaurant is often closed during Golden Week and Obon holidays, so it is recommended to avoid visiting during major holidays as much as possible.

Chugoku Soba Kobo Funatsu

• 117-6 Sotonakabaracho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 9 minutes from JR Matsue Station by car
• Take "Gurutto Matsue Lake Line" from JR Matsue Station and get off at "Shijumaborigawa" stop.
• 11:00～14:30 *Close when all soba is gone.
• Mondays, the third Tuesday of each month, New Year’s holidays, Golden Week
• 0852-22-2361
• Free of charge
• Reservations not accepted