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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.

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-Doku 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?

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.

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 Soba Kobo 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.

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.
• Closed on Mondays, New Year's Holidays, and G.W.
• 0852-22-2361
• Free of charge