5 Best Soba Restaurants in Hakone

Hakone is an easy day trip from Tokyo, known for its hot springs, natural scenery, and many attractions. It also offers plenty of local food to discover, from Owakudani’s famous black eggs, said to add seven years to your life, to tofu katsu-ni and dishes made with jinenjo (Japanese mountain yam). Among Hakone’s many specialties, soba is a must-try. Soba has long been a favorite in the area, with restaurants serving everything from classic noodles to distinctive local variations. Here are five recommended soba restaurants to try in Hakone.

• Kanto
• Kanagawa
• Izu / Hakone
• Soba

Yamasoba

Located near Hakone-Yumoto Station, YAMASOBA is a long-established soba restaurant known for noodles made with Hakone water and traditional techniques. One of its specialties is tororo soba, topped generously with grated jinenjo (Japanese mountain yam). Enjoy the rich flavor of soba in a relaxed, traditional Japanese setting—a convenient stop while exploring Hakone-Yumoto.

Hatsuhana Soba

Founded in 1946, Hatsuhana is a long-established soba restaurant along the Hayakawa River in Hakone-Yumoto. When wheat flour was difficult to obtain after World War II, the restaurant began using jinenjo (Japanese mountain yam) to make its soba. Even today, the noodles are made without water, using only jinenjo and eggs.\
A popular choice is Yamakake Soba, topped generously with grated jinenjo. Its natural sweetness pairs well with the nutty aroma of the soba. Seiro soba and tempura soba are also popular choices, making Hatsuhana a great place to experience a distinctive Hakone soba tradition.

Denbei Soba

Located directly in front of the historic Hakone Sekisho checkpoint near Lake Ashi, Denbei Soba offers handmade soba in a setting inspired by the Edo period. Its nihachi soba is made in-house with stone-ground buckwheat flour from Kitasorachi, Hokkaido, using a traditional blend of 80% buckwheat and 20% wheat flour. The noodles are known for their rich aroma and smooth texture. Enjoy authentic soba surrounded by wooden walls, noren curtains, and lanterns that evoke the atmosphere of old Hakone.

Kinuhiki no Sato

Located near Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kinuhiki no Sato is known for its signature Kinuhiki Udon, featuring thin, silky noodles flavored with burdock root and sesame. The noodles are served with a savory tsuyu made with seafood, dried shiitake mushrooms, and burdock root.
The restaurant also serves aromatic soba made with buckwheat flour from Horokanai, Hokkaido, one of Japan’s best-known soba-producing regions. Enjoy the noodles with tsuyu or alongside crispy tempura while taking in the scenery around Lake Ashi.

Hakone Saryo Shinzan

Located within walking distance of the Hakone Glass no Mori Venetian Glass Museum in Sengokuhara, Hakone Saryo Shinzan is a soba restaurant with a calm, wood-accented interior. Its handmade soba is made with buckwheat flour from Hokkaido and served with a savory tsuyu made with dried shiitake mushrooms, bonito flakes, and a touch of apple vinegar. For a more leisurely meal, try the Hana-zen course, which features a selection of carefully prepared dishes. Relax and enjoy the flavors of Hakone in its serene setting.

We hope this guide helps you plan your next trip to Hakone. Enjoy exploring the area and its local soba restaurants!