
Soba, enjoyed throughout Japan, is not only known for its deliciousness but also for its unique regional variations, such as local soba, making it a major highlight of any trip. Therefore, we would like to introduce the popular ranking of soba restaurants across the country, selected by Tabiiro readers.
Updated every Monday: Calculated based on number of views over 30 days
1
茶寮哲心
Kyoto
Kyoto
茶寮哲心
"Saryo Tesshin," a new venture of the popular Miyazaki soba restaurant "Soba-ya Tesshin," has opened in Kyoto City. Located in a renovated Kyoto townhouse over 100 years old, which is also the family home of the proprietress, the restaurant offers a refined atmosphere where you can enjoy specialties like "Supreme Kyoto Duck Nanban" and traditional Japanese sweets such as financiers.
2
つばめ屋
Kyoto
Kyoto
つばめ屋
Located just a 3-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, Tsubameya is a soba restaurant known for its authentic tempura made with fresh, local ingredients from the Yamashiro area. The menu also features cha soba made with Uji matcha, offering a uniquely local flavor. The restaurant uses carefully selected buckwheat flour, primarily sourced from Kyoto Prefecture and blended with flour from neighboring Shiga, to craft its exquisite soba.
3
手打蕎麦鶴㐂
Shiga
Shiga
手打蕎麦鶴㐂
A soba restaurant with ties to the world heritage site, Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Sakamoto, Otsu City, a town in front of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, was also the base of the Anatashu, who are said to have built the stone walls of Azuchi Castle. Founded in 1716 by Kihachi Tsuruya, a monk at Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, this is a long - established store that has been in operation for over 300 years since the Edo period. The stately building is also a registered tangible cultural property. The owner's surname is also strongly connected to history, and he was allowed to call himself "Kami - nobu" because of the "Nobu" of Enryaku - ji Temple on Mt. Hiei and the fact that he went to the mountain to provide food. It is also deeply moving to be able to enjoy the handmade soba noodles that have been handed down since the establishment of the restaurant in the traditional land and building.
4
十割そば たからや
Iwate
Iwate
十割そば たからや
At "Juwari Soba Takara-ya," diners can enjoy aromatic 100% buckwheat soba freshly ground on a millstone daily. Located in a renovated old house that retains its traditional charm, the restaurant is popular among locals and tourists. The broth, made with soy sauce from Iwate's Kido Soy Sauce Shop, pairs perfectly with the soba. Plans are underway to offer online sales, making this delicacy accessible nationwide.
5
不動茶屋
Yamanashi
Yamanashi
不動茶屋
A soba and udon restaurant located on the lake near Kawaguchiko Ohashi Bridge. This is a Japanese house from about 180 years ago that was relocated and restored, with a thatched roof and a great atmosphere. The inside of the restaurant has a quaint appearance that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time, and you can enjoy your meal by the hearth. Our proud udon and soba noodles are made from carefully selected flour and have a gentle flavor that goes down easily. The ingredients on top of the noodles vary depending on the season, so find your favorite version.
6
大江山 鬼そば屋
Kyoto
Kyoto
大江山 鬼そば屋
This is the birthplace of Oeyama's specialty, "Oni Soba", a beloved dish for over 160 years since the Edo period. "Oni Soba" refers to thick, firm, 100% buckwheat soba noodles, handmade from domestically grown whole buckwheat and milled in-house. The name is said to have originated from the phrase "kowai (hard) ki (raw) soba," which became "ki (oni=devil) soba" and eventually evolved into "Oni soba." While the traditional way to enjoy "Oni Soba" is as "Kake soba (served in hot broth)", the seventh-generation owner has continued to innovate with new creations. In addition to the popular "Toriten soba (soba topped with chicken tempura)", guests can enjoy a diverse range of soba noodles with different thicknesses and serving styles, as well as local specialities such as "Maizuru fish pickles (regional fish)" and "Yamabuki no Umani (mountain butterbur simmered in sweet soy sauce)".
7
出雲そばきがる
Shimane
Shimane
出雲そばきがる
A restaurant located near Matsue Castle where you can enjoy freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly boiled Izumo soba. We carefully select and secure locally grown buckwheat seeds, including those from Matsue, to make "Gensoba" with the shells attached. The "Gensoba", which is carefully stored, is milled every day using homemade flour in a stone mill, and the soba noodles are made using skilled techniques. The dashi is a carefully selected natural dashi flavored with local seasonings. We are particular about customer service and creating a space with a spirit of hospitality so that you can enjoy delicious soba noodles.
8
かき末 ひのき
Kyoto
Kyoto
かき末 ひのき
Located approximately a 12-minute walk from JR Fukuchiyama Station, this long-established Japanese restaurant has been in business for about 100 years. Since its founding, "Kakisue Hinoki" has been delivering high-quality oysters directly from producers in Hiroshima Prefecture every morning. From November to May, the restaurant operates as "Kakisue", where customers can enjoy a wide variety of oyster dishes such as "Karatsuki Namakaki Lemon Zoe (fresh oysters in the shell with lemon)", "Dote Nabe", "Kaki Fry (fried oysters)" and "Kakimeshi (oyster rice)". From June to October, the restaurant's name changes to "Hinoki", where the main dishes are "awara soba" and "kaiseki cuisine (focuses on a banquet-style with alcohol)." The restaurant, which serves oyster dishes, is a relocated oyster boat from Hiroshima Prefecture and is equipped with table seating, sunken kotatsu seating, and private rooms, making it suitable for a wide range of customers, from individuals to groups.
9
出石皿そば 玄
Hyogo
Hyogo
出石皿そば 玄
"Izushi Sarasoba Gen", located near Tatsumiyagura Clock Tower, the iconic symbol of Izushi Town in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a beloved soba restaurant dedicated to mastering the art of handmade sara soba. True to the meaning of its name Gen (“to master”), the restaurant is uncompromising in its pursuit of quality, using only the finest buckwheat flour and condiments. A single order of Izushi Sara Soba includes five small plates of noodles, which can be enjoyed with various toppings like egg, grated yam, green onion, and wasabi, allowing diners to explore a variety of flavor combinations. As part of a fun local tradition, those who eat 20 plates (adults) or 15 plates (children) receive a Gen Sara Soba Certificate. Collect five of these and you’ll be awarded the coveted “Gensoba Expert Pass,” which grants you free sara soba (up to 15 plates per visit) for an entire year. In addition to its famed soba, the shop also sells original merchandise, including T-shirts, plates, and coffee cups—making it a memorable stop for both locals and visitors.
10
真心庵 そばひろ
Gunma
Gunma
真心庵 そばひろ
"Magokoroan Sobahiro" is located along the industrial road in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. It has been in business for over 50 years and maintains its commitment to the same taste. It uses carefully selected domestic unpolished buckwheat flour ground in a stone mill and hand-made, and the soup made with dried bonito flakes and wasanbon (Japanese sugar) does not contain any chemical seasonings. It also has a wide selection of homemade desserts.
11
食事処 とちの茶屋
Aomori
Aomori
食事処 とちの茶屋
"Restaurant Tochino Chaya" sits gracefully on the shores of Lake Towada in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The menu features freshly caught char and rainbow trout from Lake Towada, along with regional Tohoku specialties, including Nanbu soba and Inaniwa udon. Guests can savor the rich local food culture in a warm, wood-accented space that captures the nostalgic charm of travel in Japan. A glass-walled dining area offers panoramic views of Lake Towada, whose scenery transforms beautifully with each season. With approximately 100 table seats and 30 tatami-style seats, the restaurant welcomes a wide range of guests—from families and friends to tour groups—providing a comfortable dining experience for every occasion.
12
こまつ町家文庫
Ishikawa
Ishikawa
こまつ町家文庫
This cafe, located in a historic streetscape near JR and IR Ishikawa Railway Komatsu Station, is housed in a renovated townhouse that is over 90 years old. The nostalgic space features a display of glass artist's teardrop ornaments hanging from the atrium ceiling and is lined with around 5,000 second-hand books, offering a chance to encounter a once-in-a-lifetime collection of second-hand books. The shop serves healthy dishes made with carefully selected, mostly locally sourced ingredients, seasoned simply with koji and other ingredients, as well as homemade sweets that are packed with kindness. Their homemade jams, made with seasonal fruits from Ishikawa Prefecture, also make the perfect souvenir.
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