Teuchi Soba Katsura

Located on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Teuchi Soba Katsura is a beloved handmade soba restaurant. Its appeal lies not only in the flavor of its soba but also in its unbeatable location-large windows and terrace seating offer sweeping views of Lake Chuzenji’s dramatic scenery, making dining here a memorable experience.

The soba is crafted with Nikko’s pure, soft water, with the chef carefully adjusting the water ratio and kneading strength according to the day’s humidity. The noodles, perfected through years of experience, are smooth and pair beautifully with the fragrant katsuobushi-based dipping sauce. The signature “Soba-gaki Set” includes chilled soba, soba-gaki (buckwheat dough) freshly kneaded and served as agedashi, and simmered yuba-a local specialty.

Other popular options include set meals such as the Tempura Teishoku or the Salt-Grilled Rainbow Trout Teishoku, offering soba alongside an additional dish. During the autumn foliage season, when visitors flock to Lake Chuzenji, the restaurant can get crowded, so it’s best to visit with plenty of time to spare.