Araki Soba

Founded in 1920 (Taisho 9), Araki Soba is a long-established soba restaurant where guests can savor “Itasoba,” a traditional style of soba unique to Yamagata. The dish was originally created by the restaurant’s founder, Kanzaburo Ashino, and later became popular throughout the inland areas of the prefecture. At Araki Soba, the noodles are served on planks of Akita cedar wood, which naturally absorb excess moisture, preserving the noodles’ firm texture and fragrant aroma.

Recognized even in La Liste, a prestigious French global restaurant ranking, Araki Soba continues to uphold its craft with dedication. The soba is made daily from freshly milled buckwheat, sourced directly from local farmers, and hand-cut each morning-resulting in a deep fragrance and robust chewiness that define its flavor. The menu is simple, offering only Itasoba, available in half, full, or one-and-a-half portions. Side dishes include miso-simmered herring and a seasonal vegetable assortment, perfectly complementing the soba.

Housed in a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse nestled in the quiet countryside, the restaurant offers a nostalgic, heartwarming atmosphere that enhances the dining experience. Araki Soba also offers takeout and mail-order options, allowing visitors to enjoy the taste of Yamagata’s craftsmanship at home.