[04] Ikehara Soba Dojo (Nagahama City) / Savory Soba-Making at Ikehara Village

Savory Soba-Making at Ikehara Village

Connect with the Warm Community of Shiga’s Deep North

Ikehara Soba Dojo (Nagahama City)

Keywords: history & tradition / kids-fun / local food

Season: April to Mid-December

English Assistance: Basic

Nearby Accommodation: Yes

At the intersection of multiple regions of Japan, Shiga Prefecture borders four other prefectures, and each area within Shiga shares many commonalities with its respective neighbors. Nagahama City occupies the far north where it stretches to the prefectural border, near Tsuruga on the Sea of Japan coast in Fukui Prefecture. This proximity shares a distinct coastal climate, which produces some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. This area is known as Okubiwako, or the ”Deep Lake Biwa region.” Within this area is also the quiet rural community of Yogo, home to Lake Yogo, a small, serene lake, just inland from the majestic Lake Biwa.

Surrounded by deep forests, Yogo connects with Fukui to the west and Gifu to the east. During Japan’s Sengoku period, this entire area was a key battleground region, where many samurai fiercely contended for power. The historical, decisive Battle of Shizugatake took place on and around Mt. Shizugatake, overlooking Lake Yogo. The region’s diverse geography made it a strategic location for military campaigns, reflecting the dynamics of Japan’s medieval period and its lasting legacy.

Fragments of the turbulent past still remain in Yogo, yet as peaceful whispers, with remnants of ancient forts hidden among the trees. The villages nestled in these valleys retain a quiet, timeless charm, such as the tranquil village of Ikehara, where rice and buckwheat thrive on terraced fields that blanket the gentle slopes.

Here, visitors can try their hands at making fresh soba noodles at a traditional farmhouse. The experience offers a glimpse into the distinctive atmosphere of a village once shaped by medieval wartime turmoil, where nature, tradition, and community have now settled into a peaceful harmony.

From the town of Kinomoto, known for its brewing traditions, you’ll head north about 8km with Lake Yogo on your left. Turning off the main road toward the mountains, a prominent temple roof marks the gentle slope ahead. Terraced fields bloom with white buckwheat flowers, showcasing the natural beauty of the satoyama countryside, and at the end of the road is Ikehara, a quiet village nestled snugly against the foot of the mountains.

The Ikehara Soba Dojo, stands in the heart of the village, occupying a 120-year-old traditional building whose steep roof displays an architectural hallmark common to this snow-heavy region. Here, visitors can enjoy a hands-on experience of making soba, using ”Ikehara Soba,” a buckwheat flour made with care by the village residents, enjoying the benefit of the area’s rich soil and clear water. After immersing yourself in the art of soba-making while mastering the technique, you’ll be rewarded with the delicious freshly cooked meal of your handmade noodles from freshly milled soba.

After a warm and heartfelt welcome, local community group members patiently guide you through each step of the soba-making process, ensuring that even first-time visitors can participate with confidence. English assistance is limited to a basic level, yet enough to ensure a wonderful experience for international guests. The charm of the visit is enhanced even further by the atmosphere of the traditional farmhouse.

The workshop lasts just under an hour. First, add water to the soba flour, knead the dough, roll it out, and then cut it into thin noodles using a special soba knife. Each process requires a bit of skill, and it’s fun to see how the variations of the techniques manifest in each person’s noodles. Despite using a knife, the staff offers kind and careful guidance, allowing even young children to enjoy, making this a perfect family activity.

Once the soba is prepared, it is boiled briefly in a pot. You can enjoy the freshly made noodles in a hot broth with wild vegetables from the local mountains or topped with crispy tempura. For those who prefer to savor the pure flavor of the noodles, they can be served as zaru soba, paired with a dipping broth. The freshly prepared soba is aromatic and smooth, highlighting the true natural bounty of the region. Attending with family or friends is sure to spark lively conversations, and whether collaborative help or gentle ribbing, it’s sure to add to the fun of the experience.

A stroll through the area after the workshop is also a delightful way to explore the satoyama landscape of northern Shiga, rich in medieval history. A local Zen temple, Zenchoji, associated with samurai from the Battle of Shizugatake, is especially beautiful in June when the hydrangeas are in bloom. The terraced fields are equally stunning when the buckwheat flowers reach full bloom in late summer.

Back in Kinomoto, you can take a chairlift to the top of Mt. Shizugatake, where the summit offers a spectacular panoramic view of two lakes. History enthusiasts will appreciate the significant role the area played in medieval Japan. Local sake, named after the “Seven Spears”—the seven brave samurai in the battle—can be found at Tomita Brewery in the town center. Known as a post town on the historic Hokkoku Kaido trail, once linking northern Japan with Kyoto, Kinomoto also offers other local specialties and accommodations, making it a great base for exploring the Okubiwako region.

Traditionally, it was common in Japan for families to grow their own vegetables, tea, and other crops for personal use, and soba was no exception. The sloped terrain, with good drainage and significant temperature differences, made this region, including Ikehara, ideal for buckwheat cultivation. Small amounts of soba have been grown here to make ”Toshikoshi Soba,” a traditional dish eaten on New Year’s Eve in Japan.

The tradition of buckwheat cultivation became central to the community’s efforts to revitalize the area. Like many regions in Japan, Ikehara faces challenges from an aging population and declining birthrate. In 2007, the community sought ways to preserve its natural and cultural heritage for future generations, leading to the establishment of this facility.

Originally an abandoned farmhouse, the facility was renovated in 2009 entirely by local residents. The team traveled to other areas to research and refine their soba craft to offer guests an authentic, rewarding experience. Today, they cultivate buckwheat on 3.2 hectares of land, serving freshly made soba to visitors.

Soba is made from buckwheat groats (hulled grains), and while growing the buckwheat is relatively simple, the labor-intensive work begins after harvesting: drying the grain and milling it into flour. Buckwheat can be cultivated up to three or four times a year. For instance, if seeds are sown in August, the flowers bloom about a month later, and the crop can be harvested in just under two months.

The members take pride in managing the entire process—from cultivation and production to sales—all within the community. Currently, the facility is run by six members, who take turns overseeing operations, led by Fujiwara-san. While the facility is typically open only on Sundays and national holidays, weekday experiences can be arranged with advance booking.

According to Fujiwara-san, this village has long thrived on the cooperation of its residents, a tradition that continues today. People of all ages participate in soba cultivation. The community partners with universities, involving student volunteers, promoting environmental education, and providing hands-on experiences for local children. These efforts have gradually attracted younger people to the area.

While the soba-making experience is a highlight, many loyal visitors come just for the soba, drawn by its flavor, saying it’s something they can’t find anywhere else. Though the majority of guests have been Japanese, the facility is starting to welcome more international visitors, including a family from Indonesia who traveled all the way from Kyoto to visit the village.

Seeing their joy brings great happiness to the community and deepens their local pride. They hope that more visitors will take the time to appreciate the natural beauty of the landscape, the changing seasons, and the peaceful pace of life here in Ikehara Village. These experiences also offer visitors the chance to connect with the warmth and spirit of a small, intimate community.

Please book directly through the provider

Name of Provider
Ikehara Soba Dojo

Contact
[email protected]
080-5701-3727 (Mr. Fujiwara / English OK)

Activities & Pricing
Soba-Making Workshop: 4,000 yen per group
- Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
- Group Size: Maximum 5 people
- Additional Cost: 500-600 yen per person for soba serving (choose your preferred style)
- NOTICE: Soba is a common allergen in Japan. Please ensure the participants are free from buckwheat allergy. 
- Soba broth may include fish. Gluten-free options are not available (as some wheat flour is used in the soba). Halal options are also not available.

Reservation
- Booking may be made via email or phone.
- For email inquiries, your booking is not finalized until you receive a confirmation, which will be sent within 2 days.

Business Hours & Holidays
- From April to mid-December
- Hours: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Workshop: Available upon request
- Meal-Only: Open on Sundays and national holidays

Location
1609 Ikehara, Yogocho, Nagahama, Shiga 529-0536

Payment Method
Cash only

Age Requirements
None

Support for Foreign Visitors
- Foreign language speakers: Yes (basic proficiency) 
- Communication also possible via translation devices or apps

Insurance
Not provided (individual coverage is recommended)

Wi-Fi Access
No

Disabled Accessibility
No

Access
- The nearest station is Kinomoto Station, accessible by train from Kyoto (Approx. 90 mins by local Hokuriku Line / 20 mins to Maibara by bullet train & 30 mins by local Hokuriku Line) 
- From Kinomoto
- - By taxi: 15 mins
- - By bike: 40 mins (rental bike available at the station)
- - By Taxi from Maibara Station (bullet train station) 
- - About 45 mins

Ride Service
N/A

*Prices as of 2024. May be subject to change. Please check with the provider for latest info.