The Yatsugatake plateau and the Minami-Alps are listed on the "100 renowned springs of Japan", and the "100 best springs of the Heisei era". The "Village of water", surrounded by famous peaks, has one of the greatest natural environments in Japan. This water brings forth the Yatsugatake soba and hot springs.
There are various theories as to the origin of buckwheat noodles, but the prevailing theory is that it originated in the vicinity of China's Yunnan Province. In addition, buckwheat pollen has also been found at Jomon archaeological sites in Japan, indicating soba may already have been present during the Jomon period. Because of the unique climate and soil on the plateau at the foot of the Yatsugatake, the area is known for producing delicious, sweet-smelling soba (buckwheat noodles). In old times, during the middle ages, soba was used as a salvation food. In more modern times it was used as a substitute for other staple food to pay the annual rice tax. There is a history that buckwheat noodles were presented to the Shogun's family as a gift to the feudal lord.
From summer to autumn, you can see buckwheat fields all over Yatsugatake.
Each hot spring contains its own ingredients, giving it its unique inherent quality and efficacy.
Find out about the characteristics of the Yatsugatake hot springs and experience the various spring qualities.
The Yatsugatake and Minami-alps area boast a variety of quality hot springs
and unique tasty soba made with quality mineral water. Enjoy when going around.
After you received the soba, eat it without the soup first. In Japan, it is good customs to eat soba with a slurping sound because it makes it easier to experience the flavor from the nose. Please enjoy the aroma and taste of soba. Next, taste the soup only. The way each shop make their bouillon for the tsuyu (soup) is different. They are particular about their materials. I think you will be able to enjoy the differences between the tsuyus.
Then, finally, have the soba and soup together.
After having enjoyed the soba, enjoy the soba-yu (Hot buckwheat water). The soba-yu contains the nutrition that was left when boiling the soba. Therefore, when you drink the soba-yu, you have tasted the whole of the soba. The taste of soba differs greatly. How about looking for your favorite shop?
From an altitude of 400 metres at the base to 1,400 metres, Yatsugatake tourism area is a real "Sky Resort"; the nature of which changes hourly and seasonally. Take a special journey to enjoy a "life in the sky" experience in this area with a 1,000 metre altitude difference.