Soba Making in Nagano

Soba is a traditional Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour, cherished for its earthy flavor and smooth texture, especially in Nagano where it’s deeply rooted in local food culture.

🍜 Discover the Art of Soba Making in Nagano

If you’re coming to Nagano, one activity I highly recommend is taking a soba making class! It’s such a rewarding experience to knead the dough, roll it out, and cut it into noodles with your own hands — it’s both fun and surprisingly calming. This hands-on process offers a wonderful way to connect with Japanese culture beyond just sightseeing.

Nagano is renowned for its exceptional buckwheat, which is typically harvested in late summer to early autumn, making the soba noodles especially fresh and flavorful during this time. In these classes, experienced instructors will guide you step-by-step, sharing stories and traditions behind soba that deepen your appreciation for this iconic Japanese dish.

At the end of the class, you’ll get to taste the fresh soba you made yourself — and I promise, nothing beats the flavor of noodles crafted by your own hands. It’s a unique, immersive activity that brings Japanese culinary culture to life and is perfect for anyone looking for a meaningful, memorable experience during their Nagano trip.

Soba making classes are offered in many locations across the region, but please keep in mind that English-speaking instruction is not always available. The best approach is to ask at your hotel or use trusted agencies like Viator to find suitable options.

The company I work with organizes soba making classes (contact details below). Although the dates are not finalized yet, if you’re interested in joining, please feel free to get in touch.

An elderly man teaching two younger students how to cut noodles in a traditional kitchen, all wearing head coverings and aprons, with wooden kitchen tools and Japanese decorations in the background.
A small kitchen or workstation with a large wooden table, kitchen tools, towels, a measuring cup, and a bowl, with a window and a pink clock on the wall.
A traditional Japanese building with white and dark wood exterior, set in a parking lot on a cloudy day with puddles on the asphalt.
Empty traditional Japanese restaurant with tatami mats, low wooden tables, sliding shoji doors, and stacked red cushions.

🍜 Discover the Art of Handmade Soba in Nozawa Onsen

This 7-hour cultural tour takes you into the heart of Japanese cuisine, starting from the Nozawa Onsen area and heading to the peaceful village of Sakae. Under the guidance of skilled local instructors, you’ll learn to make soba noodles from scratch — kneading, rolling, and cutting the dough by hand.

After the workshop, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring your handmade soba alongside regional specialties like miso, local rice, and sake. The day also includes a relaxing soak in a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) and a small gift to take home as a souvenir of your experience.

📍 Tour Highlights:

  • Duration: 7 hours

  • Difficulty Level: Easy

  • Location: Nozawa Onsen area – Sakae Village

🚐 Transportation:

Pick-up is available from hotels in Nozawa Onsen, Iiyama, Yamanouchi, Myoko, Madarao, Sakae Village, and Shiga Kogen.

📞 Contact Information
Website: https://www.shibs.jp
Email: shibs@yadoroku.jp

An outdoor hot spring bath with a wooden railing, overlooking a snowy landscape with trees and snow-covered houses in the background.
Room undergoing renovation with a wooden work table, boxes, supplies, and blue plastic covering the floor.
Traditional Japanese building with wooden facade and sign in Japanese characters, two red vertical banners, and a sign indicating it is open.