by When traveling, simply visiting sightseeing spots isn’t always enough—doing something hands-on makes the experience far more memorable! Just seeing isn’t doing.
Take soba, for example. You may know it as buckwheat noodles, but have you ever thought about making it yourself—from scratch? It’s much more than just boiling noodles!
If you’re looking for a truly authentic experience, head to Chichibu, particularly the area formerly known as Arakawa Village, one of Japan’s most famous soba regions. Here, you can try your hand at making soba noodles by hand, guided by local experts who carry on traditional techniques.
Chichibu even hosts an annual Soba Festival celebrating this local specialty. A few years ago, it was held in June, but in recent times, it typically takes place in autumn (around October to November)—a perfect season to enjoy both the taste and the scenery.
So, why not go beyond the usual sightseeing and make your own soba in the heart of soba country?
The former Arakawa Village area in Chichibu is known as a true “soba town”—home to many outstanding soba restaurants loved by locals and visitors alike. For those of us living overseas, especially in places like Australia, soba isn’t something we get to enjoy often, and making it at home can be quite a challenge.
That’s why soba should be one of your must-try experiences when visiting Japan.
But here’s the thing—just eating soba isn’t enough. Why not take it a step further and try making it yourself?
One of the best places to do this is Arakawatei, a well-known soba restaurant in Chichibu. I’ve eaten there many times, but what makes it even more special is that they offer a “Soba Dojo”—literally a “soba gym”—where you can learn to make soba from scratch under expert guidance.
It’s a fun, hands-on experience that lets you connect with Japanese food culture in a totally unique way. So next time you’re in Chichibu, don’t just eat soba—make it!
Arakawatei actually has two separate entrances—one leads to the restaurant, and the other takes you to their “Soba Gym”, where the real hands-on magic happens.
At the Soba Gym, you won’t just be boiling noodles. You’ll start from scratch—mixing and kneading the dough, rolling it out, cutting it by hand, and finally cooking it. It’s a rare chance to experience the full soba-making process, just like a true soba chef.
Even in Japan, opportunities like this are hard to come by. But in Chichibu, you can dive right into this unique culinary experience!
Keep in mind: the soba-making sessions are by reservation only, and spots are very limited each day. So if you’re up for the challenge, be sure to contact us well before your trip to Japan so we can help you secure your place.
