[Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture] Report on the "Wakaori New Soba Festival at Tendo Highlands" featuring 100% buckwheat noodles grown at an altitude of 600 meters [On until November 27th]

The new soba season has finally arrived!

Hearing that I could try the new harvest of "Dewakaori," an original soba variety born in Yamagata Prefecture, a region famous for its soba, I went to the "Tendo Kogen Dewakaori New Soba Festival" (Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture).

This time, I'll share my experience.

The buckwheat grown in Tendo Plateau is 600 meters above sea level

The soba noodles that can be eaten at the New Soba Festival are "Dewakaori" produced in the Tendo Plateau

This variety is grown in complete isolation from other varieties in a cool, high altitude location at an altitude of 600 meters, and is characterized by its large fruit and delicious flavor

access

Tendo City, where Tendo Plateau is located, is a place in eastern Yamagata Prefecture famous for shogi (Japanese chess) and hot springs.

Tendo Plateau is about a 25-minute drive from JR Tendo Station and about an hour and a half from Sendai city via National Route 48.
Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is a refreshing spot that will make you want to take a deep breath.

At an altitude of 634 meters, there is the "634 (Musashi) Pine" (photo below) and a swing

Let's go to the New Soba Festival

We arrived at the Tendō Kogen Regional Exchange Center, the venue for the New Soba Festival.

We told the receptionist our reservation name and purchased our meal tickets from the automatic vending machine.
Since it's by reservation only, we were able to enjoy our soba in a spacious area without worrying about crowds, which was very nice.

This time I ordered ita soba (200 grams) and kakiage

Exchange your meal ticket for freshly fried tempura at the counter, then take a seat and wait for your soba to be cooked

Meet the new soba!

After a year of waiting, it's finally time to meet the new soba noodles! These are handmade 100% buckwheat soba noodles made with 100% "Dewakaori" rice

It is whiter than the thick, dark "country soba" commonly found in Yamagata Prefecture, and upon closer inspection, it has a faint jade-like green hue. The high whiteness of the milled flour gives it a glossy shine, which is another characteristic of new soba "Dewakaori."

Let's try it right away!

The moment you bring it to your mouth, the aroma of the buckwheat is striking. Rather than a wild, rustic flavor, it has an elegant and refined character.

Perhaps the cool climate and the pampered growing environment have influenced the taste of the buckwheat. When you chew it thoroughly, you can feel a natural sweetness.

The tempura is thick enough to have the sweetness of onion, and goes perfectly with the soba noodles

The pickles, which refresh the palate, also do a great job. I appreciate the crunchy texture of the Jerusalem artichoke.
Enjoying the aroma and smooth texture of the soba noodles, I finished it in no time!

The taste was very satisfying

Tendo Highlands New Soba Festival runs until November 27th

The "Tendo Kogen Dewakaori New Soba Festival," where you can enjoy freshly harvested, freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly prepared new soba noodles, will be held until Sunday, November 27, 2022.

Reservations are accepted by phone only and must be made by the day before. There are three reservation times.
For more details about the New Soba Festival, please refer to the flyer or inquire at Tendo Family Land.

It's not just fresh soba! Tendo Highlands is a place the whole family can enjoy

Tendō Plateau boasts campgrounds and ski resorts, making it a great spot for leisure activities throughout the year.
With athletic facilities and a dog run, it's a place where families with children and those traveling with pets can enjoy a full day without getting bored.

The view from an altitude of 600 meters. There is ample space to relax, so you can spend a relaxing time. The air is clear and comfortable

You can also spot cute animals in the Tendo Highlands.

Across from the Tendo Highlands Community Exchange Center, which was the venue for the New Soba Festival, two pony brothers are grazing, and you can observe them up close for free.

It was an older pony with slow movements. I watched it closely and it came over to me

On weekends and holidays, they are often grazing in places that are easily visible from the road, but on weekdays they can also be found near the shed below the community center

Let's go to Tendo Highlands in autumn!

Tendo Highlands can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but now is the only time you can enjoy the fragrant new soba noodles and autumn leaves!

On your next day off, why not head to Tendo Highlands in autumn to enjoy delicious fresh soba noodles and beautiful scenery?

INFORMATION

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• Facility name: Tendo Kogen Family Land
• Address: 1321 Tamugino, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Phone number: 023-657-3628 (Tendo Kogen Regional Exchange Center)
• URL: Tendo Kogen Family Land

GOOGLE MAP

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