[Fukushima] Enjoy “Takato Soba” at Ouchi-juku!

Ouchi-juku is the number one tourist spot in Fukushima prefecture.
The scenery that has not changed since the Edo period is attractive.
The retro atmosphere that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time is now very popular among young people!

Photo by Dai Fujihara – Ouchi-juku (2012) / Size-adapted.

■What is Ouchi-juku?

Ouchi-juku is a post town established around 1640.
At that time, the Aizu Nishi Kaido road leading to Nikko was used as an important transportation route.
Yamamoto Village (currently Ouchi-juku), which was located along the road, prospered as it was used as a post town for many feudal lords and travelers.
The townscape, lined with old thatched-roof buildings, was designated as an Important Traditional Building Preservation District in 1981.
Currently, it is a tourist spot that attracts a constant stream of tourists throughout the year, with approximately 1.2 million people visiting annually.

Photo by sayo ts – _DSC0714(2016) / Size-adapted.

Speaking of Ouchi-juku's specialty, "Takato Soba" is a
soba dish with a whole green onion that makes a huge impact!
It is a popular specialty of Ouchi-juku, and many people come just for it.

■The origin of the famous “Takato soba”

The impressive Takato soba comes with a whole green onion.

When you think of Takato soba in Ouchi-juku,

you probably have a strong image of
``soba noodles eaten using green onions as chopsticks.'' This is an irresistible dish for green onion lovers.

Takato soba dates back to the early Edo period.
The name "Takato" originates from Takato Town, Ina District, Nagano Prefecture.
It is said that the current ``Takato soba'' spread to the Aizu region when Masayuki Hoshina, the lord of the Takato domain and a soba lover, became the lord of the Aizu domain.

At the time, in the Aizu region, soba was commonly eaten with spicy grated radish soup and grilled miso.
It is said that this way of eating was passed down, and that the modern culture of soy sauce and dashi stock was introduced, resulting in the modern Takato soba.
In fact, the way to eat ``Takato soba'' using green onions as chopsticks originated in Ouchi-juku!

■Misawaya's "Negisoba"

Among the many shops in Ouchi-juku, one of the most popular is Misawa-ya, which
is the birthplace of soba noodles made with whole green onions.

Misawa-ya's signature green onion soba is an authentic dish that uses only grated daikon radish without any soba soup. You can enjoy the traditional taste!

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Lift up the soba noodles with a green onion, and when you bite into the green onion, the flavor of soba and refreshing spiciness will fill your mouth.
Of course, chopsticks are also provided, so don't worry. Inside the restaurant, you can enjoy soba noodles in an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to the Edo period, with skewered rock fish being grilled in the hearth!

■Yamamotoya's "Walnut Soba"

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Do you know the walnut soba that has been passed down in Ouchi-juku for a long time? ?

Nowadays, Takato soba made with green onions is famous, but in Ouchi-juku, ``walnut soba'' made with walnuts has been eaten for a long time.
Here at Yamamotoya, the walnut soba is a popular dish made with natural walnuts grown in Aizu.

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Every morning, the walnuts used that day are carefully ground and kneaded while adding water little by little to create a rich flavor. Locally produced walnuts have a high oil content, are rich and creamy, and are very popular!

Yamamotoya also sells grilled dango and rockfish at the store!

The grilled dango is a specialty dish that is generously coated with homemade miso.
It will be even more delicious if you eat it under the eaves of a thatched roof!

Ouchi-juku also holds many seasonal events, making it a spot that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Why not visit Ouchi-juku, a spot where you can learn about the scenery of the Edo period?

INFORMATION