Visit Matsumoto

In the heart of Matsumoto City—home to the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle and its charming castle town—there are numerous renowned restaurants dotted throughout the area where you can stop by between sightseeing trips. First, let’s start with a top-rated restaurant in the central area that’s easily accessible and comes highly recommended by locals as “the place to go for soba in the city center.”

This renowned restaurant prides itself on its aromatic whole-grain soba, made from whole buckwheat grown in the Kiso Kaida Highlands and ground in-house using a stone mill.The dining experience begins by savoring the natural sweetness and aroma of the soba with their signature “roasted salt,” followed by two types of dipping sauces: the “aromatic sauce” made with genuine bonito, and the “sweet sauce” made with Soda bonito, mackerel flakes, and Rishiri kelp. Their seasonal original soba dishes, such as Ginjo soba and soba blended with matsutake mushrooms, are also exquisite.

<Basic Information>

Address: 3-9-4 Chuo, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-87-3218

Hours: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM (Evening service available only on Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 PM–8:00 PM)

Closed: Thursdays

Parking: Available (5 spaces across the street from the store)

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 60s / Among the soba restaurants in the city center, I found this one to be the most delicious. The soba from Kaida Highlands has a wonderful aroma and a smooth texture, and the dipping sauce really brings out the flavor of the noodles. The soba really stands out. I recommend this place to visitors from other prefectures, and they all agree—it’s delicious!

・Male / Teens / They serve carefully crafted soba, including 100% buckwheat soba, and it’s located near Nakamachi Street, making it relatively easy to get to.

・Male / 30s / Not only is the soba itself delicious, but there are also two types of dipping sauce, so you can enjoy varying the flavors

Located just a short distance from Matsumoto Castle, this popular restaurant offers a sophisticated atmosphere with classical music playing in the background, where you can enjoy soba. Driven by the desire for guests to “experience the true flavor of soba,” the restaurant does not serve tempura and instead recommends tasting the noodles first with just a sprinkle of salt. The weekend-only course menu features not only soba but also other carefully crafted dishes, so be sure to give it a try.

<Basic Information>

Address: 4-8-3 Ote, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-50-4387

Hours:

11:30 AM–2:00 PM (Tue, Wed, Thu)

11:30 AM–2:00 PM (Fri, Sat, Sun) *Set menus only

6:00 PM–8:00 PM (Fri, Sat, Sun) *Course menus only; reservations required

Closed: Mondays, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of the month (Open on Tuesdays in even-numbered weeks)

Parking: None (Please use nearby coin-operated parking lots)

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 40s / For the first time in my life, I ate zaru soba dipped in salt. It was absolutely delicious!

・Female / 40s / They deliberately don’t serve tempura soba, so you can enjoy the authentic flavor of the soba. I also recommend making a reservation to enjoy a leisurely dinner while savoring some sake in the evening.

・Male / 30s / A renowned restaurant where you can savor the true flavor of soba.

“Teuchi Soba Yamagata” was founded by the previous owner—a mountain lover who moved from Yamagata to Nagano and opened a soba restaurant in Matsumoto, a place renowned for its delicious water. Tucked away quietly behind the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, it is a renowned establishment beloved by locals.What sets this place apart is the natural spring water drawn from a well dug 30 meters underground, tapping into the same aquifer as the renowned “Mizuiike” spring. The restaurant prides itself on its smooth, easy-to-swallow soba noodles made with this crystal-clear water. The noodles have a white, elegant color, and the aroma of the buckwheat—enhanced by the pure, unadulterated water—pairs perfectly with the clean, refreshing dipping sauce.

<Basic Information>

Address: 4-4-37 Chuo, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-33-7688

Hours: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available (3 spaces)

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 30s / Both the soba and tempura are of a very high standard. In short, they’re delicious.

・Female / 50s / Not only the soba, but the tempura and other dishes are delicious too—the flavors really complement the soba. Since it’s run by just the husband and wife, the service is sincere, attentive, and heartfelt.

・Male / 50s / I went with my young child, and they were very kind to him. The soba was delicious, too.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Matsumoto Castle, “Soba-dokoro Yoshikuni” offers excellent access. Here, you can enjoy flavorful Shinshu soba made with buckwheat flour from Hakuba.The restaurant features counter seating that’s perfect for solo diners, as well as table seating where families can relax, allowing you to enjoy your meal at your own pace. Additionally, the weekday lunch set—available exclusively on weekdays—offers incredible value, including soba, a mini rice bowl, a small side dish, and even dessert, making it a huge hit with local office workers and female customers. The restaurant also boasts an extensive selection of alcoholic beverages and a wide variety of appetizers.

<Basic Information>

Address: 7-40 Marunouchi, Matsumoto City

Phone: 050-5492-4716

Hours: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM), 5:00 PM–10:30 PM (Last Order 10:00 PM)

*Note: Evening service may end early if the soba runs out.

Closed: Mondays

Parking: None (Please use nearby coin-operated parking lots)

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 20s / The soba is, of course, fragrant, chewy, and delicious, but the tempura is absolutely exquisite

・Female / 60s / The soba is always made with the same meticulous care and attention to detail. The side dishes that pair well with the soba—such as Shinshu salmon and horse sashimi—are also exceptional

・Male / 50s / The weekday lunch set (soba, mini rice bowl, and dessert) is a great value, and the flavor of the thin-cut soba is quite good.

Located about a 15-minute drive from Matsumoto IC, “Teuchi Soba Shima” is attached to the Azusa River Academia Hall. The restaurant is popular for its hand-made soba noodles made with stone-ground Shinshu buckwheat flour and its handmade anmitsu; the soba tea soft-serve ice cream after your meal is a must-try. In winter, seasonal specials such as “seri soba” and “kiritanpo nabe” are also available.

<Basic Information>

Address: 566-12 Azusagawa Yamato, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-78-2999

Hours: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM (Evening hours are by reservation only) 

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 50s / The soba is simply delicious. I always eat it without dipping it in the broth, instead seasoning it with shichimi pepper, salt, or wasabi.

・Female / 60s / The soba, the dipping sauce, the atmosphere, and the proprietress’s hospitality—everything is wonderful. The à la carte dishes are delicious, too. Zaru soba is my favorite, but in winter, the water dropwort hot pot sourced from Akita is absolutely exquisite.

・Male / 60s / The flavor is consistently excellent—it’s honest, authentic soba. The restaurant is unpretentious and down-to-earth; I recommend the simple mori soba. The soba soft-serve ice cream and anmitsu are delicious, too! It’s a hidden gem I don’t really want to share with anyone.

Located on the banks of the scenic “Meoto-tsutsumi” embankment, this unique restaurant juts out over a pond. Numerous cherry trees are planted around the pond, making it a hidden gem among locals for cherry blossom viewing. In addition to soba, the restaurant offers a selection of sake and appetizers, allowing you to relax and enjoy your meal while gazing out the window at the ever-changing waterside scenery throughout the seasons.

<Basic Information>

Address: 6170 Hata, Matsumoto City *For car navigation systems, it’s easiest to set your destination to “Fufu-tsutsumi Park.”

Phone: 0263-92-2176

Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Closed: Mondays

*Please note that operating hours may vary depending on the season, and the store may be temporarily closed. If you are traveling from a distance, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.

Parking: Available (Parking lot at the park may be used)

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 30s / A hidden gem of a soba restaurant in Hada. They serve 100% buckwheat noodles that are thin and easy to eat. The tempura and stewed offal are also delicious—I was very satisfied!

・Female / 40s / The cold soba is delicious. I had zaru soba with tempura. Depending on the season, the tempura might include acacia buds—it’s delicious. If you come to Kamikochi, I highly recommend stopping by.

・Male / 50s / It’s a place where you can have a fun chat with the friendly owner. The 100% buckwheat soba is, of course, a must-try, but I also highly recommend the simmered pork cutlet.

This hidden gem of a soba restaurant is located in the Shimadate area near the Matsumoto Interchange. It’s extremely popular because it offers “Touji Soba,” a local specialty from the Nagawa district of Matsumoto City, right near the city center. The style of dipping soba noodles into a hot pot filled with seasonal ingredients is perfect for the colder months. Of course, the standard seiro soba also has a satisfying bite and can be enjoyed alongside freshly fried tempura.

<Basic Information>

Address: 454-1 Shimadate, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-47-9225

Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Closed: Wednesdays

Parking: Available

<Customer Reviews>

① Female / 40s / A restaurant where you can enjoy “Touji Soba” close to the city center. It’s conveniently located near the Matsumoto Interchange, making it easy to reach by car. The crispy tempura is delicious, and they offer a set menu with tempura rice bowls, which is very satisfying.

② Female / 40s / The old-fashioned ambiance, the cheerful ladies, and the homey atmosphere—plus the two-tiered seiro—really get me excited. Of course, the taste is great too; I think it’s delicious soba that anyone can enjoy.

③ Male / 70s / The noodles have just the right amount of bite. The tempura is delicious, too.

Founded in 1991, this long-established soba restaurant is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The soba, hand-rolled by skilled artisans, boasts a rich “sheen, bite, and flavor.” The overwhelmingly popular dish is the “Large Shrimp Tempura Zaru Soba,” topped with large shrimp and vegetables. Additionally, the “Walnut Zaru Soba,” served with a rich, house-made walnut sauce, is beloved as a flavor unique to this restaurant.

<Basic Information>

Address: 859 Shimadate, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-47-4741

Hours: 11:30 AM–3:00 PM (Last order at 2:30 PM); 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (Last order at 7:30 PM)

Closed: Tuesdays

Parking: Available (9 spaces)

<Customer Reviews>

① Female / 50s / I love the firm texture and smooth mouthfeel of the soba, as well as the beautiful presentation of the tempura (and of course, the crispy batter). The balance between appearance and taste is perfect. Guests from out of town are always delighted when I bring them here.

② Female / 50s / The walnut soba, served with walnut dipping sauce, is delicious. Since you can only eat it here,

③ Male / 20s / The aroma and firm texture of the soba are simply perfect.

With a concept of “fast, delicious, generous portions, and affordable,” this restaurant is a staple in the daily lives of locals. We use 100% Nagano-grown buckwheat that we grind in-house, and our 100% buckwheat soba is highly recommended. Our unique system, which allows you to adjust your portion size in 100-gram increments, is also very popular. We also recommend enjoying the soba with rock salt water to bring out its aroma. In a casual atmosphere, you can enjoy a hearty serving of soba to your heart’s content.

<Basic Information>

Address: 532 Kotobuki Toyooka, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-57-6267

Hours: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Closed: Mondays

Parking: Available

*Please allow plenty of time for your visit, as parking may not be available during busy times.

<Customer Reviews>

・Female / 20s / You can eat your fill of incredibly delicious 100% buckwheat soba! The vegetable tempura is also highly recommended!

・Male / 50s / It goes down smoothly, offers a choice of portion sizes, and is great value for money—I’ve been a regular at this soba shop for over 10 years.

・Male / 60s / The 100% buckwheat soba made with buckwheat flour from Nagano Prefecture is exquisite. Plus, you can order in 100g increments, and the prices are very reasonable.

Next, we head to an area that stretches out at the foot of the majestic Northern Alps. Blessed with abundant nature and crystal-clear water, this region is home to a special kind of soba that’s well worth the trip.

Located in Nagawa—the birthplace of “Touji Soba”—on a plateau at an elevation of 1,200 meters, this is a renowned restaurant. Fans rave that “it’s worth the trip” for the Touji Soba, whose broth—infused with the rich flavors of chicken and wild mountain vegetables—is simply exquisite. Connoisseurs enjoy eating the soba, warmed in a special basket, while blowing on it to cool it down, and finishing the meal with a rice porridge.The restaurant also features an on-site hot spring facility, so be sure to combine your visit with a day trip to the baths.

<Basic Information>

Address: 1044-124 Nagawa, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-79-2277

Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Closes when soba runs out)

*Since this is a remote location, we recommend calling ahead to confirm before visiting.

Closed: Thursdays

Parking: Available (30 spaces)

<Customer Reviews>

① Female / 50s / The handmade soba here is worth the trip to Nagawa. The zaru soba is excellent, of course, but the toji soba is absolutely exquisite.

② Male / 20s / I recommend the toji soba. The broth is incredibly delicious, and you can enjoy it right down to the last bowl of rice porridge!

③ Male / 50s / The soba itself has a wonderful aroma

On the east side of Matsumoto Station, in the historic hot spring town of “Asama Onsen,” there are also renowned restaurants beloved by locals. Here, we’ll introduce some soba dishes you can enjoy amid the atmospheric steam rising from the hot springs.

Located in the heart of Asama Onsen, this soba restaurant has a story to tell. After the shop had once closed, the owner’s daughter reopened it, driven by her desire to “preserve the flavors of the previous generation.” The honest, simple yet flavorful soba and the crispy tempura made with seasonal vegetables are a delicious treat that warms you right to the core after a soak in the hot springs. The cheerful proprietress welcomes you into the cozy interior.

<Basic Information>

Address: 3-30-2 Asama Onsen, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-46-1353

Hours: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Parking: Available

<Customer Reviews>

① Female / 40s / The tempura soba is simple, but it lets you savor the true flavor of the soba. The seasonal tempura is delicious. I also like the restaurant’s calm atmosphere.

② Female / 40s / The soba has a great flavor and a nice bite—it’s very delicious. The restaurant’s atmosphere is also wonderful; it’s my absolute favorite place.

③ Female / 40s / First of all, the soba is delicious, and the broth is great too! The owner is really fun.

Last but not least, we’d like to introduce the Shiga area, located in the northern part of Matsumoto City. In this mountain village, where Japan’s traditional landscape remains intact, the ultimate “country-style soba” experience awaits you.

Nestled in the mountains of Yaga, this traditional Japanese-style soba restaurant operates exclusively by reservation. In an atmosphere that feels just like visiting a grandmother’s house in the countryside, you can savor soba made with locally sourced flour—freshly ground, freshly hand-rolled, and freshly boiled.The homemade simmered dishes and pickles served while you wait are also exquisite. What’s more, thanks to the surprising “all-you-can-eat soba” system, you can savor the aromatic soba to your heart’s content. Since the restaurant is run by a single person, please allow plenty of time for your visit.

<Basic Information>

Address: 3361 Aida, Matsumoto City

Phone: 0263-64-2317

Hours: 11:30 a.m.～ (*As the restaurant operates strictly by reservation, please consult regarding specific times when making your reservation)

Closed: Irregular (Reservations required)

Parking: Available

<Customer Reviews>

① Female / 60s / They serve simmered dishes and pickles first, and the soba is delicious with unlimited refills

② Male / 20s / The owner serves freshly made soba on the day of your visit, so it has a great flavor

③ Male / 50s / It’s a hidden gem of a soba restaurant where you can enjoy not only the taste but also the rustic atmosphere.

What did you think of these 12 soba restaurants that Matsumoto locals confidently recommend? From renowned spots near Matsumoto Castle to hidden gems, Matsumoto is home to many unique soba restaurants. On your next trip to Matsumoto, be sure to visit the restaurants recommended by locals and find your very own favorite bowl of soba.