Matsumoto “Shinshu Soba” Festival
Japanese soba noodles are made primarily from buckwheat flour with a small amount of wheat flour. Widely considered a healthy food, they are gluten-free, rich in flavonoids, and help maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Additionally, the long, slender shape of soba noodles is believed to symbolize stability and longevity. With its abundant natural resources and pure, crystal-clear water essential for soba cultivation, Nagano Prefecture is home to the Matsumoto “Shinshu Soba” Festival. Matsumoto and surrounding area are one of the largest and most well-known soba-producing regions in Japan.
Buckwheat Soba Field in Matsumoto
The Soba Festival at Matsumoto Castle
The “Shinshu Soba” Festival in Nagano Prefecture is held annually in Matsumoto City every October. The name “Shinshu” was the former name of Nagano Prefecture, used until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
The “Shinshu Soba” Festival is held annually in Matsumoto City every October
This year, the 18th annual festival will take place over three days, from October 12th to 14th. The event is traditionally held in the beautiful gardens surrounding Matsumoto Castle. The festival will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Matsumoto Castle is approximately a 15- to 20-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
The event is traditionally held in the gardens surrounding Matsumoto Castle
What to expect?
The event will bring together 35 soba masters from Nagano Prefecture and across Japan. This festival is a popular attraction for food lovers, attracting more than 160,000 attendees from all over Japan, including many international soba fans.
This festival is a popular attraction for food lovers
The soba masters gather in the Matsumoto Castle Park area to showcase different regional tastes and traditions. You will have a unique opportunity to try not only soba but also local specialties from Osaka, Chiba, Fukushima, Hokkaido, Niigata, and other prefectures.
A unique opportunity to try not only Soba but also local specialities
Want to know more?
Join our “Matsumoto Castle Tour and Soba Making Experience,” where you can visit one of Japan’s most beautiful castles and make your own soba. Afterward, enjoy your handmade soba for lunch.
For a deeper understanding of soba making, join our “Handmade Soba Making and Fresh Wasabi Lunch.” tour. A local soba master will guide you through every step, teaching you the techniques and secrets of soba making. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy your soba in the traditional Shinshu style with freshly grated local wasabi.
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