Matsumoto’s Best in One Visit!

Buckwheat, known as “soba” in Japanese, is one of the most common crops you will see here, and it has been grown for centuries for the purpose of making soba noodles. Matsumoto’s renowned soba is surely the most local of meals, especially when enjoyed in the traditional onsen village atmosphere of Asama Onsen. Depending on seasonal availability, it’s easy to complete this kind of countryside food experience with a strawberry stop. Asama Onsen is known for “onsen strawberries” and makes for a sweet contrast to a freshly made soba lunch.

Learn the Art of Soba-making and Savor the Taste of Real Wasabi

Soba can look simple at first, but making noodles from scratch takes time, skill, and patience. Relatively few people truly master it. Under the watchful eye of your instructor, you’ll take on the role of an apprentice soba chef, learning the key steps of mixing, kneading, rolling, and cutting your noodles using specialist soba-making utensils. This is a fully hands-on private experience from start to finish, capped off by sitting down to enjoy the soba you made yourself.

Matsumoto and the surrounding area are closely tied to wasabi culture, and fresh wasabi is often served alongside local soba. During your soba-making experience, you’ll enjoy fresh wasabi sourced from a local farm, and you’ll have the chance to grate it yourself and taste the difference. You may be surprised by how pleasant and versatile real wasabi can be.

Go Slow & Explore the Surrounding Countryside

Once you’ve kneaded and cut your noodles, your soba master will cook lunch while you relax. Your meal is served with seasonal accompaniments that include tempura, japanese pickles and a dessert. Complimentary tea and water are available, and additional dishes and drinks may be purchased if you wish. Please refer to the menu on the day of your tour.

After lunch, go and explore Asama-Onsen. This onsen village first became popular back in the 17th century, when one of the lords of Matsumoto Castle built the first of the many Onsen still present in the village today. Stroll through the historic streets of this Onsen village and let us introduce you to the best this small neighborhood has to offer.

Stroll through historic Asama Onsen

Rounding out the tour with something sweet, you’ll stop by Asama Onsen’s local strawberry farm at Asama Onsen Wai Wai Hiroba. Their greenhouse, Onsen Ichigo House, uses the area’s hot spring heat to help grow strawberries, which means you can often find fruit available beyond the typical spring peak (season and growth still vary by conditions). Guests will enjoy strawberry picking, and there’s also an on-site café serving treats like 100% strawberry smoothies and strawberry soft cream made with berries grown right there. It’s a great way to add a guilt-free dessert to a day of traditional countryside cuisine.

Enjoy a foot Onsen, shopping the local farmers market, or a strawberry picking activity. All the area’s water comes from the same hot springs. We will help you experience all the charm of this small village for yourself, and it’s located just a few minutes from downtown Matsumoto! Our activity is hosted at a venue around 20 to 25 minutes’ drive north of Matsumoto Station. Set in scenic onsen village, it’s a lovely area to explore after your meal.

Additional Information

Meeting Location: Your guide will meet you at 10:00am.

Group Type: Private Tour

Allergies: Please let us know if you have any food allergies or other restrictions.

Important information:

• Because this experience is hosted by a local soba master and offered in limited time slots, availability is limited. If you have a preferred date, booking in advance is recommended.
• Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request. Should you wish to request either, please advise us at time of booking including if you have any dietary requirements / restrictions such as allergies.
• This soba-making experience includes one shared serving suitable for a group of max. 4 people.
• The soba-making venue is located 20 to 25 minutes drive from Matsumoto Station. If you wish to experience soba-making in downtown Matsumoto, please see our “Matsumoto Castle Tour & Soba Noodle Making” or "Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch" page
• You have different options when it comes to accessing the venue includinglocal bus, taxi or to drive yourself. Should you need assistance in terms of planning how to get to there, please contact us for advice.

The tour itinerary includes the following:

• Soba-making Experience (90 minutes)
• Lunch & Wasabi Grating & Tasting Experience (60 minutes)
• Asama Onsen Exploration (30minutes)

Please note that the above times are estimates and that the tour may end
earlier or later.

Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start date in the local time zone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

Terms & Conditions: Please see our Terms & Conditions