Ouchi-juku Misawaya (大内宿 三澤屋)

Flow of the course

About this spot

This soba restaurant, set in an old thatched-roof farmhouse, stands near the entrance to Ouchi-juku. Its signature dish is Takato soba, known nationwide as negi ippon soba (whole-leek soba). It's a bold bowl in which you use a whole long leek in place of chopsticks to scoop up the soba, taking bites of the leek itself as a condiment along the way, and it's the dish many visitors come to Ouchi-juku specifically for. The cold soba, eaten with grated daikon juice and bonito flakes, has an exquisite balance of spiciness and umami. Inside, where thick exposed beams give the space the character of Aizu folk craft, care has gone into every detail, from the tableware to the furnishings. Watching each other struggle good-naturedly with the whole leek becomes a fun memory that is, on its own, a highlight of the trip.

Tips

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Ouchi-juku, and a line is almost guaranteed at lunchtime. When it's crowded, you write your name at the reception and wait your turn, so it's a smart approach to write your name first and then go for a walk around town. The restaurant is open mainly during the day and closes before evening, so even for a late lunch, try to enter by around 3pm. It's reassuring to have cash ready for payment.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour. Around 2pm, avoiding the noon peak, tends to be relatively easy to get a seat

Access & map

〒969-5207 福島県南会津郡下郷町大内山本２６−１