Fukui Prefecture is famous for producing some of the best soba in all of Japan, and across the prefecture, you can enjoy a variety of unique local soba noodles. One of the most famous of these is Imajo Soba, a speciality found in Minami-Echizen Town. Come with us as we explore what makes Imajo Soba special, a few soba restaurants the locals love, and a special place where you can have a hands-on soba noodle making experience.

Imajo Soba: A Minami-Echizen Town Specialty

The history of Imajo Soba is said to stretch back over 400 years, and a key characteristic is the use of yamaimo, Japanese mountain yam, as a binder when kneading the buckwheat flour. The area’s wide temperature ranges, fertile soil, and clean water from melted snow bring out the pure, natural flavors in the locally grown buckwheat—a rich taste that will impress any palate.

Now, let’s have a look at three great Minami-Echizen soba restaurants!

Chube Soba

Traditional tastes for more than half a century.

Oroshi (grated daikon radish) Soba & Fresh Wasabi Soba Set – 1,600 yen
(price as of November 5, 2025)

Located right next to Imajo Station, Chube Soba has been a beloved local favorite for many years. Their juwari (made from 100% buckwheat) noodles are handcrafted with a blend of domestic buckwheat flour and coarsely ground Fukui buckwheat. These noodles boast a rich aroma and a satisfyingly firm texture. The smooth texture and fragrant flavor of these noodles has been faithfully handed down for over 50 years. A popular choice are the different sets, which allow you to mix and match your favorite combination of toppings. Try the classic oroshi (grated daikon radish), yama-kake (grated mountain yam), wasabi, or with nameko mushrooms. It’s the perfect stop to experience the authentic taste of Imajo.

Information:

Chube Soba
75-20 Imajo, Minami-Echizen-cho, Nanjo-gun, Fukui
Tel: 0778-45-0002
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 2pm (last order 1:30pm) (may close early if sold out)
Closed: Monday-Friday
Prices: Oroshi Soba – 850 yen, Oroshi Soba & Fresh Wasabi Soba Set – 1600 yen
(prices as of November 5, 2025)

Furusato

The ultimate in supple yet firm, thin-cut noodles.

“Oroshi (grated daikon radish) Soba – 800 yen
(price as of November 5, 2025)”

After a four-minute walk from Imajo Station, you will arrive at Furusato, a cozy, nostalgic space. The restaurant prides itself on its supple yet firm noodles, made with a secret technique passed down from the original owner, who first opened the doors 40 years ago. The thin and smooth soba noodles have an irresistible, springy bite.

It is located in a historic post town neighborhood, which is the perfect place for a post-meal walk.

“Information:
(current as of November 5, 2025)”

Furusato

83-3-1 Imajo, Minami-Echizen-cho, Nanjo-gun, Fukui
Tel: 0778-45-0805
Hours: 11:30am until sold out
Closed: Thursdays and Fridays (hours subject to change during winter)
Prices: Oroshi Soba – 800 yen, Wasabi Tororo (grated yam) Soba – 950 yen

Obachan-no-Mise

Irresistible country-style cooking with local ingredients.

“Imajo Set – 1100 yen
(price as of November 5, 2025)”

Authentic handmade soba noodles and countryside cuisine made with local ingredients are the draw here, with simple, traditional flavors that have captured the hearts of many. With their motto of “freshly ground, freshly made, freshly cooked,” energetic local “obachans” (ladies) make the noodles themselves with homemade flour from Imajo buckwheat seeds. You’re sure to delight in the authentic noodles made by hand that morning and the special soy sauce-based dipping sauce. We recommend the “Imajo Set,” which comes with Fukui-style fried tofu or the “Soba Set Meal” featuring a number of delicious side dishes!

“Information:
(current as of November 5, 2025)”

Obachan-no-Mise
9-13 Imajo, Minami-Echizen-cho, Nanjo-gun, Fukui
Tel: 0778-45-1144
Hours: Weekdays 11am to 2pm, Saturday/Sunday 11am to 3pm
Closed: Tuesdays
Prices: Imajo Set – 1100 yen, Oroshi (grated daikon radish) Soba – 750 yen

Website/https://www.hotimajo.jp/

Make Your Own Soba Noodles at Imajo Soba Dojo

Imajo Soba Dojo is the one and only place where you can have a hands-on experience making authentic Imajo soba from locally sourced buckwheat flour and mountain yam. Our writer shares their first-hand report on the whole fascinating adventure:

The Inside Scoop on the Imajo Soba Dojo

“Nestled in the beautiful hills a couple kilometers south of Imajo Station, the Imajo Soba Dojo is a spacious building that can accommodate up to 16 different groups at a time. The experience takes about 90 minutes, and you can cook and eat the soba you make right there, or take it home with you. Each batch makes enough for six servings, so it’s perfect for bringing some friends!
(Reservations are required)”

First it’s aprons on, then it’s time to dig in! The only ingredients laid out were Imajo buckwheat flour, local mountain yam, and water. Under the guidance of a friendly local, we kneaded the dough in a kneading bowl. The delicious aroma of buckwheat flour and mountain yam filled the air as we worked, bringing smiles to our faces.

Kneading the soba dough was a little difficult. The dough needs to be thin, so we had to adjust the angle and pressure carefully to get it to spread out evenly without tearing. This is one of those things you can’t truly grasp unless you try it yourself. Soba is something most of us might easily take for granted, but we couldn’t help but feel great respect for those who are up early every day preparing soba dough.

In the end, our noodles weren’t exactly all the same uniform thickness, but that too was part of the fun. Imajo Soba made with our own hands was, as expected, exquisite! With a deliciously umami homemade broth to dip them in, the springy, freshly made and cooked noodles were so delicious I wanted to eat them slow, savoring every bite.

It’s fun, it’s delicious, it’s reasonably priced! This is definitely a place you’ll want to come back to again and again with friends and family.

Information:
(current as of November 10, 2025)

Imajo Soba Dojo
10-3-1 Daimon, Minami-Echizen-cho, Nanjo-gun, Fukui
Tel: 0778-45-1385

Hours: 8:30am to 5pm
Closed: Tuesdays and New Year’s holidays

Reservations: by phone or through Jalan.net

Available times:
10am – 11:30am
11am – 12:30pm
1pm – 2:30pm
2pm – 3:30pm
Experience takes approximately 90 minutes (including time to eat)

Price: 1 doughball (6 servings) – 2,420 yen
Note: Please remember to take into account how many servings you will need when making your reservation.
Note: For groups of 2 or more, there is an additional charge of 240 yen per person

We hope you enjoyed our look into Imajo Soba! Minami-Echizen Town is the only place in Fukui where this local staple made with regional buckwheat and mountain yam can be found. Come and try it for yourself!