Mizusawa Udon: The White Noodles of Ikaho

At the foot of Ikaho Onsen, along the approach to Mizusawa Temple, a row of long-standing shops serves Mizusawa udon, one of Gunma most beloved hand-pulled noodles. It is said to have begun as fare offered to worshippers at Mizusawa Temple, and it is sometimes counted among Japan three great udon alongside Sanuki and Inaniwa. The taste, perfected to welcome pilgrims, still soothes travelers today.

Highlights

Somewhat thick, the noodles carry a translucent whiteness and a firm, springy bite that answers back with each chew. Kneaded, stretched, and rested in repeated cycles, they have a silky passage down the throat. Most shops serve them chilled on bamboo trays with two dipping sauces, soy and sesame, letting the flavor of the wheat itself shine. Along the so-called Mizusawa Udon Road near the temple, shops belonging to the Mizusawa udon trademark association stand side by side, and strolling the tree-lined approach to choose which curtain to duck under is part of the pleasure.

Enjoying the Seasons

In summer the cold trays bring welcome coolness, while in winter a steaming hot bowl warms you through. When autumn colors the surrounding hills, a bowl on the way back from the baths feels all the more comforting. Chilled trays are the standard, but many shops let you choose a hot serving to suit the season.

Access and Basic Information

From JR Shibukawa Station, take a bus toward Ikaho and get off in front of Mizusawa Temple. Many visitors pair it with the famous stone stairway town of Ikaho Onsen, and popular shops may see queues at lunchtime. Because the shops gather along one road, it is easy to compare them and pick a favorite.

Practical Travel Notes

• Serving area: specialty shops of the trademark association gather before Mizusawa Temple in Ikaho, Shibukawa, on the so-called Mizusawa Udon Road, southeast of Ikaho Onsen.
• Access guide: from JR Shibukawa Station, take a bus toward Ikaho. It is close to the Ikaho hot-spring town, easy to visit together with the baths.
• How to eat: chilled trays are standard, often with two sauces, soy and sesame. Try the noodles first without sauce to check their flavor.
• Budget guide: as a bowl at a hand-pulled specialty shop, some places sit a little higher in price among udon dishes.
• Nearby spots: Mizusawa Temple, familiar as Mizusawa Kannon, along with the stone stairway of Ikaho Onsen and Ikaho Shrine, are close, an easy area to combine worship and food.

A Quick Tip

Try the first mouthful without any sauce. The aroma of the wheat and the smooth passage down the throat quietly tell of this land water and its craftsmen.