Izumo Soba

Loved in the shadow of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, this is one of Shimane most iconic regional noodle dishes. Because the buckwheat is milled with the husk still on, the noodles are dark in color and carry a deep aroma and firm bite. The Izumo style, known as warigo soba, serves the noodles in three stacked round lacquer dishes, with broth poured directly on top. It is counted among the three great soba traditions of Japan.

Highlights

With warigo soba, the custom is to pour the leftover broth from the top dish down into the next as you eat. Condiments such as nori seaweed, green onion, grated daikon, and spicy grated radish are added, so each tier offers a subtle shift in flavor. Local lore says that in the early Edo period the first lord of the Matsue domain, Matsudaira Naomasa, brought soba craftsmen with him from Shinshu, which helped the noodle take root here. Long established shops line the Shinmon dori approach, and many visitors combine a shrine visit with a soba stroll.

Enjoying the Seasons

Warigo soba served with cold broth can be enjoyed year round, but autumn, when the new buckwheat harvest appears, brings an especially rich fragrance. In the cold season the warm kamaage style, generously bathed in the starchy water the noodles were boiled in, is also popular and warms you from the core. Trying both styles before or after your shrine visit is highly recommended.

Access and Basic Information

The best known soba shops cluster around Izumo Taisha, especially along the Shinmon dori approach. From JR Izumoshi Station, take an Ichibata bus toward the shrine, or ride the Ichibata Electric Railway to Izumo Taisha mae Station. Each shop has its own character in broth and noodle thickness, so a tasting comparison is part of the fun.

A Quick Tip

The basic rule of warigo is to move the broth from the top dish downward. Any broth left at the end can be cut with the hot soba boiling water so nothing goes to waste. Popular shops fill up around midday, so visiting at an off hour lets you enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace.