Dining experience at Misawaya in Ouchijuku

#JanuaryGoodPlaces2025 This time, I dined at Misawaya in Ouchi-juku and tasted the most distinctive local Takato soba, which was a very special experience. "Misawaya" is a century-old store. The building itself is a traditional thatched house, and the interior decoration also retains a strong Edo period style, making people feel as if they have returned to an ancient post station. About Meals The signature Takato soba (ねぎそば) is a must-order dish here. The most special thing about it is that instead of using chopsticks, you use a scallion to pick up the noodles! It was a little strange when I first ate it, but the slightly spicy taste of the green onions and the aroma of the buckwheat noodles were surprisingly harmonious. When eaten with the sauce, the taste was very unique. The soba noodles themselves have a chewy texture, and the soup base is a traditional Japanese soy sauce soup with a light aroma of bonito and kelp. The overall taste is refreshing without losing its layers. In addition to Takato soba, I also ordered a portion of tempura, which was fried very crispy, especially the wild vegetable tempura, which gave me the natural sweetness of the vegetables and was a perfect match with soba. Dining environment and service The store is spacious and features Japanese tatami seats where you can take off your shoes and sit cross-legged to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. The service staff is friendly and although there are many tourists, the food is served at a reasonable speed, making people feel the warmth of traditional Japanese hospitality. Overall experience "Misawaya" is not only a restaurant, but also a place where you can experience the food culture of the Edo period. The unique way of eating Takato soba noodles is impressive, and the combination with local ingredients makes this meal particularly interesting. If I have the chance to visit Ouchijuku again, I will definitely come here again to experience the different seasonal soba flavors!