This time, we will introduce you to Yamaguchi Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Kawara Soba."

Yamaguchi Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region, at the westernmost tip of Japan.

Facing both the calm Seto Inland Sea and the vast and rugged Sea of Japan, it is a city full of nature. It is also known as a city with many historical buildings where you can experience Japanese culture.

This time, we will be taking a thorough look at the charming Yamaguchi gourmet dish "Kawara Soba" as well as some recommended tourist spots in Yamaguchi!

What is Kawara Soba?

Kawara soba is a specialty of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is famous not only among locals but also nationwide.

The dish is made by placing green tea soba noodles, shredded egg, beef, etc. on a hot tile and eating it with noodle soup. It can be easily made on a hot plate, so it is enjoyed not only in restaurants but also at home.

It is also often served with lemon or grated maple leaves, allowing you to enjoy different flavors.

The History of Kawara Soba

"Kawara Soba" was born around 1961.

It was born when a former inn owner wanted to create a specialty for Kawatana Onsen. Today, the inn owner has transformed into a restaurant that specializes in kawara soba, and is beloved by locals.

The inspiration for creating Kawara Soba came from a legend that during the Seinan War, Satsuma soldiers in Kumamoto would grill meat and wild herbs on tiles and eat them.

Additionally, when Kawatana Onsen flourished as a hot springs resort during the Edo period, common people were given special permission to use roof tiles in order to maintain public order. As a result, roof tiles came to be considered an essential part of life, and as a result, dishes using roof tiles were invented.

When the inn that served Kawara Soba went out of business, it was no longer available, but after hearing from customers that they wanted to eat it again, it was reborn as a specialty Kawara Soba restaurant.

Although it is still a relatively new dish, it is said that it will likely become a local dish of Yamaguchi Prefecture in the future.

The Charm of Kawara Soba

The appeal of Kawara Soba is that it stays hot for a long time because it is made on a tile.

The tiles have excellent heat retention properties due to their far-infrared effect, so you can enjoy hot, delicious soba from start to finish.

How to make Kawara Soba

From here, I will introduce how to make Kawara Soba.

First, add soy sauce and mirin to the boiling soup stock mixture, bring to a boil, and allow the alcohol to evaporate.

Meanwhile, heat a hot plate, add oil, and fry the beef. When the beef has lost its red color, add sake, sugar, and soy sauce, and simmer until the liquid has evaporated, then remove from the pot.

Boil green tea soba noodles for about one minute less than the standard boiling time, then drain in a colander.

After draining the water from the green tea soba noodles, add oil to the hot plate and crumble the green tea soba noodles into the pot. Once the whole plate is heated, leave it for a while to brown the green tea soba noodles.

Once the green soba noodles are crispy, top them with shredded egg, beef, green onions, and chopped nori, then serve on top of a slice of lemon.

Dip it in the warm dipping sauce and eat it.

Tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture

From here, I will introduce some tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Tsunoshima Bridge

Tsunoshima Bridge is a famous bridge that is often used as a location for television commercials.

Tsunoshima Bridge, which offers a panoramic view of the white sand beach and the clear blue sea, is visited by not only locals but also many tourists every day, as it is "as beautiful as a resort."

Furthermore, Tsunoshima Bridge is the longest toll-free bridge in Japan, measuring an astounding 1,780 meters.

On a nice day, why not go cycling, driving, or walking while enjoying the spectacular scenery of Yamaguchi Prefecture?

Motonosumi Shrine

Motonosumi Shrine was built in 1955 after a prophecy from a white fox. The shrine is known for its beautiful 123 red torii gates lined up over a 100m stretch, and is one of the most spectacular sights in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

It is famous for granting various wishes, including prosperity in business, a good catch, safety at sea, good luck in finding a partner, having children, good fortune and protection from evil, prosperity, road safety, and academic success.

Akiyoshido

Akiyoshido Cave is one of Japan's largest limestone caves, located underground in Akiyoshidai.

Its length is about 11.2 kilometers, making it the second longest in Japan. The temperature inside the cave is maintained at 17°C all year round, making it cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it ideal for sightseeing.

You can enjoy the beauty of natural formations such as "Hyakumaizara" (One Hundred Plates), where water flows from the middle of the terrace and hardens into ripples that overlap like plates, and "Fuji within the Cave."

Access to Yamaguchi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Yamaguchi Prefecture.

If you are coming from Tokyo, flying is recommended. You can reach Yamaguchi Ube Airport from Haneda Airport in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

If you are coming from Osaka, you can take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Alternatively, we recommend taking the express bus from Osaka Station to Yamaguchi Yoneyamacho in about 11 hours.

Location of Yamaguchi Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced Yamaguchi Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Kawara Soba."

Although Kawara Soba is a dish with a short history, we learned that it is a specialty dish loved by locals.

It's also easy to make and you can make a large amount at once, which is why it's popular in households.

Yamaguchi Prefecture's appeal is not just its Kawara Soba, but also its many other great sightseeing spots such as Tsunoshima Bridge and Motonosumi Shrine.

If you have a chance to visit Yamaguchi Prefecture, be sure to check out Kawara Soba and the tourist spots.

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