"Okkirikomi," a winter staple of Gunma Prefecture, is a local dish born from the rich nature and traditions of the region. It is a symbol of Gunma's rich food culture, warming the family dinner table on cold winter days.

Let's explore the features and appeal of this type of service.

Features of Okkirikomi

The most distinctive feature of Okkirikomi is its wide, hand-made noodles made from Gunma's famous wheat flour. Hardened by the well-drained soil and dry, cold winter winds, the wheat has a unique chewy texture and flavor, which gives it a unique presence in noodle dishes that can't be found anywhere else.

The name "okkirikomi" comes from the method of making the noodles, which involves wrapping the dough around a rolling pin and slicing it with a knife. A wide variety of fresh noodles are simmered with plenty of seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, and konjac to create a heart-warming dish perfect for the cold winter. As okkirikomi is simmered, the flour from the noodles melts, giving the dish a thicker consistency and a deeper flavor.

The main seasonings used are soy sauce and miso, but one of the charms of this dish is that the seasoning varies from household to household. Traditionally, radishes, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms are often used as ingredients, but by incorporating seasonal vegetables, you can enjoy the flavors of each season.

In addition, it is very rare to find areas that use unsalted, fresh noodles that are not boiled, and this strongly reflects Gunma's unique flour-based food culture. The next morning, the leftovers from the previous day are reheated and served over rice, a custom known as "tatekkaeshi." Another charm of this dish is the warmth and ingenuity of home cooking.

History of Okkirikomi

The history of "Okkirikomi" is deeply connected to wheat cultivation in Gunma Prefecture. Gunma has long been a land of flour-producing sericulture and wheat, and a unique flour-based food culture has developed there.

It is said that the roots of "Okkirikomi" lie in the imperial court cuisine that was brought back from Kyoto by Nitta Yoshishige in the 12th century.

It wasn't until the middle of the Edo period, when stone mills became widespread, that it became available to the general public. As stone mills became widespread, housewives who were busy with farm work and silkworm farming sought out easy-to-make, nutritious food, and created "okkirikomi" as a home-cooked dish.

"Okkirikomi," made with wide, handmade noodles and a hearty stew of local, seasonal vegetables, has become popular as a nutritious, easy-to-prepare dish that can be made between busy farm work, and has become a part of everyday meals.

"Okkirikomi," which uses wheat grown in the rich local environment and an abundance of seasonal vegetables, is still widely loved today as a "mother's taste" in Gunma Prefecture.

Tourist spots in Gunma

Gunma is a place where you can enjoy sightseeing and there are many tourist spots. This time, we will introduce three famous hot springs in Gunma.

Kusatsu Hot Springs

Kusatsu Onsen is one of the hot spring areas in Japan that boasts the largest volume of hot spring water, and has long been known for its healing effects, with the saying "There is no disease it cannot cure except lovesickness." There are plenty of hot spring facilities where you can refresh yourself surrounded by the beautiful nature of the four seasons, such as Otaki-no-yu and Sainokawara Open-air Bath.

The "Yumomi Experience", a specialty of Kusatsu, is also a must-see, as you can feel the historical atmosphere. Steam rises from the hot springs around the Yubatake area, and the fantastic night view is also attractive, so you can experience a sense of the extraordinary just by strolling around.

Shima Onsen

Shima Onsen is one of Gunma Prefecture's leading hot springs, and has long been known as the "holy spring that heals Shima's illnesses." Its smooth water is good for the stomach and intestines, and gentle on the skin. The hot spring town stretches along the Shima River, surrounded by mountains and surrounded by nature.

The beautiful cobalt blue surface of the nearby Lake Okushima, known as "Shima Blue," is an attraction, and you can enjoy activities such as canoeing and canyoning. Historical inns and cuisine made with local ingredients are also popular, so Shima Onsen is full of fun that you can only enjoy.

Ikaho Hot Springs

Ikaho Onsen is a historic hot spring resort that dates back to the Manyo period, and is greeted by its symbolic stone steps. Around the 365 stone steps, hot spring manju shops and long-established inns line the streets, creating a charming townscape.

The appeal of Ikaho Onsen lies in its two types of hot springs, the "Golden Bath" and the "Silver Bath." In particular, the Golden Bath, also known as the "Bath of Children," is reputed to warm the body from the inside out and relieve fatigue. Located at an altitude of about 700m and surrounded by the nature of Mount Haruna, this hot spring area is bustling during the day and has a fantastic atmosphere at night. It is a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy walking around the town as well as the hot springs.

How to get to Gunma

Gunma, which is attractive for its gourmet food and sightseeing, has various ways to access the prefecture. It is also conveniently located near the three largest cities in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

From Tokyo, you can get to Takasaki or Maebashi stations in about an hour by Shinkansen, and Kusatsu Onsen in about two hours by taking the Kusatsu Express.

From Osaka, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the Joetsu Shinkansen for about 3 to 4 hours.

Similarly, from Nagoya, it takes about 2 to 3 hours by Shinkansen to Takasaki Station via Tokyo Station.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Gunma. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Gunma Prefecture

summary

"Okkirikomi" is a local dish nurtured by the nature and history of Gunma. This dish, made with wide handmade noodles and stewed local seasonal vegetables, is a symbol of Gunma's flour-based food culture, and when eaten together with the whole family on a cold winter's day, it warms both the body and the soul.

If you visit Gunma, be sure to try Okkirikomi.

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