This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Hyogo Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Izushi Sara Soba."

Hyogo Prefecture is located in the Kinki region of Japan, and is famous for Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site, and the exotic atmosphere of Kobe.

You can also enjoy gourmet food such as Kobe beef and Western sweets, as well as hot springs surrounded by nature. In particular, Awaji Island offers the Naruto whirlpools and abundant nature, and the local seafood is also delicious.

In this article, we will provide a thorough explanation of this charming local B-class gourmet dish from Hyogo Prefecture, "Izushi Sara Soba"!

What is Izushi Sara Soba?

Izushi Sara Soba is a local dish found mainly in the Izushi region of Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is sometimes counted as one of the three great soba dishes in Japan.

It is characterized by the style of serving several bite-sized plates of soba noodles. One serving usually consists of five plates, and the fun of eating them bit by bit is what makes it so appealing.

Another appealing feature is the unique flavor and firmness of the noodles, which are made with Japanese yam and eggs as binders. Grated daikon radish, green onions, wasabi, raw eggs, and other condiments are served, allowing you to enjoy the noodles in your own way.

Izushi Sara Soba is eaten in a unique way that is different from other soba noodles, and is served in a special Izushi ware bowl, which adds to its charm.

The history of Izushi soba

The history of Izushi Sara Soba dates back to the Edo period.

It all began in 1706 when Lord Sengoku Masaaki, who was transferred from the Ueda Domain in Shinshu to the Izushi Domain in Tajima Province (currently Izushi, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture), brought soba makers from Shinshu with him.

The techniques for Shinshu soba were introduced to Izushi, where they were later fused with the local climate and culture, developing into the current form of Izushi Sara Soba.

The characteristic of Izushi Sara Soba is that it is served in small plates, which is linked to the local pottery culture of Izushi ware. This style is loved by many people for the elegance and fun of eating it bite by bite, as well as its beautiful appearance.

Currently, Izushi in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, has inherited its history and culture along with the castle town of Izushi, and has become a famous tourist spot with over 40 soba restaurants lined up.

Characteristics of Izushi Sara Soba

The characteristic of Izushi Sara Soba is that each bite of soba is served on a small plate, with five plates being served per person. This format creates an enjoyable and elegant eating experience.

Another feature is that the plates used are made of Izushi ware, a local traditional craft. This Izushi ware is a beautiful white dish that brings out the flavor of the soba even more.

When eating soba, various condiments such as grated daikon radish, green onions, wasabi, and raw eggs are often used, making it appealing to enjoy soba noodles with seasonings to your liking.

Tourist spots in Hyogo Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Hyogo Prefecture.

Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen is a famous hot spring located in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, with a history of about 1,300 years. The biggest attraction is the outdoor bath tour, where you can stroll around the hot spring town while visiting seven outdoor baths with different atmospheres.

The sight of walking along the river lined with willow trees in a yukata is charming and enjoyable, and you might even feel as if you've traveled back in time to old Japan.

Local delicacies such as crab and Tajima beef are also popular. There are plenty of inns and accommodations to enjoy a relaxing stay. This hot spring resort is perfect for relaxing both body and mind, with beautiful scenery throughout the seasons.

Kinosaki Marine World

Kinosaki Marine World is an aquarium located in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is an experiential aquarium that can be enjoyed by both adults and children, and the "fishing experience" where you can experience fishing and cook the food on the spot is very popular.

Of course, that's not all. The zoo also offers a wide range of unique activities, such as dolphin and sea lion shows, and the "Penguin Walk" where penguins walk freely.

Another attraction is its spectacular location overlooking the Sea of Japan, and the exhibition space that blends in with the ocean provides a sense of relaxation. This is a special aquarium where you can get up close and personal with the animals and enjoy the beautiful nature.

Izushi Townscape

Izushi is a castle town in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, that retains a strong sense of history and atmosphere.

The townscape is decorated with the remains of Izushi Castle in the center, white-walled storehouses, stone-paved streets, and elegant samurai residences, conveying the atmosphere of the Edo period to the present day. In particular, the symbol of Izushi, the "Tatsuko Tower," is known as the oldest clock tower in Japan and is a symbol of Izushi.

The town is also famous for the Izushi Sara Soba that we introduced in this article, and there are many soba restaurants lined up within the town, so you can enjoy sampling the soba as you stroll around.

This is an attractive town where you can enjoy not only historical walks but also traditional culture and gourmet food.

Access to Hyogo Prefecture

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

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Hyogo Prefecture, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station on the Nozomi train, and from there you can take local trains and the Shinkansen to cities in Hyogo Prefecture such as Kobe and Himeji in about 30 minutes to an hour.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Hyogo Prefecture, we recommend using the special rapid train. You can travel to major cities in Hyogo Prefecture, such as Kobe and Himeji, by using the JR special rapid train from Osaka Station. It takes about 20 minutes from Osaka Station to Kobe Station, and about 50 minutes from Osaka Station to Himeji Station.

Location of Hyogo Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of Hyogo Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Izushi Sara Soba."

I learned that Izushi Sara Soba is a famous traditional local dish that is sometimes counted as one of the three great soba dishes in Japan.

We also mentioned that Hyogo Prefecture has many other attractive tourist spots besides Izushi Sara Soba.

We encourage everyone to visit Hyogo Prefecture, where Japanese traditions remain strong!

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