On December 8, 2025 (Monday), during our return journey from skiing, we discovered Nishinochaya, one of the best iiyama soba restaurants in Nagano Prefecture. This exceptional establishment specializes in authentic stone-ground hand-made soba, located about 10 minutes by car from Iiyama Station. If you have extra time during your visit to Nozawa Onsen or the Northern Nagano region, this authentic Iiyama Soba Restaurant is well worth the detour.
Why You Should Try Authentic Soba in Iiyama
For international visitors exploring the Nozawa Onsen area, experiencing authentic Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles from Nagano Prefecture) is an essential part of Japanese culinary culture.
What makes Shinshu soba special:
- Stone-ground buckwheat: Traditional stone mill (ishiusu) grinds buckwheat slowly, preserving aroma and nutrients
- Hand-made craftsmanship: Each noodle is hand-cut by skilled artisans
- Regional specialty: Nagano’s high elevation and cold climate produce exceptional buckwheat
- Cultural significance: Soba represents longevity and prosperity in Japanese tradition
Worth the journey: While Nishinochaya is a bit of a distance from Nozawa Onsen (approximately 30 minutes by car), if you have time to spare or are passing through Iiyama Station, this restaurant offers an authentic soba experience that’s difficult to find elsewhere.
About Nishinochaya
As one of the finest iiyama soba restaurants, Nishinochaya specializes in traditional stone-ground hand-made soba with meticulous craftsmanship. They use rare Shinshu buckwheat varieties, grinding them slowly in a stone mill to preserve maximum flavor. The soba dough is aged for one full day before being hand-cut, resulting in exceptional depth of flavor.
Through the glass windows, you can watch the soba-making process. Traditional stone mills, wooden buckets, and other authentic tools line the workspace – a testament to their dedication to preserving centuries-old techniques.
Why Nishinochaya is Among the Best iiyama soba restaurants
This authentic iiyama soba restaurant has earned its reputation through decades of dedication to traditional soba-making techniques. What sets Nishinochaya apart from other soba restaurants in the region:
- Stone-ground buckwheat: Slow grinding preserves maximum flavor and nutrients
- 24-hour aging process: Develops complex flavors and aromas
- Visible workshop: Watch master artisans craft soba through glass windows
- Extensive menu: Traditional soba plus family-friendly set meals
- No wait time: Relaxed atmosphere, even during peak hours
Restaurant Information
- Name: Nishinochaya (西乃茶や)
- Address: 285-1 Hasui, Iiyama City, Nagano 389-2253
- Hours:
- Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Official Website: https://nishinochaya.jimdofree.com
- From Iiyama Station: 10 minutes by car
- From Nozawa Onsen: Approximately 30 minutes by car
- From Highway: 10 minutes from Toyoda-Iiyama IC (Joshinetsu Expressway)
- Parking: Available (in front and beside the restaurant)
What We Ordered
Two-Style Soba Comparison Set (+¥480)
I ordered the “Goku-arabiki Jukusei Soba (Phantom)” – their signature dish – paired with regular zaru soba for comparison.
The “Phantom” Soba (Goku-arabiki Jukusei Soba) is extraordinary. It uses rare Shinshu buckwheat, coarsely ground in a stone mill, combined with traditional Oyamabokuchi (a wild mountain plant from Iiyama’s Tomikura district, known as “phantom soba”) and Edo-style “kirippanashi” (rough-cut) techniques. After hand-cutting, the noodles are aged for one full day, developing a roasted aroma and lingering sweet aftertaste.
Comparing both styles revealed distinct differences in flavor and texture. The “Phantom” particularly impressed with its wild, robust buckwheat aroma and assertive soba taste. The set includes dipping sauce (tsuyu), grated daikon radish, and condiments – you can customize the flavor to your preference.
Tonkatsu Set Meal
My child ordered the Tonkatsu Set Meal (breaded pork cutlet).
The tonkatsu was perfectly crispy with a thin, light breading and thick, juicy pork. The set includes rice, miso soup, pickles, shredded mountain yam with bonito flakes, and blanched greens – a well-balanced meal. Lemon and shredded cabbage accompany the cutlet for a refreshing finish. My child loved it!
Extensive Menu Selection
Nishinochaya offers far more than just soba.
Cold Soba: Zaru soba, Yamagake soba (with mountain yam), Nameko soba (with mushrooms)
Hot Soba: Kake soba, Bukkake soba, Kamo-nanban soba (with duck)
Set Meals: Tempura assortment, Tonkatsu, Hire-katsu (pork tenderloin cutlet)
Small Plates: Basashi (raw horse meat), Agedashi tofu, Edamame, Hiyayakko (cold tofu)
The izakaya-style menu is extensive, with beer, shochu, and sake available. Evening dining offers a perfect opportunity to slowly savor soba alongside drinks and small plates.
Local Iiyama Specialty
Outside the restaurant, you’ll find an information board about “Kenshin-zushi”, a traditional pressed sushi from Iiyama.
A fascinating glimpse into Iiyama’s local history and culinary traditions.
Our Experience
This welcoming iiyama soba restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with no wait time – we were seated immediately and enjoyed a leisurely meal.
Most importantly, the soba was absolutely outstanding! The stone-ground buckwheat aroma is unforgettable. After a long day on the slopes, this warm, comforting meal was exactly what we needed.
The tonkatsu set meal was generous and satisfying – my child couldn’t stop raving about it. It’s impressive that a soba restaurant also excels at set meals.
We will definitely return. Next time, we’d love to visit during dinner hours to enjoy sake and small plates alongside the soba!
Perfect Detour from Nozawa Onsen
When to visit:
- If you have extra time: Worth the 30-minute drive from Nozawa Onsen for an authentic soba experience
- Passing through Iiyama Station: Perfect lunch stop (just 10 minutes away)
- Multi-day ski trip: Combine with other Iiyama restaurants like Kuidaore Satomi (yakiniku) or Honma (unagi)
- Evening dining: Experience the izakaya atmosphere with sake and appetizers
Sample itinerary:
- Morning/afternoon skiing at Nozawa Onsen → (30 min drive) → Late lunch at Nishinochaya (11 AM–3 PM) → Continue your journey or return to accommodation
Restaurant Summary:
- Name: Nishinochaya (西乃茶や)
- Address: 285-1 Hasui, Iiyama City, Nagano 389-2253
- Hours:
- Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Dinner: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Genre: Authentic hand-made soba
- Official Website: https://nishinochaya.jimdofree.com
- Satisfaction: ★★★★★
- Recommended For: Soba enthusiasts, Nozawa Onsen visitors with extra time, Japanese food lovers
If you’re visiting the Iiyama area or have time to spare during your Nozawa Onsen ski trip, don’t miss this exceptional iiyama soba restaurant! Nishinochaya offers an authentic stone-ground hand-made soba experience that represents the best of Nagano’s culinary traditions. Whether you’re a soba enthusiast or trying authentic Japanese buckwheat noodles for the first time, this restaurant delivers an unforgettable experience.
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