On January 12, 2026, after three days of skiing at Kijimadaira Ski Resort, we revisited Sobakouan Sasa (蕎麦肴庵 冴沙) on our way home!
To avoid the traffic jam on the last day of the three-day weekend, we reluctantly left the ski resort before noon. As a perfect finale to our ski trip, we stopped by Sasa.
It was delicious on our first visit, and this time it exceeded our expectations once again!
📍 First Visit Review:
Authentic Handmade Soba After Morning Snowboarding at Sobakouan Sasa (Japanese)
📍 Sobakouan Sasa – Basic Information
| Restaurant Name | Sobakouan Sasa (蕎麦肴庵 冴沙) |
|---|---|
| Address | Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Access | About 5 minutes by car from Iiyama Station |
| Hours | Lunch: 11:00–15:00 | Dinner: 17:00–20:00 |
| Closed | Check official site |
| Parking | Available |
| Website | Sobakouan Sasa Details |
🏠 Interior Atmosphere
Stepping through the noren curtain into the restaurant, surrounded by Iiyama’s winter snow scenery.
A calm, traditional Japanese space with warm wooden accents. Counter seats and well-placed plants create a comfortable atmosphere.
Tatami seating is also available, with snowy views outside the windows. Perfect for relaxing and enjoying soba after skiing.
🍜 What We Ordered
Our Order
- Joten-zaru (Premium Tempura Soba) × 2 (one changed to 100% buckwheat soba)
- Ten-zaru (Tempura Soba) × 1
- Hire-katsu Don Set (Pork Cutlet Bowl Set) × 1 (no photo)
- Mini Hire-katsu Don (Mini Pork Cutlet Bowl) × 1
🌟 Joten-zaru (Changed to 100% Buckwheat Soba)
I ordered the “Joten-zaru” upgraded to 100% buckwheat soba.
⭐ The Astonishing Thinness and Firmness of 100% Buckwheat Soba!
It’s amazing that 100% buckwheat soba can be this thin!
Typically, 100% buckwheat soba (十割蕎麦) is cut thick because it’s more fragile. However, Sasa’s 100% buckwheat soba is surprisingly thin and refined.
Soba Characteristics:
- ✅ Thin and easy to slurp – Unbelievably delicate for 100% buckwheat
- ✅ Nice firmness – Despite being thin, it has a satisfying bite
- ✅ Buckwheat aroma – Rich fragrance unique to 100% buckwheat
- ✅ Smooth texture – Goes down smoothly and pleasantly
The skill required to achieve this thinness with 100% buckwheat is truly impressive!
🍤 Tempura Assortment
The tempura includes shrimp, sillago (kisu), squid, conger eel (anago), and various vegetables.
Tempura Highlights:
- ✅ Crispy batter – Freshly fried with a satisfying crunch
- ✅ Shrimp – Plump and sweet
- ✅ Sillago (Kisu) – Soft and tender
- ✅ Squid – Firm texture with concentrated umami
- ✅ Vegetables – Colorful seasonal vegetables
Everything was delicious and paired perfectly with the soba!
🍤 Ten-zaru (Tempura Soba)
Crispy tempura with shrimp and plenty of seasonal vegetables paired with cold soba. A perfect lunch set of soba and tempura.
🍚 Mini Hire-katsu Don (Mini Pork Cutlet Bowl)
Two pieces of crispy fried pork cutlet on rice in the “Mini Hire-katsu Don.” Despite being mini-sized, it’s quite filling. Just the right portion for kids.
📋 Menu Highlights
Recommended Set Meals
- Sasa-zen ¥1,700 – Tempura, side dishes, rice, small soba (cold/hot)
- Nagaimo Tororo-zen ¥1,400 – Skewers, grated yam, side dishes, rice, small soba (cold/hot)
- Anago & Vegetable Tendon ¥1,550 – Pickles, small soba (cold/hot)
- Duck Tsuke Soba ¥1,550 – Soba dipped in hot pot-style duck broth
Cold Soba Menu
Made with Kita-Shinano Sugakawa buckwheat flour
- Ten-zaru ¥1,550 – Shrimp, 5 vegetable tempura (seasonal)
- Joten-zaru ¥1,900 – Shrimp, squid, sillago, conger eel, 5 vegetable tempura (seasonal)
- Zaru ¥900 | Small Zaru ¥500 | Kijimadaira 100% Buckwheat ¥1,100
- Large portion +¥250 | Extra dipping sauce +¥200
※Soba can be changed to udon (+¥200 for adults)
Hot Soba Menu
- Tempura Soba ¥1,550
- Joten Tempura Soba ¥1,550
- Shinshu Beef Soba ¥1,550
- Mountain Vegetable Soba ¥1,100
- Kake Soba (Plain) ¥900
- Small Soba ¥500
- Large portion +¥250
※Soba can be changed to udon (all prices tax-included)
Mini Don (Bowl) Sets
Kakiage Don or Hire-katsu Don or Yamakake Don – Each ¥1,300 + soba (with pickles)
※Noodles can be upgraded to large portion (+¥250) or 100% buckwheat (+¥200)
Seasonal & Drink Menu
Vegetable Tempura Cold Tororo Soba ¥1,400
Drinks:
- Draft Beer (medium/small) ¥600
- Bottled Beer ¥600 (Super Dry, Heartland, Malef)
- Chu-hai (Lemon, Grape, Grapefruit) ¥400
- Highball ¥600
- Bottle Wine ¥3,000 (full) / ¥1,500 (half)
- Non-alcoholic Beer ¥500
- Juice (Apple, Grape, Orange, Coca-Cola) ¥300
- Coffee (Hot/Iced) ¥400
Sake & Small Plates Menu
Sake (per go / by brand):
- Mizuo Karakuchi (Iiyama) ¥600
- Ikioi (Nakano) ¥600
- Hokko (Iiyama) ¥600
- Nanasho (Kiso) ¥850
- Fukumuryou (Ueda) ¥600
Evening Small Plates (selection):
- Dashimaki (Rolled Omelet) ¥500
- Yudofu (Tofu Hot Pot) ¥400
- Tempura Platter (1 serving) ¥1,000
- Horse Sashimi ¥1,000
- Tofu Salad ¥650
- Maitake Tempura ¥500
- Pickles Platter ¥400
- And more…
💭 My Impressions
⭐ Impressed by the Skill of 100% Buckwheat Soba
The technique to achieve this thinness with 100% buckwheat soba is truly amazing!
Typically, 100% buckwheat soba is cut thick, but Sasa’s 100% buckwheat soba is unbelievably thin while still maintaining firm texture.
It’s easy to slurp, has a smooth texture, and allows you to enjoy the natural aroma of buckwheat. Truly masterful craftsmanship.
🍤 High-Quality Tempura
The crispy batter encasing the shrimp, sillago, squid, and conger eel was all freshly fried and delicious.
Not only the soba, but the tempura quality is also top-notch. A completely satisfying lunch.
🍶 Evening Visits Also Recommended
Looking at the menu, there are plenty of small plates and sake options.
Next time, I’d love to visit in the evening and enjoy light snacks with sake, finishing with soba!
🔄 Differences from My First Visit
1st Visit (Lunch After Morning Snowboarding)
- Light lunch after morning snowboarding
- First visit, enjoyed the basic menu
2nd Visit (Final Day of Ski Trip)
- Visited as the finale to our ski trip
- Upgraded to 100% buckwheat soba for a more authentic experience
- Tried different items like Hire-katsu Don
Every visit brings new discoveries – that’s the charm of Sasa!
🎯 Summary: Best Soba in Kijimadaira/Iiyama Area!
Sobakouan Sasa is an authentic soba restaurant with amazingly thin 100% buckwheat soba, high-quality fresh tempura, and a peaceful interior atmosphere – everything is top-notch.
Why We Recommend Sasa:
- ✅ 100% buckwheat soba that’s surprisingly thin yet firm
- ✅ Crispy tempura with excellent ingredients
- ✅ Relaxing traditional Japanese atmosphere
- ✅ Not just lunch – evening menu with small plates & sake is extensive
- ✅ Good access from Kijimadaira and Nozawa Onsen ski areas
After skiing in the Kijimadaira and Nozawa Onsen area, be sure to enjoy authentic handmade soba at Sobakouan Sasa!
📚 Related Articles
Sobakouan Sasa Past Articles
- Authentic Handmade Soba After Morning Snowboarding at Sobakouan Sasa (Japanese) – First visit review
Kijimadaira Ski Resort Reports
- 3 Days at Kijimadaira Ski Resort (Jan 10-12, 2026): Powder Morning & Family Fun
- Fog to Blue Sky! Kijimadaira Ski Report [January 17-18, 2026]
- Powder Paradise! 70cm+ Snowfall at Kijimadaira Ski Resort [Jan 24-25, 2026]
Iiyama Station Area Restaurants
- Nishinochaya: Stone-Ground Handmade Soba in Iiyama (Japanese)
- Honma: Exquisite Eel in Iiyama (Japanese)
- Waremokou: Obanzai & Crab Cream Croquette at Iiyama Station (Japanese)
Access Information
Visit Date: January 12, 2026
Satisfaction: ★★★★★
Recommendation Level: ★★★★★
Tags: Iiyama, lunch-guide, restaurant