A pilgrimage to a sacred site from the north! I visited Onoda Soba, a long-established soba restaurant in Rokugo | Hokkaido Lab - A Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture in one place - Hokkaido Lab - A Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture in one place

A pilgrimage to a sacred site from the northern country! I went to Onoda Soba, a long-established soba restaurant in Rokugo.

: Furano, Biei, Tomamu

: Last updated: September 8, 2022

Rokugo is an area in eastern Furano, located at the foot of Mount Tokachi. It was once a filming location for the hugely popular national television drama "Kita ni Kunikara" (From the North Country).

This time, we'd like to introduce you to Onoda Soba-ya, a soba restaurant nestled in the heart of Rokugo! This restaurant, which once appeared in the TV drama "From the North Country," continues to operate today, maintaining its old-fashioned charm.

Table of contents

1. "From the North Country," a national hit.

2.40 years ago, it remained exactly the same. "Onoda Soba Restaurant" retains the atmosphere of its founding days.

3. Covered with the traces of travelers. A cozy, well-worn interior.

4. Thick, fragrant country-style soba noodles. Enjoy our carefully crafted 80/20 soba noodles.

1. "From the North Country," a national hit.

From the North Country: Rokugo
"From the North Country" depicts a family who returns to their hometown in Hokkaido from Tokyo and lives amidst nature. The series portrays the growth of the protagonist, Goro Kuroita, played by Kunie Tanaka, and his two children over a period of 21 years.

In the Rokugo area, magnificent film sets from the time, such as Goro's stone house and Goro Kuroita's third house, are preserved and open to visitors. Even 40 years after its initial broadcast, the show remains popular, and many fans visit the area.

2.40 years ago, it remained exactly the same. "Onoda Soba Restaurant" retains the atmosphere of its founding days.

Onoda Soba (exterior view)
The restaurant we're introducing today is "Onoda Soba," located along the main street of Rokugo.

In episode 8 of the drama "From the North Country," the izakaya where Sota-niichan got into a big fight was used, and in "From the North Country '83 Winter," it was also used as the inn where a banquet was held to welcome Sawada (Chishu Ryu) back home from Tokyo.
Onoda Soba
Although it's a soba noodle restaurant, it still displays the name "Onoda Ryokan" and retains the appearance it had when it was first established and featured in the drama. However, the wooden exterior walls show signs of age and deterioration, giving a sense of the passage of time.

In addition to appearing as a filming location, Onoda Soba Restaurant also lent out some well-worn props for the drama's production.

3. Covered with the traces of travelers. A cozy, well-worn interior.

Onoda Soba
The cozy shop had a warm and inviting atmosphere, as if time had stood still. The texture and warmth of the wood were pleasant, and the space had a nostalgic scent, with autographs from the cast of "From the North Country" lined up.

It felt as if I were actually appearing in the artwork. The handmade chair fit my body perfectly, allowing me to relax comfortably.
Onoda Soba
Displayed alongside the autographs are messages and business cards from fans of "From the North Country." There are so many of them that they fill the entire shop. I happened to have a business card with me, so I put it up in one corner.

It's a place that was used as a filming location for past works, yet it also became a place where I could weave new travel memories. I was able to spend a wonderful time there that warmed my heart.

4. Thick, fragrant country-style soba noodles. Enjoy our carefully crafted 80/20 soba noodles.

At "Onoda Soba-ya," you can enjoy thick, chewy soba noodles made with an 80/20 ratio of buckwheat flour to wheat flour. It's what you might call country-style soba.

If eaten as is, it has a chewy texture and a distinct soba aroma. When dipped in noodle soup, the flavor of the broth combines with the slightly crumbly texture that lingers in the mouth, and somehow it becomes addictive.
Onoda Soba
The large portion (+150 yen) is quite a lot. I intended to eat something light and refreshing, but I ended up completely stuffed! (lol)

And finally, we enjoyed soba broth, which seemed to condense the delicious flavor of the soba noodles. It was a comforting and delicious way to end the meal.

So, what did you think? This time, we introduced Onoda Soba, a long-established and beloved soba restaurant in Rokugo. Why not stop by and combine it with a pilgrimage to the locations featured in the TV drama "From the North Country"?

Onoda Soba Restaurant

Address: Furano City, Hokkaido, Rokugo town area 3

TEL: 0167-29-2662

Business hours: 4月～9月11:00～18:00　10月～3月　11:00～17:00 第２、４火曜定休

Remarks: There are three parking spaces in front of the store.

Yuhei Tonosho, a cyclist and photographer who delves deep into Japan

Born in 1993 in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. Graduated from Doshisha University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Cultural History and Department of English Literature. While working as a salaryman, he is a travel writer who travels all over Japan by bicycle and mountain climbing. He captures and shares the changing seasons of Japan with all his senses.

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