Teshikaga Town in eastern Hokkaido is surrounded by magnificent natural scenery.

The beautiful scenery is often created by a harsh natural environment. The temperature difference between summer and winter in this town can reach 60°C, but thanks to this temperature difference and the cool summer climate, it has recently attracted attention as a producer of delicious buckwheat noodles.
 
Its defining features are its vibrant color and rich aroma. The beautiful light green color, characteristic of buckwheat carefully cultivated with a focus on quality, has impressed soba connoisseurs nationwide, and Mashu soba is a popular choice with constant orders from renowned restaurants.
 
Now, let me introduce you to the secrets of Mashu soba and some restaurants where you can enjoy delicious soba noodles.

 
Table of contents
① The secret of Mashu soba
② Restaurant Mashu
③ Both countries
④ Soba Douraku
Final thoughts
 

The reason why Mashu soba is considered a rare delicacy is, above all, because of its extremely low production volume.

Buckwheat production in Teshikaga Town began in 1990. Currently, the area of ​​cultivated fields is about 230 hectares, and 10 farmers cultivate buckwheat.
Generally, buckwheat is harvested about 100 days after sowing, but Mashu buckwheat is harvested earlier, while the grains are still green.

The characteristic "pale green" color of Mashu buckwheat is due to harvesting it a little earlier than usual.

The harvested buckwheat grains are transported to the "Mashu Buckwheat Drying Factory" on the same day.
At this drying plant, each producer's produce is dried individually in large, finely partitioned containers to prevent them from mixing.

We carefully dry each container while observing its moisture content, and after removing debris and sorting, we finish producing the final product.

Of course, we are also particular about the final step of grinding the buckwheat flour. This buckwheat drying factory still insists on using a stone mill for milling.
Furthermore, the meticulous process of adjusting the grinding method depending on the delivery destination and preparing the flour for each order also contributes to the delicious taste of Mashu soba.

It takes more effort, but the meticulous management and attention to detail that large-scale production lacks is the secret to its legendary status.
 
Now, let me introduce you to some recommended restaurants where you can enjoy this special Mashu soba.
 

Our first stop is Restaurant Mashu, located inside the Kushiro Area Mashu Tourism and Culture Center, the largest facility in Teshikaga Town.
It might be hard to guess from the outside, but this restaurant is a hidden gem, serving authentic handmade soba noodles.

The soba noodles, which the owner makes by hand every morning, are a smooth, easy-to-swallow 80/20 soba. The thin noodles are very easy to eat, and the restaurant has many local fans.

This is the most popular dish at Restaurant Mashu.
This "Three-Dish Soba Set" lets you enjoy three different types of soba noodles: nameko mushroom soba, grated yam soba, and tempura soba. Each dish is served in a small bowl, so even women can enjoy it without worry.

"Kashiwaseiro," a dish featuring chicken served in a warm broth full of chicken flavor, is also a popular choice.
 
<Kashiwa Seiro>
Also, the set menu featuring their other signature dish, the pork bowl, is a truly satisfying dish that's distinctly Hokkaido!

For the set meal, please choose either hot or cold soba noodles.
After enjoying a delicious bowl of soba noodles, be sure to stop by the Sarashina Genzo Literary Museum, located within the Kushiro Area Mashu Tourism and Culture Center where this restaurant is situated.

You're sure to find strength and inspiration in the powerful yet gentle words of Genzo Sarashina, a poet from Teshikaga Town.
 
[Restaurant Mashu]
Address: 1st Floor, Kushiro Area Mashu Tourism and Culture Center, 3-3-1 Mashu, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 015-482-1860
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 16:00 PM (※Ends when soba noodles run out)
Closed on Tuesdays and the fourth Monday of each month (except on public holidays).
 
 

Next, we'd like to introduce "Mashu Soba Doraku," a place where a waterwheel stands alone in front of a buckwheat field, catching the eye.

This shop has a quiet atmosphere that blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, and I find it incredibly beautiful.

This restaurant's pride and joy is undoubtedly that it serves buckwheat noodles made from buckwheat grown on its own farm, which are ground, kneaded, and boiled fresh.

One of the unique things about this restaurant is that you can enjoy rare, handmade 10% buckwheat soba noodles.
Actually, this restaurant was started by the owner, who was originally a buckwheat farmer, after he turned 70.

The owner, now 84 years old, is always kind, gentle, and serves you a heartfelt cup of coffee whenever you visit.

The sight of the owner diligently and carefully preparing soba noodles every single day is truly touching.
This is our restaurant's pride and joy, our handmade 10% buckwheat soba noodles, "Inaka Soba".

Because it contains about 3% buckwheat flour ground with the hulls still on, it has a very strong aroma and is an excellent product that allows you to enjoy the rich flavor of buckwheat.

Of course, they also have "mori soba" made with an 80/20 ratio of buckwheat flour to wheat flour. This one has a light and refined taste.

If you compare them, you can see the difference in color. (The one in the foreground is country-style soba.)
A warm bowl of chicken soba is also a recommended dish.

The homemade "kaeshi" (soy sauce base) that has been aged for six months pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of the mature chicken, making it ideal for the cold season.
The homemade side dishes, such as simmered vegetables and pickles that accompany all the soba noodles, made with vegetables from their own garden, reflect the owner's thoughtful consideration, leaving you with a warm and comforting feeling.
 
This restaurant has a gentle atmosphere that perfectly fits the phrase "full of flavor," and it's a must-visit when you're in Kawayu Onsen.
 
[Mashu Soba Restaurant]
Address: 7-5-12 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 015-483-2929
Opening hours: 11: 00 to 15: 30
Closed: Tuesday
 
 

The last place I'd like to introduce is "Ryogoku".

This soba restaurant has been in business for generations, located in the town center of Teshikaga, right behind the town hall.

The restaurant, run by a mother who has been making soba noodles for decades and her daughter who has taken over the recipe, is always lively and has a bright atmosphere.

The most popular dish at this restaurant is "kashiwa soba" (chicken soba).
The secret sauce, which has remained unchanged since the restaurant's founding, has a rich umami flavor from the broth, making it delicious to the last bite.

"Tanuki Kashiwa Soba," which is kashiwa soba topped with tempura batter bits, is another delightful dish.
For those who want to enjoy the authentic flavor of soba noodles, we also recommend the "Mori Soba" + "Kashiwanuki" set. (*Kashiwanuki is just the sauce for kashiwa soba = without the noodles)
The noodles in this mori soba are really thick, aren't they?

Actually, there are two types of noodles in Ryogoku: the ones my mother makes are thick and flat, while my daughter's are thin and straight.

There are two delicious types of soba noodles, but which one you get is a surprise until you get there!
 
Incidentally, this restaurant is also famous as the original soba ramen shop.
Soba ramen is ramen served in a soup made with a base of soba noodle sauce.

In other words...it's not soba. I'll mention this discreetly since this article is about Mashu soba, but actually, their soba ramen is also delicious and very popular.
Please try the heartwarming and comforting taste of this long-established restaurant.
 
[Both countries]
Address: 2-9-6 Chuo, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido
TEL: 015-482-3064
Opening hours: 11: 00 to 18: 00
Closed on the 2nd of every month
 
 

Final thoughts

This time, we introduced Mashu soba, a specialty product of Teshikaga town.
 
Soba noodles made by dedicated producers cannot be mass-produced in order to maintain quality.

That's why we want you to come all the way to the production area and enjoy our products freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly boiled – it's with this in mind that we've carefully passed on this delicious baton from producers through factories to our stores.

Please come to Teshikaga Town to try this "Mashu Soba" for yourself.

Article written by: Sanae Kinase

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