Family-Friendly Soba Noodles Making Class at Lake Kawaguchi

When it comes to noodles, Yamanashi may be more famous for its signature prefectural specialty of hoto, but it’s also the origin of one of Japan’s most revered soba buckwheat noodle dishes. Mt Fuji is the birthplace of Oshino-Hakkai soba, made with the ultra-pure water of the Oshino-Hakkai ponds, the former sixth lake of the Fuji Five Lakes. And thanks to cooking experience provider Fujiya, you can learn how to make this legendary dish from scratch.

Compared to other noodles like udon or hoto, soba is notoriously difficult to make, as buckwheat flour gives it an especially brittle texture. Take too long and it dries out, leading to the noodles falling apart when boiling; but put them in the water too quickly and the noodles won’t hold their shape either.

Over 20 years of operations, Fujiya has taught countless cooking enthusiasts the secret of the Oshino-Hakkai soba dish. From kneading the dough to rolling it out, Fujiya’s English-speaking instructors will guide you through every step of the way — and soon you’ll be a master of one of Yamanashi Prefecture’s most famous dishes.

After your noodles are done, there’s no better way to enjoy the fruits of your labor than through tucking in. The more the merrier: Fujiya offers class sizes of up to 80 people, meaning that this soba-making experience is suitable for all types of outings, from dates, to family trips, corporate experiences and even school trips.

After lunch, walk off your hearty meal around the beautiful town of Fujikawaguchiko. A popular destination, Lake Kawaguchi is the most accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes from Tokyo, and offers beautiful views of Mt Fuji on clear days from the Mt Tenjo observation deck and ropeway. The nearby Fuji-Q Highland, one of Japan’s most famous theme parks, is a popular option for day trippers out of Fujikawaguchiko with its high-speed roller coaster thrills.