Arakisoba has served the Mogamigawa Sannansho Soba Street in Okura Village since 1920, making it one of the longer-running shops on a stretch of road historically lined with soba houses catering to travelers along the Mogami River. The restaurant is known for thick, chewy hand-cut itasoba, a board-served noodle style with a coarser bite than typical urban soba, reflecting the buckwheat-growing character of this rural corner of Yamagata Prefecture. Alongside the plain itasoba, the kitchen offers a tempura version and a seasonal soba topped with foraged wild mountain vegetables (sansai) gathered locally. The dining room is a modest, countryside restaurant with wooden tables and a farmhouse feel rather than a refined setting, and there is no wine or cocktail program beyond regional sake and beer. The shop does not accept reservations and operates on a walk-in basis, closing on Wednesdays, so visitors should plan around those hours rather than calling ahead.
Signature dishes
- Itasoba (thick, chewy board soba)
- Tempura soba
- Soba with wild mountain vegetables
Good to know
- Known for
- Established in 1920 on the Mogamigawa Sannansho Soba Street; known for thick, chewy hand-cut itasoba (board-served soba)
- Hours
- 11:00AM-2:30PM; closed Wednesdays
- Reservations
- Not accepted; walk-in
Location
Sannansho Soba Street, Okura-mura, Mogami-gun, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
38.7519, 140.2461 View on map
Highlights
- Operating since 1920 on the historic Mogamigawa Sannansho Soba Street
- Thick, chewy hand-cut itasoba noodles
- Seasonal soba topped with foraged wild mountain vegetables
- Rustic farmhouse-style countryside dining room
Tips for visiting
- No reservations are accepted, so arrive close to the 11:00AM opening to avoid a wait during peak soba-touring season
- The shop is closed on Wednesdays, so plan visits around that
- Sansai (wild vegetable) soba is a seasonal item worth asking about, as availability varies through the year
- Combine a visit with a walk along the rest of the Sannansho Soba Street, which has several similar shops nearby
Accessibility
The restaurant is a rural, traditional-style building without confirmed wheelchair access; visitors with mobility needs should call ahead to check entrance conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a reservation at Arakisoba?
No, the shop does not accept reservations and operates strictly on a walk-in basis.
What is itasoba?
It is a thick, chewy hand-cut soba served on a wooden board, a specialty of the Mogamigawa Sannansho Soba Street area.
What days is it closed?
The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.
Is the soba shop far from the city center?
It is located on the Sannansho Soba Street in Okura Village, a rural area of Mogami-gun, some distance from central Yamagata City.