Soba noodles are a very popular food in Japan, and they're highly regarded for their nutty flavor, smooth texture, and versatility. They're made of buckwheat, a plant which grows exceptionally well in certain parts of the country – including Nagano's Shinshu region.
The Shinshu Matsumoto Soba Festival is an annual event which has been running for almost 20 years now, and it brings soba restaurants from within Nagano Prefecture and across the country to the Matsumoto Castle Park area. The concept is that soba culture will foster deeper regional exchanges and shine a light on locally-made products.
Getting there
Matsumoto Castle Park can be accessed in approximately 15 minutes on foot from Matsumoto Station, which is served by the Shinonoi Line, the Ōito Line, and the Kamikōchi Line.
For those who are driving, take the Matsumoto IC on the Nagano Expressway, and the area is around 15 minutes driving time from there.
