Japanese Noodle Making Class in Karuizawa: Make Soba

Roll, stretch and cut soba noodles, then eat them at the table where you made them

This 2-hour class at Shinshu Soba Restaurant Yamahei teaches you to make authentic Shinshu soba noodles from scratch, with an experienced instructor guiding you through kneading, stretching and cutting. The restaurant sits a 5-minute walk from Karuizawa Shinkansen Station. You'll wear traditional samue work clothes and a maekake apron, use the restaurant's tools, and finish by eating your own noodles served with tempura and the region's famous walnut sauce. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the guide speaks English or Chinese.

The experience

Shinshu soba (the noodles made in Nagano Prefecture) has been cultivated in these mountain slopes for centuries because soba thrives in high, cold regions where flat fields are scarce. At Yamahei, you start by peeling soba husks and grinding the flour yourself using a millstone and water mill, so you understand the ingredient before you shape it. The instructor walks you through kneading the dough, stretching it thin, and cutting it into noodles, adjusting the pace to match your speed.

Once your noodles are ready, the kitchen serves them immediately at the restaurant table with tempura on the side and a bowl of walnut soba soup: the signature Karuizawa style. If you want to go further, you can grind walnuts in a small mortar yourself and stir them into the broth. The experience includes rental of all the tools you need, a traditional towel to take home, and instruction in English or Chinese.

What’s included

• The class includes instruction from an experienced guide in English or Chinese.
• all tools, materials and rental of traditional samue work clothes and maekake apron.
• the soba noodles you make, served with tempura and walnut soba soup.
• and a tenugui towel to take home as a gift.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 13:00 and 16:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (10 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by SOBA LABO～Japanese noodle making class～

Is this one for you?The class runs 2 hours and involves standing at a work surface while kneading and cutting dough, so it suits anyone comfortable with light hands-on work in a restaurant kitchen. If you prefer to watch a demonstration rather than make the noodles yourself, this is a participation class, not a tour.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

How far is Shinshu Soba Restaurant Yamahei from Karuizawa Shinkansen Station?

The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Karuizawa Shinkansen Station, so you can reach it easily after arriving by train.

What do I actually make and eat during the class?

You make soba noodles from scratch by kneading, stretching and cutting the dough, then eat them at the restaurant table served with tempura and walnut soba soup, the famous local style.

What's included in the class fee?

The fee covers the instructor, all tools and materials, rental of traditional samue work clothes and a maekake apron, your finished noodles with tempura and walnut soup, and a tenugui towel to take home.

Is there an option to try grinding walnuts myself?

Yes. After your noodles are served, you can grind walnuts in a small mortar and add them to your soba soup if you want to experience that part of the preparation.