1. What is Shogimura Tendo Tower?

Shogi Mura Tendo Tower, where you can try making soba noodles, is a popular tourist facility among locals, with its eye-catching large shogi piece monument.

Located along National Route 13, it is easily accessible, just a 10-minute drive from Tendo IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway.
It’s a convenient spot to stop by in between sightseeing.

Let’s go inside right away!

The building is filled with local specialties and souvenirs from all over Yamagata Prefecture, including Tendo City.

In addition to the soba noodle making activity, Shogi Mura Tendo Tower offers a variety of other workshops that allow you to casually enjoy Yamagata culture, such as shogi piece making and safflower dyeing.

Generally, advance reservations are required, but depending on availability, some workshops can be booked on the day, so be sure to check it out!

2. Enjoy even beginners! Experience making authentic soba noodles in Tendo

After checking in, you will go to the soba-making workshop with your instructor.

The soba making workshop was just renovated in 2024 !

The inside is spacious and clean.

The instructor is Mr. Matsumoto, a veteran with over 20 years of teaching experience.

He has a track record of teaching soba noodles to many tourists from Japan and abroad, and is a kind teacher who carefully teaches even the smallest of hand movements .
The instruction, which incorporates gestures that overcome language barriers, has been well received by foreign tourists.

First, start by putting on the provided hat and washing your hands.

Dress code is free, but we recommend short sleeves or clothes that are easy to roll up so as not to get in the way of the work during the activity.
Buckwheat flour can stain your clothes, so if you are concerned about this, it may be a good idea to bring an apron.

Of the three participants this time, two had no experience making soba noodles .
Will they be able to successfully make delicious soba noodles even though it’s their first time?

① Adding water

This is the “mizu mawashi” process, where water is added to soba flour and quickly mixed.
This is such an important process that it is said that “90% of the taste of soba is determined by the water.”

Make a well in the center like you would for monjayaki and carefully add water.

Although I was a little confused by this new task, the teacher carefully watched over me, even down to the movements of my fingertips, so I quickly got the hang of it.

Kneading the dough requires strength, so it may be a little difficult for women, but the teacher will occasionally lend a hand, so there’s no need to worry.

As the dough comes together, the aroma of soba will waft up.

It’s fun to watch the feel of your palm and the texture of the fabric change, and before you know it, you’ll be hooked.

② Roll out the dough

From here, we will dust the dough with flour and begin the process of rolling it out.

In the world of soba, when the dough dries out and the surface cracks, it is said that “the soba catches a cold.”
We’ll work quickly to make sure soba doesn’t catch a cold!

Although it may look easy, it’s surprisingly difficult to roll out the dough evenly while rotating it!

After learning the tricks from the teacher, even beginners were able to stretch the dough surprisingly smoothly.

Our instructor, Matsumoto, occasionally cracks jokes to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Even if you don’t do well, you can rest assured that they will quickly correct your course, and even beginners will continue to improve.

The dough stretched out thinner and more evenly than I expected!

I’m impressed with how well I was able to stretch the dough without it tearing or breaking!

③ Cut the soba

The last step is to cut the soba.

After cutting the dough by holding the blade of the knife vertically, the teacher tilts his knife slightly with a snap of his wrist to determine the width of the soba slices. It’s an artisanal gesture that makes your heart race.

At first, I was nervous and tensed up, but as I continued to move the knife at a steady rhythm, my mind calmed down and I found myself able to focus solely on the soba.

Forget all the hustle and bustle of everyday life and clear your mind.

It’s a luxurious trip.

Even if it’s your first time cutting soba, you can achieve a uniform thickness!

The teacher will carefully teach you the key points of how to cut it,
I was so satisfied with the result that I even thought to myself, “Maybe I can become a soba chef too!”

The soba is now complete.

Next comes the fun part: tasting it!

After washing your hands and getting ready, head back to Tendo Tower.

3. Taste freshly made soba

Another attraction of this activity is that you can immediately enjoy the soba you made yourself at the restaurant inside the facility.

The thickness of the soba noodles shows their individuality, so you can easily tell who cut them and the conversation will be lively.

It has a firm texture typical of the country soba commonly eaten in Yamagata, and the sweetness of the soba spreads the more you chew it.
The sense of accomplishment of making the soba yourself makes it taste even more delicious.

The freshly fried tempura platter and sweet and spicy candied herring are also delicious and go perfectly with the soba .

Outside the window, you can see the Basho Garden, a Japanese garden that recreates the famous scenic spots that Matsuo Basho visited in his novel, “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.”

Enjoy the beautiful scenery, savor the delicious soba noodles, and have a wonderful time reflecting on the day’s activity.

It was an unforgettable experience that filled both my stomach and my heart.

4. More than just an activity! Shop for souvenirs and stroll through the gardens at Tendo Tower

After your soba-making workshop, we recommend choosing souvenirs inside Tendo Tower or strolling through the gardens!

① Recommended Yamagata souvenirs

We will introduce some recommended Yamagata souvenirs that you can get on the shopping floor.

A perfect souvenir from Tendo! This unique pasta shaped like a shogi piece has become popular recently.

The classic sweets with cherries are also distinctively Yamagata and have a strong following.

We also recommend the craft beer from Brewlab.108, which has a factory located within the building.

It is made using Yamagata fruits and safflower as ingredients and has received high praise in domestic competitions.
This is a great item to buy as a memento of your trip or as a little treat for yourself.

② Stroll through Basho Garden

The Basho Garden, visible through the dining room window, is the perfect place for a stroll after your meal.

Take a breather and watch the gracefully swimming carp before heading to your next destination.
It is also recommended as a date course for couples .

If you are looking for a memorable experience that is unique to Yamagata, why not give this place a visit?

5. Activities here

・Enjoy authentic soba noodles made with homemade soba flour at Tendo City! Tasting included

At Shogi Mura Tendo Tower, you can enjoy the experience of making authentic soba noodles using locally grown soba flour.

Experienced staff will provide gentle and careful instruction, so even first-timers can feel at ease.

Knead, stretch, cut – soba noodles you make yourself taste especially delicious!

You can enjoy freshly made soba noodles with our homemade sauce on the spot.

Please enjoy the rich flavor of soba!

This is a casual plan that you can stop by in between sightseeing.

☆★Recommended points of this plan!!★☆
■You can make authentic handmade soba noodles using homemade soba flour!
■After the workshop you can enjoy flavorful freshly made soba noodles with homemade broth!
■There is also a sparkling sake factory, a garden, and a shopping floor where you can purchase Yamagata’s specialty products. You can easily experience this while sightseeing ☆

Workshop Hours
① 10:00~
② 11:00~
③ 13:00~
④ 14:00~
⑤ 15:00~
*
Fee (per person)
1 serving: 1,900 yen
*
Options
・Sweetened herring: +250 yen tax included
・Tempura platter: + 600 yen tax included
*Please select what you would like to eat with your soba when tasting!
*
Number of participants per reservation
Applications for 2 or more people
****************************************