A specialty product from Shogawa Town in Takayama City, one of the coldest regions on Honshu, "Hida Takayama Shogawa Soba" undergoes a unique preparation process each year. The cold-water soaking and water-draining operations for the soba kernels will be carried out again this season to produce delicious soba.
Around Daikan, the coldest period according to the 24 solar terms, 400 kilograms of soba kernels (genso) from "Hida Takayama Shogawa Soba" are soaked in the flowing water of an agricultural waterway sourced from the Isshiki River running through Shogawa Town for approximately one week.
After draining, the kernels are placed on racks and exposed to the cold winter winds for about one month. Through repeated freezing and drying, the unpleasant flavors are removed, resulting in the sweet-tasting "Shogawa Kanzarashi Soba."
The "Kanzarashi Soba" initiative, which began to promote the specialty soba utilizing Shogawa's climate, reaches its 19th year this season and continues to receive favorable reviews from many soba enthusiasts every year.
"Shogawa Kanzarashi Soba" is scheduled to be served at four soba restaurants in Shogawa Town from June 2026.
Look forward to its release!
Work Schedule
Soba kernel soaking operation: Tuesday, January 20, from 1:00 PM
Soba kernel water-draining operation: Tuesday, January 27, from 1:00 PM
Location: Waterway sourced from Isshiki River (within Isshiki area, Shogawa Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture)
About "Hida Takayama Shogawa Soba" - Made by Hida Takayama Certified Product
"Hida Takayama Shogawa Soba" has received "Made by Hida Takayama" certification, which recognizes local products with high originality and reliability that align with the Hida Takayama brand concept.
Takayama City's Shogawa Town, including the Muumaya district, is one of the regions in Japan with significant temperature differences, making it ideal for soba cultivation. Because high-quality seeds are renewed annually, large, uniformly-sized soba kernels are produced.
Shogawa soba contains high levels of potassium, which may be related to the mineral-rich water flowing from sacred Mount Hakusan. Shogawa soba, known for its strong texture and excellent aroma, soothes the hearts of visitors alongside the scenic views of the clear Shogawa River.
About Shogawa Region
The Shogawa region is located on the western side of Takayama City and features a natural environment with mountains connected to Mount Hakusan as the source of the Shogawa River, along with beautiful agricultural and mountain village landscapes. In 2016, the entire Shogawa Town area was recognized as a Hakusan UNESCO Eco Park, internationally acclaimed as a model region that sustainably utilizes its precious natural environment.
The region also possesses historical and cultural assets including the "Hidanjii" story, the Shogawa Cherry Blossom transplant story, dinosaur fossils from the Tetori Group, and village theater performances.
