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.
