As someone who was born and raised in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City, this area is strongly associated with the entrance to Ushioyama for me. When I was a child, picnics, field trips, and camping all meant Ushioyama. At the entrance to Ushioyama, a high-class restaurant called "Warabino Sato" has been established, which has now become a major company that sells gift products in famous department stores nationwide. The restaurant itself is a luxury establishment that is a bit out of reach for us commoners. Recently, a new soba restaurant called "Kasachuan Oto Wa Soba" was opened on the premises of Warabino Sato. Due to its location, visiting this restaurant would require a car or a taxi for those who can afford it. The restaurant is located on a narrow road, but there is a decent amount of parking available. During lunchtime, it is quite popular, and I had to wait for about 40 minutes after filling out a waiting sheet. From the waiting area, or even from outside, you can see the soba workshop through the window. In the unmanned workshop, a motorized stone mill noodle machine quietly kept running. The restaurant has spacious table seating for group customers, with a nice view of greenery through large windows. The menu, which is in booklet form, introduces numerous dishes. After looking through all the options, I ended up choosing the "Daily Fukutoku Set" as recommended. The set was quite fulfilling, with soba as the main dish. The soba, made from 100% indigenous Ibuki soba harvested at the foot of Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture, was excellent with a chewy texture and rich flavor. The tempura included okra, shiitake mushrooms, baby corn, eggplant, and shrimp. The quality of the soba and tempura alone surpassed that of a famous soba restaurant I had visited before. The set also included a high-quality dashimaki tamago, Warabino Sato's original kelp tsukudani, and a bite-sized side dishes, along with "Warabino Sato" Kyoto chirimen rice. All this for only 1500 yen. The soba broth served at the end was thick and rich, perfect for finishing the meal. You can also dilute the leftover soba sauce with it, which was very satisfying. "Warabino Sato" is a high-end restaurant that requires advance reservations and costs around 10,000 yen for a lunch course, or 360,000 yen for a one-night stay for two people, a world that is out of reach for us commoners. However, at this soba restaurant, you can enjoy "Warabino Sato" quality at an affordable price. It's no wonder it's so popular. After actually visiting and experiencing it, I can say it was a great decision.

The daily special "Fukutoku set" at the soba restaurant operated by Ryotei Warabino Sato is known for its refined taste in dishes such as dashimaki and simmered dishes. Today, the restaurant was fully booked, so we had to write our names on the waiting list and wait for about 30 minutes because the soba had run out before our turn. However, we eagerly waited as we knew we would be able to enjoy freshly made soba. It was worth the wait as we were served flavorful freshly made 100% soba that was delicious even without dipping sauce. The soba broth at the end was thick and rich in flavor. Despite being full, we decided to order the "soba manju" as well, which took about 10 minutes to prepare. What arrived was a hot tempura manju. The chewy manju skin and the subtly sweet red bean paste were delicious, but deep-fried foods may not be suitable when you are already full. We were able to pass the waiting time without getting bored by watching the soba being made.

I visited this restaurant because it had high ratings on Google Maps and I was curious. I drove up a narrow alley and found a parking sign, where I parked my car and walked to the restaurant. It seems like I parked at the second parking lot, while the first parking lot was right next to the restaurant. The interior of the restaurant was spacious, and the table seats were comfortable. The large windows offered a view of the green mountains. I ordered the cold soba noodles for summer. It was delicious. I have been to several soba restaurants in Kyoto before, but they were all just okay. However, this place was really good. The tempura was also tasty. The soba broth was thick and delicious. The soba noodles were even better with some black shichimi pepper sprinkled on top. I want to try other menu items, so I will definitely come back again.

Located at the foot of Ushioyama in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto City, this soba restaurant offers a limited quantity daily special called the "Fukutoku Set". It includes either hot or cold soba made from 100% soba from Mt. Ibuki in Shiga Prefecture, freshly fried tempura, dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette), kimpira, dried daikon radish tempura, and rice with plenty of shredded mountain pepper. As expected from a sister store of the renowned Kyoto ryotei Warabi no Sato, the dishes are elegantly prepared with a slightly sweet and light flavor. Both the soba and side dishes allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.

When you go up the narrow residential street towards the Yamate, you will find this place. It might be a bit challenging for those without navigation or who are not confident in driving. The buildings are new and have a nice atmosphere. The cost performance is a bit on the higher side, but the satisfaction level is also quite high. They claim to have top-notch soba, and indeed the soba is delicious with a firm texture and smooth taste. Whether you order it as a single dish or as a set, the delicious side dishes are a pleasant surprise. They offer a wide variety of set menu options, making it a must-visit place for repeat customers. Since they have a designated waiting area, there might be a considerable wait time if you arrive at a busy time.

In December 2022, after visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, we stopped by this restaurant on our way to Shiga for lunch. We both ordered the limited daily Fukutoku set (1400 yen). As expected from the reviews we had read, the presentation and taste of the meal were excellent, truly living up to the reputation of Warabino Sato. The rice topped with shredded mountain pepper was a nice touch. We had been worried about the weather since morning as we made our way to Kyoto and then to Shiga via this restaurant, but luckily, the rain had cleared up by the time we arrived shortly after the opening. Despite feeling a bit chilly, I debated between hot or cold soba, ultimately choosing the latter because I was looking forward to enjoying the broth with soba water at the end. It was a quiet atmosphere inside, with seemingly regular customers dining on a weekday. We took the opportunity to relax and enjoy our meal. The garden that others had mentioned also caught our interest, and we hope to explore it when we visit again during warmer weather.

Daily Fukutoku Set 1,400 yen. I know it's a bit out of the way, but everyone, you really should come all the way to this remote place. It wasn't very crowded, but there were still customers waiting when we left. The soba was delicious as usual. The tempura included shrimp, burdock root, maitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, an eggplant, and yuba. The daily specials included yellowtail with daikon, kimpira, and sweet potatoes. It was a bit disappointing that the tempura and the daily sweet potatoes were repeated. The daily specials, tamagoyaki, and chirimen sansho were all subtly flavored and elegantly delicious. The soba broth served towards the end was slightly grayish, rich, and thick, and it was delicious. There weren't any standout dishes, but enjoying a variety of food while looking at the beautiful scenery allowed me to feel calm and satisfied both physically and mentally. It was a very satisfying meal. Thank you for the meal.

I visited this restaurant for lunch. I usually see a long line, so this time I made a reservation before going. I always find the 1300 yen lunch set to be unsatisfying, so this time I ordered the "Otowa Gozen" for 3000 yen including tax. The tempura set included 9 pieces of tempura made with seasonal ingredients, and they were all very delicious! The side dishes such as miso-marinated saury, rolled omelette, and duck loin were all elegantly made and had a refined taste. However, the only disappointment was the dessert. I had a choice between fried mochi with soba or mochi with black syrup, so I chose the fried mochi. Unfortunately, it was hard and felt like I was eating a lump of soba. It had red bean paste inside, but I couldn't taste it and left it uneaten. I hope they improve this. Other than that, everything else was perfect, so I gave it 4 stars. By the time I left, there were 7 groups waiting, so the seating is limited. It's better to make a reservation before going! I will visit again!

Located in the mountains of Yamashina, Kyoto, there is a hidden gem called Kaschin-an Onwa Soba. My eldest son and I had the "Soba and Kakujū" set (1300 yen), which included: - Shiga Ibuki soba made from 100% buckwheat - Two-tiered box with duck roast and grilled fish - Matcha-steamed egg custard with the best broth My wife had the "Fukutoku set" (1300 yen), which included: - Shiga Ibuki soba made from 100% buckwheat - Rolled omelette with broth - Assorted tempura - Mini side dish set - Rice with dried fish and mountain pepper We were very satisfied with the food. After visiting the Ohtani Mausoleum, we had lunch at this restaurant, which had a parking lot. Surprisingly, it is run by the famous restaurant "Warabino Sato," known for its simmered dishes and dried fish products sold in department stores. It's located right off the Kyoto Higashi Interchange, but the narrow and winding roads make it seem accessible only by car. If you plan to visit, please drive carefully.

Yamashina's soba restaurant, Kasumachian, opened as a directly managed store on the premises of Kyoto Ryori Warabino Sato near Meishin Kyoto Higashi Interchange. The location is great as it shares the same garden, providing a spacious and relaxing dining experience with ample space between tables. The soba is hand-made country-style soba, offering a satisfying meal that makes you feel like you're on a trip. I tried the soba and kakuju set for 1,300 yen, which also included dishes from Warabino Sato, making it quite a bargain! The daily set also comes with tempura, offering a substantial portion and even more value for your money!

Late lunch with three generations of family. We drove on local roads for about 40 minutes. After navigating through winding narrow paths, we arrived at a place that was instantly recognizable. It was past 2 PM when we got there. There were two groups of four already seated and one group of two arrived after us. The seating was spacious with ample distance between tables, and the large windows offered a view of a well-maintained garden and soothing green maple trees. We were all hungry. We ordered four servings of "Summer Cold Soba," made with homemade 100% buckwheat flour using "Ibuki Soba." The aroma and texture were excellent. The summer tempura included seasonal vegetables and conger eel tempura. Make sure to confirm the eel before eating, as it may not look like eel at first glance. (laughs) The subtle flavor of the eel was truly delicious. After the meal, we took a stroll in the garden of the adjacent "Ryotei Warabino Sato." The sound of the Oto River and the dynamic flow of the waterfall were very calming. It turns out that you can also stay overnight at Warabino Sato, with rates starting at 360,000 yen for two people. What a lovely find at the foot of the eastern mountains of Kyoto!

Daily Fukutoku Set at a different mountain science, when you go up the Otowa River, you will find a hidden soba restaurant in a residential area. The road becomes quite narrow along the way, making you wonder if you will actually reach the restaurant, but finally, you arrive! By the way, be careful as Google Maps may guide you through roads that are impossible to pass! The restaurant is quite new and clean, with a beautiful garden visible from inside. I was lucky to be seated at a lovely table with a view of the garden. You can enjoy your meal while admiring the beautiful garden. I ordered the limited Daily Fukutoku Set this time. It includes soba, tempura, and rice. The contents vary daily, and this time, it included a tempura assortment, dashimaki tamago, grilled fish (miso-marinated), and chirimen sansho rice. First, I tried the main soba. The homemade stone-ground 100% soba was excellent, with a fragrant aroma and a good texture. The soba had a nice thickness and a firm texture for being 100% buckwheat. It exceeded my expectations and was very delicious. The portion was generous, and the tempura was light and crispy. The vegetable tempura and shrimp tempura were both luxurious. All the other dishes were also satisfying and delicious. The service was polite, and it was a wonderful experience to enjoy a leisurely time while gazing at the beautiful garden. It was a fantastic restaurant where you can enjoy high-quality soba. I have found a place worth revisiting!

Located a 22-minute walk from Keihan Oizumi Station, this restaurant has a parking lot. I remembered it when I saw it in a magazine and a coworker recommended it. After traveling back and forth between Kyoto and Shiga near the prefectural border, I finally arrived. The road is narrow, so be careful, but there is plenty of parking available. I visited on a holiday for lunch. A staff member in a kimono greeted me. The restaurant was about 60% full. From the windows of the traditional Japanese-style restaurant, you can see a well-maintained garden. The atmosphere is nice. It would have been even better if there were table seats in a tatami room... I ordered the limited daily Fukutoku set for 1,200 yen including tax. It came with soba, assorted tempura, a side dish like rolled omelette, mixed rice, and pickles. Quite luxurious. The soba is hand-milled country soba ground with a stone mill. The slightly blackish, coarse soba has a deep flavor. The tempura is also lightly battered and crispy. Overall, it was well-balanced and good value for money. The atmosphere, taste, and cost performance are all above average. This is truly a hidden gem of a restaurant! It's not too crowded with customers. I want to revisit before it becomes popular.

Around 2 o'clock, I visited a restaurant located a bit up the mountain from a residential area. There was a parking lot, and you could see the artisan making soba noodles through the window next to the entrance of the restaurant. The tables had a view of the garden, creating a nice atmosphere. I ordered the limited daily special "Fukutoku Set" (1200 yen), which included zaru soba (small portion), mountain vegetable rice, tempura (shrimp, shiitake mushroom, onion, sweet potato, eggplant, shishito pepper), rolled omelette, simmered sweet potatoes, and grilled fish with miso paste (cod?). My wife ordered the fresh yuba soba (1000 yen). The soba noodles had a slightly rough texture and a satisfying chewiness, which I personally enjoyed. The tempura was crispy and all the other dishes were delicious as well. The service was very polite, and I couldn't understand why the restaurant didn't have higher ratings. I would definitely like to visit again.

Thursday, Marine Day, 11:09 Kaschuan, Onwa Soba On the way to the restaurant, we had trouble finding it using the navigation system, and the narrow roads made us quite nervous, but we managed to arrive. The parking lot was located next to the shop and a little further away. A soba flag was displayed to indicate that the shop was open. Upon entering the shop, we were told to choose any seat we liked. It seemed like we were the first customers. I chose a seat with a nice view sandwiched between large windows. As soon as we sat down, soba tea was served. Daily Fortune Set - 1,200 yen (tax included) You can choose hot or cold soba, and for the hot soba, you can choose either yuba or herring. My husband and daughter chose yuba, so I decided to try something different and went with herring (no preferences). The daily special arrived at 11:23. The soba was served in generous portions, and there was also takikomi gohan (mixed rice). The takikomi gohan of the day was made with sea bream. My husband, who is a soba lover, often complains about not having had delicious soba in Kansai, so I was a bit worried about this place. However, he said, "It's like Kansai style, but still delicious," (probably means he liked it). There was sansho pepper and shichimi togarashi on the table, so it was interesting to try the shichimi togarashi with the soba. The tempura included shrimp, eggplant, pumpkin, shishito pepper, shiitake mushroom, and onion. They were all lightly battered, crispy, and had a satisfying texture. The dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette) was fluffy, and the grilled fish was cooked to perfection, which my husband particularly enjoyed. The small dessert had a plum flavor, staying true to the Japanese theme. I appreciated the attention to detail in the Japanese cuisine. By the time we left the restaurant, there were about three other groups of customers, and it was bustling. In addition to the daily special, seasonal menus like tenzaru (tempura soba) seemed popular. My husband, who was complaining about the narrow roads while driving, said, "Next time, we should come by motorcycle," (he must have really liked it) which made me smile to myself. Looking at other reviews, it seems that the atmosphere of the daily special is different from the regular menu, so I can see how each season offers a unique dining experience. I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal.

I live very close to this place, but I didn't even realize it until I saw a friend's post on Facebook. Today, I finally went out. As expected, the atmosphere inside Warabino Sato is excellent. Both the outside and inside of the restaurant are very nice, and the view from the window must be part of Warabino Sato. The thick towel that comes before the meal made me feel like the food would be good. I ordered the tempura soba, while my wife ordered the daily special. As we waited leisurely for our food, our meals arrived at the perfect timing. The soba had a strong aroma, and the dipping sauce, although light, had a rich flavor that complemented the soba well. The eel tempura was delicate and elegant. The soba soup served at the end was exquisite. You must come back here until you try all the dishes on the menu. This is a hidden gem of a soba restaurant in Yamashina that I almost hesitate to tell everyone about.

I had the daily special for 1200 yen for lunch. As expected from a high-class soba restaurant, everything from the taste, presentation, atmosphere, and location was satisfying. The daily special for 1200 yen was also great value for money. After the meal, I had a look at the garden and the well-maintained moss and the flowing waterfall were breathtaking. It seems like this restaurant will become difficult to book in the future, so I want to bring various acquaintances here soon.

I had the daily special set meal for 1200 yen. It was Saturday, but they still had the daily special. The tempura, grilled fish, and rolled omelette were all lightly seasoned but full of flavor. The tempura of rapeseed flowers gave a taste of spring. Next to the restaurant, the garden of the traditional inn had cherry blossoms starting to bloom. The soba dipping sauce was rich. The road from Route 1 is narrow and requires some skill for passing, but the atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and I would like to come back again.

I arrived at a soba restaurant located in a tranquil countryside setting after driving through peaceful mountain scenery. Inside, there was a serene view through a large window. Although I initially considered the daily set menu, it was sold out, so I opted for duck soup soba instead. The soba had a refreshing texture and the slightly rich broth paired well with the duck, providing a well-balanced flavor. As I was dining alone, I enjoyed my meal in the quiet surroundings. Although I had some trouble finding the restaurant, I made it in the end. Next time, I might bring my mother along - I think she would definitely enjoy it!

Limited quantity menu, including a 1400 yen ten-wari soba, along with various other options, making it a great deal.

Visited with my wife. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was nice. The soba was delicious!! I wonder if the water is different here. The tempura was crispy and satisfying.