Hello there!
This is Sanji, your Sarukuma writer!

If there’s one thing the Japanese truly love, it’s noodles.
Udon, ramen, pasta — there are countless varieties out there, but when it comes to true Japanese soul food, nothing beats…

Soba (buckwheat noodles), of course!

Today we’re heading to Yamato Town in Kamimashiki District.
Just a stone’s throw from the famous Tsujun Bridge, in the heart of town in the Hamamachi area, you’ll find
“Kappo Moto-Satsumaya.”

I visited in mid-October — perfect timing to coincide with the new soba harvest season.

Savoring seasonal ingredients at their peak — this is the special privilege of living in a country that celebrates all four seasons!

I’m so glad I was born in Japan!

The sign in the photo reads “Today is Soba Day.”

That’s right — soba is only served for lunch once a month, on the third Wednesday.

The thought of fresh, hand-made, hand-cut soba crafted by a master soba artisan made my heart race with anticipation!

Recommended Menu

The first thing that surprised me when I stepped inside…

The restaurant opens at 11:30, and I arrived just before noon, but the 30-seat dining room was already packed with elegant local madams and gentlemen of Yamato!

So much for getting interior shots…

Of course, respecting the privacy of other guests is part of being a responsible Sarukuma writer (also a great excuse for forgetting to take interior photos…).

Even the 14-space parking lot in front of the restaurant was completely full!

Here’s the menu.

Hot soba options…

…and cold soba options.

Since the day was warm, I went for the “Ume Hiyashi Soba” (chilled soba with pickled plum), which was highlighted in red on the menu.
I also added the “Mini Ikura Don” (small salmon roe rice bowl), made fresh by the chef.

Ordering both noodles and a rice bowl — that’s the true heart’s desire of any Japanese man!

The table came set with house-made pickles, perfect for nibbling while waiting and getting the appetite going.

Where’s the soba? Soba, please!

And here it is! The Ume Hiyashi Soba!

It’s served Kyushu-style, with a slightly sweet dashi broth poured over the top — a regional favorite!
The noodles even have a faint greenish tint, perhaps because they’re freshly harvested new soba.

Next up, the Mini Ikura Don.

That delightful pop of the salmon roe paired with fresh wasabi — absolutely irresistible!

The ikura is also house-made, marinated by the chef himself.

The chef’s goal is to source all his ingredients from within a 4-kilometer radius of the restaurant.
He’s currently at about 80% — which is genuinely impressive.

The ultimate in farm-to-table dining!

With organic vegetables, local game (jibie), and freshwater fish like trout and yamame from nearby streams, Yamato Town is a model of sustainable cuisine!

While Soba Day only happens once a month, the restaurant also serves regular lunch and dinner, and accommodates memorial services and banquets too.

Authentic, accessible soba in a charming setting — Moto-Satsumaya is the perfect stop on a drive through Yamato Town or after sightseeing at Tsujun Bridge.

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before your visit.