Introducing Soba Kaido Kagouan

Hello there! It’s Suno, your Sarukuma writer.

Today I’m taking you to a hidden gem in Minamioguni Town, Aso District:
【Soba Kaido Kagouan】.As you drive along National Route 212 heading toward Tsuetate, just before reaching Minamioguni Town Hall, you’ll spot the “Soba Kaido” (Soba Road) signboard.
From there, drive about 5 minutes along a winding mountain road, and…
the impressive Soba Kaido Kagouan signboard appears on your right!
The spacious gravel parking lot makes parking a breeze.
Even among the many soba restaurants on this “Soba Road,” Kagouan stands out with its especially grand and elegant appearance!
During busy times, you’ll often see guests waiting on the outdoor benches.

Right at opening time, there were already several cars from out-of-prefecture license plates!
Walk under this traditional noren curtain to enter the restaurant…
and you’re greeted by a wonderfully atmospheric waiting room.

This building is actually a 100-year-old farmhouse that’s been beautifully renovated!
The dark, polished pillars and beams have been preserved, giving this forest soba restaurant a deeply historic feel.
It was relatively quiet on this day, so we were shown to a spacious 6-person tatami seating area (koagari).

The restaurant also has another koagari of similar size, plus two 4-person tatami rooms (also koagari style).

For table seating, there are two 4-seat tables and two 6-seat tables.
They even have low chairs for kids.
The staff kindly provided child-friendly utensils, plastic plates, and cups too.
The breathtaking nature views through the large windows and the cheerful song of Japanese bush warblers create the perfect relaxing atmosphere ♪
To reach the restroom, you’ll need to step outside briefly.
The toilet has a warm, welcoming wooden interior.
It’s a Western-style pit toilet (non-flushing).
While it’s a traditional pit toilet, it’s kept impeccably clean and was a pleasant experience to use ♪

Please remember to take used diapers home with you!At the cashier, they sell Aso Akaushi (red beef) Curry for ¥1,000 and Soba Tea for ¥70 — perfect souvenirs to take home ♪

Recommended Menu at Soba Kaido Kagouan

Here’s the most popular dish on the menu!

Kagouan’s Signature Soba Zukushi (Soba Feast) — ¥2,000

True to its name “Soba Zukushi” (full of soba), this special set comes with two servings of soba!

Better yet, for the second serving, you can choose between cold oroshi soba (with grated daikon) or warm yamakake soba (with grated yam)!! Such a treat~!

This is my go-to order every time ♪
Flipping to page 2, what immediately caught my eye was

the limited-edition “Niku Niku Niku Soba (Meat Meat Meat Soba) — ¥1,500”!!!

An irresistible name for any meat lover! (lol)The “Choi-Nomi Set (Light Drinking Set) — ¥1,600”, which pairs soba with local sake, is also incredibly tempting~.

But my absolute favorite recommendation is the “Tonkatsu Soba — ¥1,500”

Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) at a soba shop?! Trust me on this one — you have to try it!!!They also offer Aso specialties like takana-meshi (pickled mustard greens rice) and tororo-meshi (grated yam rice) as side dishes — perfect when you want a little extra.

The “Kids’ Soba — ¥600” is wonderfully affordable, too!
Here it comes ♪

Just look at this beautiful presentation!!
The first serving of zaru soba (cold soba), yose tofu (soft tofu), seasonal small dish, assorted tempura, and an aperitif (non-alcoholic).

Since it was warm that day, I couldn’t stop slurping the cold zaru soba!
The locally grown Oguni maitake mushroom tempura is crispy on the outside and bursting with juicy flavor — totally addictive!

My 2-year-old daughter loved it too and ate almost all of it.
Kids really do recognize the magic of juicy vegetables, don’t they~!
And here it is!!

My beloved tonkatsu soba!The tonkatsu is perfectly crispy with a sophisticated flavor!
But what makes this dish truly special is the incredible dashi broth ♪

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to try the ultra-rare “Katsu Curry Soba” — and I’ll never forget how amazing it was…!
I’d love to try it again — wonder if it’ll be on the menu this year?

If you spot the legendary Katsu Curry Soba on the menu during your visit, definitely give it a try!

For a flavor change, add the included tororo (grated yam) to the soup!

Then add some yuzu kosho (yuzu pepper) too!

I couldn’t stop eating the tempura with matcha salt either, and every item in the soba zukushi set — the seasonal small dish, the yose tofu — is prepared with such loving care.
As I was savoring everything, my second serving — the warm yamakake soba — arrived at exactly the right moment ♪

I enjoyed it while listening to the bush warblers singing outside~.And for dessert — soba ice cream.
My 5-year-old son’s absolute favorite.

The flavor is uniquely strong, but somehow you can’t stop eating it.

The crunchy texture from the buckwheat seeds is also a delightful surprise ♪
Finishing the meal with soba-yu (the warm water used to cook the soba)!!
Ah~ so satisfying…!
Be sure to visit Soba Kaido Kagouan, this enchanting forest soba restaurant, and treat yourself to authentic handmade soba ♪

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Frequently Asked Questions

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