After checking out of the hotel, I headed straight to Hirakata City. Not far from the station, the sign was easy to spot, which was a relief. Soba restaurants often operate without much emphasis on business, with many closing early due to selling out or sudden temporary closures due to the owner's health, so just feeling a sense of "business-mindedness" made me feel like this place would be one that sticks to its opening days. I arrived 10 minutes before opening and there was already one customer waiting. More people arrived later. The door opened right on time, and people started coming in. The interior had a woody feel, like a community center or a sunlit cafe. There seemed to be many familiar faces from the neighborhood, with customers chatting warmly with the floor staff. Even a group of three ladies who came later. It seemed to be used as a gathering place, supported by the local community. I ordered the "Duck Nanban" soba. It arrived shortly after. The soba had a thick, rough texture that lingered in the mouth. The soba's flavor stood out, but the broth was also well done. If I had to say something negative, it would be that the duck was added on top, and I prefer a version where you can really taste the duck in the broth. The addition of mitsuba, yuzu, and the fragrant grilled green onions blended perfectly with the broth's aroma. Overall, it was excellent. From the service, to the notes on the menu, to the thoughtful touches throughout the restaurant, there was a sense of "understanding" that was quite charming. The consideration shown, from reservations being limited to "those who have come from afar" to reminders about not disturbing other customers with photography, was just right. The comfortable feeling of being supported by local customers was evident. In reality, if it were nearby, I would definitely become a regular.

I mistakenly thought the business hours were until 2:00 PM... I arrived on a Sunday just before 1:00 PM. There was no line, only about 5 groups of customers ahead, so I was able to be seated quickly. The coarse-ground soba was sold out, so I ordered the duck broth soba, but that was also sold out... I ended up ordering the grated yam soba. My wife ordered the thinly sliced soba and while waiting, a staff member mentioned that normally they sell out of soba around 12:30 PM, so it was unusual to still have some before 1:00 PM. I checked online and found out that their business hours were from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, so we almost visited after closing time... The soba they served was shiny and had a good texture, and the soba broth had a nice balance of flavors. At first, I thought there was a lot of grated yam, but it paired well with the soba and was just the right amount. The grated yam wasn't watery, and the ratio with the broth was excellent, making it a great match with the soba. The soba itself was delicious, and even just with a bit of salt on the table, it was already very tasty.

Visit time: 11:10 Weekday waiting time: 30 minutes Menu: Soba-gaki (small) + thin-cut soba 1,700 yen + large serving 400 yen I arrived shortly after the 11:00 opening, but had to wait for 30 minutes with 4 people ahead of me. I ordered the Soba-gaki (small) set. I requested a large serving of coarse-ground soba, but was told they don't offer large servings for coarse-ground soba. So, I opted for the thin-cut soba set instead. First, I had the soba-gaki. I enjoyed the warm soba-gaki with wasabi and soy sauce. The flavor of the soba was delightful. It made me crave some sake. After finishing the soba-gaki, the thin-cut soba was served. It was cold, so I savored the flavor as is at first. Then, I dipped it in the soba broth and added condiments in stages. The wasabi flavor was strong, with a mild spiciness that was delicious. I left the restaurant at 12:15, and by the time I left, they had sold out of soba. Thank you for the meal.

At the area around Hirakata Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, there is a soba specialty restaurant that has an outstanding score of 3.71 points on Tabelog as of August 2023. It is known for its soba dishes, especially the grated radish soba. The restaurant is popular for its Sunday lunchtime, but surprisingly there was no line when visited. The reviewer was hesitant about the high price of 1,600 yen for the grated radish soba, as in Fukui Prefecture, soba dishes are usually priced below 700 yen. The reviewer opted for the duck broth soba priced at 1,600 yen, which had a firm texture of duck meat but lacked the strong duck flavor in the broth. The soba noodles were thin with a slightly crunchy texture, possibly made from 100% buckwheat flour. Overall, the dishes were elegantly presented, but the reviewer personally found the soy sauce in the duck broth too strong for their taste. Despite this, the reviewer enjoyed the meal and expressed gratitude to the restaurant staff.

I came to Morigata and went to a famous soba restaurant. When I arrived around 11:30, the restaurant was already full, so I waited for about 10 minutes in the waiting area before being seated. I ordered the Coarsely Ground Duck Soup Soba (¥1,600) and the Soba Gaki and Thinly Cut Soba Set (¥1,700). When I compared the coarsely ground and thinly cut soba, I found that the coarsely ground soba had a stronger aroma and texture, which I preferred. It was very delicious. However, the customers who came after us were told that the coarsely ground soba was sold out. Also, by the time we left before 1 pm, the restaurant had already closed, so I recommend arriving early. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was calm and had an adult-like ambiance.

It must have been many years since I last visited this place. I used to live nearby when the shop first opened, so I would often come here. It's been around 20 years since then. When I arrived before the opening, there were already a few people lined up outside. I decided to order the coarse ground beef, so I didn't hesitate. The soup was delicious and comforting. The regular customers were enjoying their drinks, looking very satisfied. I envy them. It's been a while, but I left feeling content!

I finished at the dentist at 11 o'clock, so I decided to visit "Sobakiri Tensho," a place that is usually hard to get into. I ordered a large serving of finely cut soba noodles (and actually a small bottle of Ebisu beer). I enjoyed delicious soba noodles after a long time. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was also nice. If you ever come to Hirakata, please be sure to stop by. You won't regret it.

Played an early morning round at the golf course by the river in Hirakata. Finished around 11:00 and decided to try out Tenemaki, a restaurant known for its delicious food nearby. It was my first visit and I was impressed by the exterior and interior of the restaurant. I enjoyed a tasty soba dish. Thank you for the meal.

In the summer, soba noodles and Japanese sake. So far, I haven't found another restaurant that can consistently provide this aroma and smoothness throughout the year like this one. The soba noodles are complemented perfectly by the soba appetizers and the accompanying Japanese sake. It's the perfect balance. (The following is just my imagination) I wonder what would happen if tempura, simmered anago, or smoked dishes were added before the soba noodles. However, I don't want to lose the opportunity to enjoy this soba without waiting in line for a long time, so I am satisfied with the current situation. I will definitely visit again. ^_^

"Mishelin Guide 2015" "Top 100 Soba Restaurants 2022" [Visit] Easy access from Hankyu Railway Main Line "Hirakata-shi" station, just a 5-minute walk away [Queue] Arrived at 10:45 on a weekday and was the first in line, with 10 people waiting when it opened [Order] Thinly sliced duck broth soba for 1,600 yen (soba) with a firm texture. (Dipping sauce) The broth has a rich flavor with duck meat and grilled leeks as toppings. (Table condiments) Rock salt, premium shichimi chili pepper, and sansho pepper [Interior] 24 seats Google Local Guide https://maps.app.goo.gl/1mWL6ULmcHWD8Gza9 Instagram https://instagram.com/i.shige_tabearuki?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==

Duck broth soba, large serving (2000 yen). About a 5-minute walk from Hirakata-shi Station. There was a short wait of about 5 minutes for one person. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice, with sunlight filtering through the trees creating a calm and peaceful vibe. It seems like a good place for a date. The soba had a simple yet delicious taste that doesn't get boring. The crunchy texture and sweetness of the leeks in the duck broth, combined with the refreshing aftertaste of the soba, enhanced the flavor even more. I felt like visiting again.

I used this restaurant for a meeting when I visited Osaka for my 54th soba restaurant visit in 2023. The location is about a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Railway Hirakata City Station. The exterior of the restaurant has an open feel with stone walls and a wooden sliding door entrance. Inside, there is a warm atmosphere with large tables that can accommodate 2 people each, similar to a counter. I arrived at 11:30 am and there were 2 groups of customers waiting, but I was able to enter after a 15-minute wait. I usually order tempura at soba restaurants, but since it was not on the menu, I ordered Duck Soup Soba and Oroshi Soba. The soba on that day was sold out, so I ordered the regular seiro soba. The soba noodles were round and thin, with a subtle aroma. The broth had a strong dashi flavor, which complemented the mild soba well. The Duck Soup Soba came with 5 slices of duck and finely chopped green onions. The Oroshi Soba had 3 types of grated daikon radish, each with a different flavor, making it interesting. The coarsely shaved bonito flakes added a nice touch. The restaurant was busy with customers coming in one after another, indicating its popularity.

I arrived at 12:30 and was able to enter without any wait, perhaps because it was raining. However, the coarse ground soba was already sold out. I had duck broth soba, and the noodles were thin and very delicious! I think the portion size was good, but I could have gone for a large serving.

I visited the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon, but unfortunately the coarse ground soba was sold out, so I had the grated yam soba instead. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very calm and I was able to enjoy my meal quietly. The soba had a refined taste, allowing me to savor the flavor of the ingredients and enjoy the aroma. It was a very luxurious finish. This is a place I would like to visit when I want to treat myself to a little luxury.

I visited "Sobakiri Tensho" in Hirakata City, located near Kyoto. This restaurant was selected as one of the top 100 soba restaurants in the 2022 Tabelog ranking and has received one Michelin star in the 2011 Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe guide. It is a popular restaurant located a 5-minute walk from Hirakata Station on the Keihan Main Line. The restaurant is situated along the railway tracks leading from the station, with a charming stone wall in front. Upon entering, you are greeted by a warm and unified interior with stylish decor. There is a large wooden table for 20 people in the center, as well as smaller tables for 2. The atmosphere is serene, allowing guests to fully enjoy the soba without any distracting background music. Today, I tried the following menu items: Coarse-ground soba, which had a rough texture and a slightly dark appearance, emitting a fragrant aroma. Thinly sliced soba, with a clean white color and a different taste profile from the coarse-ground soba. The dipping sauce was slightly sweet, and the soba broth was smooth and slightly thick. I thoroughly enjoyed both types of soba. Thank you for the delicious meal.

I visited "Sobakiri Karani" in Shin-Fukushima, Osaka in November 2019 and was told that the chef trained at this restaurant. I tried to visit for dinner in July 2021 but found out they only serve lunch, so I came back again. I arrived at 10:45 and there were 3 groups of 5 people waiting ahead of me. The restaurant is surrounded by white walls and greenery, creating a nice atmosphere. They opened at 10:57 and have a communal table with 16 seats and three tables with 4 seats each. The interior has a modern Japanese feel with several flower arrangements. I ordered the 1200 yen set meal with coarsely ground 100% Hiroshima buckwheat soba, which arrived in about 15 minutes. Here are my thoughts on the meal: [Soba] - Made from 100% Hiroshima buckwheat. - Has a beautiful transparency. - The noodles are quite thin and on the shorter side (about 13-15cm). - Good aroma. - Slight umami flavor. - Great texture, not too firm or too soft, with a unique chewiness. - Soba is enjoyable on its own, especially with just salt. [Dipping sauce] - Possibly made with kombu, giving it a rounded flavor, but the broth might be a bit strong as it slightly irritates the throat when drunk directly. [Condiments] - Wasabi and green onions. [Soba water] - Clear and light. Overall, I had a pleasant dining experience at "Sobakiri Karani" and enjoyed the unique texture and flavor of their soba noodles.

I revisited the restaurant after about 10 years. I arrived around 12:30 pm. The coarse ground soba was already sold out, so I ordered a large serving of thin soba noodles and a set of soba kaki. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very calm, and it is designated as R8, so please note that small children are not allowed. Both the soba noodles and soba kaki were very delicious.

In early spring, during a peaceful afternoon, I decided to visit a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant known for its soba noodles. The interior of the restaurant reflected the owner's attention to detail, with a soba-making room visible from the entrance and a milling room in the back. I ordered the coarse-ground soba noodles (1200 yen) and was served a dipping sauce with condiments to start. After a bit of a wait, the noodles arrived elegantly presented on a wooden plate. The soba noodles were made from 100% buckwheat flour, giving them a nice texture and flavor. I first tried them with salt, and then dipped them lightly in the dipping sauce. The soba noodles were delicious, with a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The dipping sauce had a strong umami flavor with a hint of sweetness from ingredients like bonito flakes and kelp. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience, and I look forward to returning to try their soba kakiage and Japanese sake next time.

I love both udon and soba noodles, but when it comes to enjoying the atmosphere and hospitality, I prefer soba restaurants. I heard about a wonderful soba restaurant in Hirakata City, Osaka, and decided to visit. The restaurant is called "Sobakiri Tensho," located conveniently close to the station. It has a gallery-like appearance, not your typical "station soba" place. When I arrived before opening, I saw two gentlemen in their 70s waiting. They seemed to be soba enthusiasts, engaging in lively soba discussions. It's heartwarming to see friends with shared interests no matter their age. The interior of the restaurant is more spacious than I imagined, with elegant Japanese chests of drawers and large single-board tables. Ikebana flower arrangements are placed throughout, adding to the ambiance. The floor is adorned with stylish stone tiles, exuding a sense of calm with a touch of modern Japanese style. It's my kind of cozy soba restaurant. The soba and soba flour set costs 1700 yen, with a choice of soba flour or soba noodles. There was also a set with sake, dried fish, and pickles, but I refrained that day. I chose the soba flour, as I love coarse-ground soba. While waiting for my soba, I admired the decor and flower arrangements. The bouquet-like cluster of blooming narcissus flowers caught my eye. Their delicate pale yellow petals and trumpet-shaped centers were enchanting. The bird-patterned plates for serving added a touch of cuteness. Bird lovers and animal enthusiasts would find them irresistible. The smooth soba flour had a unique shape, resembling an omelet rice. It was fragrant and delicious, and the accompanying soba crackers added a fresh twist. The 100% soba noodles had a rich flavor and a grainy texture. They were also delicious! The dipping sauce had a slightly sharp taste for my liking (Kanto style), so I preferred the salt, which was a smooth and mellow rock salt. The wasabi was also tasty. The thick soba broth, like a potage, was comforting and warmed me up. I was truly pampered by this wonderful soba restaurant that not only served delicious soba but also enveloped all my senses in a gentle embrace. It was a delightful experience.

I came from Izumi to Hirakata to eat soba (^-^) Soba-kiri Tensho, located a 5-minute walk from Keihan Hirakatashi Station. There were a few people waiting even before the store opened! Even after opening, there were customers waiting inside and outside the store! It is recommended to come with plenty of time to ensure you can get in on the first round (^_-)-☆ This time, I had the sobagaki and soba set. The sobagaki was small but quite substantial. When I saw the photo on Myレビ, I thought it looked like omurice, but in reality, it was definitely sobagaki (laughs). I had it with wasabi soy sauce, and it was chewy and fragrant, very delicious (*´ч`*)ｳﾏｳﾏ For the soba, you can choose between thin-cut or coarse-ground, so I chose coarse-ground (*^^*). The mountain of coarse-ground soba was beautifully decorated with shining stars (人ﾟ∀ﾟ*)♡ I started by dipping a little salt from the table. It had a great aroma and a good texture (ﾟдﾟ)ﾝﾏｯ! Then I dipped it in the broth and slurped it up. The balance between the aroma of the soba and the umami of the broth was really delicious ❤️ The cloudy soba water, when mixed with the broth, was so delicious that I wanted to drink it from a 2-liter pitcher (laughs). The atmosphere of the store, mainly made of wood, was also nice, and people of all ages, from young to elderly, visited, which explains its popularity. I thought it was definitely worth coming to Hirakatashi Station just to eat this soba (^-^) Thank you for the meal m(_牛_)m

Thinly sliced soba has a refined taste. The soba itself has a nice flavor, and it is delicious even when eaten as is, but it is on the lighter side. It has a good amount of moisture, making it easy to eat. The soba broth is thick and I like it. I would prefer it to have a slightly stronger flavor. You can take home the homemade chopsticks. The prices are quite high, to be honest. Next time, I would like to try the soba noodles.