I came to Otaru to play, and I have been visiting various interesting shops lately. I visited "Soba Dokoro Kobiyama" during lunchtime on May 12, 2023, which has moved from the Central Market to the Hanazono area. The previous store information is here: [link]. The owner, who seems gentle and mild-mannered, greeted me with a slightly high-pitched voice as always, saying "Welcome." The restaurant has about 6 counter seats, one table in a raised area to the right of the entrance, and a TV on the wall at the back showing a baseball game. The previous store had slightly poor air circulation and the kitchen's humidity lingered in the store, making it uncomfortable to stay, especially in winter. However, this time, the air circulation is good, and it is comfortable to stay. Looking at the menu, there are two types of soba: "100% buckwheat soba @800" and "Black thick soba @1,000", both available in hot or cold. The toppings include "rock seaweed, squid, tanuki, grated yam, sardines, duck, duck nanban," and others, which remain the same as before. I visited the previous store in 2020, and although the basic soba has increased by 100 yen, the prices of the toppings have remained the same. They also have simple sake accompaniments like "dashi roll, cold duck, and pickles," which can be enjoyed with soba. One thing that caught my interest is the "Duck ramen" only available for dinner. There wasn't a sake menu in sight, so they may not offer it during lunch hours. I ordered "100% buckwheat soba (cold) @800". After about 10 minutes, the soba was served on a tray with a flask, a small cup, and condiments. Unfortunately, the dashi roll, which used to be served on a small plate, was missing (it was so delicious). The soba was not too long and had some unevenness, likely hand-cut. It had a smooth and refreshing texture, but I remember a roughness on the surface from before, which seemed slightly different now. However, my memory from a few years ago is not very reliable. The soba was excellent, and the broth was also delicious, slightly spicy and with a good aroma. The restaurant's evening hours are from 5 pm to 11 pm, closing early, which is convenient in Otaru. I had always wanted to have soba here, but I couldn't before the move, so I definitely want to stop by if I come to Otaru in the evening. Thank you for the meal.

In May 2023, the soba restaurant "Kobiyama" located in the Otaru Central Market has relocated to the bustling nightlife district of Hanazono in Otaru. The owner, who learned soba-making in Nagano Azumino, moved to Otaru with the goal of opening a shop where customers can enjoy soba noodles. Originally opened as "Kobiyama" in the old Otaru Central Market, the restaurant specialized in serving soba noodles. However, due to a dispute with the new chairman of the market, the decision was made to move to Hanazono. The owner considered relocating to the neighboring town of Yoichi, but ultimately chose the current location due to the feasibility of running the restaurant on their own. The new location was previously occupied by another soba restaurant called "Sobadokoro Tsuki," which had to be completely renovated by the owner over a month and a half. The dish "Tanuki Soba" priced at 1,000 yen was ordered, opting for the warm soba on a chilly day in May. The soba noodles were firm and hand-made, served with toppings such as fresh seaweed, dried seaweed, soft-boiled egg, imitation crab, fish cake, and store-bought tempura flakes. The broth was slightly sweet with a hint of bonito flavor. While the soba was made with 100% buckwheat flour, the only downside was that the tempura flakes were store-bought. With the relocation to Hanazono, the restaurant is expected to attract a different crowd, potentially shifting towards evening business hours. Due to the decrease in foot traffic during the day in the area, the restaurant may also consider changing their operating hours. In the midst of the quiet atmosphere caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped that the restaurant will thrive as a place where customers can enjoy a satisfying bowl of soba noodles in Otaru's Hanazono district.