Tours/Matsumoto/Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch
Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch
5.0(10)Matsumoto1h 30min
VIATOR5.0(2)TRIPADVISOR5.0(8)
+4 photos
At a glance
Duration
1h 30min
Price from
$89 / person
Location
Matsumoto
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 10 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 8
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Welcome Matsumoto
Meeting point
Outside the paid admission area of Matsumoto Castle: Your guide will be waiting just outside the main gate of Matsumoto Castle (just in front of the ticket gate and entrance to the paid admission area.)
Description
An immersive experience into Japanese cuisine!
Buckwheat has long been grown in Matsumoto, lending to its well-established tradition of Soba noodle making. This part of the country is famed as the destination for getting the best serving of Soba and so happens to be the locally Matsumoto City as well. But that's not all with the discovery of fresh authentic Wasabi of the region that awaits you!
- Learn a traditional Japanese culinary art from a master
As our Soba master says, “Nothing tastes better than soba noodles made with your very own hands.” While Soba is a simple dish by itself, making the noodles from scratch is a challenge that combines culinary art with precision knife handling and a dash of Japanese discipline.
- Discover all the secrets of real Wasabi
The real taste of Wasabi is not what you find in plastic tubes. Yes, the flavor of real Wasabi is just as spicy, but much fresher and more nuanced than the store-bought kind!
Tour Options
Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch
What's included
Included
Wasabi Grating & Tasting Experience
Soba Noodle Making with a Soba Master
English Speaking Guide
Handmade Soba lunch with one extra dish included
Not included
Miscellaneous fees during the activity (snacks, souvenirs, etc.)
Public transportation options are available nearby
Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request
A minimum of 500 grams is required to prepare soba therefore, the soba-making experience includes a shared serving suitable for 2 or 3 people
There is no minimum age requirements
Children less than 6 years old can participate for free (Please note that the lunch is still extra)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch take?
Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch lasts about 1h 30min.
How much does Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch cost?
Prices start at $89 per person for this Matsumoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Outside the paid admission area of Matsumoto Castle: Your guide will be waiting just outside the main gate of Matsumoto Castle (just in front of the ticket gate and entrance to the paid admission area.). Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children less than 6 years old can participate for free (Please note that the lunch is still extra)
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Handmade Soba Making & Fresh Wasabi Lunch worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Welcome Matsumoto.
Reviews(10)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
Lisa_O
June 24, 2026 · via Viator
Authentic soba noodle making class and a delicious lunch
Our host Kei and our Sabo Master were so accomodating and they kindly fitted us in to our own sabo class at the last minute. It was such a fun experience and definitely the best thing we did in Matsumoto. The fresh wasabi was a a tasty addition. Kei was a great source of knowledge of his city and enjoyable to listen to.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us! We're glad the soba class worked out on short notice and that it made for one of the better parts of your time in Matsumoto. Fresh wasabi makes a real difference alongside handmade noodles. Hope to welcome you back to Matsumoto soon!
J
JamesfromKinross
May 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Very hands on and enjoyable
Very informative guides and helpful instructions from the kitchen owner made this a very enjoyable experience. The lunch was served with your very own noodles made earlier. Fresh Wasabi was delicious.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your review! We are very happy that you enjoyed eating a local dish made in the traditional way with the help of our guides. Working to make your own noodles from scratch can make the meal that much tastier. We hope to welcome you back to Matsumoto someday in the future!
L
Lana_A
May 22, 2026 · via Viator
Fun to make soba and then...
Fun to make soba and then have it cooked for you. Lots of instructions and help in the preparation. Great to use the big noodle knife. A wonderful authentic experience. Naomi from Matsumoto Experience was a fantastic guide very friendly andwith very good English, she made the experience 10/10
Operator response
Thank you for joining us! We're glad you enjoyed the soba-making and got to work with the noodle knife. Fresh handmade noodles do taste different. Hope to welcome you again soon!
U
UkGreen
April 21, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun activity as a family. An insight into the skill level to make traditional soba. Plus delicious lunch!
We enjoyed this a lot. Naomi our guide was fantastic. The kids loved it and we got to do something out of the ordinary, all the while learning about Japanese culture and interesting snippets about Matsumoto.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind words! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and were able to learn about Japanese culture while having a fun experience making a local food. We look forward to welcoming you back to Matsumoto in the future!
5
534lindsayp
January 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommend soba and wasabi tour
We had an excellent experience making soba with the soba master and learning about/ making fresh wasabi with Elodie (our guide).
It was a lovely way to spend the day in Matsumoto and also gave us some great skills we can take home and try to pass on to our friends.
Operator response
Thank you for the kind review. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the soba and wasabi experience with Elodie and the soba master. It’s great that you came away with skills to share and a great way to carry a bit of Matsumoto home with you. We hope to see you again!
C
clF2126GS
December 28, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Soba making was fun!
Had a wonderful time making and eating soba! An easy low key activity especially if you enjoy soba! Kei was a wonderful tour guide. Learned a bit of history of soba making in Matsumoto and had a bonus of trying freshly made mochi which was not a planned!
Operator response
Thank you for the kind words! We're glad the soba-making experience and time with Kei made for a good afternoon. Fresh noodles and a bit of local history are what we aim to share. We'd love to welcome you back to Matsumoto.
T
Tony S
November 21, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
An entertaining morning
Fun and entertaining. Tom, our guide, was enthusiastic and informative. Very enjoyable.
The noodle making was interesting and achievable with the lunch that followed being very tasty.
Would recommend.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us! We're glad Tom could make the morning both educational and enjoyable. We are also happy that the soba-making gave you something new to try. Fresh handmade noodles always taste the best. Hope to welcome you back to Matsumoto someday.
C
CanTraveler1234
November 12, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent Soba and Wasabi Experience with Locals
We had a fantastic experience making soba noodles with a soba master! It was equally lovely to enjoy our noodles and wasabi tasting in an authentic Japanese restaurant with a local English speaking guide. The soba master was incredibly patient and provided a lot of insight to the process and what it takes to make incredible soba, as well as the traditional way to enjoy wasabi (completely different than we expected). You should absolutely book this experience on your next trip to the Matsumoto or Nagano area.
Operator response
Thank you very much for the wonderful review!
We are delighted to hear that you had a fantastic soba-making experience with our Soba master. It is great to know that he pointed out interesting insights and shared many extra details with you. We take great pleasure in delivering information and explaining about the background of the many interesting food culture in Matsumoto. Once again, we are happy that you liked the Soba-making class and eating it afterwards with our local fresh wasabi and we hope the memory of this experience will stay with you for a long time! We greatly value your recommendation and we hope that you enjoyed the rest of your trip.
6
642sherylr
November 9, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Soba making with a Soba Master
Highlight of our trip! The soba master is gracious and interested in both demonstrating and teaching. He is highly skilled and yet created a relaxed, supportive and fun experience.
Operator response
Thank you very much for taking the time to write a review!
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your soba-making experience! We always strive to deliver a fun and relaxing experience and we are happy to hear that we achieved our goal. Thank you so much for your kind words!
