
Honke Owariya Main Branch
Experience over 550 years of culinary tradition at Honke Owariya, Japan's oldest soba restaurant, set in a historic machiya.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Honke Owariya Main Branch

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience over 550 years of culinary tradition at Honke Owariya, Japan's oldest soba restaurant, set in a historic machiya.
"The oldest restaurant in Kyoto, where we ate really well, famous for its soba."
Arrive Early for Seating
Expect a wait of 30-60 minutes. Arrive before opening to be first in line.
Try Unique Soba Varieties
Explore dishes like Nishin Soba (herring) or cold soba sets with diverse condiments.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Soba / Japanese
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+81 75-231-3446
Address
322 Niomontsukinukecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0841, Japan
Website
honke-owariya.co.jp/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Over 550 Years of Soba Tradition
Dine at Japan's oldest soba restaurant, a culinary institution serving authentic noodles for over 16 generations.

Historic Machiya Ambiance
Experience traditional Japanese hospitality in a beautifully preserved machiya building, offering a journey back in time.

Signature Soba Dishes
Savor meticulously crafted soba noodles, made fresh daily on-site using time-honored techniques.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Seating
Expect a wait of 30-60 minutes. Arrive before opening to be first in line.
Try Unique Soba Varieties
Explore dishes like Nishin Soba (herring) or cold soba sets with diverse condiments.
Consider Off-Peak Visits
To avoid crowds, aim for weekdays or non-traditional meal times.
Soba or Udon Option
Soba can be changed to Udon if you have wheat allergies.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Seating
Expect a wait of 30-60 minutes. Arrive before opening to be first in line.
Try Unique Soba Varieties
Explore dishes like Nishin Soba (herring) or cold soba sets with diverse condiments.
Consider Off-Peak Visits
To avoid crowds, aim for weekdays or non-traditional meal times.
Soba or Udon Option
Soba can be changed to Udon if you have wheat allergies.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Honke Owariya is celebrated for its unparalleled history and traditional Japanese ambiance, making it a must-visit destination. While the soba noodles are a highlight for many, some diners find the taste average, and the tempura can sometimes be soggy. Service is generally praised for its warmth and efficiency, though waits can be long during peak hours.
"I arrived at the restaurant 45 minutes before it’s open. I was the first one. They gave a menu during the queue. They asked me to order before go into the restaurant. I got the table on the second floor. I ordered Cold soba set and Nishin soba set. Cold soba served with Sobayu that was the water from boiling soba. They were all delicious.It was worth to wait. The restaurant was an old style Japanese house that was complicated and had many room,I got lost the way to get down. The price was reasonable."
muanphan koompai
"Pure tourists spot, the soba might be overrated?
It tasted very normal, we tried both hot and cold Soba with tempura. Prefer Hot over cold, Tempura was delicious 😋
Cold House sake was good too.
I went to local places in Tokyo and the food was awesome. Haven't had that experience here in Kyoto as such - this is my 4th Day here."
Fit With Shashi
"A historic delight of a soba noodle place. As their menu states in the back, this establishment has existed for hundreds of years passed through generations of the same family. It’s unclear whether the building has been around that long, but the architecture reflects its long Japanese heritage.
For food, I would say it’s a bit of a mix. They do make delicious soba and dipping sauce that tasted rather perfect, which is what they’re known for. Surprisingly, my favorite thing was actually the minidon, as it was bursting with flavor.
They lose a star for the vegetable tempura. Though tasty, some of the root vegetables were rather hard and borderline crunchy. It was a little too unpleasant for a place so highly rated and famous. The service as great, and I would still recommend this place overall.
I came during the dinner rush and had a 25 minute wait. I feel it was worth that wait, and they don’t rush you inside."
Jill O
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Honke Owariya is famous for being Japan's oldest soba restaurant, serving authentic soba noodles for over 550 years.
Reservations are not possible. It's first-come, first-served, so arriving early is recommended.
Wait times can range from 30 minutes to over an hour, especially during peak hours.
Yes, all noodle dishes can be made with Udon if you have wheat allergies.
Popular choices include the Horai Soba set, Nishin Soba (herring soba), and tempura.
There is no formal dress code, but it's a traditional restaurant, so smart casual is appropriate.
The restaurant is set in a historic machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) with a beautiful, old-world Japanese ambiance.
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The 10 Best Japanese Restaurants In Kyoto
Honke Owariya is a local favourite that specialises in soba noodles made from buckwheat. This family run restaurant has been in business for over five hundred years; during the Edo period they started specialising in soba noodles and the flavour and texture of their noodles has brought them success for centuries. Their noodles are made fresh on the premises every day, just as they have been for the past 14 generations.
Kyoto Lunch | A look at the special dishes that even locals frequent!
Honke Owariya, a long-established soba restaurant in Kyoto, was founded in 1465 and is said to be the oldest soba restaurant in Japan. In a restaurant filled with the atmosphere of a traditional townhouse, you can enjoy traditional soba that has been passed down since the Edo period. The popular "Horai Soba" is served in a five-tiered lacquerware dish called "Warigo." In addition to wasabi, green onions, and seaweed, it can be enjoyed with a variety of condiments, such as sesame, grated radish, shredded egg, boiled shiitake mushrooms, and deep-fried shrimp.
Home of the Michelin Starred Restaurants
Although Kyoto is noted for kaiseki, you can find pretty much any style of Japanese eatery here, from tempura to sushi to ramen and beyond. An example is Honke Owariya, a 16th-generation restaurant that has been selling soba noodles for centuries and dates back to 1465. Although less cosmopolitan than Tokyo, Kyoto is also home to some excellent dining options that offer foreign cuisines, such as the French food at Embellir or the exceptional Spanish food at Aca.
Top 10 Japanese Restaurants in Kyoto
Owning the title of the oldest restaurant in Kyoto, Honke Owariya is arguably the city’s most popular soba restaurant. Founded in 1465, the restaurant is located near the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle, just a 5-minute walk from the Karasuma-Oike Station. Though it has been in existence for over five centuries, the restaurant is largely unchanged and has retained its culinary traditions over the years.
Kyoto’s Best Udon and Soba: Noodle Shops You Can’t Miss | by Yin-Le Wang
One of Kyoto’s oldest and most legendary soba establishments, Honke Owariya, has been serving its renowned noodles for over 550 years. Stepping into this historic shop feels like traveling back in time, the ambiance rich with the whispers of centuries past. Originally starting as a confectionery shop, Honke Owariya became a soba noodle joint that quickly garnered fame across Japan.
Kyoto, Japan: Best luxury Japanese restaurants
In downtown Kyoto, Honke Owariya serves arguably the best soba in the whole city. The buckwheat noodles have been popular with locals for over 500 years, and Honke Owariya has been serving it throughout generations, including to Japan’s imperial family and monks from the Kyoto temples. Dine low with the tatami mats, where a gourmet feast will be served to you and your guests.
9 Recommended Spots for the Best Dinner in Kyoto
Kyoto restaurants are often housed in wonderfully atmospheric old buildings, and this is especially true of Honke Owariya. The restaurant began life as a confectionary shop, and later started making soba noodles during the Edo period. The traditional wooden building perfectly encapsulates old Kyoto, and their soba is made using the highest quality ingredients.
What to eat in Kyoto!
This 548 year old shop is down the street from the Imperial Palace and is one of the most popular soba noodle restaurants in Kyoto. I’d recommend getting a seat here at abnormal hours, because this place does attract lines during peak meal times. Again, this restaurant also requires each person to order at least one dish which is hard when you're small eaters.
Discover 7 Types of Local Kyoto Cuisines to Try
If there’s one restaurant in Kyoto that knows about traditional local cuisine, it’s undoubtedly Honke Owariya. Founded in 1465 as a confectionary store, this historic restaurant began specializing in soba dishes around 300 years ago. Today, the 16th-generation owner Ariko Inaoka continues to evolve the culinary techniques devised by her ancestors.
Best Local/Affordable eats close to Kyoto Station?
My suggestion is that you take the subway from the station to Karasuma-Oike, which will take about 8-10 minutes and cost 210 yen — within your “walking distance” time-range. Exit the northeast side of the intersection. Walk one block east, then two blocks north, and look for the trees on the left side of the street as you face north.
Slurp Up Kyoto’s Best Noodles
Honke Owariya stands out as the oldest soba restaurant in Kyoto, tracing its roots back to 1465. This rich history adds a layer of authenticity to the dining experience, connecting visitors with centuries-old culinary traditions. The restaurant is renowned for its meticulously crafted soba noodles derived from buckwheat flour.
Top rated tours, Unique attractions, Trendy must see-places
Founded in 1465, the legendary Honke Owariya has over 500 years of history. Its origins are reflected in its interior, which boasts a traditional decoration with wooden tables and tatami mats. Over the years, this cozy restaurant has become famous as one of the best restaurants in Kyoto for soba noodles (buckwheat noodles).
Where to Eat in Kyoto: Restaurants, Tea Houses, and More
Soba: At Honke Owariya—which reportedly started making soba for the Imperial Palace back in the 1700s—locals gulp the buckwheat noodles rapidly, else they lose their texture. But the best part might be the soothing, restorative soba-water elixir that’s served at the end of the meal; think bone broth but milder.
Best Traditional Japanese Restaurants in Kansai
Honke Owariya began life as a confectionery shop in Nagoya way back in the 15th century. Its owners eventually relocated to Kyoto during the Edo period and started up as a restaurant specializing in soba noodles. These noodles are made from buckwheat and created fresh every day for a unique texture and aroma.
Local tells Top 5 best soba restaurants in Kyoto!Enjoy Authentic Japanese Soba!
Honke Owariya is one of the most traditional soba restaurants which was established in 1465 in Kyoto. They started as a confectionery shop at first and then they started soba noodles restaurant in the Edo period (B.C.1603~1868). They delivered their soba noodles to the Japanese Imperial Palace in the 1700s.
Neighborhood - Kyoto
Nijo-sagaru, Kurumaya-cho-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0841 – This link opens in a new browser tab. Kyoto’s soba noodles nurtured by Zen. Careful craftsmanship that has been with the history of Kyoto for sixteen generations, keeping the goodwill of a confectionery shop and a buckwheat noodle shop.
Kyoto Gourmet Noodles: 4 Warm Noodles to Eat in Winter
In this issue, we introduce udon noodles from Yamamoto Menzo, ramen noodles from Kyoto Senmaru Shakariki, tantanmen from Koriki, and soba noodles from Honke Owariya. At the end of the page, you will find coupon information!. Order some and enjoy it at home.
Best Places to Eat in Kyoto
This is one of Kyoto's oldest restaurants, which specialises in traditional food. Visit the Honke Owariya Honten main branch to enjoy its long history and signature soba noodles dish. Stop by to taste the noodle dishes with the restaurant for centuries.
Where to eat in Kyoto: 8 places you have to try
Honke Owariya, founded in 1465, is one of Japan’s oldest restaurants. It’s housed in a traditional wooden building with a classic Japanese interior. This alone makes it worth it to visit Honke Owariya!
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Honke Owariya has a history dating back to the 15th century. I've tried the soba with tempura here a few times and is delicious. It's a short walk from the Karasuma Oike subway station.
Best Restaurants in Kyoto
The restaurant is popular among locals, so be prepared to wait. Try a plain bowl of noodles or go for the gold and order the whole set with all the garnishes. Hey, you only live once.
Kyoto Soba Guide: Top 5 Best Soba in Kyoto
As the oldest restaurant in Kyoto, we highly recommend you try Honke Owariya. Soba is their specialty!. Price: From 1,000 yen
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