Hello, fellow travel lovers!
Today, I’ll be sharing about fueling up at Okubo-no-Chaya, the starting point for the Togakushi Five Shrines Pilgrimage.
It’s essential to recharge your energy before tackling the Togakushi Five Shrines Pilgrimage, right?
A light breakfast… but a solid lunch!
I had a light breakfast of bread and coffee at a service area, but for lunch, I fully enjoyed Togakushi's famous specialties.
And it's mushroom season right now!
Inside the shop, there are photos of mushrooms harvested from the area, giving a full sense of the season.
Completely satisfied with mushroom soup and Togakushi soba
For lunch, I didn’t hesitate to choose the seasonal mushroom soup and Togakushi soba.
The soba was well-chilled with cold water, giving it a firm texture and making it incredibly delicious. Compared to those in the Kanto region, the dipping sauce was less sweet, allowing the flavor of the broth to really stand out.
By the way, the way this soba is served is quite unique.
The style of Togakushi soba, called "bocchi-mori," is said to represent the five shrines of the Togakushi Five Shrines with its five small mounds.
The name "bocchi" is also said to come from monks who practiced alone in the mountains, and Togakushi soba carries with it such history and a deep connection to the gods.
And the mushroom soup was simply exquisite! Once I took a bite, I couldn’t stop and ended up finishing it all at once (laughs).
As expected, the local flavors unique to this region are truly exceptional.
First try at soba dumplings!
For dessert, I tried soba dumplings for the first time.
The freshly fried dumplings were piping hot, crispy on the outside, and moist on the inside.
The sweet and savory sauce was perfect. I held back on the tempura, keeping dinner in mind, but I fully enjoyed the soba dumplings.
The atmosphere of the shop was also fantastic!
The atmosphere of the shop was really nice, and being surrounded by the nature of Togakushi gave it a relaxing, peaceful vibe.
The souvenir corner also has a charming, traditional feel.
The staff were kind and welcoming, making it a pleasant dining experience.
Before starting the Five Shrines Pilgrimage, I made sure to recharge my energy at Okubo-no-Chaya, and then set off on a journey through the power spots woven by nature and history!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
