Senshin An: Artisanal Tenwari Soba Tasting

Senshin An (専心庵) is a destination for soba purists, celebrated for its dedication to tenwari, or 100% buckwheat noodles. The main draw, available on weekends, is a tasting set of four different soba styles, allowing diners to appreciate the subtle differences in texture and aroma. These often include a coarse, rustic 'ara-biki', a fine 'nama-kiko', and the distinctively nutty 'dattan' soba. The experience is capped off with the house sobayu — the nutrient-rich water the noodles were cooked in — which reviewers consistently praise for its unusually thick, potage-like consistency.

Guests rave about the clear distinctions between the noodle varieties, particularly the deep fragrance and satisfying chew of the coarse-ground soba. The small side dishes are also highly regarded, especially the tender aigamo roast duck and simple sweets like soba tofu or soba pudding. The warm, homey service and the owner's handcrafted pottery displayed in the dining room add to the welcoming atmosphere.

Diners should be aware of a few practicalities. The restaurant is small, with all seating on traditional tatami mats, which may be a challenge for those with knee or back issues. The menu is in Japanese, and payment is strictly cash only. Its popularity means that seats are limited, parking can be tricky, and popular noodle varieties often sell out before closing time.

For the quality of handcrafted soba on offer, Senshin An represents excellent value. Lunch typically costs between ¥2,000 and ¥2,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥2,000–¥2,200 for the four-type tasting set, ¥1,300 for a standard soba set, and ¥550–¥660 for an order of roast duck.

• Getting There: The restaurant is about a 10-minute drive from JR Kofu Station.
• Reservations: Walk-in only. Reservations are not accepted. Arrive early, especially on weekends, as queues can form and items may sell out.
• Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Seating: All 16 seats are on traditional tatami mats. There are no chairs.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Parking: A small car park is available, with a second lot located a short distance away.