today we're in kyoto

sakura is already in full bloom and  everything looks extremely magical

but today we are not here for the sakura  we are here to discover one of japan's oldest restaurant that started in sengoku  period

let's go and discover some more

the restaurant HONKE OWARIYA has been running since the year 1465.

it started out as a confectionary shop in the owari region

and later moved to Kyoto in search of more customers

around the mid EDO period honkey OWARIYA expanded their business to making soba noodles  

at that time soba noodles were mainly made by zen monks in Kyoto's temples

but as they could not keep up with the growing demand for soba noodles

the confectionery shops who had proficient skills in kneading rolling and cutting the dough have started to take soba orders too

SOBA has been part of ancient history but noodles became popular  only around MUROMACHI period

a zen monk brought them to Kyoto from china

and the popularity of soba noodles grew since then alongside zen buddhism

HONKE OWARIYA had the honor of  delivering noodles even to the imperial palace

the restaurant is currently run by ARIKO-san, the 16th generation owner

whose aim is to spread the knowledge about soba and its health  benefits

as well as its deliciousness

Ariko-san is a professional photographer

and she spent 10 years living abroad

it was only when she went to Iceland and took pictures of the nature

that reminded her of the pure nature of Kyoto, that she started to consider going back to  her roots

she has now been leading HONKE-OWARIYA, trying to honor the family's traditions

while adjusting to the ever-changing times

So, how would she describe her experience  working alongside the previous owners?  

it was very short time with my grandpa

It was only  a few years before he passed away

that i could

tell him that i'm gonna take over the restaurant

so it was such a happy good news for him

he needed to introduce me to all his friends  to tell that you know OWARIYA be okay for next generation nice

i grown up in this house and my  dad and grandpa's working here

and my mom and grandma is always helping them

and i come home from  school and i used to eat dinner with them

so i didn't really learn about business  from them

but i learned a lot from growing up with them

because i grown up next door

so the restaurant and home is kind of together

my dad always said to me that people who work here  they are like a family

it's important to try something new to keep our business going

but without knowing the history,

your understanding of tradition you cannot start like new

because it's a completely different meaning

so what exactly makes SOBA so great?

soba noodles are made of buckwheat flour and are healthy refreshing and light

soba noodles are rich in essential acids  and vitamins that help prevent heart diseases

it can also help you maintain strength  and appetite thanks to the vitamin B1  

soba also contains vitamin B2 that is good for skin and vitamin E that is good for anti-aging  

so how about trying some recommended foods from HONKE OWARIYA?

i decided to go for the most popular meal called HORAI

this meal was created by ariko's  grandfather and is the most popular option on the menu

it consists of five stacked trays of soba  noodles

along with eight different condiments

like shiitake mushrooms, tempura, sesame seeds, wasabi ,nori ,leeks ,daikon and omelet

to eat this meal you might want to follow the instructions that  come with it

so the first thing you do is take

anything you like from here

then put it on top of soba

and then add soy sauce

it is a meal called HORAI and it was  made by Ariko-san's grandfather

and she even said that people would line up outside of the store for hours just to get a taste of this

so i'm really excited about trying this

they even  gave me a small manual of how to eat it

okay

super super refreshing

extremely extremely refreshing

it's a bit sweet

sweet and salty kind of combination

this soba is much  thinner than the one i'm used to in tokyo

each layer tastes different because of the  way you combine the condiments and the way  

you add soy sauce

each layer is actually  a new experience because it's just a

different combination every single time

so it's a new experience whenever you finish each plate.

maybe by the time you get to the  last plate you already figure out which combination like the best

so you can  enjoy the last plate with your favorite combination

at the end of the meal make sure to  pour the hot soba water into your cup  

and mix it with salted cherry blossoms in it

this soba water contains all the good nutrition and it is believed to lower  the blood pressure

i'm so full

and what is the key to Honke Owariya's success?

and what are Arikosan's hopes for the future?

in the days, there is a big  respect for each other and  

when we think or make a decision about  something

we think about is it gonna affect like

good for future?

it's gonna bring a good for us?

and also good for future and also good for others?

And also you know respect

Respecting what our ancestors in our past

so it's not only thinking about me or  now

In a very big scale

but it's not only me. i'm not the only one

It's almost like it's that counter spirit

So i try not to worry or think too much about  10 years 20 years from today

Just to be present. But present moment. Every present moment, i'm not thinking about  only about us.

Is this  gonna make good for the earth?

good for the people?

good for our community?

and good for our health?

It's a simple question

but if everything is  yes yes yes i believe even the things gonna change

Or maybe i will reach a good place

I'm sure you will

you definitely on the right path

if you ever get a chance to come  to kyoto

make sure to stop by HONKE OWARIYA and taste famous soba meals that people have been enjoying in japan for over 500 years