OKAYAMA: As temperatures increase across Japan, residents and tourists in the western region of Okayama are embracing a delightful and traditional way to cool down, Nagashi Somen, a treasured summer ritual in Japan.
In the lovely Yamanori Valley of Maniwa City, a restaurant with over 40 years of history has reopened for the season, offering guests the chance to enjoy Nagashi Somen.
These thin wheat noodles flow down a bamboo conduit filled with icy spring water. Diners use chopsticks to catch the noodles as they pass by, dip them in a savoury broth or a thin soup, and gulp them down in true Japanese fashion.
The restaurant, set in lush greenery and surrounded by natural streams, is a popular summer retreat.
It officially started its seasonal operations this past Saturday, drawing families and food lovers alike. One six-year-old girl, trying the dish for the first time, shared her excitement: “It was fun! I want to do it again.” Her mother added, “It’s a perfect start to summer, we love noodles.”
Nagashi Somen originated in the 1950s in Miyazaki Prefecture and has since become a cherished culinary experience across Japan.
