【Onsen Shokudo】Enjoy "Yatsugatake Maru Soba" and "Deer Croquettes" at the roadside station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku in Nagano Prefecture

This time, we went to the Onsen Shokudo at the roadside station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku in Fujimi Town, Suwa County, Nagano Prefecture, which is close to our campsite. We savored handmade Shinshu soba and deer croquettes in a tranquil spot along the Kaminaru River.

The "Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku" in Fujimi-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture, is close to the camping site

The dining area attached to the hot spring is rarely crowded, allowing you to enjoy local gourmet and rustic dishes. The author, who is not fond of eating in crowded places, decided to visit the nearby "Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku" in Fujimi-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture while camping in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

This roadside station features a day-use hot spring called Tsuta no Yu, as well as a dining area and a direct sales shop.

Tsuta no Yu is a hot spring that includes a large public bath, a source bath, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and an outdoor bath, with the water quality classified as "sodium-calcium sulfate and chloride spring." The bathing fee is reasonable at 700 yen for adults, and the facilities are well-equipped, providing ample relaxation after a journey.

Savoring hand-made soba and deer meat croquettes at the dining area

When I visited the targeted dining area, it featured a calm atmosphere with both table seats and counter seats, making it easy to enter even alone. Beyond the window, the Kamanasugawa River flows, and I can see tourists resting in the shade of trees. For the moment, I took a seat and waited for my meal to be prepared.

First to arrive was the "Yatsugatake Maruki Mori Soba" (980 yen). Maruki refers to soba that has had the husk of the buckwheat removed, characterized by its translucent white color.

In addition to Maruki, there is also the "Yatsugatake Arabuki Mori Soba," which is made from whole buckwheat grains, and all soba is handmade, truly a testament to the soba culture of Shinshu.

The flavor of the soba is free of any off-tastes, and the firmness and smoothness unique to handmade noodles is delightful. Combined with Nagano's refreshing climate, it was a soba that was full of crispness.

Given the lightness of the soba, I was in the mood for a side dish of fried food, so I also ordered the "Venison Croquette" (280 yen). It was freshly fried and crispy, a very delicious croquette. The taste of the venison was not overly pronounced, and it turned out to be less gamey than expected.

Since it also came with soba broth unique to handmade soba, I finished it off by drinking the broth and cleaned my plate. I was very satisfied with being able to enjoy such authentic flavors easily. Thank you for the meal.

I wrapped up with the original "Hopedrop Soft" from the Shinshu Tsutaki Station.

For dessert, I will head towards the "Hoge Drop Soft," which I've been curious about since I arrived. The Hoge Drop Soft is a collaboration soft serve ice cream from the roadside station and the milk factory "Yatsuren" located in the Nobeyama Highlands. It is an original product of the roadside station that uses plenty of rich and sweet Jersey milk.

I ordered the "Soft & Yogurt" flavor. The soft serve has a rich taste with deep flavor. As I eat, yogurt appears from the bottom, and when eaten together, it adds acidity to the soft serve, transforming it into a refreshing taste. It's unique yet authentically made, resulting in a very satisfying dessert.

This roadside station has a large parking lot, and aside from passenger cars, there are many camping cars and large trucks parked. Perhaps because it is also close to the Kobuchizawa IC, it seems to be a rest point for truck drivers. The dining area has part of the counter set up as a standing drinking space, and there were customers enjoying alcohol.

Since it’s a roadside station that offers various ways to enjoy, you might want to stop by when visiting nearby campsites.

Roadside Station: Shinshu Tsutakiyado
Location: 1984-1 Ochiai, Fujimi, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture
Business Hours: Tsuta no Yu 10:00–21:00, Dining 11:00–20:00, Last Order 19:30
Closed: Tuesday
Phone: 0266-61-8222

Coverage & Text: Kazuma Tanaka

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