【Onsen Shokudo】 Close to the sacred site of Initial D in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture, "Kobo no Sato-yu," at Ichinoya Tsuruju-an, special tempura bowl

The author, who enjoys solitude, headed to Tsukimaki Onsen, "Kobo no Sato-yu," located in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is close to the well-known drive spot Yabitsu Pass, and I had the pleasure of enjoying the exquisite menu of the hot springs and食堂 (dining hall) bustling with locals.

The hot spring cafeteria is a hidden spot where you can leisurely enjoy local gourmet food

The cafeteria attached to the day-use hot spring is primarily frequented by guests seeking the hot spring, so it is rarely crowded, making it a spot where you can enjoy unique local gourmet and simple, hearty dishes.

Even for the author, who is not fond of crowded places, it is very enjoyable as you can have a relaxed meal without feeling cramped.

Close to the holy land of Initial D, "Kobo no Sato Yu"

The cafeteria is located at "Kobo no Sato Yu" (こうぼうのさとゆ) in Tsurumaki Onsen, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is near the holy land of Initial D, Yabitsu Pass, and I had wanted to stop by during my previous visits to the pass, but I had to postpone due to scheduling conflicts. I am very happy to finally be able to visit this time.

Facility Name / Kobo no Sato Yu
Address / 3-1-2 Tsurumaki Kita, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL / 0463-69-2641
Business Hours / 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Ichinoya Tsurujuan 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM)
Fee / 1000 yen for a day on weekdays, 1000 yen for 2 hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (200 yen for every additional hour)

The outdoor area has foot baths and a museum, with well-equipped facilities. The parking lot operates on a prepaid basis, starting from 150 yen for one hour.

After feeling refreshed, I headed to the onsen eatery "Ichinoya Tsurujian."

Hadano is also known for its soba, and "Ichinoya Tsurujian" is famous as a soba shop. This shop appeared in the TV Tokyo drama "Shimoyama Meshi," where the protagonist Mineko (Miku Shida) ordered "Kamo Nanban Soba (1,780 yen)."

Following her lead, I was about to order that when I was drawn to the "Ichinoya Special Tendon (1,280 yen)" and quickly ordered it instead. I had been on a diet recently and had been avoiding fried foods, but I couldn't resist the allure of tempura and rice.

The long-awaited tendon! Diving into the Ichinoya Special Tendon.

Being a soba shop’s tendon, its quality is very authentic. There are two large shrimp tempuras lined up, making it luxurious. Unable to hold back, I quickly picked up my chopsticks.

The crispy coating and the light tempura dipping sauce are impressive. Despite being tempura, it seems like it won't cause any stomach discomfort, which is likely due to the skill of the craftsmen. It might be said that this is just an excuse for dieting, but the feeling of no stomach heaviness is "zero calories." I devoured it with the fluffy rice, and it was gone in no time. Thank you for the meal.

The spacious facility also offers a休憩室 (resting room) and 土産屋 (souvenir shop), making it a place of relaxation for travelers and locals alike. Along with the mildly alkaline hot springs, you can enjoy authentic soba and tempura bowls, so why not stop by on your drive back from Yabitsu Pass, a sacred site for Initial D?

Written by Kazuma Tanaka

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