Municipal Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi

Known throughout Japan as the birthplace of the revolving Soumen-nagashi, it attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually. It is a popular cool gourmet experience in Kagoshima Prefecture.

In 1962, the Soumen-nagashi began using spring water from the Kawakami River and a bamboo flume. Then in 1970, the design of the rotating somen nagashi device was registered, and it was recognized as the origin of the first somen nagashi in Japan.

In 1996, the area was also selected as one of the “100 Best Water Townships” by the National Land Agency (now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). Visitors can enjoy Somen-nagashi throughout the year using the cool and abundant spring water of this area. Dining while surrounded by the scent of wood and the sound of water is a wonderful experience that will fill your heart and soul.

The special men-tsuyu is made with plenty of dried bonito flakes from Yamakawa, Ibusuki City, and Rishiri kelp from Hokkaido. You can enjoy the slightly sweet secret flavor based on Kyushu’s unique soy sauce. In addition to somen noodles, the restaurant is also known for its specialty, washed carp.

The most popular menu item is the “A” set meal, which includes somen noodles, grilled trout, and carp wash. They also enjoy nyumen only during the winter season.

Nagashi Somen is well known, but in fact, unlike other areas, visitors can enjoy a unique style of Somen Nagashi, which is not “Nagashi Somen” but rather “Somen Nagashi. It is very popular among locals and tourists alike.

Soumen-nagashi” is a method in which water and somen noodles are placed in a doughnut-shaped somen-nagashi bowl, and the water flow makes the somen noodles flow. This method allows everyone to gather around the table and enjoy the somen together. This is a revolutionary idea.

In Karafune Gorge, “Soumen-nagashi” can be enjoyed at the municipal Karafune Gorge and several other specialty stores. This area is also famous as a hot spring tourist destination.

Municipal Karafunekyo has a history as the first place to start the “rotating somen-nagashi,” a type of noodle bowl that started in 1962 and became popular, and the rotating somen-nagashi machine introduced in Karafunekyo later became widely used. Currently, the municipal-run Karafune Gorge alone attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually.

Karafunekyo’s somen-nagashi features somen noodles paired with a special men-tsuyu sauce. The recipe using local dried bonito flakes and Rishiri kelp is a secret recipe.

In addition, the “Somen Nagashi” is especially popular during the Bon Festival, when it attracts as many as 2,500 to 3,000 visitors a day. However, this facility is open year-round and offers a hot menu in winter, so those who miss out on the on-season can relax and enjoy it in the off-season.

Somen-nagashi, a summer tradition in Kagoshima, is a special experience that many people should enjoy. Especially for the convenience of left-handed people, we have introduced a left-handed Somen-nagashi machine. Why not enjoy a cool Soumen-nagashi in the beautiful nature of Karafune Gorge?