Soba Day

What Is Soba Day?

October 8th is "Soba Day" in Japan. It was established by the Tokyo Noodle Restaurant Sanitation Association, which counts about 2,500 soba shops and other restaurants as members, and is registered with the Japan Anniversary Association. The date reflects that October is when new-harvest soba reaches the market, as well as a wordplay reading of 10-8 as "so-ba." The day aims to get more people to enjoy delicious soba.

A Date Chosen for the New Soba Season

Soba is one of Japan's signature dishes, alongside sushi and tempura. It is enjoyed in many forms, from specialty shops and restaurant chains to dried noodles and instant cups.

• Wordplay: 10 (so) and 8 (ba) make "soba"
• Seasonal origin: October is when the year's new-harvest soba appears
• Established by: the Tokyo Noodle Restaurant Sanitation Association, founded in 1958
• Another "Soba Day": the Japan Noodle Industry Federation designates the last day of every month as Soba Day

"Nihachi" Soba vs. "Juwari" Soba

Buckwheat flour has little starch and breaks easily when rolled thin, so wheat flour is usually added as a binder. Noodles made with 8 parts buckwheat to 2 parts wheat are called "nihachi soba," while those made from buckwheat alone are "juwari soba." The menu is just as varied: zaru soba, kake soba, tempura soba, kitsune soba, tanuki soba, tsukimi soba, kamo seiro and more. Buckwheat is also a common allergen, so keep that in mind when eating with others.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Try this year's new-harvest soba for lunch or dinner
• Compare nihachi soba and juwari soba
• Order something different from usual, like zaru or kake soba
• Look up regional soba specialties across Japan

Welcome Autumn With Fragrant New Soba

Soba is often associated with New Year's Eve, but enjoying fragrant new-harvest soba is a pleasure unique to autumn. On October 8th, let a bowl of soba bring you the flavor of the changing season.