Senkichi

Senkichi

仙吉
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Though "Iya Soba" can be found in many places throughout the valley (as well as outside of the area), none are as elegantly designed as Senkichi. Full of well preserved antiques, delicate paper lamps, and views that look out into the mountains, the cozy feeling here will only want to make you linger well beyond your meal.

Featuring hand-made Iya Soba noodles provided fresh by renowned soba-master Ms. Tsuzuki of Oku-Iya, the menu also features a variety of other meals and dishes including udon, tempura, and grilled river fish. Meals tend to feature seasonal ingredients, which stands as testament to how the owner-chef gives careful consideration to all he serves. 

Located on the main road (Rt 45) connecting the Oboke area and Nishi-Iya, Senkichi is easily accessable for whoever is either coming or going to/from the Iya Valley.
The interior of Senkichi was done completely by the handy owner, Masao Takemoto, who is also the chef. His attention to detail is impressive, and everything has a truly hands-on aesthetic.  The massive tables were crafted from 100 year old butcher blocks he got from Kyoto, and many of the antiques on display were from his family's ancestral home deep in the Iya Valley.

Outside on the wall below the restaurant (seen either after you drive by or as you approach depending on the direction you are traveling) is a life-sized Ninja scaling the side which would be sure to make you look twice. And when inside, try to find the other Ninja mannequin Takemoto-san has hidden in the shadows within here.

Menus are also available in English and Chinese, and the welcoming and friendly Takemoto-san can speak decent but basic English if you have any question. 
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Hours:
Open 11am-4pm daily for lunch
Closed on Thursdays and in winter (early Dec to late Feb) 

My trip
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Local Points
 Senkichi is located on the mountainside of Nishi-Iya along the main road as you approach  Central Nishi-Iya from the  Oboke area
There is not really anything neighboring Senkichi (it kind of sits alone on the hillside within a series of road curves), but the  Michi-no-Eki Nishi-Iya rest area is about a 1 or 2 minute drive (10-15 minute walk) below the restaurant.
Access by Car
By car,  Senkichi is about 10-15 minutes from  Oboke or about 10-15 minutes from  Kazurabashi Junction (for the Kazurabashi Vine Bridge).
Senkichi is located right on Rt 45 which is the main access road for Iya, so if driving in from Oboke, follow Rt 45 up and through the 1km long Iya Tunnel at the top of the mountain, and then descend down about 2-3 minutes into Nishi-Iya. Senkichi will be located on the right within a series of hairpin curves.
If approaching from the Nishi-Iya direction, Senkichi is a couple minutes up Rt 45 beyond the  Michi-no-Eki Nishi-Iya  rest area, and the restaurant will be very easy to spot since you will almost certainly notice the Ninja mannequin climbing up Senkichi's lower wall.
Access by Bus
Every bus which goes between Oboke and Nishi-Iya (multiple times a day) all pass by Senkichi, and there is a bus stop right in front of the restaurant called "Tonotani" 戸ノ谷. We don't list this minor bus stop on our bus schedules, but to estimate the time just add/subtract about 1 or 2 minutes from the next bus stop of  Hikyo-no-yu Shita   (Tell the bus driver when you get on the bus or when you get near the restaurant that you want to get off at "Tonotani" and/or "Senkichi").
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