Hyogo’s “Somen” surprisingly originated in Higashinada, Kobe! Stone monument installed

Cold somen noodles are a must-have during the coming hot season! Many people may think of Ibo Noito, a nationally known brand of somen noodles, but in fact, the “birthplace of somen” in Hyogo Prefecture is located in a different area.

In this issue, we have learned about a handsome stone monument in Higashinada Ward and its history.

The monument is about a 10-minute walk from Aoki Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway line. It is located along a road near the Sunshine Wharf Kobe commercial facility.

The small stone monument reads, “The birthplace of somen in Hyogo Prefecture,” and on the side of each is also written, “The site of the Aoki fish market” and “The starting point of the Toto-ya-michi (fish store road).

The somen noodles produced in this area in the past were called “Nada-me somen” and were a major industry along with the sake brewing industry, which still represents Higashinada Ward today.

Around 1897, the production reached 380 tons and was exhibited at the California, Paris, and St. Louis World Expositions. It was even awarded a prize for excellence, but the history tells us that all the production was taken over by the Nishibari region at the beginning of the Showa period. I am very curious about the somen noodles that were exhibited at the World Expo!

Incidentally, the “toto-ya-michi” written on the side of the product refers to the road that carried fish landed in the sea in Kobe to Arima Onsen (hot spring). It seems that the road started from this location.

Although Higashinada-ku has a strong image of sake, this reporter felt that the district has a long history of its own.

Detailed information

Location

The birthplace of somen in Hyogo Prefecture
(1-2-1 Aoki, Higashinada-ku, Kobe City)
Google Map