Fusuian (???)

Somehow, Crystal convinced us to walk from Chiwata Station all the way up into the mountains towards the waterfalls in Higashi-Sonogi. What she didn't tell us was that it was more like a hike, and one that took us nearly an hour and a half. Great exercise, but it's a different matter entirely when it's almost 30 degrees out and the humidity is enough to make you feel like you're perpetually in a sauna...

Thus, this homemade soba at the restaurant Fusuian (???) was a welcome reprieve from the heat and hike. Tanaka-san (known more affectionately as "Man-chan") was taking a nap in the corner when we stumbled into his restaurant, drenched in sweat and exhausted. The soba was freshly made, chewy and had a nuttier flavor than any other soba I've had. The perfect remedy.