Hōtō Noodle-Making Experience at Lake Kawaguchi | FUJIYA Japanese Cooking Class
Hōtō noodles in rich miso broth
Yamanashi's Soul Food

Make Hōtō
from Scratch.

Knead the dough. Roll it flat. Cut your noodles by hand. Simmer in rich miso broth with local vegetables — then eat what you made, right here at the foot of Mt. Fuji.

Make & Eat
From ¥3,500
/ person · ~2 hrs
Who It's For

This Experience Is Perfect For...

Families with children
Couples
First-time visitors to Japan
Home cooks & food lovers
Groups up to 80 people
Day-trip travellers from Tokyo
About Hōtō

Yamanashi's Soul Food — A Warm Bowl Full of Tradition

Thick flat wheat noodles — wider than any pasta
Simmered in rich miso broth with local vegetables
Mix, knead, roll, cut — 90 min to your bowl

Yamanashi's soul food, shaped by centuries of cold winters and local harvests. One bowl, and you'll understand why this dish defines this region.

Did you know? — The origin of the name
The Hakutaku Theory
The name "Hōtō" likely derives from the Chinese word "Hakutaku" (麦托), a wheat-based food. The pronunciation evolved over centuries.
The Precious Sword Theory
Legend connects Hōtō to warlord Takeda Shingen — "Hōtō" as "precious blade," the sword used to cut ingredients. Part legend, part of what makes this dish feel legendary.
Hōtō noodles being prepared at FUJIYA Kawaguchiko
Why Hōtō Is Unlike Any Noodle You've Had

4 Things That Make Hōtō Special

Rich Miso Broth

A hearty miso-based broth made with dashi and local ingredients — deep, savoury, and deeply comforting. The noodles cook in the broth, absorbing every flavour.

Thick, Flat Noodles

Hand-made noodles with a satisfying, chewy texture. Hakata-style noodles are thin and firm — Hōtō noodles are the opposite. Wide, irregular, and holding the broth beautifully.

Local Vegetables

Pumpkin, cabbage, mountain greens, and root vegetables — whatever is in season. The pumpkin turns the broth slightly sweet and slightly golden. Simple, natural ingredients at their best.

Warming Comfort Food

Hōtō warms both body and soul. Perfect for cold days — and enjoyed by families in Yamanashi for generations. One bowl, and you understand why locals love it so deeply.

Plans & Pricing

Choose Your Hōtō Experience

All plans include hands-on noodle-making with English guidance. Tap any plan card to see full details and book.

Hōtō & Taiyaki Set
Wagyu Hōtō
Hōtō + Wild Game BBQ Set
Wagyu Hōtō + Wild Game BBQ Set
Yamanashi Tasting Course
Also available Standard Hōtō Course — ¥3,500 / person Hōtō noodle-making + eat on-site. No premium add-ons. Please enquire when booking.

Prices per person. Groups of 10+ may have separate group rates — please enquire. All plans include noodle-making guidance in English and cooking materials. Seasonal availability may apply for some ingredients.

View Full Menu Including Ramen, Udon & Soba Plans →

Experience Flow

6 Steps to Your Own Bowl of Hōtō

1
Mixing hōtō flour and water by hand
Mix the Ingredients

Combine flour and water and mix by hand until the dough just holds together.

2
Kneading hōtō dough in a bowl
Knead the Dough

Press firmly and fold — until the dough is smooth and creamy.

3
Rolling hōtō dough flat with a rolling pin
Roll the Dough

Roll from the centre outward to 4–5mm thickness.

4
Cutting hōtō noodles with a knife
Cut the Noodles

Fold and cut 1–1.5cm wide — then separate gently before cooking.

5
Dropping hōtō noodles into simmering miso broth
Cook the Noodles

Simmer in miso broth with seasonal vegetables for about 10 minutes.

6
Enjoying the finished bowl of hōtō
Enjoy Your Bowl

Your bowl. Made by your hands. Deep, savoury, golden-sweet.

Suridane chili spice
Add Suridane — Our Signature Spice

Suridane is Fujiyoshida's legendary chili paste — red pepper, sesame, and sansho fused in oil. One small spoonful completely transforms the broth. You can make your own in our spice-making experience and take a bottle home.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Hōtō is Yamanashi's traditional noodle dish — thick, flat, hand-made wheat noodles cooked together with pumpkin, cabbage, and seasonal vegetables in a rich miso broth. Unlike most noodles which are boiled separately, Hōtō noodles are simmered directly in the broth, which gives them a deeply flavourful, soft-chewy texture found nowhere else.
The full experience — noodle-making, cooking, and eating — takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes (around 2 hours). The take-home noodle-making experience (without eating on-site) takes about 60 minutes. All plans are relaxed and self-paced; our staff guides you every step of the way.
Yes. English support is fully available at FUJIYA. Our staff guide you through every step in English. We also provide printed step-by-step instructions in English. No Japanese language ability is required.
Walk-ins are welcome and accepted. However, we strongly recommend booking in advance if you're visiting with 4 or more people, or during peak seasons such as Golden Week (late April–May), summer holidays, or autumn foliage season (October–November). Book via our contact page or LINE for the fastest response.
Absolutely. Hōtō-making is one of our most popular family activities. Young children can knead and roll the dough with some adult assistance, and they love watching the noodles cook. There is no age minimum. Children typically find the whole process very exciting, especially the cutting step.
Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a little floury. Aprons are provided. Please tie back long hair before starting. You don't need to bring anything — all materials (flour, miso broth, vegetables, equipment) are provided as part of the experience.
The traditional Hōtō broth is miso-based with local vegetables. Please let us know your dietary requirements when booking and we will do our best to accommodate. Note that the noodles are made from wheat flour, so they are not suitable for guests with gluten intolerance.
Yes. Our take-home noodle-making experience (¥2,500 for 2 servings) lets you make noodles to bring home as a souvenir. You can cook and enjoy them with your family after returning home. A set with Suridane spice-making is also available at ¥3,980.
FUJIYA is located in Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi), Yamanashi Prefecture — about 90 minutes from Shinjuku Station by direct highway bus. From Kawaguchiko Station, we are approximately a 15-minute walk. Parking is available on-site for guests arriving by car.
Also at FUJIYA

More Experiences to Explore

Ready to Make Your Bowl?

Book Your Hōtō Experience

Walk-ins welcome · English support available · Groups up to 80 people

Make a Reservation View All Plans

Japanese Cooking Class FUJIYA · Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi
90 min from Shinjuku · 15 min walk from Kawaguchiko Station · Parking available

Getting Here

Access · FUJIYA

FUJIYA Japanese Cooking Class building exterior at Lake Kawaguchi
Address
3376-3 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi
Hours
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Walk-in last entry: 3:00 PM
Parking
Free · 10 cars available
From Station
Kawaguchiko Station (Fujikyuko Line)
12 min walk
Walk-ins Welcome
Hōtō Experience · English support available
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