"Somen Nagashi" Let's catch noodles! A popular tradition in Kagoshima - Ibusuki

Written by ShalomAA

Translated by A. Carnegie

1.7.2020 (Re:29.1.2022)

Does anyone know or have already eaten the Nagashi Somen? It is one of the popular summer traditions and activities of Japan. In addition to having a fun time you can enjoy these noodles by throwing them over a bamboo pole with water and catching them with chopsticks to eat them. If you don’t have a lot of skill with chopsticks, you’re likely to be hungry.

However, in Kagoshima, Somen nagashi (flowing noodles) is more common than Nagashi somen. Comparing only the names it will seem that there is not much difference, but in fact there is, and it is in the way of making the noodles flow.

As you can see in the image, the Somen nagashi is made by pouring the noodles into a donut-shaped container where water is artificially circulated inside the container on the table and then collected with chopsticks.

Here we present to you the Somen nagashi, loved by the citizens of Kagoshima and by domestic and foreign tourists.

　1. “Somen Nagashi” created by “Tosenkyo Kyoda Yusui”

　2. A revolving sink

　3. The birthplace Ibusuki

　4. Developed by a Kagoshima company!

　5. Kagoshima citizens visit Tosenkyo every summer

1. “Somen Nagashi” created by “Tosenkyo Kyoda Yusui”

The origin of the Somen Nagashi is “Tosenkyo Kyoda Yusui”, which is the groundwater of Lake Ikeda. It has been selected as one of the 100 famous waters in Japan. Approximately 100,000 tons of water flow each year, with an average temperature of 12 degrees. That’s right, it all started here, the place that gave life to Somen Nagashi (flowing noodles).

2. A revolving sink invented by the “former mayor of the Town of Kaimon”

In the ancient town of Kaimon (now Ibusuki city) they began to wonder if this beautiful and clear stream of water could be used for sightseeing, so in 1962 they started the Nagashi somen. At that time, the noodles (somen) tossing down a bamboo pole attracted a lot of attention. After that, Hironori Inoue (later the city’s mayor), an assistant at the time in the ancient town of Kaimon, invented a “revolving sink” using a motor and a donut-shaped bowl.

3. From Ibusuki, the birthplace of “Somen Nagashi” to the entire country

Picture courtesy of ©︎公益社団法人鹿児島県観光連盟

The patent right of this “revolving sink” was transferred to the city of in 1967 in order to support the revitalization of the city. Later it was implemented in Tosenkyo where it became popular. “Rotating sinks” were also created for home use that rapidly expanded across the country. In this way Tosenkyo became the birthplace of Somen Nagashi, which today houses some 200,000 tourists annually.

4. Developed by a Kagoshima company! Rotating Somen!

This “rotary sink of somen” was first developed and marketed across the country by a Kagoshima company as a joint project with the city of Ibusuki. Today, it has spread widely across the country and boasts an 80% market share in Japan.

Typically, the “rotating sink” is designed to allow water to flow counterclockwise, but recently, to overcome difficulties for left-handers, a rotating sink in both directions was created. As shown in this photo, it has a two-level structure, with the upper part clockwise and the lower part counterclockwise.

5. Get over the heat with cold noodles Somen nagashi!

Picture courtesy of ©︎公益社団法人鹿児島県観光連盟

“Somen Nagashi”, which is loved by both adults and children. Kagoshima citizens visit Tosenkyo every summer with family and friends.

At Tosenkyo, Ibusuki can enjoy not only noodles but fish like “grilled rainbow trout”, “Koi no Arai” (carp sashimi), and “Koi Koku” (miso soup with carp). The standard way of eating is by pouring somen into the revolving sink in the center of the table, then pouring it into a “Tosenkyo Mentsuyu” sauce, which is a sauce unique to this place.

The term “Somen nagashi” and “Rotating Somen Sink” started in Kagoshima prefecture.When you have the opportunity to experiment and taste this unique dish, be very careful not to get your eyes rolled like the somen.

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