The homely-style "Opposite Stone" – enjoy soba noodles with autumn scenery and a full riverside view

Text and photos byForty-five degrees to the upper right

After the exhausting but picturesque journey of admiring the maple leaves at mountain temples, it’s time for a well-deserved meal and rest. Without any prior plans, I wandered down the mountain toward the station and stumbled upon a restaurant that looked inviting.

I remember passing by Hōju Bridge in the morning and seeing this large rock on the right: next to the Opposite Stone was a house with huge windows, which turned out to be the very place I ended up dining at. The restaurant is also called "Opposite Stone."

The shop entrance is clean and tidy, still lush with flowers and plants even in late autumn. Rocks picked up from the stream are casually placed along the fence, and the wheel displaying the menu is particularly eye-catching.

Being new to the area and not knowing anything beforehand, stepping into a place to eat can feel a bit intimidating; fortunately, the shop displays food models right at the entrance. It’s a soba noodle specialty shop, and they even serve imoni (potato and meat stew), which the upper right corner absolutely loves~~

The prices are clearly marked, and honestly, they’re really cheap too. The most filling dish, the Banana Fan, is only 1,360 yen?? Not bad at all, and the portion is quite generous. There are also some more reasonably priced options, but if you want to splurge, those options seem to come with a bit more oomph too).

Once inside, you’re greeted by a rather homey kitchen. It has a slightly messy, everyday-family kind of vibe.

The hearth inside the shop is blazing warmly, making the whole space feel cozy—no need to fear the 5°C outside. A kettle of hot tea warms up chilly visitors on the stove.

Aside from the slightly cluttered kitchen and counter, the atmosphere is wonderful. The dining area is spotless, and even better is the full riverside view.

A little late, an elderly gentleman was sitting by the window enjoying the autumn scenery while eating soba noodles—it looked incredibly relaxing. The little potted maple leaf on the windowsill mirrored the trees outside.

The menu is a bit old, but recommended dishes are highlighted, and the descriptions are quite clear. You can add 100 yen to various noodle dishes for extras. I wanted to order the grilled salmon and mountain vegetables, but they were sold out...

The toothpick holder shaped like a green snake—well, there’s a temple nearby just in case it needs to be subdued (laughs).

The free side dish that came with the meal. The pickled radish was super crisp and juicy, making a satisfying crunch with every bite. The greens tasted a bit like preserved mustard greens, but nothing special—just boiled.

I ordered the imoni soba (1,050 yen). It wasn’t actually imoni (laughs), but more like a version you’d find in Yamagata. The broth had a deeper color but was surprisingly light, with a moderate saltiness and a faint dashi aroma. If I weren’t in a rush to catch a train, I think I would have finished it all.

The beef was tender and well-cooked, but otherwise nothing extraordinary.

The potato, being one of Yamagata’s specialties, was of course delicious without question. And because they were small, they lacked some of the starchy heaviness and instead had a soft, sticky texture that was rich and tender—truly unforgettable.

[Strong Point]

Address: 4411 Yamadera, Yamagata City

Phone: 023-695-2116