Turning Somen into 'Summer Entertainment': Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Releases Authentic Bamboo Nagashi Somen Sets

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a historic Nara-based company founded in 1716, will release the 'Tabletop White Bamboo Nagashi Somen Set' on June 10, 2026, allowing families to enjoy authentic nagashi somen (flowing noodles) at home.

Additionally, the 'Outdoor White Bamboo Large Nagashi Somen Set,' which can reach up to 4.5 meters in length with customizable height and courses, will be available for pre-order on the Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten online shop starting June 10, 2026, with sales beginning on July 10.

In recent years, with persistent extreme heat, interest in cool and easy-to-eat somen has risen. Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten saw a 25% year-on-year increase in related product sales in 2025. Since 2020, the company, rooted in the birthplace of somen, Nara, has offered a series of sauce-based ingredients for somen, with cumulative sales surpassing 110,000 units by 2026.

In 2026, the sixth year of the series, the focus shifted to the 'way of eating' itself. Using durable white bamboo for the water channels, Kiso Sawara wood for the water barrel, and Yoshino cypress for the stand, the tools combine functionality with natural aesthetics, designed to be used repeatedly over many summers. The product proposes transforming typical somen meals into 'summer entertainment' to be enjoyed with family and friends.

[Tabletop White Bamboo Nagashi Somen Set: 33,000 JPY] Features customizable water channels that can be arranged straight, curved, or folded to fit the available space.

[Outdoor White Bamboo Large Nagashi Somen Set: 55,000 JPY] Enjoy authentic nagashi somen up to 4.5 meters long in gardens or campsites. The tripod arrives pre-assembled and stands up simply by opening, ensuring easy setup.