Yamaguchi
Local Guide
[Yamaguchi] A Road Trip to Discover the Spectacular Views of the Sea of Japan: 6 Roadside Stations with Delicious Souvenirs and Local Cuisine

“Roadside Stations” are hubs for local specialties and gourmet foods. Whether you’re taking a break between sightseeing stops or just passing through on a drive, they offer plenty of fun—from buying souvenirs to enjoying a meal.Yamaguchi Prefecture is home to as many as 24 Roadside Stations, and the area is packed with properties attracting attention—from one that claims to be the “birthplace of Roadside Stations” to another that was voted number one nationwide in a popularity poll conducted by a travel agency. In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of the finest Roadside Stations along the Sea of Japan coast. Since they’re packed with exceptional items, we recommend setting aside a generous budget for your visit.

The first roadside station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Boasts fresh seafood directly from Nako Port.

The Sea of Japan stretches out behind the Property, and Kashima Island off the coast is popular among locals as a
The Sea of Japan stretches out behind the Property, and Kashima Island off the coast is popular among locals as a "married couple island" for praying for happiness.

Located about 20 minutes north of downtown Hagi, this spot is adjacent to a historic port town in Abu Town and boasts beautiful views of the Sea of Japan. It was one of the properties registered when the “Roadside Station” system was launched in 1993, and it also promotes itself as the birthplace of the Roadside Station concept.The highlight of the farmers’ market is the exceptionally fresh seafood landed every morning at Nago Port. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, and the market bustles with customers right after opening.
“Meotojima” (Husband-and-Wife Islands), floating offshore, is a local symbol of marital harmony. The “Monument to Happiness” on the premises is also renowned as a power spot for love and romance.

Enjoy seafood and hot springs with a spectacular view. Outdoor Experience is also recommended!

The “Chiyomaru Gozen” is a specialty at “Abu Sansen Chiyomaru Shokudo.”
The “Chiyomaru Gozen” is a specialty at “Abu Sansen Chiyomaru Shokudo.”

You can enjoy the fresh fish sold at the farmers’ market in dishes like the “Chiyomaru Set” or seafood bowls at “Abu Sanchoku Chiyomaru Shokudo.” Another highlight is the natural hot spring “Nihonkai Onsen Kashima no Yu,” drawn from a depth of 1,000 meters below ground. Along with the Restaurant, it boasts stunning views of the Sea of Japan.
Another highlight of this property is the wide range of leisure activities available. It features a heated pool—a rarity for a roadside station—which visitors can use casually without a reservation. “ABU CAMPFIELD,” which opened in March 2022, offers a wide selection of rental items, including tents and barbecue sets. Even beginners can enjoy an outdoor experience without bringing anything of their own.


Local Guide

Steamboat Manju," located in one of the tenants, is a well-known specialty of the Hagi and Abu area with a history of over 100 years, and as the name suggests, it is shaped like a steamboat. Carefully baked over a charcoal fire, the dough is filled with homemade bean paste.

Roadside Station Abu-cho
  • Address 2249 Nako, Abu Town, Abu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 60 minutes from the Edo IC of the Ogori Hagi Road
  • Direction Take a bus from Hagi Bus Center and get off at "Roadside Station Abu-machi".
  • Business Hours 10:00-18:00 (Product direct sales shop "Abu no Shunkan")
  • Closed Days January 1, January 2, and the first Wednesday of every month (excluding May and August)
  • Phone 08388-2-0355
  • Parking Free
  • Memo Refer to the website of Roadside Station Abu-machi for the hours of operation and holidays of each Property in the museum.

Boasts fresh fish directly from the fish market. Hagi citizens' kitchen with a wide variety of fresh foods.

In addition to tourists, the restaurant is crowded with local shoppers. Hagi's best products, including fresh fish and seasonal agricultural products, are gathered in the store.
In addition to tourists, the restaurant is crowded with local shoppers. Hagi's best products, including fresh fish and seasonal agricultural products, are gathered in the store.

It is adjacent to the Hagi Local Wholesale Market, which sends a wide variety of brand-name fish to all parts of Japan. The Hagi Roadside Station is a must-see sightseeing spot in Hagi, a city full of tourist attractions such as "Shoin Shrine" and "Hagi Meirin Gakusha.
The fresh fresh fish directly delivered from the market is the center of Hagi's culinary attractions, and the array of fresh foods on display is truly the kitchen of the citizens of Hagi. In addition to local sake such as "Toyo Bijin" and "Nagato Kyo," there is a wide selection of souvenirs such as dried sea urchins, bottled sea urchins, and summer orange products. Be sure to check out the "Yoshida Shoin no Potato Chip," which has been introduced in the media.

From fresh fish dishes to sweets, gourmet delights abound!

Hagi Purintei
Hagi Purintei" is rapidly gaining popularity as a new Hagi specialty. The local sauces, such as natsumikan marmalade, are delicious!

Dining Areas "Hama Ryori Gangan," "Restaurant Kihagi," and "Restaurant Ishintei" are all popular. Visitors can enjoy a variety of fresh fish dishes, such as set menus and rice bowls, using seasonal "Hagi fish. In addition, sashimi packets, nigiri-zushi (hand-rolled sushi), and freshly fried tempura (fish paste tempura) are available at the fresh goods section. After making a purchase, we recommend snacking on the outdoor terrace while feeling the sea breeze.
In addition, the second store of "Hagi Purintei," which has its main store in "Hagi Castle Town," is not to be missed. The shop boasts of its melt-in-your-mouth smoothness and offers a wide variety of sauces such as "Hagi Natsumikan" and "Nagisa Purin.


Local Guide

Events are held to celebrate seasonal fish, such as “mafugu” (pufferfish) in early spring and “setuki aji” (shore-caught horse mackerel) from May through August. The adjacent “Shinsui Park” features approximately 120 Kawazu cherry trees, which reach full bloom from late February to early March.

Roadside Station Hagi Shimaato
  • Address 4160-61 Tsubaki-Higashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 35 minutes from the Edo IC of the Ogori Hagi Road
  • Direction by bus Take a bus from Hagi Bus Center and get off at "Michi no Eki Hagi Shi-Mato".
  • Hours Monday–Friday 9:30 AM–6:00 PM; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
    Winter hours (November–February): Open until 5:00 PM
  • Closed Days January 1 and one day per month (dates vary; see website for details)
  • Phone 0838-24-4937
  • Parking Free

Hagi Oukan, a roadside station on the "Hagi Oukan" road that was traveled by the warriors at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate

The
The "Nanairo Marche" agricultural products direct sales shop is full of seasonal Hagi vegetables and fruits. The best products are carefully selected by a vegetable sommelier.

Located at the southern gateway to Hagi, down the mountain to downtown Hagi, it also houses the Shoin Memorial Museum. Statues of Yoshida Shoin, Takasugi Shinsaku, and other Choshu clan warriors line the grounds, making it a popular photo spot.
The Property is proud of its mountain produce. Staff/staff members are certified by the Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association, and it is the only roadside station in the prefecture that handles fruits and vegetables certified by the association. The shop offers seasonal specialties such as "Hagi Tamage Eggplant" and "Aijima Watermelon" in summer, "Onihoppe" (Property's original brand of the "Benihoppe" strawberry variety) in winter, and "Amanatsu" (sweet summer) in early summer.

Enjoy Hagi at home! Lots of original products such as marmalade and bath salts

Hagi Kaori Scenery no Yu
Hagi Kaori Scenery no Yu" bath salts can be purchased in packages of just one.

The “Local Products Hall” is lined with Hagi’s finest specialties.In addition to agricultural and livestock products—such as summer mandarin sweets, marmalade, local sake brands like “Nagato-kyo” and “Yachiyo,” and processed goods made from “Kenran Beef” and “Mutsumi Pork”—you’ll also find “Hagi Glass” and “Hagi-yaki” pottery.Don’t miss the Property’s exclusive original products, such as ponzu sauce and dressings.
We recommend the bath salts “Hagi Kaori Fukei no Yu.”Available in three varieties—"Hagi Camellia Path," "Hagi Castle Town: Natsumikan Blossoms," and "Hagi・Kikugahama: White Sand and Green Pines"—these come in stylish packaging and are popular as convenient souvenirs. Soak in the scenery of Hagi while soothing the fatigue of your journey.


Local Guide

Miran Beef Dining Gen offers exquisite hamburgers and rice bowls made from Miran beef and Mutsumi pork! At "Udon Jaya Orange Tei," you can enjoy Yamaguchi Prefecture's famous "kawara soba" (kawara soba). For dessert, try the "Premium Natsumikan Soft" at the snack corner!

Roadside Station Hagi Oukan
  • Address 1258 Kashigezaka, Tsubaki, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 20 minutes from the Edo IC of the Ogori Hagi Road
  • Business hours 9:00-18:00
  • Closed Days Open daily
  • Phone 0838-22-9889
  • Parking Free
  • Memo Refer to the Property's website for Restaurant hours.

A full lineup of delicacies from the mountains and sea of Nagato! A full lineup of souvenirs, including the famous Senzaki Kamaboko!

A wide variety of fresh fish, processed seafood, agricultural products, and prepared foods! Senzaki Kamaboko, a specialty product, has one of the best selections in the prefecture.
A wide variety of fresh fish, processed seafood, agricultural products, and prepared foods! Senzaki Kamaboko, a specialty product, has one of the best selections in the prefecture.

Facing Senzaki Bay in Nagato City, the shop offers a wide variety of specialty products, centering on fresh fish and processed marine products. The wide selection of goods makes it a fun place to pick out souvenirs. This is the newest Property among the 24 roadside stations in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and attracts not only tourists but also many shoppers from within the prefecture in search of the delicacies and delicacies that Nagato and its neighboring regions are proud of.
The "Nagato Toy Museum" on the premises is a hot spot for children, where they can play with a variety of toys made from local wood. The warmth of the wood is soothing and recommended for a refreshing break after a long day of traveling with the family.

Seafood and yakitori! Enjoy Nagato's gourmet food!

The dining area where
The dining area where "Sengoku" boasts seafood and "Chikuzen" Nagato's yakitori, along with the tourist information center "YUKUTE".

More than 10 restaurants line the street, where you can enjoy seafood, yakitori (grilled chicken), and other local delicacies. Popular restaurants include Chikuzen, a famous Nagato yakitori restaurant; Himonya Shokudo Hidamari, where you can enjoy local fish dishes; Sengoku, a live fish restaurant and sushi restaurant; and Senzaki Honmaru.
The "Grill House," where you can enjoy seafood barbeques without leaving the kitchen, has a system whereby customers purchase their own ingredients at the adjacent agricultural and marine products direct sales counter. In other words, all the products lined up in Senza Kitchen can be served as the menu. The menu includes a wide variety of shellfish such as turban shells and abalone, as well as dried fish, and seasonal specialty vegetables are not to be missed.


Local Guide

Senzaki is famous for its "Yaki-nuki Kamaboko" (baked kamaboko), which has an elegant flavor without any peculiarities. The kamaboko corner has one of the largest selections in the prefecture, with some of the finest kamaboko available for over 1,000 yen a piece, a price that is hard to find even for locals.

Roadside Station Senza Kitchen
  • Address4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 45 minutes from the Mine IC of the Chugoku Expressway
  • Bus Direction Take a bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at Senza Kitchen.
  • Business Hours 9:00-18:00 (direct sales)
  • Regular holiday 2nd Thursday of the month (open on national holidays and in August), January 1
  • Phone 0837-27-0300
  • Parking Free
  • Memo See Senza Kitchen website for hours of operation of each store and toy museum.

The westernmost roadside station in Honshu, the closest to the spectacular Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge!

Restaurant
Restaurant "Wakuwaku-tei" offers a spectacular view. Kakunoshima Ohashi Bridge can be seen beyond the beautiful sea.

It’s about a 10-minute drive from “Tsunoshima,” a popular spot in Toyokita Town, Shimonoseki City, and you can even see the Tsunoshima Bridge in the distance from the property.It was ranked No. 1 nationwide in both the “I’m Glad I Went! Roadside Station Rankings 2016” and the “Roadside Station Rankings 2018: Chosen by Travelers’” (both on TripAdvisor), making it one of the most notable roadside stations in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
At “Wakuwaku-tei: Restaurant of the Sea and Sunset,” you can savor seafood from Kitaura with a diverse menu, including the “Wakuwaku Seafood Bowl.” Don’t miss the dishes featuring Shimonoseki specialties like “fugu” (pufferfish) and “whale meat.”

Original products recommended by Hokkun!

The product center is crowded with customers from the moment it opens. The orange character is the Property's mascot,
The product center is crowded with customers from the moment it opens. The orange character is the Property's mascot, "Hokkun.

The “Hohoku Yume Ichiba” local products hall is brimming with fresh seafood landed in various parts of Kitaura, as well as fruits and vegetables unique to Hohoku. Be sure to check the property’s website and social media before your visit for the latest information on seasonal arrivals and special offers.Popular staples include products featuring the property’s mascot character, “Hokkun,” such as “Hohoku Okoge Senbei” and “Hohoku Pudding.” At “Maison de la Mer,” a bakery specializing in freshly baked bread, you’ll find a wide selection of bread loaves and original breads made with ingredients from Toyohoku.These make great snacks to pick up for your trip.


Local Guide

When it comes to seafood delicacies, don’t miss the fresh fish section. It’s packed with items exclusive to the Property, such as “Omakase Nigiri Sushi” made with locally caught fish sourced that very day, jumbo-sized “Seafood Inari,” and “Akamoku Shirasu Rice Bowl.”

Roadside Station Kitaura Kaido Toyokita
  • Address 314-1 Kanda-kami, Toyohoku-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 60 minutes from Shimonoseki IC on Chugoku Expressway
  • Bus Direction From Takibe Station on the JR San’in Main Line, take the train bound for “Tsunoshima” and get off at “Michi-no-Eki Hōhoku”; the destination is right there.
  • Business Hours 8:30-18:00 (Please check the Property website *Subject to seasonal changes; hours may be shortened depending on the status of the new Corona model)
  • Regular holiday The 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (check the Property website *Subject to seasonal variations)
  • Phone 083-786-0111
  • Parking Free
  • Memo Refer to the Property website for hours of operation of the Restaurant and Bakery.

An experience-based roadside station where you can savor Shimonoseki’s rich nature and cuisine

A wide variety of products—including Toyoda Town’s specialty pears, game meat, and honey—are lined up for visitors
A wide variety of products—including Toyoda Town’s specialty pears, game meat, and honey—are lined up for visitors

Located in Toyoda Town, about a 50-minute drive from Shimonoseki Station, this roadside station features a local specialty market, dining options, and hot spring properties. Nestled among the mountains, the surrounding area is also known as a prime spot for fireflies, and in June, many tourists from across the country visit to enjoy the magical spectacle.
The sales area features Toyoda Town’s specialty pears, along with other locally grown agricultural products and processed goods. The town is also famous for its game meat; wild boar and deer processed at the town’s Game Meat Center are renowned for their mild flavor and delicious taste. Since some items sell out by the afternoon, it’s best to visit in the morning.

Enjoy a relaxing moment at the “Hotaru no Yu” hot spring property

The hot spring property features two baths with different themes (which alternate between men’s and women’s use each month), each equipped with both indoor and Outdoor hot spring baths
The hot spring property features two baths with different themes (which alternate between men’s and women’s use each month), each equipped with both indoor and Outdoor hot spring baths

The “Hotaru no Yu” hot spring property features a mildly alkaline natural hot spring known for promoting beautiful skin, and is equipped with a large Public hot spring, an Outdoor hot spring, and a sauna. A Yuagari lounge is also available, allowing you to soothe the fatigue of travel at your own leisurely pace. Before heading out, we recommend stopping by the Restaurant or café to recharge with dishes made from local ingredients.
In addition, the facility hosts events in collaboration with local businesses—such as honey sold by weight and sake tastings—to showcase the town’s charm. It’s one of those roadside stations that’s well worth the trip, where you can fully experience all that Toyoda Town has to offer.


Local Guide

The Roadside Station also accepts reservations for the “Firefly Boat” event held in June and for pear picking at the 15 pear orchards in the surrounding area. When you visit Toyoda Town, be sure to enjoy these unique local experiences.

Roadside Station Hotaru Kaido Nishinoichi
  • Address 876-4 Oaza Nakamura, Toyoda-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 50 minutes by car from JR Shimonoseki Station
  • Business Hours 8:30 AM–9:00 PM
  • Closed Days The 4th Tuesday of the month *Subject to change
  • Phone 083-767-0241
  • Parking Free

MAP

Nearby Hoshino Resorts Properties
Back to Top of Article
*The information provided is current as of the article’s update date. Please check in advance before visiting, as details are subject to change.