Yamaguchi
Local Guide
Must-Stop Spots on Your Road Trip! 5 Recommended Roadside Stations on the Japan Sea Coast of Yamaguchi Prefecture

"Roadside Stations" are hubs for local specialties and gourmet food. Whether you’re taking a break between sightseeing spots or stopping by during a drive, there’s plenty to enjoy, from buying souvenirs to grabbing a meal.Yamaguchi Prefecture is home to 24 Roadside Stations, including properties that claim to be the “birthplace of Roadside Stations” and one that was voted number one nationwide in a travel agency poll—there are plenty of noteworthy spots to choose from. In this article, we’ll introduce five carefully selected stations on the Sea of Japan coast. Since they’re packed with exquisite items, we recommend setting aside a generous budget for your visit.

Yamaguchi Prefecture’s first Roadside Station. We pride ourselves on seafood delivered directly from Nako Port, boasting exceptional freshness

The Sea of Japan stretches out behind the property, and Kashima Island, floating offshore, is beloved by locals as the “Island of Married Couples,” a symbol of marital harmony
The Sea of Japan stretches out behind the property, and Kashima Island, floating offshore, is beloved by locals as the “Island of Married Couples,” a symbol of marital harmony

Located about 30 minutes north of Hagi city center, this spot is adjacent to the historic port town of Abu and boasts beautiful views of the Sea of Japan. It was one of the first properties registered when the Roadside Station system was launched in 1993 and proudly promotes itself as the birthplace of the 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 is bustling with customers right after opening.
"Meotojima" (Couple Island), floating offshore, is a local symbol of marital harmony. The "Monument of Happiness" on the premises is also renowned as a power spot for love and romance.

Enjoy seafood cuisine with spectacular views and hot springs. Outdoor experiences are also recommended

The signature “Kashima Gozen” (1,980 yen) at “Hajimari no Restaurant Kashima.” The five types of sashimi vary depending on the day’s catch
The signature “Kashima Gozen” (1,980 yen) at “Hajimari no Restaurant Kashima.” The five types of sashimi vary depending on the day’s catch

You can enjoy the fresh fish sold at the direct sales shop in sashimi set meals and seafood bowls at “Hajimari no Restaurant Kashima.” Another highlight is the natural hot spring “Nihonkai Onsen Kashima no Yu,” drawn from 1,000 meters underground. Like the Restaurant, it boasts stunning views of the Sea of Japan.
Another highlight of the property is its wide range of leisure activities. It features a heated pool—a rare find for a roadside station—which you can use casually without a reservation. "ABU CAMPFIELD," which opened in March 2022, offers a full selection of rental items, including tents and barbecue sets. Even beginners can enjoy an outdoor experience without bringing anything.

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Located in one corner of the complex, "Steamboat Manju" is a well-known local specialty in the Hagi and Abu areas with over 100 years of history. True to its name, it is shaped like a steamboat. Carefully baked over charcoal, the dough is filled with plenty of homemade coarse red bean paste.

Roadside Station Abu-machi
  • Address 2249 Nako, Abu Town, Abu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 60 minutes from the "Edo" IC on the Ogori-Hagi Expressway
  • Direction Take a bus from Hagi Bus Center and get off at "Roadside Station Abu-machi" (right next to it)
  • Business Hours 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (Local Products Market "Abu no Shunkan")
  • Closed January 1
  • TEL: +81-(0)3-77-78-068 08388-2-0355
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Notes Please check the Roadside Station Abu-machi website for the business hours and holidays of individual properties

We pride ourselves on our fresh fish, delivered straight from the fish market. A one-stop shop for Hagi residents, offering a wide selection of fresh produce

The place is bustling with both tourists and local shoppers. The store is filled with Hagi’s finest products, including fresh fish and seasonal produce
The place is bustling with both tourists and local shoppers. The store is filled with Hagi’s finest products, including fresh fish and seasonal produce

Adjacent to the “Hagi Regional Wholesale Market,” which ships a diverse range of branded fish nationwide, this Roadside Station is a must-visit destination in Hagi—a city packed with attractions like “Shoin Shrine” and “Hagi Meirin Gakusha.”
Centered around fresh fish delivered directly from the market, the station brings together the culinary delights of Hagi, with rows of fresh produce lining the shelves—truly the kitchen of Hagi’s residents. In addition to local sake such as “Toyo Bijin” and “Nagato-kyo,” the station offers a wide selection of souvenir items, including dried fish, bottled sea urchin, and summer mandarin products.Don’t miss the “Yoshida Shoin Potato Chips,” which have been featured in the media and are currently all the rage.

From fresh seafood dishes to sweets, there’s a wealth of culinary delights to enjoy

"Hagi Purin-tei" is rapidly gaining popularity as a new local specialty. Its unique local sauces, such as summer mandarin marmalade, are delicious.

The Dining Areas “Hama Ryori Gangan,” “Restaurant Kihagi,” and “Restaurant Ishin-tei” are all popular choices.You can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood dishes, including set meals and rice bowls featuring seasonal “Hagi fish.” Additionally, the fresh produce section sells sashimi packs, nigiri sushi, and freshly fried tempura (including fish cake tempura). We recommend grabbing a bite to eat on the outdoor terrace after your purchase while enjoying the sea breeze.
Also, don’t miss the second location of “Hagi Purin-tei,” which has its main store in “Hagi Castle Town.” Priding itself on its melt-in-your-mouth smoothness, it offers a wide variety of sauces, including “Hagi Summer Mandarin” and “Nagisa Purin.”

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

Roadside Station Hagi Seamart
  • Address 4160-61 Tsubaki-Higashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 35 minutes from the "Edo" IC on the Ogori-Hagi Expressway
  • Direction Take a bus from Hagi Bus Center and get off at "Michi-no-Eki Hagi Shima-to" (right next to the station)
  • Business Hours Mon–Thu 9:30 AM–6:00 PM, Fri–Sun & Holidays 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
    Restaurant 9:30 AM–Last Order 5:30 PM (may vary by outlet)
  • Closed January 1
  • TEL: +81-(0)3-77-78-068 0838-24-4937
  • Parking Free of charge

A roadside station located on the "Hagi Kaido," a historic highway once traveled by samurai of the Bakumatsu era

The farmers’ market “Nanairo Marche” is brimming with seasonal vegetables and fruits from Hagi. It features a selection of premium items handpicked by a vegetable sommelier
The farmers’ market “Nanairo Marche” is brimming with seasonal vegetables and fruits from Hagi. It features a selection of premium items handpicked by a vegetable sommelier

Located at the southern gateway to Hagi, on the way down the mountain toward downtown Hagi, the facility includes the “Shoin Memorial Hall.” Statues of Choshu domain samurai such as Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku line the grounds, making it a popular photo spot.
The property prides itself on its mountain produce. Staffed by professional vegetable sommeliers, it is the only "Japan Vegetable Sommelier Association Certified Produce Retailer" among roadside stations in the prefecture, offering a selection of carefully curated fruits and vegetables.Seasonal highlights abound, including "Hagi Tamagenasu" eggplant and "Aijima Watermelon" in summer, "Oni-Hoppé" (the Property’s original brand of the "Beni-Hoppé" strawberry variety) in winter, and "Amanatsu" citrus in early summer.

Enjoy Hagi from the comfort of your own home! We offer a wide variety of original products, including marmalade and bath salts

The bath salt “Hagi Kaori Fukei no Yu” is available for purchase by the packet
The bath salt “Hagi Kaori Fukei no Yu” is available for purchase by the packet

The “Product Hall” is lined with Hagi’s proud local specialties.In addition to agricultural and livestock products—such as summer mandarin sweets, marmalade, local sake 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 and dressings.
We recommend the bath salts “Hagi Kaori Fukei no Yu.” Available in two varieties—“Hagi Tsubaki no Komichi” and “Hagi Jōkamachi Natsumikan no Hana”—these come in stylish packaging and are popular as convenient souvenirs. Soak in the scenery of Hagi while soothing the fatigue of your journey.

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At “Miran Beef Dining Gen,” the hamburg steaks and rice bowls featuring “Miran Beef” and “Mutsumi Pork” are absolutely exquisite! At “Udon Chaya Tōtōtei,” you can savor Yamaguchi Prefecture’s specialty, “Kawara Soba.” For a perfect finishing touch, don’t miss the “Premium Summer Mandarin Soft-Serve” at the snack corner!

Roadside Station Hagi Okan
  • Address 1258 Kashigezaka, Tsubaki, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 20 minutes from the "Edo" IC on the Ogori-Hagi Expressway
  • Business Hours 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
  • Closed No holidays
  • TEL: +81-(0)3-77-78-068 0838-22-9889
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Notes Please check the property’s website for Restaurant hours

A full lineup of Nagato’s mountain and sea delicacies! Plenty of souvenirs, including the famous “Senzaki Kamaboko”

Fresh fish, processed seafood, agricultural products, and prepared foods are all lined up! The selection of the local specialty “Senzaki Kamaboko” is among the best in the prefecture
Fresh fish, processed seafood, agricultural products, and prepared foods are all lined up! The selection of the local specialty “Senzaki Kamaboko” is among the best in the prefecture

Facing Senzaki Bay in Nagato City, this roadside station offers a wide variety of local specialties, centered on fresh fish and processed seafood products. With such a diverse selection, choosing souvenirs here is a real pleasure.As the newest property among the 24 Roadside Stations in Yamaguchi Prefecture, it attracts not only tourists but also many shoppers from within the prefecture seeking the delicious foods and unique items that Nagato and the surrounding areas are proud of.
The "Nagato Toy Museum" on the premises is a popular spot for families with children, where visitors can play with various toys made from local wood. The warmth of the wood is soothing, making it a great place to refresh and recharge after the fatigue of traveling with the family.

Seafood and yakitori! Indulge in all of Nagato’s culinary delights

The dining wing features
The dining wing features "Sengoku," renowned for its seafood, alongside the "YUKUTE" tourist information center, as well as "Chikuzan," known for its Nagato-style yakitori

With over 10 restaurants lined up, you can fully enjoy local gourmet fare such as seafood and yakitori. Popular spots include "Chikuzan," a renowned "Nagato Yakitori" restaurant; "Himono-ya Shokudo Hidamari," where you can savor local fish dishes; "Sengoku," specializing in fresh seafood and sushi; and "Senzaki Honmaru."
At “Grill House,” where you can enjoy seafood barbecue without bringing your own ingredients, the system allows you to purchase ingredients yourself at the adjacent farmers’ and fish market. In other words, every product available at Senzaki Kitchen can become part of your menu. The selection of shellfish like turban shells and abalone, as well as dried fish, is extensive, and you won’t want to miss the seasonal specialty vegetables.

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Senzaki is famous for its “Yakinuki Kamaboko” (grilled fish cake), which has an elegant, mild flavor that’s simply irresistible. The selection at the kamaboko section is among the best in the prefecture, featuring high-end varieties priced over 1,000 yen per piece—items you rarely even see locally.

Roadside Station Senza Kitchen
  • Address 4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 45 minutes from the "Mine" IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • Direction Take the bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Senzaki Kitchen" (right next to the stop)
  • Business Hours 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (Farmers Market)
  • Closed Second Thursday of the month (open on national holidays and in August), January 1
  • TEL: +81-(0)3-77-78-068 0837-27-0300
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Notes Please check the Senza Kitchen website for the business hours of each store and the Toy Museum

The Roadside Station at the westernmost tip of Honshu, right next to the scenic "Tsunoshima Bridge"

The restaurant
The restaurant "Wakuwaku-tei" offers a spectacular view. Look out over the beautiful sea to see the Tsunoshima Bridge

Located about 10 minutes from the popular spot "Tsunoshima" in Toyokita-cho, Shimonoseki City, the Tsunoshima Bridge can be seen in the distance from the property.It was ranked No. 1 nationwide in both the “Best Roadside Stations of 2016” and “Travelers’ Choice: Roadside Stations of 2018” (both by 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 "Chef’s Choice Seafood Bowl." Don’t miss the dishes featuring Shimonoseki specialties such as "fugu" (pufferfish), "monkfish," and "whale."

Packed with original products recommended by “Hokkun”

The local products hall is bustling with customers right from opening time. The orange character is the property’s mascot, “Hokkun.”
The local products hall is bustling with customers right from opening time. The orange character is the property’s mascot, “Hokkun.”

The “Hohoku Yume Ichiba” produce hall is brimming with fresh seafood landed throughout Kitaura, as well as fruits and vegetables unique to the Hohoku region. Be sure to check the property’s website and social media before your visit for the latest seasonal arrivals and special offers.Popular staples include products featuring the property’s mascot character, “Hokkun,” such as “Crunchy Chocolate” and “Premium Baked Chocolate.” At “Maison de la Mer,” a bakery specializing in freshly baked bread, you’ll find a wide selection of loaves and original breads made with ingredients from Toyohoku. It’s the perfect place to stock up on snacks for your trip.

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Don’t miss the fresh seafood section for seafood delicacies. It’s packed with Property-exclusive items, including nigiri sushi made with locally caught fish sourced that very day (starting at 1,100 yen), jumbo-sized “Seafood Inari Sushi,” and “Akamoku Shirasu Rice Bowl.”

Roadside Station Kitaura Kaido Toyohoku
  • Address 314-1 Kanda-kami, Toyohoku-cho, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approx. 60 minutes from the "Shimonoseki" IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • Direction From JR San'in Main Line Nagato-Futami Station, take the bus bound for "Hichu," get off at "Waku," and walk about 4 minutes
  • Business Hours 8:30 AM–6:00 PM (Please check the property website; *Hours may vary by season, and reduced hours may apply due to the COVID-19 situation)
  • Closed Closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (Please check the Property website; *Subject to change depending on the season)
  • TEL: +81-(0)3-77-78-068 083-786-0111
  • Parking Free of charge
  • Notes Please check the property website for Restaurant and bakery hours
The information is current as of the date the article was updated. Please check in advance before visiting as they are subject to change.