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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Iwate Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko

道の駅 錦秋湖

A stop on National Route 107 by Lake Kinshuko for taking home Nishiwarabi bracken fern and biscuit tempura.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Nishiwaga Town, Waga District
Road
National Route 107
Hours
09:00–17:00
Shop hours. Restaurant Kinshuko is open 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30). Temporary changes to hours are posted in official notices.
Parking
Cars: 34 / Large vehicles: 9
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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

Buy first
Nishiwarabi and seasonal wild vegetables

Nishiwaga Town’s branded wild vegetable is a shop highlight. Fresh wild vegetables appear in spring, processed products are sold year-round, and seasonal vegetables and mushrooms are also stocked.

For a meal
Restaurant Kinshuko

Yuda Dam Curry and ramen sets are the main choices. The restaurant is open 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30), so arrive early for lunch.

For one specialty
Biscuit tempura

A traditional Nishiwaga snack made by frying biscuits in tempura batter. The takeaway anko-and-cheese version is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and may sell out in the morning.

With children
24-hour toilets and rest area

There is one multipurpose toilet, and the toilets and rest area remain available outside business hours. The station is convenient for a break on a long drive.

For the view
Spring greenery and autumn foliage at Lake Kinshuko

Visitor numbers rise during the spring greenery and autumn foliage seasons. You can see the lakeside scenery from the station building.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko is a roadside station in Nishiwaga Town, on the shore of Lake Kinshuko, the reservoir of Yuda Dam. It stands on National Route 107 between Kitakami and Yokote. The shop stocks wild vegetables such as Nishiwarabi bracken fern, seasonal vegetables and mushrooms, and local winter foods including whole pickled daikon radishes and ingredients for natto soup. Restaurant Kinshuko serves Yuda Dam Curry, ramen and meals made with local ingredients. Try biscuit tempura, a longtime Nishiwaga snack made by frying biscuits in tempura batter. The toilets and rest area are open 24 hours, with fresh green growth in spring and autumn foliage visible outside.

  • #Nishiwaga Town
  • #Lake Kinshuko
  • #Yuda Dam
  • #Nishiwarabi bracken fern
  • #Biscuit tempura
  • #Yuda Dam Curry
  • #National Route 107
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Take home Nishiwarabi and seasonal wild vegetables from the shop

The shop centers on Nishiwarabi, Nishiwaga Town’s branded bracken fern, along with seasonal vegetables and mushrooms. Its selection changes with the seasons: wild vegetables in spring, and whole pickled daikon radishes and ingredients for natto soup in winter. Many processed products can be taken home at room temperature, including mixed wild vegetables with Nishiwarabi, bakke miso (miso with butterbur shoots), yuzu pepper paste and buckwheat flour karinto (sweet fried snacks). They let you enjoy Nishiwaga flavors after your trip.

02

Biscuit tempura and Yuda Dam Curry: local dishes to try here

Biscuit tempura, long eaten in Nishiwaga Town, is a specialty here. The takeaway anko-and-cheese version, filled with sweet red bean paste and cheese, is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and sometimes sells out in the morning. Restaurant Kinshuko offers Yuda Dam Curry, arranged to resemble the dam, soy sauce, miso and Mamedaraga ramen, and sets with a small rice bowl. The restaurant opens 11:00–15:00, with last orders at 14:30, so arrive early if you plan to have lunch.

03

A Route 107 rest stop with spring greenery and autumn foliage at Lake Kinshuko

The station stands beside Lake Kinshuko, Yuda Dam’s reservoir in the Ou Mountains. Spring brings fresh greenery; autumn brings the brilliant foliage evoked by the lake’s name. It is about 20 minutes by car from Kitakami-Nishi Interchange, about 22 km from the neighboring Michi-no-Eki Hanamaki Seinan and about 27 km from Michi-no-Eki Sannai, making it a useful stop between Kitakami and Yokote. Parking accommodates 34 cars and 9 large vehicles; the toilets and rest area are open 24 hours.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

A driving break between Kitakami and Yokote

Take a 30-minute break while driving National Route 107

After parking, use the toilets, choose processed Nishiwarabi products or biscuit tempura at the shop, take in the view of Lake Kinshuko and then continue your drive. About 20 minutes from Kitakami-Nishi Interchange, the station is a convenient stop for a break or shopping before heading toward Akita.

Parking → toilets → shop → lakeside view → departure

The shop closes at 17:00. After that, only the toilets and rest area are available.

Family lunch or a rainy day

Stop for Yuda Dam Curry at lunch

Have Yuda Dam Curry or a ramen set at Restaurant Kinshuko, then choose local foods to take home from the shop. On a rainy day, you can eat and shop inside the building.

Restaurant Kinshuko → shop → rest area

The restaurant is open 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30). Check official notices before leaving, as it may close temporarily or serve a limited menu.

Hours

Opening hours

Shop
9:00-17:00

Closed January 1, with shorter hours over the New Year period. Temporary closures and changes to hours are announced in official notices.

Restaurant Kinshuko
11:00-15:00

Last order 14:30. There are days with temporary closures or a limited menu.

Toilets and rest area
24 hours

Available outside shop and restaurant hours.

Family

Visiting with children

Toilets

One multipurpose toilet and an ostomate-equipped toilet. Available outside business hours.

Rainy day

The shop, restaurant and rest area are all in the same building.

Lunch timing

The restaurant closes at 15:00 (last order 14:30). You cannot get a meal there if you arrive late in the afternoon.

Snack

The anko-and-cheese biscuit tempura is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and may sell out in the morning.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

Nishiwaga Soba Road soba festivals

The station’s restaurant has participated in the autumn festival for newly harvested soba and the cold-water-treated soba festival from winter to early spring, alongside other shops in Nishiwaga Town. Dates and offers change each year, so check official notices.

Shop tastings and sales

Seasonal events, such as tastings of whole pickled daikon radish and Nishiwarabi sales, are announced on the official website and Instagram account.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Nishiwarabi and wild vegetables express the local character of this station

The official website and the Iwate roadside station association describe Nishiwarabi, a branded wild vegetable, and other seasonal wild vegetables as central to the shop, along with whole pickled daikon radishes and natto soup ingredients in winter. The shop also regularly features processed wild vegetable products in its updates.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko official website; Iwate roadside station association

Plan around the biscuit tempura takeaway days

The official website recommends its popular biscuit tempura as something to try. According to the official blog, the takeaway anko-and-cheese version is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and may sell out in the morning.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko official blog

The restaurant closes at 15:00 and sometimes has limited service

Official notices announce temporary restaurant closures, days serving mainly ramen from a limited menu, and shorter opening hours. If lunch is your reason for visiting, check the day’s notices before setting out.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko official notices

National Route 107 conditions have affected the station’s operation

Damage to National Route 107 in 2021 led to a long closure. The station reopened on November 30, 2022, when a detour opened. Since it stands on a mountain road, it is sensible to check road conditions as well.

Source: Iwate roadside station association
Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

  • The shop is open 9:00–17:00 and Restaurant Kinshuko 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30). The station is closed January 1 and has shorter hours over the New Year period.
  • The toilets and rest area are open 24 hours. There is a multipurpose toilet and an ostomate-equipped toilet.
  • The anko-and-cheese biscuit tempura is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and sometimes sells out in the morning.
  • The restaurant sometimes closes temporarily or serves a limited menu. If you are coming for lunch, check official notices before you leave.
  • You can collect an Iwate Michi-no-Eki station stamp inside the station or at Yume Plaza in front of Hotto-Yuda Station.
  • About 20 minutes by car from Kitakami-Nishi Interchange; about 22 km from the neighboring Michi-no-Eki Hanamaki Seinan and about 27 km from Michi-no-Eki Sannai.
Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

  • Specialty
    Biscuit tempura (anko and cheese)
    ¥250 each, tax included. This takeaway version is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and sometimes sells out in the morning.
  • Meal
    Yuda Dam Curry
    A Restaurant Kinshuko specialty. Its seasonal garnishes change its appearance; check the day’s notice for what is being served.
  • Meal
    Soy sauce, miso and Mamedaraga ramen with small rice bowl sets
    Sets include a small chashu pork rice bowl or mini curry. Check official notices for seasonal additions such as green chili miso ramen at ¥1,200.
  • Farm shop
    Nishiwarabi and seasonal wild vegetables
    Fresh bracken fern is sold in spring; processed products such as Nishiwarabi Wild Vegetable Mix and Mori no Warabi are available year-round.
  • Shopping
    Whole pickled daikon radish and natto soup ingredients
    Winter flavors of Nishiwaga. Check official updates for arrival dates.
  • Takeaway
    Bakke miso, yuzu pepper paste, strawberry butter, honey and buckwheat karinto
    Processed foods from the shop. Check prices and stock in store.
Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Lunch

Yuda Dam Curry; ramen and small rice bowl sets

The main choices for a meal with local ingredients at Restaurant Kinshuko. The dam curry’s garnishes change with the seasons.

Service ends at 15:00 (last order 14:30). Notices may announce limited-menu days or temporary closures.

Specialty

Biscuit tempura

A longtime Nishiwaga snack made by frying biscuits in tempura batter. The anko-and-cheese version comes in a takeaway pack and makes a snack for the car.

Sold only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; it sometimes sells out in the morning.

Flavors to take home

Processed Nishiwarabi products, bakke miso, yuzu pepper paste, strawberry butter, honey and buckwheat karinto

Many processed products can be taken home at room temperature, so you can enjoy the flavors of wild vegetables later.

Stock varies. New products are announced on the official Instagram account.

Seasonal farm shop

Spring Nishiwarabi, seasonal vegetables and mushrooms, winter whole pickled daikon radishes and natto soup ingredients

The selection changes with the seasons, giving you different things to shop for at different times of year.

Fresh products are available in limited quantities.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Kinshuko

A stop on National Route 107 by Lake Kinshuko for taking home Nishiwarabi bracken fern and biscuit tempura.

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Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
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Updated 2026-09-28Explore the nationwide map →