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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Miyagi Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Joubon no Sato

道の駅 上品の郷

A generous stop on Route 45: shop for Ishinomaki food, then unwind in the footbath or hot spring.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Ishinomaki City
Road
National Route 45
Hours
09:00–19:00
Approximate hours for the farm shop. The Yamazaki Shop, Futago no Yu, food court, and individual tenants have different hours.
Parking
Cars: 229 / Large vehicles: 11
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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.

See first
Hitakami farm shop

Vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, prepared dishes, processed seafood, and flowers give a strong taste of everyday Ishinomaki.

For a meal
Mackerel broth, Ishinomaki yakisoba, seafood snacks

Keep the restaurant, food court, and outdoor tenants in mind so you have options.

For something sweet
Manju, coffee soft serve, tomaberry

Even outside meal hours, sweets and shopping let you take a little of Joubon no Sato with you.

For a hot spring
Futago no Yu

Check the fourth-Tuesday closure guidance and final admission before choosing a full bath or footbath; the calendar may list a different closure date.

With children
Toilets, snacks, Oppa River park

Eat at the station and head to the park only if the children need space to run.

Short on time
Shopping break near Kahoku Interchange

Even in 30 minutes, you can choose one of the farm shop, cafe, or footbath.

Weekend drive food notes

Eat, shop, or stay for a hot spring: decide when you arrive.

Nono Hinata sees Joubon no Sato as a place to take home a taste of Ishinomaki. Choose vegetables or processed seafood at the farm shop, mackerel-broth ramen or Ishinomaki yakisoba for lunch, or tomaberry and coffee soft serve for dessert. If time remains, visit Futago no Yu; if children need to move, head to the Oppa River. Let your appetite and energy on the day shape the stop.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Joubon no Sato sits just off the Sanriku Expressway's Kahoku Interchange on Route 45, bringing Ishinomaki food and a hot spring together. At the Hitakami farm shop, browse local vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, prepared dishes, processed seafood, and flowers. The food court offers mackerel-broth ramen, Ishinomaki yakisoba, and rice bowls topped with marinated Kinka mackerel or Miyagi salmon. With more time, visit Futago no Yu for its iron-bearing chloride spring, unusual in Miyagi. You can shape a weekend drive around a quick shopping break, lunch, a footbath, a full bath, or a visit to a park by the Oppa River.

  • #Futago no Yu
  • #Hitakami farm shop
  • #Ishinomaki seafood
  • #Mackerel-broth ramen
  • #Footbath
  • #Oppa River
  • #Kahoku Interchange
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Find everyday Ishinomaki food at Hitakami

Joubon no Sato offers more than tourist souvenirs: the shelves hold Ishinomaki vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, prepared dishes, processed seafood, and flowers. Even without a restaurant meal, you can pick up something for dinner or the next morning.

02

Seafood, noodles, sweets, and coffee give you plenty of choices

Choose among Dining Tamariba in the food court, Shokujidokoro Kobayashi, Aoki Suisan with seafood direct from Ogatsu Bay, Coffee Kobo Ishikawa, tomaberry, and a fried-chicken shop. If one place is busy at lunchtime, you can switch to a snack or dessert.

03

Choose a footbath or a longer break at Futago no Yu

Futago no Yu's iron-bearing chloride spring can turn a quick stop into a hot-spring visit. If you do not have time for a full bath, the footbath is another way to relax between drives when it is operating seasonally.

04

Close to Kahoku Interchange, with easy detours toward the Oppa River

The station is near the Sanriku Expressway's Kahoku Interchange and makes a convenient stop en route to central Ishinomaki or the Kitakami River. For children who want to move, add Oppa River Riverside Sports Park; for seasonal scenery, consider the Kitakami River reedbeds or the Joubon Mountain area.

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 short break near the Sanriku Expressway's Kahoku Interchange

Take Ishinomaki food home in 30 minutes

After parking, use the toilets first, then browse Hitakami for vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, processed seafood, and Joubon no Sato manju. Even without time for a meal, you can choose something to open at home or at your accommodation.

Parking → toilets → Hitakami farm shop → Yamazaki Shop or cafe → depart

Seasonal vegetables, flowers, seafood, and prepared dishes change with deliveries. Expect fewer choices later in the day.

A weekend stop around lunchtime centered on food

Make lunch a sampling of Ishinomaki flavors

For noodles, try mackerel-broth ramen; for a local staple, Ishinomaki yakisoba; for seafood, a Kinka mackerel or Miyagi salmon dish. Grilled seafood or fried chicken makes a lighter meal, while tomaberry and coffee soft serve cover dessert. People with different appetites can each find an option at the station.

Check the farm shop selection → food court or tenant shop → sweets or coffee → shopping

Seats, meal-ticket machines, and tenant counters can get busy at lunchtime and on event days. Leave room to switch to snacks, sweets, or shopping.

After a long drive, on a rainy day, or with older companions

Turn the stop into a half-day break at Futago no Yu

After shopping and eating, a bath at Futago no Yu's iron-bearing chloride spring can turn a roadside stop into a half-day break. The hinoki-wood and stone bathing areas switch between men and women each week, so follow the day's signs. The bathhouse also has a shop and Kirara restaurant for afterward.

Lunch → Futago no Yu → rest room → souvenirs at the farm shop

Check official notices for closure dates, the 20:30 final admission, price changes, and peak-season hours. The fourth-Tuesday guidance does not match every calendar entry.

An afternoon break with preschool or primary-school children

Let children run before returning for the hot spring

If the children need more space than the station offers, make a short trip to Oppa River Riverside Sports Park. They can move around at the riverside park with playground equipment and large sports facilities, then return for a footbath, full bath, or snack.

Meal at the station → Oppa River Riverside Sports Park → return for a footbath or shopping

The park closes on Mondays and over New Year; paid facilities have set hours. Pets are not allowed, so it is unsuitable as a dog-walking destination.

A clear day with time to spare

Add one seasonal view of northern Ishinomaki

From late autumn into winter, visit the Kitakami River reedbeds; for a viewpoint, head toward Joubon Mountain; for a rainy-day cultural stop, choose the Ishinomori Manga Museum. Eat and rest at the station first, then add one destination to make Joubon no Sato a gateway to northern Ishinomaki.

Joubon no Sato → Kitakami River reedbeds, Joubon Mountain, or Ishinomori Manga Museum

Weather, road conditions, and season change the experience at the reedbeds and Joubon Mountain. Go in daylight when scenery is the goal.

Hours

Opening hours

Hitakami farm produce shop
9:00〜19:00

Seasonal goods, prepared dishes, flowers, and processed seafood vary with deliveries.

Yamazaki Shop
7:00〜19:00

The table's 7:00 opening matches the Japanese station hours listing. An earlier official homepage listed 6:00, while the live official homepage now lists 7:00. Check the latest official hours before visiting.

Futago no Yu
9:00–21:00; final admission 20:30

Although described as closed on the fourth Tuesday, the official calendar lists Tuesday, September 29 as the closure in September 2026. Follow official notices for closure dates, fees, and temporary changes.

Food court
10:00–20:00; last order 19:30

Dining Tamariba is open 10:00–20:00 (last order 19:30; winter hours may change; no regular closed day). Shokujidokoro Kobayashi is open 10:00–18:00 and closes on the second and fourth Tuesdays and bath closure days. Kirara restaurant may change hours in busy seasons.

Outdoor tenants
10:00–16:00 or 17:00

Aoki Suisan: 10:00–16:00, closed every Tuesday. Coffee Kobo Ishikawa: 10:00–17:00, closed every Tuesday. tomaberry and Hachikeihanzou: 10:00–17:00, irregular closures. Supply and stall schedules may also change.

Footbath
April–September 9:00–19:00; October–March 9:00–17:00

It may be suspended; check notices on site or the official website.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Up to age 1
★★★★☆

A nursing room, diaper-changing station, and bathhouse rest area make a short stop easier.

Keep toilet visits, shopping, and car breaks short rather than stretching out the meal or market visit. Consider bathing time and crowds before using the hot spring.

Ages 2–3
★★★★☆

Sweets, the footbath, and a switch to Oppa River park provide options.

Rather than planning a long stay for large playground equipment at the station, choose food first and move to the park if they get restless. Check whether the seasonal footbath is operating.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Shareable snacks and the riverside park make an easy afternoon detour.

Ishinomaki yakisoba, fried chicken, and soft serve are easy to share. For a park visit, check the Monday closure and no-pets rule.

Primary-school age
★★★★★

Food, hot springs, Kitakami River nature, and the Ishinomori Manga Museum offer both play and learning.

Learning about the reedbeds and the origin of the name Joubon Mountain can connect the station name with the surrounding landscape. On a rainy day, switch to an indoor stop about manga culture.

Nursing room and diaper-changing station

Use the toilets before the rush and break up the visit around meals and bathing.

Mealtime rush

If the food court is crowded, consider the farm shop, tenants, or Yamazaki Shop.

Outdoor play

Check the park's closure days, facility hours, and no-pets rule before setting out.

Hot spring

Keep baths brief for small children, or leave the footbath as an alternative. Check the calendar for the actual closure date.

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

Farm-shop entrance and storefront sales

Face-to-face sales of seafood, prepared dishes, handmade goods, and more change from day to day and over weekends.

Futago no Yu

Watch here for price changes, closures, and seasonal footbath hours that may affect your visit.

Food court and tenants

Limited-time menus, Ishinomaki ingredients, and weekend food events give food-focused visitors more reasons to stop.

Oppa River Riverside Sports Park

Combine festivals, sports, or a seasonal riverside walk with a meal and bath at the station.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Weekend lunchtime draws visitors looking for a meal

Visitors often combine a bath, meal, and shopping, so the food court and tenants may get busy around lunch. Browse the farm shop first, then switch to a snack or dessert if the meal areas are crowded.

Source: Summary of official facility and visitor information

The farm shop feels like everyday shopping, not just a souvenir stop

With Ishinomaki vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, prepared dishes, processed seafood, and flowers, the shop serves local shoppers as well as travelers. Even when buying a souvenir, choosing something specific to eat at home can be rewarding.

Source: Official farm-shop guide and Ishinomaki Tourism Association

The hot spring is a destination, but closure dates shape a visit

With its iron-bearing chloride spring, rest room, private rooms, and restaurant, Futago no Yu can fill half a day. Check official updates on its closure date, prices, and whether the footbath is operating before planning a bath; the fourth-Tuesday guidance and monthly calendar may differ.

Source: Official Futago no Yu information

Seafood, sweets, and fried chicken make casual grazing easy

Outdoor tenants include Aoki Suisan, Coffee Kobo Ishikawa, tomaberry, and Hachikeihanzou. Even for a small snack, you can choose Ishinomaki seafood, tomato-and-strawberry treats, coffee, or fried chicken.

Source: Official tenant guide

With children, a return trip from Oppa River park can work well

Food and hot springs are the station's strengths. Children who want to run can visit Oppa River Riverside Sports Park briefly, then return ready for bathing or shopping. Check the Monday closure and no-pets notice.

Source: Ishinomaki City park information

For seasonal goods and events, check recent official posts

The official calendar lists stalls and sales, while Instagram shows changes in the shop, including Monou pumpkins, sasa-kamaboko fish cakes, natto, and flowers. For seasonal shopping, recent posts are more useful than a fixed menu.

Source: Summary of official website and Instagram
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.

  • Futago no Yu is described as closed on the fourth Tuesday, but the official calendar lists Tuesday, September 29 as its September 2026 closure. Final admission is 20:30. Check the current official calendar and notices for the closure date and bathing fees.
  • Produce, seafood, prepared dishes, and seasonal goods vary with deliveries. If you have something specific in mind, an earlier visit gives you more choices.
  • At the lunch rush, keep the outdoor tenants, cafe, farm shop, and Yamazaki Shop in mind as alternatives to the food court.
  • Footbath hours differ between April–September and October–March, and it may be suspended. For a short stop, check the signs on site.
  • For Oppa River Riverside Sports Park, note Monday and New Year closures and the no-pets rule.
  • The reedbeds and Joubon Mountain are scenic detours. Late in the day or in bad weather, food and a bath at the station may make a better visit.
  • The official site says the EV charger is currently unavailable. Arrange another charging stop before arriving in an electric vehicle.
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.

  • Meal
    Mackerel-broth ramen
    ¥900 (Shokujidokoro Kobayashi)
  • Meal
    Ishinomaki yakisoba (stir-fried noodles)
    Availability varies at the food court and events
  • Seafood
    Marinated Kinka mackerel rice bowl and marinated Miyagi salmon rice bowl
    Varies by season and supply
  • Sweets and souvenirs
    Joubon no Sato manju (sweet filled buns)
    ¥220 for 10 (Hitakami farm shop)
  • Sweets
    tomaberry smoothies and fruit sandwiches
    Smoothies ¥700; fruit sandwiches from ¥600 (prices may change)
  • Snack
    Grilled seafood and seafood rice balls direct from Ogatsu Bay
    Check Aoki Suisan's opening days and current catch
  • Cafe
    Ishinomaki Blend and coffee soft serve
    Ishinomaki Blend ¥480 (Coffee Kobo Ishikawa)
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.

An Ishinomaki-style lunch

Mackerel-broth ramen, Ishinomaki yakisoba, marinated Kinka mackerel rice bowl, marinated Miyagi salmon rice bowl

These are the main choices for tasting local food as a meal. Check opening days and last-order times at the food court and restaurant.

Seafood snacks

Aoki Suisan's grilled seafood, seafood rice balls, and weekend fill-your-bag sales

Good for a day when you do not want a sit-down meal, or want something easy to eat in the car. Catch and stall dates vary.

Take something home from the farm shop

Ishinomaki vegetables, rice, mochi rice cakes, prepared dishes, processed seafood, flowers, and Joubon no Sato manju

This is a good stop for shopping for dinner or the next morning. Locals use the shop too, so look beyond standard tourist souvenirs for something you will eat at home.

Sweets and cafe drinks

tomaberry smoothies, fruit sandwiches, coffee soft serve, and Ishinomaki Blend

An option if you want to avoid the lunch rush or please children or companions who prefer sweets.

A light stop after bathing

Kirara restaurant, Futago no Yu shop, soft serve, and drinks

Combine them with the rest room to unwind before a longer drive after your bath.

Change plans when it is crowded

Farm shop, Yamazaki Shop, tenant snacks, and footbath

If lunch seats or ticket machines are busy, shopping and a snack can keep the visit easy.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Joubon no Sato

A generous stop on Route 45: shop for Ishinomaki food, then unwind in the footbath or hot spring.

Open in Google Maps
2
Day-use hot spring
Futago no Yu

Turn a roadside stop into a hot-spring break at this iron-bearing chloride spring.

Open in Google Maps
Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

Day-use hot spring
Futago no YuJapanese guide
On station grounds; a short walkA short walk

After a long drive, on a rainy day, with older companions, or when you want to rest after a meal. Check the fourth-Tuesday guidance, monthly closure calendar, and final admission.

Park and outdoor play
Oppa River Riverside Sports ParkJapanese guide
About 700 m from the stationAbout 10 minutes on foot or 3 minutes by car

For preschool or primary-school children who want to move, or a short walk after a meal. Note the Monday closure and no-pets rule.

Nature and seasonal scenery
Kitakami River ReedbedsJapanese guide
About 25–30 minutes by car from the stationAbout 25–30 minutes by car

For a clear day when you want to add northern Ishinomaki nature to a meal and bath; especially suited to late autumn and winter views.

Views and local name origins
Joubon Mountain areaJapanese guide
Drive from the stationApproximately 20–30 minutes by car

For adults who want to add the station's name origin and northern Ishinomaki scenery to a meal and hot spring. Choose daylight and suitable weather.

Indoor culture and rainy days
Ishinomori Manga MuseumJapanese guide
About 25–30 minutes by car from the stationAbout 25–30 minutes by car

For rainy days, very hot or cold weather, or a trip toward central Ishinomaki with primary-school children or older.

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Updated 2026-09-28Explore the nationwide map →