Skip to content
Michi-no-Eki JournalMap
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Miyagi Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Kakuda

道の駅 かくだ

A new family-friendly gathering hub for Kakuda rice, beans, plums, and play areas.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Kakuda City
Road
Prefectural Route 272, Kakuda–Yamashita Line
Hours
09:00–17:30
The farm shop closes at 17:30 from April to October and 17:00 from November to March. Hours differ by shop.
Parking
Cars: 126 / Large vehicles: 8
My stamp

Record this station in your journal

Records are saved in this browser. Visited stations receive a stamp and count towards your nationwide progress.

Nationwide progress
— / 1,238 stations
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.

First stop
Shop for rice, beans, and plums

Of Kakuda's five “me” themes, rice (kome), beans (mame), and plums (ume) are the farm-shop staples you can take home for the table.

Lunch
Miso ramen or stone-oven pizza

The food court is open only around lunchtime. With children, eat early and go to the park afterward.

With children
Add a visit to the Traffic Park

The park has real traffic lights and road signs, making it a good place for children to let off steam while waiting for shopping or after a meal.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kakuda is a roadside station worth visiting for rice, beans, and plums at the farm shop, soft serve made with milk from Kakuda and Marumori, Kakuda miso ramen, and stone-oven pizza. Donguri Park and the Traffic Park are north of the building, with Kakuda Sports Village next door, so children can stretch their legs after shopping. On a fine day, head to the Traffic Park after eating; in rain or intense heat, switch to Space Tower and Cosmo House or the local history museum for an easier family drive.

  • #Rice, beans, and plums
  • #Kakuda miso ramen
  • #Stone-oven pizza
  • #Traffic Park
  • #Dog run
  • #Space town
Family route

Find the play area first, then plan food and shopping

When visiting as a family, locate the toilets and play area on arrival. If lunch is urgent, use the food court; if it looks crowded, have a lighter stop at the cafe or for soft serve, then choose rice, beans, and plums at the farm shop. In fine weather, go to the Traffic Park; if the weather is uncertain, head to Space Tower and Cosmo House. Michi-no-Eki Kakuda works especially well when you include the neighboring play area and Kakuda's space attractions in your stop.

1

Sunny weather

After eating, visit Donguri Park and the Traffic Park. Schoolchildren can try bicycles and go-karts; toddlers can focus on the playground equipment for a shorter stop.

2

Rain or extreme heat

Keep shopping and eating brief, then make time indoors at Space Tower and Cosmo House or the local history museum.

3

Adults only

Browse Kakuda ingredients at the farm shop, then add Sennan Shinken Factory or Kozoji Temple for a broader sense of the area.

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Bring Kakuda home to the table

The farm shop carries more than vegetables and fruit: Kakuda pickled plums, Space Rice onigiri (rice balls), sake made with local rice, and local sweets. It is an easy place to choose things you will use after returning home, rather than one showy travel purchase.

02

More than one meal choice

Alongside the signature Kakuda miso ramen, tempura soba, curry, and tare-katsu-don (a rice bowl topped with sauce-coated cutlet), there are Papi House stone-oven pizza and pasta, plus soft serve. If lunch seats are crowded, you can leave room for a snack and some shopping instead.

03

A place where children can move again

Donguri Park and the Traffic Park behind the building, the adjacent Sports Village, and the dog run are close enough to break up time in the car with outdoor activity. In rain, Kakuda also offers indoor space and history attractions.

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.

Families with toddlers or primary school children

Take a longer children's break with lunch and the Traffic Park

Use the toilets first, then have lunch at the food court. Afterward, head to Donguri Park and the Traffic Park behind the building so children can move before the next drive. Parents can divide up farm-shop purchases in advance to make play and shopping easier to manage.

Michi-no-Eki Kakuda → food court or cafe → Donguri Park and Traffic Park

Bicycles and go-karts at the Traffic Park have set operating hours. If arriving toward evening, consider play first.

Shopping and souvenirs

Come for ingredients and take home Kakuda's seasons

The farm shop changes with the seasons: wild greens in spring, green plums in early summer, and Hiden beans and fruit in autumn. Look for Kakuda pickled plums, Space Rice onigiri (rice balls), Muuhime manju (sweet filled buns), and Tamagoya sweets. Separate chilled goods from shelf-stable souvenirs to make them easier to use at home.

Farm shop → Mori no Mebuki Tamagoya → K-Spo Cafe

Popular goods and limited quantities on event days can sell out early. Come in the morning if you have a particular item in mind.

Rainy days and educational detours

Spend half a day in Kakuda, the space town

After lunch and shopping at the roadside station, drive to Space Tower and Cosmo House in Daiyama Park. Its rocket model, exhibition hall, and observation tower bring Kakuda's “space town” identity to life for children and adults.

Michi-no-Eki Kakuda → Space Tower and Cosmo House → Kakuda City Local History Museum

Space Tower and Cosmo House is closed on Tuesdays; also check its earlier winter closing time.

A drive on a clear day

Head for a view before evening

When the station is busy with diners and shoppers, consider moving on to Shihoyama Observatory rather than staying too long. You can drive close to the summit, which offers views of the Pacific and the Zao mountain range—a good finale on a clear day.

Michi-no-Eki Kakuda → Shihoyama Observatory

Mountain-road conditions vary with the weather. Keep plans flexible in winter or after rain.

Hours

Opening hours

Farm shop, April–October
9:00〜17:30

The main place for vegetables, fruit, rice, processed foods, and souvenirs. On some days, seasonal produce is easier to choose in the morning.

Farm shop, November–March
9:00〜17:00

In winter, closing time is 30 minutes earlier.

Food court
11:00〜15:00

Last orders are at 15:00. If you are coming for lunch, avoid arriving too late.

K-Spo Cafe
10:00〜16:30

An option when you want a light meal or something sweet.

Family

Visiting with children

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

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

Age 1 and under
★★★☆☆

A short shopping stop focused on breastfeeding and diaper changes can work well.

Prioritize toilets, stroller routes, and places to escape heat or cold over outdoor play. The Traffic Park is more suited to accompanying an older child.

Ages 2–3
★★★★☆

Being able to head to the playground after eating makes it easier to break up a long drive.

An adult should stay close in the Traffic Park's road-layout area. On busy days, playing before eating may be easier.

Ages 4–6
★★★★★

The Traffic Park's traffic lights and signs are likely to appeal most to this age group.

Check the bicycle and go-kart hours, fees, and crowding, then decide whether to visit before or after eating.

Primary school age
★★★★★

Including the Traffic Park, Sports Village, and Space Tower can make this a half-day outing.

Adding the space exhibition and observation tower gives you an educational option even on a rainy day.

Toilets

On a long drive, use them before eating or playing.

Play area

Real traffic lights and road signs let children learn traffic rules through play.

Rainy day

Consider Space Tower and Cosmo House, the local history museum, or the JAXA exhibition room.

With a dog

Official guidance describes it as mainly for small dogs of around 10 kg. Use may change during events.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Choose where to park

    There are 126 standard-car spaces and eight large-vehicle spaces. Spaces near the station can fill on event days, so consider how much you plan to buy as well as where you will eat.

  2. 2
    Use the toilets first

    Using the 24-hour toilets first makes it easier to move on to the farm shop, food court, and park.

  3. 3
    Eat around midday

    The food court is open until 15:00. Later, switch to the cafe, sweets, or shopping.

  4. 4
    Keep nearby stops manageable

    Kozoji Temple and Shihoyama are appealing, but distance and weather affect the effort involved. One extra stop is enough for a half-day visit.

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

Roadside station forecourt

Used for beer gardens, markets, small festival stalls, and food trucks. Parking and meal areas can be busier on event days.

Farm shop

Seasonal sales events suit plums, pears, Hiden beans, potatoes, and more. It can be worth arriving in the morning for limited quantities.

Traffic Park and Sports Village

During K-Spo tournaments or summer festivals, the roadside station becomes a base for food, rest, and shopping.

Daiyama Park

A destination for events such as the Space Kids Festival and Space Festa. Drive there from the roadside station and combine outdoor time with indoor exhibits.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

On weekend middays, leave room beyond a single meal plan

Visitor reviews often mention dining and shopping, with some crowding on weekends. Instead of relying only on miso ramen, allow for pizza, the cafe, soft serve, or farm-shop shopping to spread out waiting time with children.

Source: Jalan.net and Tripadvisor visitor-review trends

Look for seedlings, wild greens, and plums in spring to early summer; beans and fruit in autumn

Spring brings vegetable seedlings and wild greens; green plums follow in June; Hiden beans and fruit are autumn reasons to shop. Quantities of seasonal goods vary by day, so mornings can offer more choice than afternoons.

Source: Kakuda City tourism portal and visitor-review trends

The park changes the feel of a shopping stop

The Traffic Park north of the station gives children a place to go when they tire of shopping. Even a short spell outside can help before returning toward Sendai or Fukushima by car.

Source: Ikoyo and Kakuda City Traffic Park information

Driving suits the trip from the station to Kakuda railway station better than walking

Some visitors report that the distance from the railway station feels burdensome. Since this is a place to buy rice and vegetables, arriving by car is a better fit than making large purchases using only public transport.

Source: Tripadvisor visitor-review trends

Event days change the character of the station

On days with a Cub motorcycle meeting, medaka fish festival, potato festival, beer garden, or other events in the forecourt or farm shop, this becomes a place to stay rather than a brief rest stop. If shopping is your only aim, consider a different time.

Source: Official website and official Instagram event trends

Space and sports bring out Kakuda's character

The roadside station centers on food and shopping. Connect it with the neighboring Sports Village, the rocket model in Daiyama Park, and Space Tower to see Kakuda's five themes of rice, beans, plums, dreams, and princesses.

Source: Kakuda City tourism portal
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.

  • For lunch, plan around the food court's 11:00–15:00 hours. Later, the cafe or farm shop makes for an easier stop.
  • The farm shop closes at 17:30 from April to October and 17:00 from November to March. It closes a little earlier in winter.
  • Donguri Park and the Traffic Park are useful when children need to move after eating. Check the on-site information for bicycle and go-kart hours.
  • The dog run is mainly for small dogs. Its use may change on event days or with the weather.
  • Food trucks and special sales can make event days lively, while parking and dining crowds differ from ordinary days.
  • Daiyama Park, the local history museum, Kozoji Temple, and Shihoyama each have different closure days, weather considerations, or road conditions. Choose one nearby destination instead of packing everything into one day.
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.

  • Food court
    Kakuda miso ramen
    See price displayed at the shop
  • Papi House
    Stone-oven pizza
    See price displayed at the shop
  • Sweets
    Soft serve made with milk from Kakuda and Marumori
    See price displayed at the shop
  • Farm shop
    Kakuda pickled plums
    Varies by product
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.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Main lunch choice

Kakuda miso ramen, tempura soba, curry, tare-katsu-don (sauce-coated cutlet rice bowl)

For a substantial lunch. The food court is open 11:00–15:00, so it does not suit a late lunch.

Seats and ordering can be busy around lunchtime. Families with children may find an early visit easier.

Keep it light

K-Spo Cafe, soft serve made with milk from Kakuda and Marumori, seasonal flavors

For a break before or after park play, on days when you have eaten lunch elsewhere, or before driving on.

The cafe and food court have different opening hours.

Share a meal as a family

Papi House stone-oven pizza, pasta with Kakuda tomatoes, Hiden-bean pizza

For a lunch that is easy to share with children. There are choices beyond noodles.

Menus using seasonal ingredients change with the time of year.

Buy something to take home

Kakuda pickled plums, Space Rice onigiri, Negihiko-kun, Ofude-chan butter monaka, plum liqueur, sake made with local rice

For choosing everyday food and souvenirs together. Viewing chilled and shelf-stable products separately makes the choice easier. Monaka is a crisp wafer sandwich with a sweet filling.

Winter-only goods and seasonal fruit depend on harvest and shipping periods.

Sweets and small gifts

Zao egg pudding, Kakuda Rocket Soft Serve, Muuhime manju (sweet filled buns)

For a child's snack, a sweet to eat during a car break, or a short rest.

Plan when to eat frozen sweets around park play so they are less likely to melt.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
Open in your map appOpen in Google Maps
Explore stations near 角田市 (Japanese guide)
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

If the map does not load, open it in Google Maps

1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Kakuda

A new family-friendly gathering hub for Kakuda rice, beans, plums, and play areas.

Open in Google Maps
2
Park and family activities
Donguri Park and Kakuda Central Park Traffic Park

A play area close to the roadside station where children can move after eating.

Open in Google Maps
3
Space, views, and indoor exhibits
Kakuda City Space Tower and Cosmo House

A detour that brings Kakuda's “space town” to life in rain or sunshine.

Open in Google Maps
4
Nature and views
Shihoyama Observatory

End a clear day with a short drive for Pacific Ocean and Zao mountain range views.

Open in Google Maps
5
History and culture
Shorakusan Kozoji Temple Amida Hall

A quiet detour to one of Tohoku's three notable Amida halls after Kakuda food and shopping.

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

Donguri Park and Kakuda Central Park Traffic Park
Park and family activities
Donguri Park and Kakuda Central Park Traffic ParkJapanese guide
Within walking distance of the stationA very short walk

After lunch, before a long drive, or when children tired of shopping need to play outside.

Kakuda City Space Tower and Cosmo House
Space, views, and indoor exhibits
Kakuda City Space Tower and Cosmo HouseJapanese guide
About 4 km from the stationAbout 10 minutes by car

Rainy or very hot days, primary-school learning, or a distinctly Kakuda photo stop.

Nature and views
Shihoyama ObservatoryJapanese guide
About 11 km from the stationAbout 20–25 minutes by car

A clear-day drive for adults, photography, or adding nature after eating at the station.

History and culture
Shorakusan Kozoji Temple Amida HallJapanese guide
About 12 km from the stationAbout 20–25 minutes by car

An adult history stop, a short walk after rain, or a quiet destination after eating.

Share

Send your travel companions a possible stop.

Share on XShare on LINE

Send a correction

Let us know if information on this page, such as hours or closing days, is incorrect. Our editors will review your message before updating the guide.

We use your submission only to review and improve our content and to reply about your message.

Updated 2026-09-28Explore the nationwide map →