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

Akita Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Sannai

道の駅 さんない

Discover the mountain produce of Sannai on National Route 107. A short stop here can include 100% buckwheat soba, mountain vegetables, imonoko taro and the warmth of wood.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Yokote City
Road
National Route 107
Hours
9:00–17:00
These are guide hours for the farm produce and souvenir shop. Nōkōan restaurant, Karintei and the bento shop have different hours and closing days; check the official notices.
Parking
Cars: 97 / Large vehicles: 5
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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
Mountain vegetables, pickles and Sannai imonoko at the farm produce and souvenir shop

During Mountain Vegetable Week or the autumn imonoko season, visiting the shop first helps you catch the seasonal goods you came for.

For a meal
Handmade soba, imonoko soup and mushroom curry at Nōkōan

The soba offering has changed before because of the condition of the buckwheat flour. If you want juwari soba, made with 100% buckwheat, check the official notices.

With children
Keep the toilet, light meal and shopping stops short

For longer play, continue to Tsurugaike Park or Ōmatsukawa Dam Park.

On a rainy day
Visit the station shop and Nōkōan, then a nearby hot spring

Rather than forcing in an outdoor walk, include Ainono Onsen as an indoor option for the family.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Nono Ichinose's stopover note

In Sannai, a short meal and shopping stop works well before playtime.

This station is a place to enjoy Sannai food and a warm wooden setting before moving on, rather than spend hours on large play equipment. Start with the toilets, then the shop, and Nōkōan if it is meal time. If children still want to move, go to Tsurugaike Park; if it rains, head to the hot spring. That order makes a family drive easier.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Sannai, nicknamed Woody Land, is a roadside station on National Route 107 in Sannai, Yokote. Browse the farm produce and souvenir shop for mountain vegetables, iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon), Sannai imonoko taro, grapes and Sannai carrots. At Nōkōan, try handmade noodles using locally grown buckwheat or imonoko soup, a local taro soup. For a family outing, use the station for a meal, shopping and toilets, then consider Tsurugaike Park, Ainono Onsen or Ōmatsukawa Dam Park as nearby destinations.

  • #Sannai handmade soba
  • #Imonoko taro soup
  • #Mountain vegetables
  • #Iburigakko smoked pickles
  • #Woodcraft
  • #National Route 107
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Soba and mountain produce are a good introduction to Sannai's food

Nōkōan grinds buckwheat grown in Sannai and makes soba noodles by hand. It also serves imonoko soup, made with the area's taro. In the shop, mountain vegetables, pickles, iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon), Sannai imonoko, grapes and Sannai carrots bring the mountain seasons into your shopping.

02

A wood-themed roadside station suited to a short break

Nicknamed Woody Land, the station has the scent of wood, woodcraft activity and a locally rooted souvenir area. Its wooden warmth reflects Sannai. As this is not a large play destination, it works well for a short toilet, meal and shopping stop, with outdoor play planned nearby.

03

Between Yokote IC and Yuda IC, with easy onward trips to hot springs and lakeside walks

The station sits on National Route 107 and is convenient from either Yokote IC or Yuda IC. Combine it with nearby Tsurugaike Park, Ainono Onsen Tsurugaikesō and Ōmatsukawa Dam Park to turn a rest stop into a half-day outing.

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.

Around lunchtime while driving from Yokote IC toward Yuda

Make a Route 107 break feel like Sannai with soba and shopping

Use the toilet first, then look for seasonal mountain vegetables, pickles, imonoko and grapes in the shop. If you arrive at lunchtime, handmade soba or imonoko soup at Nōkōan gives even a short stop a sense of Sannai.

Park → toilets → farm produce and souvenir shop → Nōkōan → depart.

Nōkōan closes at different times on weekdays and on weekends and public holidays. Check official notices for changes to soba offerings or temporary closures.

Families with preschool or primary-school children who still have energy after a meal

Give children a change of scene at the pond and hot spring

Use the station for food, shopping and toilets, then head to Tsurugaike Park for time outdoors. On cold or rainy days, end at Ainono Onsen Tsurugaikesō to unwind after the drive; an onsen is a Japanese hot spring bath.

Station → short walk in Tsurugaike Park → Ainono Onsen or head home.

Weather affects the paths around the pond. Bring spare shoes and clothes for young children.

Days when you want one seasonal reason to visit Sannai

Add mountain vegetables, moss phlox and imonoko from spring to autumn

Spring brings Mountain Vegetable Week and moss phlox at Ōmatsukawa Dam Park; autumn brings Sannai imonoko and the Tsurugaike festival. Use the station as a base for shopping and food, and check the separate dates and venues for flowers and events when planning.

Shop at the station → Ōmatsukawa Dam Park or Tsurugaike Park → head home.

The timing and content of the moss phlox display, mountain-vegetable sales and Imonoko Festival change each year. Check Yokote City and official social media for current information.

Family drives when you want to skip outdoor walks

Keep a rainy-day outing short with woodcraft, soba and a hot spring

On a rainy day, browse the station's wooden setting and souvenirs, eat at Nōkōan or Karintei, then finish at Ainono Onsen instead of adding Ōmatsukawa Dam Park. A compact plan is less tiring for children and adults.

Station → Ainono Onsen Tsurugaikesō → central Yokote or the Yuda direction.

Check the facility's official information for day-use bathing hours and closing days.

Hours

Opening hours

Farm produce and souvenir shop
9:00〜17:00

Checked against the official facility guide and home page on September 25, 2026. The facility guide labels these hours as starting in April.

Nōkōan restaurant
Weekdays 11:00–15:00 / weekends and public holidays 11:00–16:00

Last orders: 14:30 on weekdays and 15:30 on weekends and public holidays.

Karintei udon and soba
10:00〜14:00

The official facility guide lists these hours, while the home page says 10:00–15:00. Check the posted hours on the day.

Bento shop
Weekdays 10:00–13:00 / weekends and public holidays 10:00–14:00

Closed Tuesdays from April through December. The official facility guide says it opens only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from January 16 through March 15.

Rest building
Rest room 8:00–17:00 / toilets open 24 hours

The toilets are open 24 hours a day, year-round.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Age 1 or younger
★★★☆☆

Useful for toilets and a short break.

Keep shopping and meals brief. Check the facilities for feeding and diaper needs, and how busy it is on the day.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

The station is mainly for meals and shopping; head to Tsurugaike Park for active time.

There is no large indoor play area here. If the soba wait is long, leave room in your plans for a boxed meal or quick shopping stop.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Separating eating, shopping and a pond walk helps keep things interesting.

Talk about imonoko, mountain vegetables and woodcraft, then add a park walk for a half-day outing.

Primary-school children
★★★★☆

Easy to combine seasonal foods, a hot spring, parks and the dam's moss phlox.

Choose by weather: mountain vegetables and moss phlox in spring, the imonoko festival in autumn, or a hot spring on rainy days.

On arrival

Settle the children before the restaurant or shop gets busy.

On a sunny day

Keep the station stop short and make time to walk outdoors elsewhere.

On a rainy day

Skip outdoor spots and focus on shopping, food and day-use bathing.

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

Michi-no-Eki Sannai Summer Festival

An official notice announced a special area outside the shop for July 18–19, 2026. Those dates have passed; wait for the next announcement before making it the reason for a visit.

Mountain Vegetable Week

A Mountain Vegetable Week was announced for May 2026. Spring mountain vegetables are often a focus of the shop, but supply and event dates change each year.

Soba Day

Official event information seen on July 15, 2026 announced Soba Day for September 28, 2026. It was no longer visible on the official event page as of September 25; check the latest official notice and on-site signs for what is actually offered.

Imonoko Festival in Tsurugaike

Yokote City announced the 38th festival at Tsurugaike Park for September 20, 2026. This autumn event features local products and a fireworks show. Check the city announcement for the next date before combining the festival with a station visit.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

100% buckwheat soba is a draw, but availability can change

Official notices describe a period when the condition of the buckwheat flour led to a switch from 100% buckwheat soba to tsukune soba, followed by the return of 100% buckwheat soba in March 2026. If soba is your reason for visiting, check the day's signs and official notices.

Source: Official notices

Meal choices narrow outside lunchtime

Nōkōan generally closes at 15:00 on weekdays and 16:00 on weekends and public holidays; Karintei and the bento shop also have limited hours. For a late arrival, plan to switch from a restaurant meal to shopping or a nearby hot spring if needed.

Source: Official facility guide and Nōkōan page

Spring mountain vegetables and autumn imonoko make shopping worthwhile

Tourism information and official notices repeatedly feature Mountain Vegetable Week, Sannai imonoko, iburigakko, grapes and Sannai carrots. Looking in the shop early can improve your chances of finding seasonal goods.

Source: Official farm produce information and Akita tourism information

Expect busy roads and parking around Tsurugaike during events

For the 2026 Imonoko Festival, notices warned of road and parking congestion before the fireworks show and no direct vehicle entry to the venue. On autumn event days, arrive early or keep the roadside-station stop short.

Source: Yokote City official information

Check winter closures and weather at mountain sites

Ōmatsukawa Dam Park offers moss phlox and nature walks but has a winter-closure notice. It is better suited to fine days from spring through autumn. In rain, snow or toward evening, keeping to the station and hot spring is easier.

Source: Yokote tourism organization and family travel listing
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.

  • If visiting for lunch, arrive before Nōkōan's last-order time.
  • If you want 100% buckwheat soba, check the official notice for availability.
  • Look in the shop first for spring mountain vegetables or autumn imonoko.
  • For a longer play stop with children, head to Tsurugaike Park or Ōmatsukawa Dam Park.
  • On rainy days, focus on shopping and Nōkōan at the station, then Ainono Onsen.
  • On Imonoko Festival or fireworks days, allow for traffic and parking congestion around Tsurugaike.
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.

  • Nōkōan restaurant
    Handmade soba
    A station specialty using Sannai buckwheat, including mori soba (cold noodles with dipping sauce), cold broth soba and duck-broth mori soba.
  • Local dish
    Imonoko soup
    A soup worth trying if you want to remember Sannai imonoko, the area's taro.
  • Restaurant
    Mushroom curry
    Another meal choice when you want something besides soba.
  • Farm produce and souvenirs
    Mountain vegetables, iburigakko and pickles
    Bring home a taste of Sannai even if you do not eat at the restaurant.
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
Make lunch the main event

Handmade soba, imonoko soup, mushroom curry and tempura soba

Choose one Sannai dish to make a short break more memorable. Soba and the local taro soup are good starting points.

Nōkōan is generally open until 15:00 on weekdays and 16:00 on weekends and public holidays. Last orders are 30 minutes earlier in each case.

Buy something to take home

Mountain vegetables, pickles, iburigakko, Sannai imonoko, grapes and Sannai carrots

The shop offers a taste of Sannai to take home, even without a restaurant meal.

Supplies of seasonal goods vary, so keep more than one option in mind.

A quick, light meal

Udon or soba at Karintei and boxed meals at the bento shop

Alternatives when children cannot wait for a restaurant meal or you need to depart quickly.

The bento shop is closed on Tuesdays and has limited opening days in winter.

Enjoy an event day

Mountain Vegetable Week, Soba Day, summer festival and autumn imonoko events

Seasonal events may take place in the shop or a special area outside. Check dates and what will be sold before visiting.

Plan around the next announcement and official social media, rather than an event that has already ended.

If it is busy or sold out

Souvenir shop, Karintei or a break at a nearby hot spring

If Nōkōan is not available, switch to shopping or a hot spring to keep the day on track.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Sannai

Discover the mountain produce of Sannai on National Route 107. A short stop here can include 100% buckwheat soba, mountain vegetables, imonoko taro and the warmth of wood.

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

Families and lakeside walks
Tsurugaike ParkJapanese guide
About 3–5 minutes by carAbout 3–5 minutes by car

Good for families who want a short outdoor walk after eating, rather than a long stay inside the station.

Hot spring and rainy days
Ainono Onsen TsurugaikesōJapanese guide
About 3–5 minutes by carAbout 3–5 minutes by car

Good when the station stop feels too short and you want to finish indoors, away from rain or cold.

Nature and seasonal walks
Ōmatsukawa Dam ParkJapanese guide
About 25–35 minutes by carAbout 25–35 minutes by car

Good for families who have eaten and shopped at the station and want a longer outdoor walk on a fine day.

Autumn event and local culture
Imonoko Festival in TsurugaikeJapanese guide
About 3–5 minutes by carAbout 3–5 minutes by car

For an autumn outing focused on Sannai food and the festival. Use the station as a starting point for shopping and toilets.

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Updated 2026-09-29Explore the nationwide map →