Skip to content
Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Yamagata Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Iide

道の駅 いいで

A food stop on Route 113 where you can find Yonezawa beef, imoni stew, fruit and wild mountain vegetables in one visit.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Iide Town, Nishiokitama District
Road
National Route 113
Hours
9:00–18:00
Approximate hours for the souvenir and produce corners, April–November. In December–March they open 10:00–17:00; the restaurant and fast-food corner have different hours. The road information hall is open 24 hours.
Parking
Cars: 219 / Large vehicles: 15
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.

When you arrive
Choose the restaurant or the produce shop first

For lunch, head to the restaurant; for a short stop, choose the fast-food and produce corners. Picking a priority helps you navigate the spacious hall.

For lunch
Yonezawa beef, imoni and Yonezawa ramen

The Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl is a substantial choice. Imoni, Yamagata's taro and meat stew, adds a local taste even outside autumn.

For something sweet
Consider fruit soft serve

Visitors often seek out La France pear or cherry-flavoured soft serve here. It makes a light treat after a meal.

To take home
Produce, wild vegetables, doburoku and processed foods

Iide Town is a designated doburoku production zone; doburoku is a cloudy, unfiltered sake. Browse the seasonal produce alongside other local gifts.

A spring side trip
Head to the strawberry farm or Shirakawa Lake

The strawberry farm on the grounds suits a short visit; the submerged forest at Shirakawa Lake is better for a half-day detour. Choose according to the viewing season and crowds.

An early-summer side trip
Head to Donden-daira Lily Garden

During its paid opening season from mid-June to mid-July, you can eat at the station before heading to the flowers.

Editor note

Eat in the restaurant, then take a taste of Iide home from the produce shop

What Riho Kuramochi looks for first here is where to eat a local speciality and what seasonal foods to take home. Yonezawa beef and imoni make the stop satisfying on the spot; produce, wild vegetables, fruit and doburoku extend the trip after you return home. Michi-no-Eki Iide brings both together naturally in one hall.

Restaurant

Make lunch a destination with the Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl, Yonezawa ramen or imoni.

Sweets

Add a Yamagata taste to a short break with La France pear or cherry-flavoured soft serve.

Produce shop

Browse wild vegetables, fruit, fresh produce and doburoku, and load the season into the car.

Nearby

Continue to strawberries, the submerged forest, lily garden or hot spring as time allows.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Iide makes a break worthwhile for its choice of Yamagata foods. Sit down in the restaurant for the Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl, Yonezawa ramen or imoni, a local taro and meat stew. For a quick bite, try beef skewers, tama konnyaku (seasoned konjac balls) or fruit soft serve. The produce shop changes with the seasons, from spring wild vegetables to summer fruit and autumn La France pears and persimmons. Even when travelling from Niigata toward Yonezawa on Route 113, there is a clear reason to shop here. Eat, browse, then drive a little farther for flowers or the submerged forest.

  • #Yamagata Prefecture
  • #Iide Town
  • #National Route 113
  • #Yonezawa beef
  • #Imoni stew
  • #Tama konnyaku (konjac balls)
  • #Farm produce shop
  • #Fruit
  • #Strawberry picking
  • #Scattered farmstead villages
  • #Shirakawa Lake submerged forest
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

The food gives you a reason to stop before the break does

Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl, Yonezawa ramen, imoni (taro and meat stew), beef skewers, tama konnyaku (seasoned konjac balls) and fruit soft serve: this convenient roadside stop brings Yamagata foods together in one place. Whether you sit down for a meal or buy a snack for the car, it is easy to make the food the purpose of your stop.

02

Take the season home from the produce shop

The shelves change with the seasons: wild vegetables and strawberries in spring, fruit from summer into autumn, then La France pears and persimmons in autumn. Alongside Yamagata souvenirs, you can browse vegetables and processed foods close to everyday life in Iide. Allow a little extra time to shop.

03

Beyond the station, Iide's scenery stands out

A visitor strawberry farm near the station, Donden-daira Lily Garden in early summer, Shirakawa Lake's submerged forest in spring, views of scattered farmstead villages and a day-use hot spring all make convenient car trips from here. After the food, heading into the landscape makes the visit feel distinctly Iide.

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 drive between the Niigata and Yonezawa areas

Turn a Route 113 lunch break into a Yamagata meal

This station deserves more than a routine driving break. Have a full Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl, warm up with imoni or ramen, or snack on beef skewers and tama konnyaku at the fast-food corner. Different appetites among your companions are easy to accommodate.

On National Route 113. Official tourism information estimates about 30 minutes from Yonezawa-chuo IC and about 20 minutes from Nanyo-Takahata IC.

Parking, dining and shopping tend to be busy at lunchtime on holidays and during Golden Week. If you have your heart set on the restaurant, going a little outside peak time may help.

A toilet break or a day when children cannot wait long

Even a short stop can be satisfying with produce and a sweet treat

Even without a restaurant meal, you can browse fruit and vegetables in the produce corner, then pick up fruit soft serve or tama konnyaku from the fast-food corner. A light, snack-focused stop can still give you something of Iide to take home.

After parking, make a quick circuit of the products hall and fast-food corner.

Popular items and seasonal produce change through the day. Later in the afternoon, make shopping your priority.

An Iide drive from late March to mid-May

In spring, pair the strawberry farm with the submerged forest

Mezami no Sato Visitor Strawberry Farm is on the station grounds, making it an easy spring destination on the same stop. With more time, add Shirakawa Lake's submerged forest for a view shaped by Iide's melting snow.

Michi-no-Eki Iide → visitor strawberry farm, or drive on to Shirakawa Lake's submerged forest.

Conditions at the strawberry farm depend on crop growth; the submerged forest depends on water level and crowds. Allow extra time around Golden Week.

Flowers and scenery from mid-June to mid-July

In early summer, continue to the lily garden and scattered farmsteads

When Donden-daira Lily Garden is open for paid admission, it is easy to have lunch at the station before visiting the flowers. Add the viewpoint over Iide's scattered farmstead villages to see the shape of the countryside behind the vegetables and fruit in the produce shop.

Michi-no-Eki Iide → Donden-daira Lily Garden → scattered farmstead village viewpoint.

Flowering and admission fees at the lily garden vary by year. Some viewpoints require walking, so choose one that suits your companions' footing.

A day on the road until evening, or a rainy-day finish

On the way back, add a hot spring visit at Shirasagi-so

Eating and shopping alone make a good stop, but adding a day-use hot spring turns it into a short trip. Shirasagi-so is roughly a 10-minute drive from the station and offers an option on rainy days or after a tiring walk.

Michi-no-Eki Iide → Iide Soegawa Onsen Shirasagi-so.

Follow official notices for bathing and restaurant hours and closed days. If visiting in the evening, check when admission ends.

Hours

Opening hours

Souvenir and produce corners
9:00-18:00

Approximate hours for April–November. December–March: 10:00–17:00.

Restaurant corner
11:00-18:00

Restaurant Waiwai Palette. Last order at 17:30. The December–March schedule is 11:00–17:00, with last order at 16:30.

Fast-food corner
10:00-17:30

Ticket-machine counter. Hours shown for April–November; December–March: 10:00–17:00.

Road information hall and public toilets
24 hours

The road information hall is open 24 hours year-round. The toilets inside are listed as available 24 hours.

Visitor strawberry farm
10:00-15:00

In 2026 it opened on March 14 and was scheduled to close around mid-June; that season's advertised period has passed. Last admission is 14:30, and reservations are by phone only. Opening days depend on crop conditions.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Ages 1 and under
★★★☆☆

The hall has few steps, and information lists a multipurpose toilet and baby chairs. It is better suited to a short meal and shopping stop than a long play session.

A stroller is harder to manoeuvre when crowded, so consider avoiding peak times.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Fruit soft serve and tama konnyaku offer quick food stops that can change the mood. In season, the strawberry farm on the grounds adds a clear destination.

Traffic enters and leaves the parking area beside the highway; hold hands when crossing it.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Strawberry picking, soft serve, the restaurant and nearby flower spots combine well for this age. If shopping alone gets dull, continue to the strawberry farm or lily garden.

The strawberry farm and flower sites operate seasonally and are affected by weather.

Elementary-school children
★★★★☆

Pair Yonezawa beef, imoni, fruit and flowers with the submerged forest or a viewpoint. Adding Shirakawa Lake or the scattered farmstead villages makes a distinctly Iide half-day.

The submerged forest and viewpoints add travel distance; plan meal time and the journey home first.

Food alternatives

The restaurant, fast-food corner, produce shop and convenience store give you options beyond waiting for a table.

Toilets

Public toilets are listed as available 24 hours. There is also a multipurpose toilet.

Rainy days

Eat and shop inside the station, and consider skipping nearby nature sites that require long walks.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    After parking, decide whether to eat or shop first

    The products hall is spacious; choosing lunch or the produce corner first helps avoid extra walking.

  2. 2
    Rest over warm imoni or noodles

    On a long drive, sitting down for a warm meal can ease fatigue.

  3. 3
    Choose nature stops by distance and footing

    The lily garden and submerged forest are rewarding in season, but crowds and ground conditions matter. A hot spring is another option.

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

Mezami no Sato Visitor Strawberry Farm

Open seasonally in spring. As it is at the roadside station, it is easy to pair food with strawberry picking.

Products hall events

Official notices include Mezami Festival, New Year opening sales, food trucks and seasonal sales events.

Nearby flowers and waterside

Donden-daira Lily Garden and Shirakawa Lake's submerged forest pair well with Iide Town's seasonal events.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Do not rely on the restaurant alone at holiday lunchtime

Visitors report busy parking, shops and dining during Golden Week and on holidays. A restaurant meal of Yonezawa beef is tempting, but keep the fast-food corner, fruit soft serve or produce shop in mind if it is crowded.

Source: Travel-site and map-review trends

Imoni is more than an autumn symbol: it is a year-round meal here

Official and regional sources list Yamagata's imoni, a taro and meat stew, throughout the year. It is a quick way for visitors from outside the prefecture to taste Yamagata, even on a warm day.

Source: Official website and regional articles

Spring shelves are full of strawberries and wild vegetables

Spring visitor accounts mention strawberries and wild vegetables near the entrance, including kogomi (ostrich fern shoots) and gyōja ninniku (alpine leek). It can be fun to visit the produce corner before the restaurant and choose what to take home.

Source: Personal blogs and social media trends

Fruit soft serve adds to a short break

Several visitors mention La France pear and cherry-flavoured soft serve. For families or an after-meal break, it offers a taste of Yamagata without a restaurant visit.

Source: Travel-site review trends

A convenient shopping break between Niigata and Yonezawa

Visitors travelling between the Murakami and Yonezawa areas on Route 113 mention buying Yamagata gifts, vegetables, mushrooms and fruit together. Plan on both dining and shopping during a midway stop.

Source: Travel-site and blog trends
Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

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.

  • Hours vary between the products hall, restaurant, fast-food corner and road information hall. Winter brings shorter hours and some closed days, so check official notices during the snow season.
  • Public toilets are listed as available 24 hours. Shops open only for limited hours overnight and early in the morning, so plan meals and shopping for daytime.
  • Allow time for lunchtime crowds if you want the Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl or imoni.
  • The spring strawberry farm may close depending on crop conditions. If strawberry picking is your main reason to visit, check by phone or in official notices that it is open that day.
  • Shirakawa Lake's submerged forest, Donden-daira Lily Garden and the scattered farmstead villages change markedly with season and weather. Decide whether to stay at the station or extend the trip according to the day.
  • Route 113 is useful between the Niigata–Oguni and Nanyo–Yonezawa areas, but winter road conditions need attention. Check road information during heavy snow.
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.

  • Restaurant
    Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl
    A station manager's recommended beef bowl made with Yonezawa beef. Check the counter menu for price and availability.
  • Local speciality
    Imoni
    A Yamagata-style taro and meat stew available throughout the year.
  • Noodles
    Yonezawa ramen
    A standard lunch choice.
  • Fast food
    Tama konnyaku and beef skewers
    Easy snacks even on a short stop.
  • Sweets
    La France pear and cherry-flavoured soft serve
    Fruit-flavoured sweets suited to an after-meal or family break.
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.

A substantial meal

Yonezawa Beef Mori-mori Bowl / Yonezawa ramen

The main choices when you want to sit down at the restaurant. The beef bowl also reflects Iide's place in the Yonezawa beef-producing region.

Expect a wait when it is crowded; if pressed for time, keep the fast-food or produce corners as alternatives.

Warm up with Yamagata fare

Imoni / Mezami set / imoni soba or udon

Imoni, a local taro and meat stew, is available throughout the year rather than only in autumn. It makes a satisfying meal on a cold day or during a long drive.

Menus vary by season and outlet; follow the ticket machine and signs on the day.

A quick snack

Beef skewer / tama konnyaku / Yonezawa beef croquette

These are choices when you want a Yamagata taste without sitting down for a meal. Tama konnyaku is seasoned konjac balls; the snacks are also easy to share with children or fellow passengers.

Seasonal or limited-quantity items, including some croquettes, may be gone later in the day.

Add something sweet

La France pear / cherry-flavoured soft serve

Good after a meal or on a rest stop alone. A fruit-flavoured Yamagata treat can make even a short visit memorable.

On hot days, avoid carrying it outdoors for long; when busy, find a place to eat first.

Take it home

Produce / wild vegetables / La France pears / doburoku / processed foods

The produce shop is another main attraction. Spring wild vegetables, summer and autumn fruit, local doburoku (cloudy, unfiltered sake) and processed foods let the trip continue at home.

Fresh produce varies by season and time of day, so stop earlier if shopping is your priority.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
Open in your map appOpen in Google Maps
Explore stations near 飯豊町 (Japanese guide)

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

1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Iide

A food stop on Route 113 where you can find Yonezawa beef, imoni stew, fruit and wild mountain vegetables in one visit.

Open in Google Maps
2
Strawberry picking
Mezami no Sato Visitor Strawberry Farm

Spring strawberry picking just beside the roadside station, as easy to reach as its car park.

Open in Google Maps
3
Flower garden
Iide Donden-daira Lily Garden

Around 500,000 lilies brighten Iide in early summer.

Open in Google Maps
4
Natural scenery
Shirakawa Lake Submerged Forest

Only during the snowmelt season do trees rise from the lake, creating a striking spring view in Iide.

Open in Google Maps
5
Viewpoint
Scattered Farmstead Village Viewpoints

Look across the countryside where the Iide crops you saw at the produce shop are grown.

Open in Google Maps
6
Day-use hot spring
Iide Soegawa Onsen Shirasagi-so

After dining and shopping, end your Iide visit by easing into the journey home at a hot 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

Strawberry picking
Mezami no Sato Visitor Strawberry FarmJapanese guide
Adjacent to the stationA very short walk

Good when you want to turn a spring roadside break into an experience children can easily enjoy.

Flower garden
Iide Donden-daira Lily GardenJapanese guide
About 5 kmAbout 10 minutes by car

Fits a half-day outing: have lunch and shop at the station, then see the early-summer flowers.

Natural scenery
Shirakawa Lake Submerged ForestJapanese guide
About 23 kmAbout 35 minutes by car

Extend a station meal and shopping stop into a half-day to take in Iide's spring landscape.

Viewpoint
Scattered Farmstead Village ViewpointsJapanese guide
About 6 kmAbout 12 minutes by car

Suited to adding a short look at Iide's farmland after shopping at the produce shop.

Day-use hot spring
Iide Soegawa Onsen Shirasagi-soJapanese guide
About 6 kmAbout 10 minutes by car

After eating and shopping at the station, add a hot spring to close a rainy day or an evening outing.

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 2026-09-29Explore the nationwide map →