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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Yamagata Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Tozawa

道の駅 とざわ

Enjoy Korean food and local Tozawa produce in one stop at Kouraikan, overlooking the Mogami River.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Tozawa Village, Mogami District
Road
National Route 47
Hours
09:00–17:30
Indicative hours for April–November. In December–March, closing time is 16:30. Hours vary by facility.
Parking
Cars: 71 / Large vehicles: 10
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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
Kouraikan courtyard and the Mogami River

Red railings and Korean-style buildings greet you. Go beyond the buildings to see the river and fields for a fuller sense of Tozawa.

For a meal
Korean food at Colina

Bibimbap, cold noodles, and Tozawa-style cold noodles made with buckwheat flour from Tozawa Village give you a reason to stop for a meal. Check the monthly schedule for operating days.

For shopping
Korean goods and Norakuichi

Look for Korean ingredients and cosmetics, but also spring wild vegetables, autumn mushrooms, and local produce. A cooler bag can help on the journey home.

For an experience
Chima jeogori

Generally available Friday through Monday and on public holidays from April to November. Winter visits generally require reservations. Allow time for photos as well as the costume experience.

Beyond the station
A river cruise or hot spring

Combine the Mogamikyo Basho Line boat cruise from Furukuchi with Ikiiki Land Ponpokan to turn a meal stop into a half-day outing.

Riho's food stop notes

Start with Korean food, then take home Tozawa's mountain produce.

Riho Kosaka sees more here than unusual roadside station buildings. Make bibimbap or Tozawa-style cold noodles the reason to stop for a meal, browse Korean ingredients, then look at Norakuichi's wild vegetables and mushrooms. Tozawa's charm lies in bringing Korean flavors and local produce home together.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Tozawa is a surprising rest stop in Tozawa Village: buildings modeled on a Korean palace appear amid the rural scenery along National Route 47. At Korean restaurant Colina, consider bibimbap or Tozawa-style cold noodles. The Korean goods shop sells ingredients and cosmetics, while the Tozawa Norakuichi farm market offers local wild vegetables, produce, and mushrooms. From this slight rise you can look over the Mogami River. Rather than rushing off after a meal, take a little time to connect the buildings, courtyard, farm market, and river view.

  • #Kouraikan
  • #Korean cuisine
  • #Tozawa-style cold noodles
  • #Tozawa Norakuichi farm market
  • #Mogami River view
  • #National Route 47
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Feel as if you have traveled to Korea at a Yamagata roadside station

Kouraikan's main attraction is its buildings, which recreate aspects of Korean history and culture. The sudden change of scene along National Route 47 makes even a short break memorable. Travelers can choose photos, Korean food shopping, or a costume experience to suit their companions.

02

Take home both Korean food and Tozawa produce

At one stop you can find bibimbap and Tozawa-style cold noodles at Colina, Korean ingredients in the goods shop, and wild vegetables, produce, and mushrooms at Norakuichi. The mountain foods of this snowy region give the visit a distinct Tozawa flavor alongside the Korean theme.

03

Extend the Mogami River view into a nearby outing

The station sits on a low hill overlooking the Mogami River and fields. If you have time, continue to a boat cruise from Furukuchi Port, a hot spring, or Genso no Mori forest. It works both as a Route 47 rest stop and as a starting point for exploring Mogami Gorge.

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 Route 47 drive that includes lunch

Make Korean food the focus, with a quick farm market visit

Check opening hours first, then consider bibimbap or Tozawa-style cold noodles at Colina. After eating, browse Korean seaweed and seasonings in the Korean goods shop and local vegetables at Tozawa Norakuichi for a meal and shopping in one stop.

Parking → Colina restaurant → Korean goods shop → Tozawa Norakuichi → Mogami River view

Restaurant opening days change monthly. If it is closed, leave room in your plans for fast food, the goods shop, or farm market.

Friends, couples, and families with elementary-school-age children or older

Make the station itself a destination for photos and costumes

Explore the Korean-style courtyard and buildings, then add the chima jeogori costume experience to make a short stop into a small event. Allow about 40 minutes for the costume experience and decide whether to fit it before or after your meal.

Courtyard photos → Chima jeogori costume experience → Goods shop → Sweets or a light snack

The experience has specific opening days and winter reservation conditions. Watch your footing for outdoor photos in rain or snow, and allow for shorter winter hours.

A half-day outing from spring to autumn

See the Mogami River, then take a boat cruise

Enjoy the river view at the station first, then travel to Mogamikyo Basho Line cruises at Furukuchi Port. After seeing Mogami Gorge from the boat, return for Korean goods or head to the hot spring at Ponpokan to round out the day.

Roadside station → Furukuchi Port → Mogami Gorge boat cruise → Kouraikan or Ponpokan

Cruise operations vary with weather and water levels. Winter brings kotatsu boats, heated boats with a low table and quilt, but account for snowy roads and your return transport.

An adult stop on the drive home

Combine the farm market and hot spring for a locally focused break

Browse wild vegetables, mushrooms, and produce at Norakuichi, then visit Ikiiki Land Ponpokan. You can eat at Kouraikan or keep the meal light after bathing; either way, this route can ease the fatigue of a long drive.

Tozawa Norakuichi → Korean goods shop → Ponpokan → journey home

The farm market's selection changes markedly by season. Winter opening days are limited, so check ahead if shopping is your main purpose.

A nature detour

Plan Genso no Mori separately, with weather and road width in mind

The forest of giant trees is a destination reached via a forest road, not a short walk from the station. Add it only on a fine day, when you are comfortable driving and have shoes suitable for walking, to experience more of Mogami Gorge's nature.

Roadside station → National Route 47 → Tsuchiyuzawa forest road → Genso no Mori

The forest road is narrow, may close in winter, and carries construction vehicles. There are no restrooms at the site; use facilities at the station or near Shiraito Falls before you go.

Hours

Opening hours

Kouraikan
9:00-17:30

Indicative hours for April–November. In December–March, 9:00–16:30. Hours may change with circumstances.

Chima jeogori costume experience
10:00-16:30

Generally Friday through Monday and public holidays in April–November. In winter, reservations are required and the indicated hours are 10:00–15:00.

Tozawa Norakuichi farm market
Weekdays 9:00–16:30 / weekends and public holidays 9:00–17:00

Indicative hours for April–November. In December–March, hours are shorter and opening is mainly on weekends and public holidays that make a long weekend.

Restaurant
Follow the monthly opening schedule

The official Instagram account posts monthly opening days. Check ahead if your main aim is a meal.

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 under
★★★☆☆

Good for a restroom break and brief shopping. Let the weather determine how long you stay.

Information lists a multipurpose restroom and baby facilities. Keep the buildings and farm market visit short, and check on the day which nursing and diaper-changing facilities are available.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Photos and snacks can be fun, but there is limited space for running around.

Hold hands in the courtyard and shop. If active play is the goal, combine the stop with Ponpokan's pool or another nearby facility.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

The buildings, costumes, and river view offer small goals for a visit.

Trying a chima jeogori costume or choosing Korean sweets is easy to enjoy. Check the costume experience's opening days, sizes, and time needed.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Connect Korean culture, the Mogami River, and a boat cruise.

Experience Korean culture at the station, then continue to a Mogami River cruise from Furukuchi Port for food, culture, and nature in one day.

Baby facilities

The barrier-free map lists a multipurpose restroom, baby changing station, baby chair, and other facilities.

Rainy days

The goods shop, restaurant, and costume experience are mainly indoors. Keep the river-view and courtyard photo stops brief if weather requires.

For play

Rather than spending a long time playing at the station alone, add Ponpokan's hot spring or pool, or a boat cruise as a separate activity.

Winter travel

Expect shorter opening hours, snowy roads, and cold by the river; plan for a short break.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    After parking, use the restroom and prepare for the ground conditions

    You will walk across a slightly elevated site and courtyard. Use the restroom first, and wear shoes with good grip in winter or rain.

  2. 2
    Choose either a meal or shopping as the focus

    Instead of rushing through the restaurant, Korean goods, and farm market, make lunch or shopping the main activity to avoid tiring yourself out.

  3. 3
    See the view early while the weather is good

    The Mogami River view changes with the season and weather. Head to the viewing side while skies are clear.

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

Courtyard and Korean-style architecture

A setting for photogenic events such as Kouraikan COS. It is also an easy place to stop for photos on ordinary days.

Goods shop and food stalls

Korean night markets and lantern festivals add food to the usual shopping options. Allow a longer visit on event days.

Mogami River viewpoint

The scene changes with spring rice planting, the summer river, and winter snow. In winter, snow may prevent access to the gazebo area.

Norakuichi farm market

A farm market where seasonal arrivals, such as spring wild vegetables and autumn mushrooms, are an attraction in themselves.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The sudden change of scene beside the highway is a surprise

Visitor accounts often remark on the unexpected Korean palace-style buildings amid rural scenery. Even a planned restroom break can turn into courtyard photos and a look around the goods shop.

Source: Official website and travel review trends

Do not depend entirely on a Korean meal

The restaurant posts a monthly opening schedule, and hours differ by facility. If lunch is the main aim, check the official Instagram account; if closed, consider the goods shop, fast food, or Norakuichi.

Source: Official website and official Instagram

Genso no Mori is beyond easy walking distance

This natural attraction also requires care with the forest road, limited parking, no restrooms, and winter closure. Treat it as a destination for a day with suitable weather and equipment, rather than a quick detour from the station.

Source: Tozawa Village tourism site and Yamagata Landscape Stories
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.

  • Kouraikan's indicative hours are 9:00–17:30 in April–November and 9:00–16:30 in December–March. Hours vary by facility.
  • Colina restaurant posts monthly opening days on its official Instagram account. Check before departure if lunch is your main aim.
  • The chima jeogori costume experience generally runs Friday through Monday and public holidays in April–November; winter visits generally require reservations.
  • Look for spring wild vegetables and autumn mushrooms at Norakuichi. Winter days and hours are limited.
  • The Mogami River view changes with the weather. In winter, snow may make the gazebo inaccessible.
  • For a visit to Genso no Mori, account for the forest road, lack of restrooms, and winter closure. It is not a short walk from the station.
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.

  • Korean cuisine
    Bibimbap
    A staple option at Colina restaurant
  • Meal
    Tozawa-style cold noodles
    Distinctive noodles made with buckwheat flour from Tozawa Village
  • Shopping
    Kimchi, Korean seaweed, and Korean ingredients
    Goods to take home from the Korean goods shop
  • Farm market
    Wild vegetables, mushrooms, and local produce
    Spring and autumn are especially seasonal at Tozawa Norakuichi
  • Light meal
    Korean-style fast food
    An option if the restaurant is closed
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.

Full lunch

Colina bibimbap and Tozawa-style cold noodles

For a day when you want Korean food inside while looking toward the Mogami River. The clearest way to make a meal the purpose of your stop.

Follow the monthly opening schedule. It is especially useful to check Tuesday–Thursday and winter service.

Shop to take home

Korean ingredients and Tozawa vegetables

Browse Korean seaweed, seasonings, sweets, and cosmetics alongside local vegetables at Norakuichi. Choose separately for souvenirs and dinner.

Seasonal farm produce

Spring wild vegetables and autumn mushrooms

Visit Norakuichi first when mountain foods from this snowy region are in season. Even without a restaurant meal, you can take a taste of Tozawa home.

Stock depends on weather and season. Expect less choice late in the day.

A light bite

Fast food, Korean sweets, and drinks

Useful when your timing between a boat cruise and hot spring is awkward. You can add a little Korean flavor even if the main meal is elsewhere.

Event day

Food stalls at Korean night markets and cosplay events

Lantern festivals and Kouraikan COS days give you more reason to linger. Check parking and opening hours, and adjust your meal time.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Tozawa

Enjoy Korean food and local Tozawa produce in one stop at Kouraikan, overlooking the Mogami River.

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2
Farm produce market
Tozawa Norakuichi farm market

After browsing Korean goods, take home Tozawa wild vegetables, produce, and mushrooms at this market within the station.

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3
Boat cruise
Mogamikyo Basho Line Sightseeing

After seeing the Mogami River from the station, enjoy Mogami Gorge from a boat on a signature Tozawa outing.

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4
Hot spring and pool
Ikiiki Land Ponpokan

After Korean food and farm market shopping, finish with a hot spring or indoor pool at this Tozawa Village recreation facility.

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5
Nature walk
Genso no Mori forest

A nature detour to see Japanese cedar trees around a thousand years old, when weather and road width permit.

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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.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

Farm produce market
Tozawa Norakuichi farm marketJapanese guide
Within the stationA short walk

For days when you want to buy Tozawa wild vegetables, mushrooms, and produce after Korean food or shopping.

Boat cruise
Mogamikyo Basho Line SightseeingJapanese guide
Just over 2 km from the stationAbout 5 minutes by car

For a half day that combines a meal and shopping at Kouraikan with the natural scenery of Mogami Gorge.

Hot spring and pool
Ikiiki Land PonpokanJapanese guide
Just over 7 km from the stationAbout 12–15 minutes by car

For a longer rest at a hot spring or indoor pool after a meal and shopping.

Nature walk
Genso no Mori forestJapanese guide
Drive from the stationAbout 30 minutes by car

For a deeper look at Mogami Gorge nature. Skip it in rain or winter, or if you are uneasy about the drive.

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Updated 2026-09-29Explore the nationwide map →