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

Fukushima Prefecture · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa

道の駅 ふくしま東和

A farm shop in the land of mulberries and organic growing. Along National Route 349, Towa Genki vegetables and handmade gelato give you clear reasons to stop.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Nihonmatsu City
Road
National Route 349
Hours
9:00–17:00
The official site lists the farm shop and stores as 9:00–17:00. A tourism site lists 9:00–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter). Daiei Gyozabo: 11:00–15:00; Michikusa-tei: 11:00–14:00; gelato NATURE: 10:00–16:00.
Parking
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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.

On arrival
Check how much time the farm shop has left

The official hours are 9:00–17:00. A tourism site gives 9:00–18:00 (17:00 in winter), so call ahead if arriving in the evening.

A small treat
Gelato NATURE

10:00–16:00. Single ¥350, double ¥550, soft serve ¥450.

Lunch
Michikusa-tei or Daiei Gyozabo

Soba and udon are ¥600 each from 11:00–14:00; Chinese food is served 11:00–15:00. Closing times differ by one hour.

Take something home
Towa Genki vegetables and mulberry products

Mulberry leaf powder is ¥1,080 for 50 g, tax included. Vegetable selection changes with season and deliveries.

Choose a date
Meat Day on dates containing 9

Meat delivered directly from a meat factory is advertised at 20–30% off.

Check closure dates
December 31, January 1 and January 2

Temporary closures are also noted. Check official updates before traveling around New Year or in bad weather.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Shunsuke’s Towa notes

Three reasons to stop: sweets, meals and the farm shop.

Shunsuke Kusumi sees Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa as a place to choose one purpose before getting out of the car. Will it be gelato, soba or Chinese food for lunch, or Towa Genki vegetables and the mulberry shelf? All three close at different times, so deciding before you arrive helps you make the most of a visit.

At a farm shop that explains how its produce was grown, shopping itself tells you about the place.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa, also known as Abukuma-kan, is a roadside station centered on its farm shop along National Route 349 through the Abukuma hills east of Nihonmatsu City. It is run by the nonprofit Yuki no Sato Towa Furusatozukuri Kyogikai. Under its concept of healthy people, healthy soil and a healthy planet, the shop sells Towa Genki vegetables that meet its own standards. Mulberry leaf powder and mulberry fruit jam recall the area’s former silk farming. Inside are Michikusa-tei for soba and udon noodles, Daiei Gyozabo for Chinese food, and the handmade gelato shop NATURE. It is about 20 minutes by car from the Tohoku Expressway’s Nihonmatsu Interchange. This is a place for a short stop rather than a long outing: decide what to eat and buy, and you can take a taste of Towa home. Shunsuke Kusumi describes it as three reasons to stop in one place: the farm shop, sweets and restaurants.

  • #Nihonmatsu City
  • #National Route 349
  • #Abukuma-kan
  • #Towa Genki vegetables
  • #Mulberry leaf powder
  • #Mulberry fruit jam
  • #Gelato NATURE
  • #Daiei Gyozabo
  • #Michikusa-tei
  • #Rural park
  • #Nihonmatsu Interchange
  • #Organic and reduced-pesticide growing
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Towa Genki vegetables that meet independent standards take center stage at the farm shop

According to the official site, only vegetables grown by local farmers, from reduced-pesticide to organic cultivation, that meet the station’s own standards are sold as Towa Genki vegetables. It also describes soil preparation with Genki compost made by fermenting cattle manure and at least 14 types of local resources. The growing methods are worth exploring as well as the vegetables themselves.

02

Mulberry products recall the area’s silk-farming past

Silk farming was once common here, and mulberry products remain local staples. The official site lists mulberry leaf powder (50 g, ¥1,080 including tax) and mulberry fruit jam. Japan’s Michi-no-Eki association also names mulberry leaf powder for tea, hand-stretched mulberry-leaf umen noodles and sake-lees ice cream as signature products. Start at the mulberry shelf if you want to choose one souvenir.

03

Choose between soba, Chinese food and gelato

Inside are Michikusa-tei for soba and udon noodles (11:00–14:00), Daiei Gyozabo for Chinese food (11:00–15:00) and handmade gelato shop NATURE (10:00–16:00). They close at different times. If you may arrive in the afternoon, remember that the soba shop closes at 14:00.

04

The selection changes with the date, including Meat Day on dates containing 9

The official shop guide says meat delivered directly from a meat factory is discounted by 20–30% on Meat Day, dates containing the digit 9. Beyond vegetables and processed foods, the shop includes a Shoyukai section run by local merchants, with fish, meat, clothing fabrics, pottery and woodwork. If shopping is your reason to stop, allow for a selection that changes with the date and time.

05

A useful rest stop on National Route 349

It is about 20 minutes by car from the Tohoku Expressway’s Nihonmatsu Interchange. Japan’s Michi-no-Eki association lists Wi-Fi, a baby bed and an accessible toilet, as well as parking for two large vehicles and 98 standard cars, including four accessible spaces. A rural park is outside and a Fukushima Kotsu bus stop is on the grounds, so you can take a short walk after getting out of the car.

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 Nihonmatsu Interchange area and Abukuma

Take a 20-minute break while driving National Route 349

Use the toilet, walk around the farm shop, and pause for gelato or soft serve. You can see the Towa Genki vegetables and mulberry shelves even on a short stop. If you do not want to leave the car for long, a few minutes’ walk toward the rural park lets you stretch.

Park → toilet → farm shop → Gelato NATURE → depart.

Gelato closes at 16:00 and the farm shop at 17:00 according to the official guide. Reverse the order in the evening.

Visitors who want lunch at the station

Decide on soba or Chinese food before arriving for lunch

Michikusa-tei offers kakiage, meat, wild vegetable and kitsune soba or udon at ¥600 each, chashu pork rice bowls at ¥600, and rice balls at ¥220. Daiei Gyozabo serves Chinese-style noodle soup at ¥780, a pan-fried gyoza set meal at ¥950 and tantanmen at ¥980, among other Chinese dishes. The two restaurants have distinct menus, so choosing ahead saves time.

Arrive → choose a restaurant → eat → farm shop → depart.

Michikusa-tei closes at 14:00. Menus and prices can change; follow the prices displayed on the day.

A stop to buy souvenirs or replenish ingredients

Make a quick shopping stop for Towa ingredients

Start with Towa Genki vegetables that meet independent standards, mulberry leaf powder and mulberry fruit jam. If time allows, browse goods from local merchants at the Shoyukai shop, as well as pottery and woodwork. Meat discounts are advertised on dates containing 9 and may change what you buy first.

Farm shop → mulberry shelf → Shoyukai shop → checkout.

Fresh produce depends on deliveries. Keeping several options in mind makes shopping easier.

A day trip from the Fukushima or Koriyama area

Use Towa as a turnaround point from Nihonmatsu Interchange

Fukushima’s tourism guide puts the station about 20 minutes by car from the Tohoku Expressway’s Nihonmatsu Interchange. Lunch on the way out and shopping on the way back let you see how the farm shop selection changes. Free Wi-Fi is available for looking up your next stop.

Nihonmatsu Interchange → National Route 349 → station → Towa and Abukuma area → return visit.

Allow extra time for road conditions on the hilly route in winter or bad weather.

Hours

Opening hours

Farm shop and stores
9:00-17:00

Official site listing; a tourism site also lists 9:00–18:00 (17:00 in winter).

Chinese food: Daiei Gyozabo
11:00-15:00

Official site listing.

Michikusa-tei (soba and udon)
11:00-14:00

Official site listing; closes earliest among the indoor food outlets.

Gelato NATURE
10:00-16:00

Official site listing.

Toilets
24 hours

Part of the toilet facilities is available 24 hours.

Closed days
12/31・1/1・1/2

Temporary closures are also noted.

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.

Up to 1 year
★★★☆☆

A baby bed and accessible toilet are listed, making a short rest possible.

Public information does not confirm a nursing room. Call ahead if you need one.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

A loop around the farm shop followed by gelato or soft serve makes a manageable stop.

This is not a station with large playground equipment. Walk a few minutes toward the rural park for outdoor time.

Ages 4–6
★★★☆☆

Sweets, shopping and the outdoor park offer a change of pace.

Restaurants open at 11:00. An early visit may be limited to sweets and shopping.

Elementary-school age
★★★★☆

Explanations in the shop connect mulberries, silk farming and compost making with local history.

Activities at the experience, processing and cooking facilities, and how to register, vary by day; check directly with the facility.

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 produce shop

See deliveries of Towa Genki vegetables, seasonal fruit and changes to the mulberry product shelves.

Shoyukai local merchants’ shop

A section run by the local shopping street, with a wide range including fish, meat, clothing fabrics and sundries.

Restaurants and gelato

Check hours and menu changes at Michikusa-tei, Daiei Gyozabo and NATURE.

Station events

The official site has announced anniversary festivals, the Abukuma Furusato Walk, dango-sashi rice cake decoration and children’s markets. Events and dates change; check the latest notices.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The official site lists the farm shop and stores as 9:00–17:00 and closure on December 31, January 1 and January 2.

Those are the official listed hours; another tourism source lists 9:00–18:00, so evening visitors should confirm.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa official site

Japan’s Michi-no-Eki association lists parking, equipment and signature local products.

Its registration lists parking spaces, Wi-Fi, a baby bed and an accessible toilet.

Source: Japan Michi-no-Eki Association
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.

  • The official site lists the farm shop and stores as 9:00–17:00. A tourism site lists 9:00–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter); check the official site or call if visiting in the evening.
  • Daiei Gyozabo serves Chinese food 11:00–15:00, Michikusa-tei serves soba and udon 11:00–14:00, and gelato NATURE is listed as 10:00–16:00.
  • Closed December 31, January 1 and January 2. Temporary closures are also noted.
  • Japan’s Michi-no-Eki association lists parking for two large vehicles and 98 standard cars, including four accessible spaces. Counts differ between sources.
  • Wi-Fi (free), a baby bed, an accessible toilet and a public telephone are listed. Part of the toilet facilities is available 24 hours.
  • On Meat Day, dates containing 9, meat delivered directly from a meat factory is advertised at 20–30% off.
  • A rural park and Fukushima Kotsu bus stop are on the grounds. Even a brief stop can include a short walk.
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.

  • Gelato NATURE
    Handmade gelato (single)
    350 yen
  • Gelato NATURE
    Handmade gelato (double)
    550 yen
  • Gelato NATURE
    Soft-serve ice cream
    450 yen
  • Michikusa-tei
    Kakiage vegetable fritter, meat, wild vegetable or kitsune (sweet fried tofu) soba/udon
    ¥600 each
  • Michikusa-tei
    Chashu pork rice bowl
    ¥600 (small ¥450)
  • Michikusa-tei
    Rice balls (salmon, kombu kelp, squid tempura or chicken nanban)
    ¥220 each
  • Daiei Gyozabo
    Chinese-style noodle soup
    780 yen
  • Daiei Gyozabo
    Pan-fried gyoza dumpling set meal
    950 yen
  • Daiei Gyozabo
    Tantanmen spicy sesame noodles
    980 yen
  • Farm shop and souvenirs
    Mulberry leaf powder (50 g)
    ¥1,080 (tax included)
  • Farm shop and souvenirs
    Mulberry fruit jam
    Price in store
  • Farm shop
    Towa Genki vegetables
    Varies by season and delivery
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
Something sweet

Gelato (single ¥350 / double ¥550) / soft serve ¥450

10:00–16:00. A short break is enough to try a taste of Towa.

Light lunch

Soba or udon ¥600 each / rice balls ¥220 / chashu pork rice bowl ¥600

Michikusa-tei is open 11:00–14:00. This is the quicker choice when time is short.

Full lunch

Chinese-style noodle soup ¥780 / pan-fried gyoza set meal ¥950 / tantanmen ¥980

Daiei Gyozabo is open 11:00–15:00, making it the later lunch option.

Souvenir focus

Mulberry leaf powder / mulberry fruit jam / mulberry-leaf umen noodles

This shelf most clearly reflects the area’s silk-farming past; umen are thin, hand-stretched noodles.

Ingredients

Towa Genki vegetables / processed foods / meat (dates containing 9)

The selection changes with deliveries and dates, so this suits a visit with some time to browse.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Fukushima Towa

A farm shop in the land of mulberries and organic growing. Along National Route 349, Towa Genki vegetables and handmade gelato give you clear reasons to stop.

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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.
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