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Fukushima Prefecture · Tohoku

Roadside Station Inawashiro

道の駅 猪苗代

Just off Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC, this gateway to Aizu is a place to eat, shop, and take a family break before exploring Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Inawashiro Town, Yama District
Road
National Route 115
Hours
9:00–18:00
Generally open year-round. Last orders for light meals are at 17:30; restaurant hours are approximately 10:30–16:00.
Parking
Cars: 164 / Large vehicles: 16
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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.

Get oriented first
Restrooms, parking, and information right after the IC

Just off Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC, this is a convenient place to plan restroom and meal stops for the family before heading to the lake or Bandai Highlands.

Stop for lunch
Soba, sauce katsudon, ramen

The restaurant mainly serves lunch; the food court stays open into the early evening. If it is busy, light meals and the shop give you other options.

Shop for the journey home
Sasa dango, fresh dorayaki, local sake, crafts

Souvenirs from Inawashiro and Aizu are gathered here. Visit earlier in the day for a better choice of limited and seasonal items.

Bringing a dog
Northern dog run and face-in-hole photo boards

The dog run has separate areas for small dogs and medium to large dogs. Check on-site notices for winter or bad-weather availability.

Explore nearby
Lakeshore, memorial museum, aquarium, historic Western-style building

Head to Tenjinhama on a clear day, or to the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or Kingfisher Aquarium in rain or extreme heat. A short break can become a half-day outing.

Reserve an overnight RV space
Check the RV park season and reservation rules

The official facility guide lists the 2026 RV park season as April 18–November 30, with five spaces at ¥2,700 per space. Reservations open one month before the date of use. Kurumatabi also states that it closes in winter (December–March) because of snow. An RV park booking is separate from ordinary roadside station parking.

Highlights

Roadside Station Inawashiro stands just off Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway, making it a useful stop to plan the next leg of an Aizu trip. Its spacious parking area has Mt. Bandai as a backdrop, with the dining room, food court, and shop close together. Even a short visit can take in rice and buckwheat flour from Inawashiro, Aizu sauce katsudon (a pork cutlet rice bowl with sauce), Chuka Kohaku ramen supervised by Kitakata restaurant Kiichi, sasa dango (mugwort rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves), and fresh dorayaki (pancake sandwiches with cream and sweet bean paste). Shunsuke Kanzaki recommends it as a place to sort out the family’s restroom, meal, shopping, and dog break before heading to the lake or museums. On a clear day, continue to Tenjinhama or Tenkyokaku; in rain or intense heat, try the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or Kingfisher Aquarium for a half-day Inawashiro outing.

  • #Right next to Banetsu Expressway IC
  • #Mt. Bandai
  • #Lake Inawashiro
  • #Aizu food
  • #Rest with children
  • #dog run
  • #RV park
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Get ready for your trip as soon as you get off the IC

Parking, restrooms, places to eat, a shop, and an information corner are close together, making this a convenient break before Lake Inawashiro or Mt. Bandai. The town advises setting your car navigation for the IC to avoid directions to the wrong location.

02

Try Aizu and Inawashiro foods in a short stop

In one building you can eat or buy rice and buckwheat flour from Inawashiro, Aizu sauce katsudon, ramen supervised by Kiichi, sasa dango, fresh dorayaki, local sake, and crafts.

03

Options for families with children and dogs

A food court, soft serve, children’s menu, 24-hour restrooms, dog run, and face-in-hole photo boards make it easier to adjust when companions want different things.

04

Easy to switch to lakeside, memorial hall, or aquarium

From the station you can drive to Tenjinhama, the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum, Kingfisher Aquarium, or Tenkyokaku. Options change with clear or rainy weather, winter ice formations made by lake spray, and summer lakeside activities.

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.

30–60-minute break

After the IC, take a moment to settle the family

Park, use the restrooms, browse the shop, and choose soft serve or a light snack for the children. Adults can judge the lunch crowds before choosing the restaurant or food court. Even if you are heading straight to the lake, a short break here can make the drive easier.

Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC → Restroom and snacks at the roadside station → Toward Lake Inawashiro or Bandai Kogen

The restaurant has relatively short daytime hours; for a late lunch, plan on the food court or shop.

lunch and souvenirs

Bring back the essence of Inawashiro through dining and shopping

Make soba, sauce katsudon, or ramen the main meal, then look for sasa dango, fresh dorayaki, Inawashiro sake, and Nakanosawa kokeshi dolls in the shop. A souvenir adds a taste of Aizu to the journey home.

Main Dining I or Inoya → Shop/Crafts → Photo Spot

Seasonal products and limited menus change. Check official notices and signs in the shop.

Sunny weather, photography, playing outside

On a sunny day, add a trip to the lakeside to make it a half-day trip.

After eating and using the restroom at the station, head to Tenjinhama for a closer view of Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro together. It suits children who need outdoor play, a short outing with a dog, or a photo stop.

Roadside station → Tenjinhama → Tenkyokaku or Nagahama if time allows

Wind and season change conditions at the shore. In winter, consider the spray-ice formations; in summer, watch for crowds and strong sun around the water.

With children/Rainy day

Escape to an indoor spot on rainy or hot days

After lunch at the station, visit the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or Aquamarine Inawashiro Kingfisher Aquarium for an indoor half-day with children. A meal, a chance to learn, and a short walk can work well in poor weather.

Roadside Station → Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum → Kingfisher Aquarium

Admission deadlines and fees may change for each facility. Please check the official information before departure.

Drive with dog

With a dog, focus on a short break in the northern area

The dog run has separate areas for small dogs and medium to large dogs, useful for a little exercise after a drive. See the newer pet face-in-hole photo board and northern area; companions can take turns visiting the shop or getting food.

Park → dog run → pet photo board → take turns in the shop

The method of use changes during winter, snowfall, and rainy weather. The terms of use at the entrance will take precedence.

Shunsuke's detour memo

For Inawashiro, it's best to get ready at the station and then go out to the lake and mountains.

Shunsuke Kanzaki sees Roadside Station Inawashiro as more than a convenient stop before the destination. Use the restroom, choose lunch, give the children a sweet treat, and let the dog stretch a little in the northern area. Then the family is better prepared for Tenjinhama or an indoor museum visit.

1

see first

Check parking, restrooms, and the lunch crowds first. Then decide whether to head straight to the lakeshore or eat at the station.

2

choose next

Soba, sauce katsudon, ramen, sweet. It's helpful that everyone in your party doesn't have to stick to the same restaurant.

3

Extend the outing

If it's sunny, visit Tenjinhama, and if it's raining, visit the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or Aquarium. This is a station where you can change your detour depending on the season and weather.

Hours

Opening hours

Shop and facilities
9:00〜18:00

Official guidance says generally open year-round; check official notices for temporary changes.

Main dining I
10:30〜16:00

Last order is around 15:30. Arrive earlier if you are coming for lunch.

food court
9:00〜18:00

Last order is around 17:30 for light meals, sweets, and ramen.

dog run
9:30〜16:00

Separate areas for small dogs and medium to large dogs. Check the rules at the entrance and the weather.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Under 1 year old
★★★☆☆

Suitable if you want to use the toilet and take a short break indoors.

This works best as a short stop, taking feeding and diaper-changing needs and busy periods into account, rather than as a place for outdoor play.

2-3 years old
★★★★☆

Soft serve, face-in-hole photo boards, and a quick look at the dog run can provide a change of pace.

At this age, eating and using the restroom before the lakeshore makes the outing easier. Allow time to avoid holiday lunch queues.

4-6 years old
★★★★☆

After your meal, you can easily switch to Tenjinhama, Kingfisher Aquarium, or Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum.

Children may enjoy the visit more if you continue to a nearby destination suited to the weather rather than staying at the station for a long time.

Elementary school student
★★★★★

You can eat ramen and sauce katsudon, and learn at the memorial museum and aquarium.

Connecting Mt. Bandai, Lake Inawashiro, and Hideyo Noguchi in one day will help you remember the place better.

toilet

The route from the parking lot to the building is easy to understand, making this station easy to use for sudden bathroom breaks.

meal

The restaurant, food court, sweets, and shop give families several meal options for children.

rainy day

Rather than spending a long time at the station, it is easier to spend time at the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or the Kingfisher Aquarium.

Bringing a dog

Separated for small dogs and medium to large dogs. Please read the rules and seasonal information at the entrance.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Choose to park near the building

    The station has plenty of parking, but the walking distance may be longer on holidays. First, look at the restrooms and eating area.

  2. 2
    Decide on lunch early

    Main Dining I mainly serves lunch. If you arrive later, switching to the food court may make the wait easier to manage.

  3. 3
    Lakeside locations are determined by the weather.

    On days when you want to go to Tenjinhama or Tenkyokaku, it is better to take into consideration the wind, heat, and winter road conditions and not push yourself too hard.

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

event plaza

A place where the flow of people changes during outdoor events and campaigns. On holidays, allow extra time for parking and meals.

Information corner

The Nakanosawa kokeshi face-in-hole photo board is one of the features you may notice soon after arrival.

North area

The dog run and pet face-in-hole photo board make this a convenient northern-area break for dog owners. Check the weather and winter availability.

Shop/food court

Shopping sometimes coincides with small promotions such as receipt-based campaigns or roadside station pin sales.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

If you bring your dog, use the northern area for short periods of time.

The dog run has separate areas for small dogs and medium to large dogs. A pet face-in-hole photo board was announced in July 2026. For a short dog break, check on-site guidance during winter or severe weather.

Source: Official facility information/official announcements

To walk beside the lake, continue beyond the station

The station gives you a sense of the Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro area, but Tenjinhama or Nagahama is better for a walk at the water’s edge. Clear skies, winter spray-ice formations, and summer swimming give the lakeshore different characters.

Source: Inawashiro Tourism Association, travelogue trends

The nearby IC makes navigation simpler

Inawashiro Town advises setting your car navigation for Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC because entering the facility name can sometimes lead to another location. Use the IC as your landmark on a first visit.

Source: Inawashiro Town Official Website

In winter, the way RV parks, dog runs, and lakeside areas are used changes.

The RV park has a winter closure notice. Winter also brings spray-ice formations and swans to the lakeshore, together with stronger concerns about wind and road conditions. Plan shorter journeys in winter.

Source: Car trip, Inawashiro Tourism 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 station is just off Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC. Inawashiro Town advises using the IC as a navigation destination if entering the facility name gives confusing directions.
  • Business hours are approximately 9:00 to 18:00, but the restaurant is approximately 10:30 to 16:00, and last orders are approximately 15:30. If you're going for lunch, it's easier to move early.
  • Inawashiro Town lists 164 standard-car spaces, 16 large-vehicle spaces, 2 designated spaces for people with disabilities, and 1 rapid EV charger. Allow extra time on holidays and event days.
  • The dog run is generally open 9:30–16:00, with separate areas for small dogs and medium to large dogs. Check the rules at the entrance and winter or weather notices.
  • The RV park is separate from ordinary roadside station parking. The official facility guide lists April 18–November 30 as the 2026 season, five spaces, and ¥2,700 per space; reservations open one month before the date of use. A winter closure (December–March) due to snow is also noted.
  • If you want to go to the shore of Lake Inawashiro, go to Tenjinhama, and on rainy or hot days, go to Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum or Kingfisher Aquarium. It's easier to switch locations than staying too long inside the station.
  • Winter brings sights such as spray-ice formations and swans, but wind, snow, and icy roads can change conditions considerably. Plan shorter drives.
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.

  • Main dining I
    Mori soba with a small sauce katsudon set
    Approximate price: 1,800 yen
  • Main dining I
    Mori soba and tempura
    Approximate price: 1,700 yen
  • Main dining I
    Aizu sauce katsudon
    Approximately 1,500 yen
  • Inoya
    Chuka Kohaku ramen (中華湖博ラーメン)
    Approximately 850 yen
  • food court
    Milk soft serve
    Approximate price: 420 yen
  • Shop / Horaido
    Sasa dango and fresh dorayaki
    Check the shop display
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 lunch

Main Dining I: Soba, Tempura, Aizu Sauce Katsudon

Choose a substantial meal made with rice from Inawashiro Town or buckwheat flour from Aizu. Having lunch here before the lakeshore or museum leaves the afternoon free.

Business hours are mainly lunchtime and last orders are taken early.

Early/late snack

Inoya’s Chuka Kohaku ramen, curry, milk soft serve

For a lighter meal, or something easy to share with children, try the food court. Its Chuka Kohaku ramen was introduced for the station’s tenth anniversary.

Please check the sales floor display for popular menu items as availability changes.

A break for sweets

Horaido’s sasa dango, tempura manju, seasonal sweets

On a long drive, stop for sweets rather than a full meal. You can also take Japanese sweets from Inawashiro for the journey.

Seasonal items such as shaved ice and zenzai (sweet red bean soup) vary by time of year.

Meals for children

Kids curry, soft serve ice cream, fries, drinks

For young children who want familiar foods, there are options beyond ramen and soba. Find the seats and restrooms first.

Lunch queues can grow on holidays, so keep more than one food option in mind.

Take home

Sasa dango, fresh dorayaki, local sake, Inawashiro brand products, crafts

Even if meal times do not work out, shopping offers a taste of Inawashiro. Look for Aizu crafts such as akabeko red cow figures and Nakanosawa kokeshi wooden dolls.

Consider the journey home when buying chilled or seasonal products.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Roadside Station Inawashiro

Just off Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC, this gateway to Aizu is a place to eat, shop, and take a family break before exploring Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro.

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

Lakeside/Nature
TenjinhamaJapanese guide
Approximately 10 minutes by carApproximately 10 minutes by car

Best on a clear day, when children need outdoor time or you want to photograph Mt. Bandai and the lake together. In winter, allow for wind and road conditions when viewing the spray-ice formations.

Museum/Indoor
Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum/Infectious Disease MuseumJapanese guide
Approximately 6 minutes by car/approximately 3.5kmApproximately 6 minutes by car

For rainy, very hot, or cold days, or an educational outing with elementary school children.

Aquarium/indoor
Aquamarine Inawashiro Kingfisher AquariumJapanese guide
Approximately 10 minutes by carApproximately 10 minutes by car

For rainy or very hot days, when children from preschool age through elementary school want a short look at aquatic life.

Historic architecture and scenery
TenkyokakuJapanese guide
Approximately 11-15 minutes by car, approximately 7kmApproximately 11-15 minutes by car

For a quiet stop at historic architecture on a lakeside drive, particularly after rain or with adult companions.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →