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Fukushima · Tohoku

Michi-no-Eki Ishikawa

道の駅石川

Opened on 18 September 2026: a new gateway to Ishikawa Town, connecting its market, dining, lawn and dog run with local outings.

Updated 2026-09-25Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Ishikawa Town, Ishikawa District

Road

National Route 118

Hours

09:00–17:00

The official website lists 09:00–17:00 for the shops, information facility and dog run. Dining hours vary by outlet; check the separate opening-hours rows below. Ishikawa Town identifies parking and toilets as available 24 hours. Seasonal changes may apply. Official website checked on 21 September 2026.

Parking

Cars: 170 / Large vehicles: 14

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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.

Opening

18 September 2026, 11:00

The town announced a residents’ preview from 12:00 on 17 September and the grand opening from 11:00 on 18 September 2026. These are opening-event times, not the regular daily opening time.

Start here

Market and food court

Local produce, fresh fish, processed products and meals using local ingredients were central to the development plan. A short stop can combine shopping and food.

With children

Add a break on the lawn

The lawn provides an outdoor break before or after eating. On rainy or very hot days, switch to Motogakko or Ishinikuru for an indoor destination.

With a dog

Dog run

The town describes separate areas for large and small dogs. Follow the posted rules and current official guidance.

Explore the town

Blossoms, a shrine and minerals

In spring, add the cherry trees along the Kitasu and Imade rivers. Iwatsutsukowake Shrine and Ishinikuru offer a sense of Ishikawa throughout the year.

Finish the outing

Bobata–Ishikawa hot springs

For a half-day drive, follow shopping and sightseeing with a hot-spring inn or a day bath, after checking the individual facility’s arrangements.

Planning the next stop

At Ishikawa, plan the family’s alternatives before choosing lunch.

This station opened on 18 September 2026. General hours are 09:00–17:00, but Sakura no Mori Shokudo opens 10:00–16:00 with last orders at 15:00, so decide your meal time first. Toilets, the lawn, dog run, market and tourist information share the site, making it possible to plan the family’s sequence. Take care of basic needs, look at what to buy, and fit lunch to the restaurant’s hours. If that does not work, switch to an indoor town attraction or a hot spring. Consider those alternatives as part of using the station well.

Sunshine

Toilets, lawn, market, food court, then Cherry Blossom Valley or the shrine.

Rain

Keep shopping short, then move to Motogakko or Ishinikuru.

On the way home

Check hot-spring reception hours and buy something for dinner at the market.

With a dog

Read the dog-run rules and choose a shorter break if the station is crowded.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Ishikawa stands beside National Route 118 in Ohashi, Ishikawa Town, and opened on 18 September 2026 (information checked on 21 September 2026). Its farmers’ market, food court, tourist information, lawn and dog run offer a place to buy produce and prepared goods and choose meals using local ingredients before visiting Ishinikuru, the cherry trees along the Kitasu and Imade rivers, Iwatsutsukowake Shrine or the Bobata–Ishikawa hot-spring area. The official website lists 09:00–17:00 for shops, the information facility and dog run. Sakura no Mori Shokudo serves 10:00–16:00, with last orders at 15:00; Oishikawai Crêpe & Gelato opens 10:00–16:00. Regular closing days are not listed. Telephone: 0247-57-8851. This is Ishikawa Town in Fukushima Prefecture, not Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast.

#Opened 18 September 2026
#Farmers’ market
#Food court
#Lawn
#Dog run
#Ishinikuru
#Cherry Blossom Valley
#Bobata Onsen

Practical information

Registration number: 福島-37
Prefecture: Fukushima
Municipality: Ishikawa Town, Ishikawa District
Road: National Route 118
Telephone: 0247-57-8851
Closed days: No regular closing day is listed on the official website (checked 21 September 2026). Check its latest notices before visiting.
Station stamp: Available

Address

58-1 Ohashi, Ishikawa Town, Fukushima 963-7881 (福島県石川郡石川町字大橋58番地1)

Facilities

Parking
24-hour toilets
Baby-care corner
Public Wi-Fi
Shops
Dining
Tourist information
Information facility
Rest area
Lawn
Dog run
EV charging

1 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)www.town.ishikawa.fukushima.jp (Japanese guide)www.town.ishikawa.fukushima.jp (Japanese guide)www.town.ishikawa.fukushima.jp (Japanese guide)www.sakuranomori-fukushima.com (Japanese guide)www.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)www.michieki.jp (Japanese guide)fukushima.travel (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

A new station opened on 18 September 2026

The official notices announce the grand opening on 18 September 2026 after a residents’ preview from 12:00 to 16:00 on 17 September. Shops, the information facility and dog run open 09:00–17:00; Sakura no Mori Shokudo 10:00–16:00, last orders 15:00; and Oishikawai Crêpe & Gelato 10:00–16:00. Fukuminori sweets and Oishikawai Ringo Bakery start selling at 09:00. No regular closing day is listed, so check the official guidance before travelling (checked 21 September 2026).

Food and shopping lead into the town

The manager describes a “food theme park” introducing the attractions of Ishikawa Town and Fukushima. It works as more than a produce stop: use it as an information base for hot springs, cherry blossoms, minerals and shrines.

Different family needs in one stop

Toilets, a baby-care corner, lawn, dog run and food court are brought together in the development plan. People wanting food, outdoor play, a dog break or tourist advice can arrange to meet in the same place.

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.

First-time visitors avoiding crowds

Make a short first visit just after opening

During the opening period, keep your first visit flexible: toilets, a short look around the market, the lawn and tourist information. Rather than relying on one particular meal, see the shops and products first and use that information to plan a future lunch or hot-spring outing.

Route 118 → market and information at the station → Ishinikuru or Cherry Blossom Valley.

Parking and food-court crowds are difficult to predict around opening. Follow official opening details, business hours and parking directions.

Toddlers and primary-school children

Let children move before eating

During a long drive, a short spell on the lawn before eating can work well. Browse the market after your meal, then move to indoor Motogakko if rain or heat is strong. Children interested in minerals or VR exhibits may enjoy Ishinikuru instead.

Park → toilets → lawn → food court → market → Motogakko or Ishinikuru.

The lawn and dog run are outdoors. Plan an indoor alternative for strong summer sun, winter wind or rain.

Flower-viewing drives in early to mid-April

Make Cherry Blossom Valley the focus in spring

The cherry trees along the Kitasu and Imade rivers are a highlight of Ishikawa Town. Use the station for toilets, drinks and snacks before walking among the blossoms. Night illuminations and crowd arrangements vary each year, so consult that spring’s tourist information before departure.

Station → Kitasu and Imade river cherry trees → Iwatsutsukowake Shrine → market on the way home.

The usual peak is early to mid-April. Check that year’s flowering, parking and traffic guidance.

Adults or three generations together

End a half-day outing with a hot spring

After shopping and eating at the station, extend the trip to the Bobata–Ishikawa hot-spring area. Inns and day baths have different reception hours; narrow down the options at tourist information before heading out.

Station → Iwatsutsukowake Shrine or Ishinikuru → Bobata–Ishikawa hot springs.

Some baths prioritize overnight guests, and day-bathing reception can change. Follow the individual facility’s guidance for your visiting day.

Hours

Opening hours

General opening hours

09:00–17:00

The official website applies these hours to shops, the information facility and dog run. Seasonal changes may apply (checked 21 September 2026).

Sakura no Mori Shokudo

10:00–16:00; last orders 15:00

The outlet’s official hours are shorter than the station’s general hours. Leave enough time if coming for lunch (checked 21 September 2026).

Oishikawai Crêpe & Gelato

10:00–16:00

Outlet hours on the official website (checked 21 September 2026).

Fukuminori sweets

From 09:00

The official website lists the start time only, with no closing time (checked 21 September 2026).

Oishikawai Ringo Bakery

Sales from 09:00

The official wording says each scheduled batch is expected to end when sold out (checked 21 September 2026).

Parking and toilets

24 hours

Ishikawa Town’s announcement dated 21 July 2026 identifies these as 24-hour facilities; the operator’s website does not give their hours. Information-facility hours differ between sources: the town says 24 hours, while the operator groups it under 09:00–17:00 (checked 21 September 2026).

Grand opening

18 September 2026

The residents’ preview was 12:00–16:00 on 17 September. The town scheduled the opening ceremony for 10:00–10:45 and public admission for 11:00–17:00 on opening day (checked 21 September 2026).

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 and under

★★★★☆

The planned baby-care corner and 24-hour toilets make this a promising stop for feeding and changing.

During opening-period crowds, assess parking and indoor congestion rather than feeling obliged to stay.

Ages 2–3

★★★★☆

A short spell on the lawn before returning to food or shopping suits this age.

In rain or extreme heat, switch early to Motogakko or Ishinikuru instead of relying on outdoor play.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Combine the lawn, a snack, cherry-lined walks and hands-on exhibits at Ishinikuru to vary the outing.

Children’s routes may pass near dog areas. Keep some distance around the dog run.

Primary-school children

★★★★★

Ishinikuru’s mineral and VR displays can turn the stop into a learning outing in this mineral-rich town.

Change the purpose with the season: blossoms in spring, museum events in the summer holiday, and hot springs in autumn or winter.

First steps

Locate the toilets, baby-care corner and lawn on arrival before moving on to food and shopping.

Rainy weather

Include Motogakko, Ishinikuru or a hot spring instead of depending entirely on the outdoor lawn.

With a dog

The dog run was planned with separate areas for large and small dogs. Check posted hours, registration requirements and any vaccination-certificate rules.

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

Lawn

Designed for children’s play and events. Markets, outdoor sales and local events may use this space; check the actual schedule.

Tourist information

The regional trading company Sakuraize plans to direct visitors to town attractions and accommodation. Ask about hot springs, blossoms, museums and shrines for the day.

Motogakko

A town venue for summer festivals, the children’s Skids Hiroba space and exhibitions. It is a useful next stop from the station with children or in rain.

Official notices

The station website has notices including its preview and grand opening. Check this section for seasonal hours, closure days and shop updates.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Grand opening on 18 September 2026

The official notices announce a residents’ preview on 17 September 2026, 12:00–16:00, followed by the grand opening on 18 September. The town scheduled a 10:00–10:45 opening ceremony and 11:00–17:00 public admission for that day. Current regular hours are 09:00–17:00 for shops, the information facility and dog run.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Ishikawa official notices

Post-opening crowds and the visitor experience remain unverified

This article is not based on an on-site reporting visit. Post-opening crowds, sell-outs, restaurant turnover and the dog-run experience have not been confirmed. The hours and outlet distinctions shown follow the official website. Follow same-day official updates and signs for actual conditions.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Ishikawa official website

A direction centred on a food theme park

The manager describes shops that present and rediscover the appeal of Ishikawa Town and Fukushima. Think of the market and food court together: buy something, eat, then head to another town attraction.

Source: Ishikawa Town roadside-station newsletter, issue 8

The lawn and dog run can extend a stop

The town describes a lawn for children’s play and events, and a dog run divided into large- and small-dog areas. The operator also lists the dog run under 09:00–17:00 hours. In good weather, use the grounds for a break; in rain, switch to an indoor attraction nearby.

Source: Ishikawa Town roadside-station newsletter, issue 7

In spring, Cherry Blossom Valley is the stronger seasonal draw

Around 2,000 cherry trees line the Kitasu and Imade rivers, usually reaching their best in early to mid-April. In the first spring after opening and beyond, resupplying at the station before visiting the rivers makes a distinctly local outing.

Source: Flower Kingdom Fukushima / Fukushima Travel

Minerals and indoor events provide rainy-day alternatives

Ishinikuru has mineral displays, a video theatre, hands-on exhibits and VR displays. Motogakko regularly posts children’s activities and events. These indoor town destinations are useful when the station’s outdoor lawn is uncomfortable.

Source: Ishikawa Town History and Folklore Museum / Motogakko

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 residents’ preview was on 17 September 2026 from 12:00 and the grand opening on 18 September from 11:00, according to the town announcement checked on 10 September. These historical event times are separate from regular hours.
Shops, the information facility and dog run open 09:00–17:00 on the operator’s website. Sakura no Mori Shokudo opens 10:00–16:00, with last orders at 15:00. The town lists parking and toilets as available 24 hours; information-facility hours conflict between town and operator sources. Check current closure and outlet notices.
Town newsletter issue 7 planned 170 ordinary-car spaces, 14 large-vehicle spaces, 3 accessible spaces and 2 priority spaces for visitors needing extra assistance. Another station directory lists a total of 189, so use the latest official parking guidance when visiting.
The lawn and dog run are outdoors. Leave room to switch to Motogakko, Ishinikuru or a hot spring during summer heat, rain or strong winter wind.
Build town travel into the visit: Cherry Blossom Valley in spring, Kirara Summer Festival when announced for summer, or hot springs in autumn and winter.
Crowds, sell-outs, parking directions and shop operations can change soon after opening. Keep shopping and nearby walking alternatives instead of relying entirely on one meal.

Gallery

A closer look

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.

Farmers’ market
Local produce and processed foods
Check current shelf prices
Dining
Meals using local ingredients
Check the current outlet menu and prices
Shopping
Ishikawa Town and Fukushima souvenirs
Check current shop displays
Seasonal produce
Fruit and seasonal vegetables
Availability and prices depend on harvests and deliveries

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.

Just after opening

Look around the market first

During the new station’s busy opening period, browse the market before joining a food-court queue. That leaves shopping as an alternative if dining is crowded.

Expect possible sell-outs and parking queues on opening-event days.

A lunch stop

Food court

Choose a meal using local produce and plan around your chosen outlet’s hours. With children, a toilet and lawn break before settling down to eat can make the stop calmer.

Follow current outlet hours, last orders and closure notices.

Take something home

Produce, processed foods and town souvenirs

Enjoy Ishikawa’s food at home. Stocks may thin towards evening, so a visit around midday may offer more choice.

A small snack with children

Light food and drinks

When you do not want a long stop, let children move on the lawn and then have a snack before returning to the drive.

A seasonal target

Peaches, apples and seasonal vegetables

Fukushima fruit and Abukuma-area produce change with the seasons. Pair shopping with spring blossoms, summer-to-autumn fruit or winter hot springs to give the stop a seasonal character.

Products depend on suppliers and deliveries. Check official updates when looking for a particular item.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location

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Travelling without a car? The official access guidance describes a bus from Nogisawa Station (野木沢駅) on the JR Suigun Line, followed by a walk from Shiozawa Higashiguchi (塩沢東口). Check outward and return services before travelling. Drivers should use the station’s own parking, not neighbouring shops or private land.

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