Nagano Prefecture · Kanto

Michi no Eki Ikusaka no Sato

道の駅いくさかの郷

Ash-baked oyaki, Kasan-chi and Ikusacarat grapes: take the flavors of a small village by the Sai River home from this roadside station.

Updated 2026-09-30Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Location

Ikusaka Village, Higashichikuma District

Road

Prefectural Route 275 | Kami-Ikusaka–Shinano-Matsukawa Station Line

Hours

9:00–17:00

Farmers' market 9:00–17:00; Kasan-chi 10:00–16:00. Meals 11:00–14:00, with last orders around 14:00. The village's station page separately lists last orders at 14:00 on weekdays and 15:00 on holidays, while the Kasan-chi operator lists restaurant service through 14:00. Check the counter or official social media before a late lunch.

Parking

Cars: 30 / Large vehicles: 5

My stamp

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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.

Check first

Ash-baked oyaki

Check quantities and baking times first; around lunch, this helps set the order of your visit.

For lunch

Kasan-chi

Meal service ends relatively early, so eat first if lunch is your main reason for visiting.

To buy

Ikusacarat grapes

From around August to October, allow extra time at the market for grapes.

With children

A short break

Use the nearby restaurant, restrooms and shops; this is not a destination for play equipment.

To explore beyond the station

Yamanamiso and Sanseiji

Add a bath or wooded valley views for a half day in Ikusaka Village.

Chiho's Ikusaka notes

Oyaki, grapes, restrooms, then the next stop: this order makes a family visit easier.

Chiho Shinohara sees Ikusaka no Sato as a small base for tasting village food and choosing the next destination. Around lunch, check the ash-baked oyaki and Kasan-chi first; in grape season, give the market more time. Finish the restroom and shopping stops before children get restless, then leave room for Yamanamiso or Sanseiji.

Highlights

Michi no Eki Ikusaka no Sato is a small roadside station centered on Ikusaka Village's farmers' market and Kasan-chi restaurant, with food and shopping as its main draws. Around August to October, the market stocks the village's Ikusacarat grape brand. At Kasan-chi, try ash-baked oyaki, a stuffed local dumpling baked in embers, and regional dishes made with local ingredients. For an easy family visit, check the restaurant and oyaki first around lunchtime, then shop, use the restrooms and continue to nearby Yamanamiso or Sanseiji. Editor Chiho Shinohara describes it as a place to discover a small village's kitchen during a drive.

#Ikusaka Village
#Ash-baked oyaki
#Kasan-chi
#Ikusacarat
#Grapes
#Farmers' market
#Sanseiji
#Yamanamiso
#Family break

Practical information

Registration number: 長野-50 | (北-32)
Prefecture: Nagano Prefecture
Municipality: Ikusaka Village, Higashichikuma District
Road: Prefectural Route 275 | Kami-Ikusaka–Shinano-Matsukawa Station Line
Telephone: 0263-69-1930
Closed days: Mondays (the next day if Monday is a public holiday), year-end and New Year holidays, and other closures
Station stamp: Available

Address

〒399-7201 長野県東筑摩郡生坂村5204番地1 (5204-1 Ikusaka Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture)

Facilities

Farmers' market
Kasan-chi
Restaurant
Ash-baked oyaki sales
Kasan-chi corner
Tourist information
Live camera
Restrooms
Baby changing table
Accessible restroom
Parking

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)www.village.ikusaka.nagano.jp (Japanese guide)iksk-agri.com (Japanese guide)www.village.ikusaka.nagano.jp (Japanese guide)discover-matsumoto-area.com (Japanese guide)www.kanto-michinoeki.jp (Japanese guide)www.village.ikusaka.nagano.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Plan your visit around the ash-baked oyaki

Kasan-chi's ash-baked oyaki lets you taste an Ikusaka specialty on site. These stuffed dumplings are baked in embers; quantities and baking times vary, so check the sales counter and restaurant first if you arrive around lunch.

Grape season gives the market an extra draw

The village presents its Ikusacarat grapes as a specialty from around August to October. When Kyoho, Nagano Purple and Shine Muscat are available, comparing varieties can make the market a destination in its own right.

Restaurant, market and restrooms are close together

This is a compact station without large play equipment, with a short walk between food, shopping and restrooms. With small children, keep the restaurant wait manageable and leave time for oyaki or the market.

Explore Sanseiji, Yamanamiso and Sky Sports Park

The station makes a starting point: Yamanamiso for a short bathing stop; Sanseiji or Sky Sports Park for views; and Takatsuya Forest Park for an outdoor or overnight trip. These places add the Sai River and Ikusaka's wooded hills to your visit.

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 short taste of local food

Stop before lunch for ash-baked oyaki

On arrival, check ash-baked oyaki sales before heading to the restaurant. If some are available, secure your oyaki, then decide whether to eat at Kasan-chi or shop at the market. At this small station, one clear goal can make a brief stop rewarding.

Park → check oyaki → Kasan-chi → farmers' market → restrooms.

On weekends, public holidays and at lunchtime, quantities and numbered-ticket arrangements may change; check official social media or the counter.

A shopping drive around August–October

Make the market the focus in grape season

Ikusaka's grape brand draws on the Sai River area's day–night temperature differences and sunshine. Compare Kyoho, Nagano Purple and Shine Muscat, and plan how to keep your purchase cool until you get home. The market can be the main stop on the trip.

Farmers' market → Kasan-chi corner → oyaki → drive home.

Varieties, stock and the sales season vary by year and weather.

Rainy days, families and an adult break

Add a bath at Yamanamiso

After lunch or shopping at the station, drive a few minutes to Yamanamiso for a bath, including on rainy days. Separating the food stop from the bathing stop can make the day easier for a family.

Roadside station → Yamanamiso → drive home.

Yamanamiso's reopening status and overnight services can change; check its current notice on the day.

A short nature stop on a clear day

Take in Sai River scenery at Sanseiji

After food and shopping, continue to Sanseiji for a view of Ikusaka's Sai River and gorge. With children, keep the walk short and use the drive for a brief scenic stop.

Roadside station → Sanseiji → toward National Route 19.

Watch your footing on paths and road shoulders, especially after rain.

Clear weather, photos and time outdoors

See the village from Sky Sports Park

If you have time and the weather is good, climb to Sky Sports Park for a view over Ikusaka Village. Even without paragliding, it is a stop for seeing the shape of the wooded hills.

Roadside station → Sky Sports Park → toward Takatsuya Forest Park.

Wind, weather and road conditions matter; keep this stop flexible.

Hours

Opening hours

Farmers' market

9:00–17:00

Seasonal vegetables, processed products and Ikusacarat grapes from around August to October.

Kasan-chi

10:00–16:00

Restaurant and specialty-product processing; meals are generally available from 11:00 to around 14:00. Check current last-order times.

Ash-baked oyaki

Follow the posted baking schedule

Limited quantities or numbered tickets may apply.

Closed day

Monday

If Monday is a public holiday, closure moves to the next day. Check official notices for year-end, New Year and other closures.

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

★★★☆☆

Suitable for restrooms, brief shopping and a restaurant stop; think of it as a break rather than a long visit.

Avoid the lunch rush and make a short circuit of the market while carrying your child.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Oyaki and noodles can make an easy meal, but there is little play equipment.

If the wait is long, switch to oyaki, the market or Yamanamiso.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Combine grapes and local food with a quick view at Sanseiji.

Keep Sanseiji or park visits short, according to the weather and ground conditions.

Elementary school age

★★★★☆

Connect Ikusacarat grapes and the Sai River with the landscape at Sky Sports Park.

Plan a hike or serious outdoor activity separately; avoid overfilling a station day.

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

Third-Saturday specialty market

The station's official Instagram has announced a specialty market on the third Saturday of each month. Check vendors, hours and arrangements in severe weather.

Ash-baked oyaki

Check official social media and the counter for baking times, numbered tickets, reservations and weekend or public-holiday arrangements.

Ikusacarat grapes

Check grape deliveries and varieties from around August to October, along with seasonal activities such as grape cards.

Ikusaka Village Tourism Association

Check seasonal information on trekking, photo rallies, Sanseiji and Ojo–Kyogakura.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The farmers' market and Kasan-chi are the station's core attractions

Ikusacarat grapes, ash-baked oyaki, local farm produce and Kasan-chi give this station its food and shopping focus.

Source: Ikusaka no Sato official site

Seasonal vegetables and Ikusacarat grapes at the market

In grape season, give the market more time: its seasonal selection changes the visit.

Source: Farmers' market official site

Ash-baked oyaki: baking times and numbered tickets

Official Instagram posts mention limited quantities, baking times and numbered tickets; check these before planning your lunch stop.

Source: Official Instagram

The restaurant may have a lunchtime queue

If the restaurant is busy, leave time for oyaki, the market or a nearby bathing stop.

Source: Nagano Komachi Web

Sanseiji, Ojo–Kyogakura and outdoor videos

From the station, extend your trip toward the Sai River, wooded hills or a bath.

Source: Ikusaka Village Tourism Association

Third-Saturday specialty market notices

Official Instagram has posted notices for the specialty market on the third Saturday; check the current month's event details.

Source: Official Instagram

Movie

Preview the place on video

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

If the video does not load, watch it on YouTube

ENJOY!! Ikusaka no Sato Outdoors

Official video for a sense of a day extending from the station into nearby outdoor areas.

Source: Ikusaka Village Tourism Association

If the video does not load, watch it on YouTube

Outdoor Field: Ikusaka Village, Shinshu

Reference video for planning outdoor time around Sanseiji and the wooded hills.

Source: Ikusaka Village 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.

Check ash-baked oyaki quantities, baking times and numbered tickets first.
For lunch, aim for 11:00–14:00; if arriving late, switch to snacks and market shopping. Check current last-order times.
In grape season, visit the market with your drive home and cooling needs in mind.
Monday is normally the closed day. Check official notices for public-holiday shifts and year-end or New Year closures.
For active play, leave time for Yamanamiso or Sanseiji instead of planning a long stay at the station.
Weather, wind and road surfaces affect visits to Sanseiji and Sky Sports Park.

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.

Local specialty and snack
Ash-baked oyaki
Check the counter for quantities and baking times
Lunch
Kasan-chi restaurant menu
Meals 11:00–14:00
Regional dishes
Udon varieties including onikake, miso stew and mugwort
Check availability at the counter
Meal
Handmade tofu hamburger steak with locally grown soybeans
Check availability at the counter
Seasonal market produce
Ikusacarat grapes
Around August–October / varieties and stock change daily
Souvenirs
Products made with Ikusaka Village ingredients
Check the farmers' market and Kasan-chi corner