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Gifu Prefecture · Chubu

Michi-no-Eki Mino Shirakawa

道の駅 美濃白川

Buy Shirakawa tea and ham where they are made, at the gateway to the Hida route on National Route 41.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Shirakawa Town, Kamo District
Road
National Route 41
Hours
9:00–17:00
Souvenir shop 9:00–17:00; restaurant 9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50); food stall 10:00–16:00. Outdoor toilets are available 24 hours. Hours may change with the season or events.
Parking
Cars: 135 / Large vehicles: 3
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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.

Start with a snack
Shirakawa tea soft serve

Sold at Chakoko no Ouchi, the light-meal counter to the right of the entrance. Gohei-mochi, grilled rice cakes with a savory glaze, and Hida beef croquettes are there too.

For lunch
Restaurant rice bowls and set meals

9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50). The station highlights the tofu-steak Omisore rice bowl and the Shirakawa ham skewer set meal.

To take home
Shirakawa tea and Shirakawa ham

The on-site tea and ham facilities supply the souvenir shop. A complimentary sample of Shirakawa tea is available toward the back.

Across the highway
Yoichi 41

Cross the pedestrian overpass for Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao, with vegetables harvested that day, and Temahima, with hoba-zushi and handmade prepared foods.

For a short stop
24-hour outdoor toilets

The multipurpose toilet is also outside, so you can stop even when the shops are closed.

Taketo’s stopover notes

Toilets, lunch, overpass: decide the order before leaving the car.

When I drive Route 41 with children, I see this station as a place to get organized before entering the Hida route. I start with the toilets, then the restaurant before its 15:00 closing or a snack, and finally cross the overpass for vegetables and hoba-zushi. Deciding that order before getting out saves a rushed return over the bridge or a missed meal. On a rainy day, I can stay on the Piacere side, browse the souvenir shop and sample Shirakawa tea, and still have made a worthwhile stop.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Mino Shirakawa, also known as Mino Shirakawa Piacere, is a roadside station in Shirakawa Town, Kamo District, just before Route 41 leads from Mino toward Hida. Its tea and ham processing facilities make Shirakawa tea and Shirakawa ham sold in the souvenir shop. The restaurant serves rice bowls and set meals made with Shirakawa Town ingredients. At the light-meal counter, Chakoko no Ouchi, to the right of the entrance, you can try Shirakawa tea soft serve. Taketo Kitami suggests planning a family stop around the restaurant closing at 15:00 and being closed on Wednesdays, the 24-hour outdoor toilets, and Yoichi 41 across the road, where Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao sells vegetables and Temahima sells hoba-zushi, sushi wrapped in a magnolia leaf. Take care of food, toilets, shopping and the walk across the road in an order that works for your family.

  • #Shirakawa tea
  • #Shirakawa ham
  • #Hoba-zushi
  • #Shirakawa tea soft serve
  • #National Route 41
  • #Gateway to the Hida route
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Buy Shirakawa tea and ham where they are made

This station does more than stock souvenirs. Its on-site tea facility processes Shirakawa tea and its ham facility produces Shirakawa ham for the souvenir shop. Choose from hand-rolled tea, sencha, matcha, flavored teas and pressed ham, whether shopping for yourself or for gifts.

02

Meals end at 15:00; the restaurant closes Wednesdays

The restaurant runs 9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50), the souvenir shop 9:00–17:00, and the stall 10:00–16:00. Wednesday closures are listed for all three, although the stall also has a Tuesday-and-Wednesday closure listing. If lunch here is part of your trip toward Hida or back from Gero, plan to arrive before 15:00.

03

The station extends across the highway to Yoichi 41

Do not stop at the Piacere side alone: a pedestrian overpass leads to Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao and Temahima at Yoichi 41. Growers’ names appear with the vegetables; Temahima offers local hoba-zushi, sushi wrapped in a magnolia leaf, plus handmade bento and prepared dishes. There is an eat-in space, an option if you miss the restaurant hours.

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.

Traveling from Nagoya toward Gero or Takayama

Lunch and supplies before the Hida route

The station gives driving estimates of about 1 hour 40 minutes from Nagoya, 35 minutes from Minokamo IC, 40 minutes onward to Gero and 1 hour 40 minutes onward to Takayama. A rice bowl or set meal, a toilet stop and shopping here leave more room for the drive ahead.

Minokamo IC → National Route 41 → Michi-no-Eki Mino Shirakawa → Gero and Takayama

The restaurant closes at 15:00 (last order 14:50) and is listed as closed on Wednesdays. Check your arrival time if lunch here is essential.

A shopping-focused stop

Cross the overpass for vegetables and hoba-zushi

After the souvenir shop and light meals at Piacere, use the pedestrian overpass to reach Yoichi 41 across the highway. Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao labels locally harvested vegetables with producers’ names. Temahima offers hoba-zushi, sushi wrapped in a magnolia leaf, and handmade bento and side dishes. Decide what to buy before returning to the car to avoid another crossing.

Piacere → pedestrian overpass → Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao and Temahima → car park

The station website does not list opening hours or closed days for Chao and Temahima. For a purchase you are counting on, call 0574-75-2146 before visiting.

A 30–40-minute pause on a long drive

A short break with children

Break the stop into three parts: park and use the toilets, get Shirakawa tea soft serve or gohei-mochi at the snack counter, then sit in the free rest area. This gives children time out of the car. Infant facilities are also listed indoors. Add the overpass trip only if the family is up for it.

Park → toilets → snack → free rest area → depart

Reaching Yoichi 41 requires stairs on the pedestrian overpass. With a stroller or plenty of bags, staying on the Piacere side may be easier.

Driving Route 41 early or at night

A break outside shop hours

The outdoor toilets are listed as open 24 hours, including one multipurpose toilet. You can break up the drive even while the shops are closed. For shopping or a meal, return after 9:00.

Park → outdoor toilets → rest → depart

Indoor toilets and shops are available only during opening hours. At night, plan on the outdoor facilities only.

Hours

Opening hours

Souvenir shop and store
9:00-17:00

Listed as closed Wednesdays; also closed December 30–January 1 for New Year.

Restaurant
9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50)

Closed Wednesdays. Arrive before 15:00 if coming for lunch.

Food stall
10:00-16:00

The station website lists both “closed Wednesdays” and “closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.” Check shortly before visiting if the stall is your destination.

Chakoko no Ouchi light meals
Generally during shop opening hours

No separate hours are given on the station website; follow the posted hours on site.

Outdoor toilets
24 hours

Includes one multipurpose toilet. Indoor toilets are open only during business hours.

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
★★★☆☆

Toilets and indoor rest areas make a short stop manageable.

Infant facilities are listed; follow signs on site for their location and conditions. There is no need to force a trip across the overpass to Yoichi 41.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

A snack, toilets and the rest area make three short, manageable stages.

No playground is listed on the station website, so do not count on a place to let children run around outdoors.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Shirakawa tea soft serve or gohei-mochi gives the stop a clear purpose, and children may enjoy walking across the overpass.

The overpass has stairs. Along this national highway, hold hands from the car park to the shops.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

The tea and ham processing facilities on the same grounds offer something to talk about while children help choose purchases.

Vegetables labeled with their growers’ names can prompt a conversation about the area. Bicycle rental is also listed.

Toilets

Indoor toilets are open only during business hours. The outdoor toilets serve even for a nighttime stop.

For infants

Follow signs on site for location and conditions of use.

Crossing outdoors

This stairway crosses National Route 41. With a stroller or many bags, staying on the Piacere side may be easier.

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

Carillon bell

The station presents this bell as its symbol; it plays music at set times. If your stop coincides, it gives children something to wait for.

Shirakawa tea hand-rolling group “Cha Cha Cha”

Hand-rolling experiences are advertised, but dates and booking arrangements are not given. Ask ahead if this is your reason for visiting.

Yoichi 41 (Chao and Temahima)

Vegetables and handmade prepared foods turn over quickly here. The selection changes from day to day.

Station news and events page

New Year hour changes, temporary closures and seasonal sales appear here. Check shortly before a long drive.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Tea and ham processing give shopping a clear focus

The station says Shirakawa tea and Shirakawa ham are produced, processed and sold at its facilities. Start with these two specialties to get a sense of this station rather than browsing every souvenir first.

Source: Station website: About Mino Shirakawa and Souvenirs

Restaurant service ends early

The restaurant runs 9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50). You may reach it around lunchtime when heading north on Route 41, but miss it when returning from Gero or Takayama. Bento and prepared foods at Yoichi 41 are another possibility on the return trip; check their availability.

Source: Station website: Facilities; Shirakawa Town website

The day-use hot spring has closed

The former station hot spring, Shin Shirakawa Onsen, closed on March 31, 2022. The station website’s rest and hot-spring page also states that the bath has closed. Older guides or listings may still show a hot spring, so do not plan to bathe here.

Source: Station website: Rest and Hot Spring

Parking figures differ between listings

The station website lists 70 spaces in the first car park, six in front of the event area, and 59 in the second car park by Yoichi 41, including three for large vehicles. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism lists 90 regular, 13 large-vehicle and seven designated accessible spaces. Both describe substantial regular-car parking. The station says there is no dedicated large-vehicle car park and asks large-vehicle drivers to consult ahead during busy periods.

Source: Station website: Toilets and Parking; MLIT Chubu Regional Development Bureau
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 restaurant runs 9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50), the souvenir shop 9:00–17:00, and the food stall 10:00–16:00. Wednesday closures are listed, although the stall also has a Tuesday-and-Wednesday closure listing. Work backward from your arrival time if planning lunch here.
  • The transport ministry lists a New Year closure from December 30 through January 1. Changes in hours and temporary closures appear in the station news; check shortly before a long drive.
  • The outdoor toilets, including one multipurpose toilet, are available 24 hours. Indoor toilets are open only during business hours.
  • There is no dedicated large-vehicle car park. Three large-vehicle spaces are listed in the second car park by Yoichi 41, with other large-vehicle zones in front of the event area and “Cha Cha Cha.” The station asks drivers to consult ahead during busy periods.
  • Shirakawa Vegetable Village Chao and Temahima at Yoichi 41 are across National Route 41 via a pedestrian overpass. Their hours and closed days are not listed on the station website; call 0574-75-2146 if you want to be sure of buying hoba-zushi or vegetables.
  • The former day-use hot spring closed on March 31, 2022. Some older listings still show it; do not include bathing here in your plans.
  • The station estimates about 1 hour 40 minutes from Nagoya, 35 minutes from Minokamo IC, 70 minutes from Nakatsugawa IC, 40 minutes onward to Gero and 1 hour 40 minutes onward to Takayama. Winter road conditions can change driving times.
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.

  • Light-meal counter favorite
    Shirakawa tea soft serve
    Sold at Chakoko no Ouchi. Check the posted price.
  • Restaurant meal
    Omisore rice bowl (tofu steak)
    No price is listed on the station website; check the menu on site.
  • Restaurant meal
    Ham skewer set meal
    A set meal featuring Shirakawa ham prepared like fried skewers. Check the menu on site for the price.
  • A light bite
    Gohei-mochi and Hida beef croquettes
    Gohei-mochi are grilled rice cakes with a savory glaze. Both items are sold at the light-meal counter; check availability on the day.
  • Take home
    Shirakawa tea (hand-rolled tea, sencha, matcha and flavored tea)
    Processed in the on-site tea facility and sold in the souvenir shop and the Rakuten online store.
  • Take home
    Shirakawa ham (pressed ham)
    Produced and processed at the on-site ham facility and sold in the souvenir shop.
  • Yoichi 41: Temahima
    Hoba-zushi
    A local sushi wrapped in a magnolia leaf. Handmade availability changes by day.
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 full lunch

Omisore rice bowl and ham skewer set meal

A meal of local ingredients before entering the Hida route.

Restaurant 9:00–15:00 (last order 14:50); listed as closed Wednesdays.

A light bite

Shirakawa tea soft serve, gohei-mochi and Hida beef croquettes

A useful combination for a short driving break or a change of pace for children.

The light-meal counter and food stall have different hours from the shop. Choices may be limited near closing.

Food to take away

Hoba-zushi, handmade side dishes and bento

An option if the restaurant has closed. Yoichi 41 also has an eat-in space.

Temahima hours are not listed on the station website; call ahead if you are relying on it.

Shop for home

Shirakawa tea, Shirakawa ham and freshly harvested vegetables

Choose separately for home and gifts. Vegetables are labeled with their growers’ names.

Vegetable stock depends on the day’s deliveries and may thin out by evening.

A complimentary tea break

Shirakawa tea welcome drink

A free tasting toward the back of the souvenir shop lets you try the tea before buying.

Follow the current shop hours and notices for availability.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Mino Shirakawa

Buy Shirakawa tea and ham where they are made, at the gateway to the Hida route on National Route 41.

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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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