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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Gifu Prefecture · Chubu

Roadside Station Yashagaike no Sato Sakauchi

道の駅 夜叉ヶ池の里さかうち

A roadside station in the mountains along Route 303 for a quick taste of Sakauchi game and the riverside air.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Ibigawa Town, Ibi District
Road
National Route 303
Hours
Shop: 9:00-17:00
Ibigawa Town tourism information lists a 16:00 closing from December to February; the official home page also lists 9:00–17:00.
Parking
Around 21 to 25 standard-car spaces / two large-vehicle spaces
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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.

First essentials
Parking, toilets and meal times

Parking is limited. For lunch, aim for roughly 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; on holidays, allow for switching to snacks.

To eat
Game dishes with Sakauchi venison

Choose venison as the centerpiece, whether steak rice bowl, ramen, curry or frankfurter, for a taste of this station.

To buy
Processed venison and seasonal vegetables and mountain greens

Look for jerky, sausages, curry, vegetables and edible mountain greens. If the trip home is long, favor shelf-stable or processed products.

With children
Outdoor benches and a short break

The diaper changing space helps, but this is no playground for a long stay. A brief stop to enjoy the riverside air works well.

Beyond the station
Combine ayu, the dam and another roadside station

In summer, Sakauchi Yana Seiryuso makes a good pairing; Yokoyama Dam and Hoshi no Furusato Fujihashi are easier short detours through the year.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Gakuto's rest-stop notes

On a mountain drive, sort out food, toilets and your next decision.

Gakuto Kashiwagi sees this station as a place to reset a Route 303 mountain itinerary as well as to eat game. Check parking capacity, toilets, meal hours, shorter winter hours and road conditions toward Yashagaike first. Then choose venison dishes or shop products and enjoy what this small station offers.

Highlights

Roadside Station Yashagaike no Sato Sakauchi is a small rest stop on National Route 303 in Sakauchi, at Gifu Prefecture's western edge, on the way toward Kinomoto in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. It is no large produce market, but brings together game dishes made with local venison, processed venison products, seasonal vegetables and mountain greens, outdoor benches and a free rest area. You can eat, shop and use the toilet in one stop on a mountain drive. If extending the trip to Yashagaike Pond or ayu sweetfish dining, check road conditions and seasonal opening first.

  • #Sakauchi game cuisine
  • #Venison dishes
  • #National Route 303
  • #Yashagaike Pond
  • #Mountain rest stop
  • #Shiga Prefecture border
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Eat local Sakauchi venison and take some home

The restaurant centers on game dishes made with venison. Game steak rice bowl, game ramen and Yokoyama Dam game curry can each be a reason to stop at this mountain station. The shop also has venison curry, game patties, sausages and jerky, so you can take the flavors home.

02

Limited parking calls for flexibility at lunchtime

Expect around 21 to 25 standard-car spaces and two large-vehicle spaces. This is a small station; on holiday lunchtimes or event days, leave room to switch from a full meal to a snack, soft serve or takeaway shopping.

03

The namesake pond requires a separate hiking plan

The station has information on submitting a hiking registration for Yashagaike Pond. However, in information updated in January 2026, Ibigawa Town says access toward the pond is closed for the time being because of disaster-recovery work. Check the town's hiking information and road conditions; plan a meal stop and any hike separately.

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 toward Kinomoto or Ibigawa

Stop for a meal on Route 303

After parking, use the toilet first, then head to the restaurant if it is mealtime. If game cuisine is the goal, arrive around lunch; outside meal hours, switch to soft serve, a game frankfurter or processed venison from the shop.

Parking → toilets → restaurant or snacks → shop → National Route 303

Closed Wednesdays and around New Year, with shorter winter hours and occasional schedule changes. This is a mountain road, so check winter road conditions too.

A day for lighter eating and more shopping

Take home the flavors of Sakauchi

Even without a restaurant venison dish, you can take home a taste of Sakauchi through venison curry, game patties in demi-glace sauce, sausages, jerky and seasonal vegetables and mountain greens. For a long return journey, focus on processed rather than refrigerated products.

Shop → local farm and other produce counter → snack at an outdoor bench → departure

Popular products and seasonal vegetables vary by day. Stop before late afternoon if you want a broader choice.

Adults or three generations enjoying the river season

Build a half day around summer ayu

Use the toilets and get drinks at the station, then head to Sakauchi Yana Seiryuso. In ayu season, making sweetfish cuisine the main destination is satisfying on its own. Add soft serve or processed venison at the station on your return for both river and mountain flavors.

Station → Sakauchi Yana Seiryuso → station shopping or rest

Ayu dining is seasonal. Check official or tourism information for opening dates, hours and seating before leaving.

Visitors interested in hiking when road conditions are uncertain

Keep Yashagaike to information gathering for now

Yashagaike Pond gives the station its name, but as of 2026 there is a closure notice due to disaster-recovery work. Look at the pond legend illustration and hiking-registration information at the station, and consider saving the hike for another day once the town announces access has reopened.

Check information at the station → eat and shop → Yokoyama Dam or Hoshi no Furusato Fujihashi

Mountain road conditions change with weather, rockfalls, snow and construction. Do not head for the trailhead simply because it seems close to the station.

Hours

Opening hours

Shop
9:00-17:00

Ibigawa Town tourism information lists a 16:00 closing from December to February; the official home page also lists 9:00–17:00.

Cafe
9:00-16:00

A 15:00 closing is listed for December to February. A tourism association listing still gives an 8:00 opening, so check official information before an early visit.

Restaurant
11:00-14:00

Some information lists service until 15:00 on weekends and public holidays. The official dining page introduces game dishes and snacks.

Closed day
Wednesday

Usually the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday; also closed around New Year.

Parking
Free / around 21 to 25 standard-car spaces

Listings also give two large-vehicle spaces, two accessible parking spaces and one EV charger.

Toilets
Roadside station facilities

Listings give six men's fixtures, six women's fixtures and one accessible fixture. Follow on-site guidance for available hours.

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.

Age 1 and under
★★★☆☆

Useful for a diaper change and a short rest.

With limited parking, it is better to use the toilet and changing space first and take a brief break than to plan all feeding, meals and a long stay here.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Outdoor benches and soft serve offer a change of pace.

This is not a station for extended playground time. If the restaurant wait looks long, switch to a snack and give children a little fresh air before returning to the car.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Venison curry or soft serve can be a small goal.

Children of this age may enjoy talking about the Yashagaike legend illustration and mountain scenery. Plan any hike or river play separately after checking safety conditions.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Explore game food, the dam and the Yashagaike legend as local learning.

Adding Yokoyama Dam or Hoshi no Furusato Fujihashi helps connect the Route 303 mountain road, river, dam and local food.

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

Outdoor benches and community gathering area

This is not a large event venue, but there is space to pause outside. In fine weather it works for a post-meal or soft-serve break; on rainy or winter days, use the free rest area instead.

Roadside station SPOT and information corner

A place to pick up information on Route 303, Yashagaike Pond and nearby attractions. Check mountain roads, hiking and seasonal businesses both before departure and on site.

New and seasonal products

Official notices have featured venison gyoza dumplings, Ibuki Hyakuso herbal curry, Yokoyama Dam game curry and local sweets. Following new products, as well as events, gives this station's stops some variety.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Parking is small, so a lunchtime plan needs flexibility

Municipal and tourism information gives around 21 to 25 standard-car spaces and two for large vehicles. As this is no large station, being ready to switch among the restaurant, shop and snacks on a holiday lunchtime can ease the wait.

Source: Ibigawa Town tourism site and Gifu travel guide

Opening-hour listings differ, especially in winter and for meals

The official site centers on 9:00–17:00; facility and tourism pages separately list cafe and restaurant hours, shorter December–February hours and extended weekend and holiday dining. Treat the times as guides for meals, shopping and rest, and check current hours before travel.

Source: Official facility information, Ibigawa Town tourism site and Gifu travel guide

Yashagaike is appealing, but the 2026 closure matters

Official nearby-attraction information describes hiking to Yashagaike from the June mountain-opening season until snowfall. However, Ibigawa Town's January 2026 update says access is closed for the time being due to disaster-recovery work. For a hiking trip, follow the town's latest access information.

Source: Official nearby-attraction information and Ibigawa Town Yashagaike page

For families, a short mountain-road break works better than a long stay

Reviews mention a small station, a wooden feel, fresh air and brief stays. The diaper changing space is helpful, but without a playground for a half-day visit, a short combination of food, toilets and outdoor benches may suit a family's pace better.

Source: Official facility information and patterns in travel reviews
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.

  • Usually closed Wednesdays, or the following day if Wednesday is a public holiday, and around New Year. Check opening days before driving into the mountains.
  • The shop is listed as 9:00–17:00, shortening to 16:00 from December through February. For meals, use 11:00–14:00 on weekdays and in winter, and 11:00–15:00 on weekends and public holidays as guides.
  • There are around 21 to 25 standard-car spaces. At holiday lunchtime, decide on food, shopping and toilets early rather than planning a long stay.
  • Even if you come for game, soft serve, curry, set meals and snacks offer alternatives for children or anyone who does not enjoy it.
  • As of 2026, a closure notice applies toward Yashagaike Pond. For hiking or autumn foliage, prioritize Ibigawa Town's latest information.
  • In winter, allow for shorter hours as well as snow, ice and the effort of Route 303 mountain driving; plan your rest stop in daylight.
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.

  • Meal
    Game steak rice bowl
    A popular dish using Sakauchi venison loin and leg
  • Meal
    Game ramen
    A jointly developed dish with venison, vegetables and porcini mushrooms
  • Meal
    Yokoyama Dam game curry
    Venison curry listed since autumn 2025
  • Snack
    Game frankfurter and game mince cutlet
    Options for the outdoor stall or a quick bite; menchi-katsu is a breaded minced-meat cutlet
  • Takeaway
    Venison curry, game sausages and jerky
    Processed products sold in the shop
  • Dessert
    Soft serve ice cream
    Usually vanilla, a seasonal flavor and a mix
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
A full lunch

Game steak rice bowl, game ramen, Yokoyama Dam game curry

If this station is your destination, make venison the main event. Meal service is shorter on weekdays and in winter, so arrive around midday.

A quick bite

Game frankfurter, game mince cutlet, soft serve ice cream

An alternative when parking may be busy or children cannot wait long. Outdoor benches make a short break easy.

Enjoy at home

Venison curry, demi-glace game patties, game sausages, jerky

Processed products are easier to choose for a long drive home, and bring the mountain stop into dinner or an evening drink.

Seasonal shopping

Vegetables and edible mountain greens from Sakauchi and Ibigawa Town

The seasonal shelves can change daily. In summer bring a cooler bag; in winter consider icy roads and your arrival time before buying.

Share with children

Soft serve, milder curry, set-meal dishes

For children new to game, dessert or curry may be an easier start. A taste of an adult's venison dish is another gentle introduction.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
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1
Roadside station
Roadside Station Yashagaike no Sato Sakauchi

A roadside station in the mountains along Route 303 for a quick taste of Sakauchi game and the riverside air.

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

Nature and hiking
Yashagaike PondJapanese guide
Driving from the station toward the trailhead is requiredUnder normal conditions, drive to the trailhead; from there it is about 3 km and roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to the pond

For learning the Yashagaike story and hiking information at the station, then planning a hike after the road reopens.

Ayu sweetfish cuisine
Sakauchi Yana SeiryusoJapanese guide
A few minutes by car from the stationA short drive

For adding riverside ayu to the station's game food to make a summer half-day outing.

Dam and scenery
Yokoyama DamJapanese guide
Drive from the station toward IbigawaAround 20 minutes by car

For adding a little mountain and dam scenery after game curry.

Roadside station and bathing
Roadside Station Hoshi no Furusato FujihashiJapanese guide
About 9 km toward Ibigawa from the stationAround 15 minutes by car

For food and shopping at Sakauchi, then bathing or a longer break at Fujihashi.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →