Gifu Prefecture · Chubu
道の駅 柳津
An urban roadside station at the southern entrance to Gifu City: pick up Saba strawberries and brown-rice dango, then step onto the Sakai River greenway.
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
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Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.
Browse Saba strawberries, local vegetables, and souvenirs from Gifu City and Gifu Prefecture in a short stop.
Made with rice grown in Yanaizu-cho, the brown-rice dango are grilled on site for a distinctive toasted aroma.
Check road information, then look toward the Sakai River and Mount Kinka from the 8.712-meter observation tower.
Immediately west of the station, this riverside park changes with the seasons, from cherry blossoms to carp streamers and a summer festival.
The west side is mainly parking and toilets. A central divider separates the areas, so reach the retail building via the pedestrian passage beneath Uzura Bridge.
Michi-no-Eki Yanaizu is a compact urban roadside station on Prefectural Route 1, linking central Gifu City with the Gifu-Hashima Interchange and Gifu-Hashima Shinkansen station. Stop briefly for strawberries from the Saba district of Yanaizu-cho, local vegetables, brown-rice dango (grilled rice dumplings), bread and light snacks, then get some fresh air at the adjacent Sakai River Greenway Park. You can make it a shopping stop, or take in views toward Mount Kinka and Mount Ibuki from the observation tower before continuing to Gifu Castle or cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. It adds a Gifu sweet treat and a riverside pause to a weekend drive.
Yanaizu works best when you buy something, walk a little and carry on. Browse Saba strawberries, brown-rice dango and local vegetables, then refresh after the car ride on the Sakai River greenway. From the Gifu-Hashima side, it is a gentle lead-in to Gifu City.
This is no large food court. Browse Saba district strawberries and Gifu souvenirs in the retail building, and add the toasted flavor of brown-rice dango. From winter to spring, strawberry daifuku (a strawberry wrapped in sweet rice cake) is another option; strawberry monaka (a filled wafer sweet) is available year-round. It suits a short, satisfying food and shopping stop.
Though conveniently located on a prefectural road, the station is beside Sakai River Greenway Park. A short walk can loosen up after a drive and give children or dogs a change of air.
The 8.712-meter observation tower plays on the Japanese pronunciation of “Yanaizu” through the digits 8712. Look toward Mount Kinka, Mount Ontake and Mount Ibuki, or watch waterbirds on the Sakai River, before heading off after your shopping.
On the northbound route from the Gifu-Hashima Interchange along Prefectural Route 1, this is a handy stop for toilets, road information and a little shopping before central Gifu City. It helps you start the next part of your visit comfortably.
Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.
Make quick stops at the toilets, road information and retail building, then buy brown-rice dango or bread. You can prepare for Gifu City without taking much time.
Park → toilets → information center → retail building → depart
For shopping, parking on the east side is more convenient.
Look for strawberries from winter to spring, and local vegetables and Gifu souvenirs throughout the year. Saturday’s earlier opening also makes a quick shop before crowds possible.
East-side parking → outdoor sales area → retail building → keep purchases cool and continue
Stock varies by day; check the official social media if you are coming for one particular item.
When shopping alone feels too brief, head to the park immediately west of the station. Cherry blossoms, carp streamers and the summer festival can turn a short rest into a seasonal detour.
Roadside station → observation tower → short walk in Sakai River Greenway Park
In midsummer, judge the sun and heat, and include a break at the information center or in the car.
Pick up sweets and drinks at the station, then continue toward Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle or Nagara River cormorant fishing. It works well as a stop before or after sightseeing in Gifu City.
Michi-no-Eki Yanaizu → Gifu Park and Mount Kinka → Kawaramachi and Nagara River cormorant fishing
You cannot drive directly to the summit for Gifu Castle. Plan to park near Gifu Park and use the ropeway.
Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.
Good for a short stop before or after nursing or changing a diaper.
Infant facilities and a multipurpose toilet are available, and shopping can be kept brief. It is a practical stop when you want to return to the car easily.
Try dango or bread, then take a short walk on the greenway.
There is no large indoor play area at the station. Good weather allows time outdoors at Sakai River Greenway Park; keep the visit short in midsummer or rain.
The observation tower, Dream Bell and Sakai River walk offer small goals.
The “8712” observation tower and rooftop plaza can add interest beyond shopping. Hold hands on the detour on foot from the west side.
Sakai River waterbirds, views toward Mount Kinka and a route to Gifu Castle can spark conversation.
Continue on to Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle or Nagara River cormorant fishing to connect the south side of Gifu City with its central sights.
For a shopping-focused visit, the east side is easier and avoids the crossing and detour.
The large display shows road and weather information before you continue toward central Gifu City or Gifu-Hashima.
The Sakai River is pleasant, but summer sun can be strong. Use the observation tower and information center, and limit time walking outside.
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.
Markets, food trucks and stall information are announced on the official website and Instagram. If you are visiting for food, check whether stalls will be present in addition to the regular shops.
Spring cherry blossoms, carp streamers from April to May, and summer festivals and fireworks at the park west of the station can shape your visit. Treat past dates as a prompt to check for the next event.
Permanent options for a short stop. Add a view toward the Sakai River and Mount Kinka even if shopping alone is not enough.
Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.
Visitor reviews suggest that expecting a large complex can disappoint, while direct sales, sweets and a toilet break tend to be better received. Think of this as a short detour rather than a long stay.
Gifu Prefecture’s tourism guide says a central divider separates the west and east areas, and visitors from the west need to use the pedestrian passage under Uzura Bridge. The east side is easier if shopping is your main aim.
Official and tourism information repeatedly feature strawberries from the Saba district and brown-rice dango made with Yanaizu-cho rice. With no large restaurant focus, sweets and direct sales are central to this stop.
A riverside park next to the station makes it easy to follow toilets and shopping with a short walk. Cherry blossom, carp streamer and summer festival seasons are especially appealing.
The 8.712-meter height, 8712 on the wall and Dream Bell are small details tied to the station’s name. Going up after shopping makes the stop distinctly Yanaizu.
The July 12, 2026 Yanaizu market had ended by the time it was checked, but the official site carried recent announcements. Markets and food trucks can give you a reason to visit beyond regular shopping.
Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.
Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.
A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.
Rather than settling in for a long meal, pick one Yanaizu sweet before returning to the car. Look for seasonal strawberry daifuku or year-round strawberry monaka as a souvenir.
Seasonal and event products may sell out or vary in availability.
Choose ingredients for home alongside souvenirs from the Gifu City area.
Strawberries are strongest mainly from winter to spring. Consider chilling and travel time when buying them.
The station opens at 8:00 on Saturdays, making it easier to shop before entering Gifu City.
Check the official social media for each shop’s arrivals and sales start times.
Plan around days with stalls or light snacks rather than counting on a full restaurant meal.
Markets and food trucks depend on the weather and event schedule.
Pick up something to eat in the car, then let the children walk a little along the Sakai River.
If you park on the west side, reaching the retail building involves a walk around via the under-bridge passage.
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An urban roadside station at the southern entrance to Gifu City: pick up Saba strawberries and brown-rice dango, then step onto the Sakai River greenway.
Riverside greenery and seasonal events within walking distance after shopping.
A large shopping center for more indoor time on a rainy day or with children after a short station stop.
A Gifu City sightseeing highlight to head for after sweets and road information at Yanaizu.
From a daytime stop at Yanaizu, continue to a classic Gifu evening on the Nagara River.
Choose Saba strawberries, brown-rice dango and local vegetables in a short Yanaizu stop.
A first addition when shopping feels too brief or children or dogs need a short walk.
Good when the station alone makes for too short a stay or rain or heat makes a Sakai River walk unappealing.
A destination when entering Gifu City from Gifu-Hashima; pick up sweets or drinks at the station first.
For a Gifu-style evening; check operating dates, prices and reservations for the cormorant fishing boats first.
The quickest place to explore Yanaizu food and shopping. East-side parking is easier if buying goods is your main aim.
Send your travel companions a possible stop.
