Mie Prefecture · Chubu

Michi-no-Eki Kii-Nagashima Manbo

道の駅紀伊長島マンボウ

Grilled ocean sunfish skewers, sanma-zushi, dried fish, and seafood rice bowls: taste the food culture of the Kumano-nada Sea one bite at a time during a stop on National Route 42.

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

Location

Kihoku Town, Kitamuro District

Road

National Route 42

Hours

Weekdays 8:15 / weekends and public holidays 8:00–18:00

Approximate shop opening times. The restaurant, takeaway, and stall have separate hours.

Parking

Cars: 80 / Large vehicles: 5

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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.

Eat first

Manbo food stall

Mainly weekends; check official notices for opening days.

Sit down for lunch

Restaurant seafood and fried ocean sunfish

Restaurant hours are approximately 9:00–15:00; note the Thursday closure.

Shop for the road

Sanma-zushi, fresh fish, and dried fish

Take Kihoku seafood home for dinner or as a souvenir.

With children

Lawn and giant ocean sunfish

Enjoy photos and fresh air before or after a meal.

If it rains

Shop, restaurant, and Hajikami Terrace

Keep outdoor time short and focus on shopping and indoor rest.

If it is sunny

Katagami Pond, Akaba Park, and Tsuzurato Pass

Add a walk, play equipment, or the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail.

Minato's Kii-Nagashima notes

Taste something unusual, take a breath on the lawn, and choose your next stop.

Minato Tsukioka sees Kii-Nagashima Manbo as a place where families can try a small food adventure. Share a little ocean sunfish skewer, settle down to seafood at the restaurant, and choose sanma-zushi or dried fish in the shop. When children need a change, visit the giant ocean sunfish and lawn; in good weather, head to Katagami Pond or Akaba Park, or the Kumano Kodo if everyone has the stamina. A driving break becomes an introduction to Kihoku Town's food and landscape.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kii-Nagashima Manbo is a rest stop about five minutes from the Kii-Nagashima interchange on the Kisei Expressway via National Route 42, near the Iseji route of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and the seafood of the Kumano-nada Sea. The shop offers sanma-zushi (saury sushi), fresh fish, dried fish, and local products; the restaurant serves assorted seafood rice bowls, sashimi set meals, and fried ocean sunfish set meals. At the Manbo food stall, which operates mainly on weekends, grilled ocean sunfish skewers, shark, and fried moray eel offer distinctive local tastes. Minato Tsukioka recommends sharing a few bites of unfamiliar foods as a family, then using the toilets and lawn to reset before driving on. With more time, add a short walk at Katagami Pond, the play equipment at Akaba Park, Tsuzurato Pass, or Furusato Onsen for half a day of food, shopping, and local sights.

#Kihoku Town
#Grilled ocean sunfish skewers
#Fried ocean sunfish
#Sanma-zushi (saury sushi)
#Fresh fish
#Dried fish
#Ouchiyama soft serve
#Kumano Kodo Iseji route
#Lawn area
#National Route 42

Practical information

Registration number: 三重-13
Prefecture: Mie Prefecture
Municipality: Kihoku Town, Kitamuro District
Road: National Route 42
Telephone: 0597-47-5444
Closed days: Listed as open year-round. The restaurant closes every Thursday and the stall opens mainly on weekends, so check official notices.
Station stamp: Available

Address

2410-73 Higashi-Nagashima, Kihoku Town, Kitamuro District, Mie Prefecture 519-3204 (〒519-3204 三重県北牟婁郡紀北町東長島2410-73)

Facilities

Shop
Restaurant
Takeaway
Manbo food stall
Lawn area
Giant ocean sunfish monument
Park and children's play area
Free rest area
Information corner
Toilets
Accessible toilet
EV charging facilities

3 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)42manbou.com (Japanese guide)42manbou.com (Japanese guide)www.cbr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)kihoku-kanko.com (Japanese guide)www.iseshima-kanko.jp (Japanese guide)kumanokodo-iseji.jp (Japanese guide)kumanokodo-iseji.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

The Manbo food stall offers more than a talking point

The official site lists grilled ocean sunfish and shark skewers and fried moray eel among the Manbo food stall's offerings. It operates mainly on Saturdays and Sundays, but opening days vary, so check the official notices before making a special trip for the stall.

Make seafood and fried ocean sunfish the focus of lunch

The restaurant lists hours of 9:00–15:00 and dishes including an assorted seafood rice bowl, a sashimi set meal, and a fried ocean sunfish set meal. You can choose between just sampling an unusual snack and sitting down to a seafood lunch.

Start shopping with sanma-zushi, fresh fish, and dried fish

The shop opens at 8:15 on weekdays and 8:00 on weekends and public holidays. It stocks Kihoku specialties, sanma-zushi (saury sushi), fresh fish, dried fish, and mountain produce for dinner on the way home or souvenirs.

The lawn and giant ocean sunfish give children a break

The tourism association describes an approximately 3.3 m ocean sunfish monument relocated from Shima Marineland. Before or after eating and shopping, take a photo and enjoy a short break on the lawn.

Add the Kumano Kodo, a pond, a park, or an onsen

Near the Kii-Nagashima interchange, the station is a convenient driving base for Tsuzurato Pass, Katagami Pond, Akaba Park, and Furusato Onsen, a hot spring bath. The station itself makes a short stop; nearby sights can fill half a day.

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 weekend break

Share a taste of ocean sunfish skewers as a family

Visit when the stall is open and share small portions of ocean sunfish skewers, shark, and moray eel as a family. These unfamiliar foods can sound daunting, but many visitors describe ocean sunfish as mild and easy to eat. Let children start with a bite instead of giving each a full portion.

Park → toilets → food stall → photo with the giant ocean sunfish → shop.

The stall operates mainly on weekends; bad weather and temporary changes can affect it.

A lunch break on National Route 42

Bring Kihoku home after a seafood lunch and shopping

Choose an assorted seafood rice bowl, sashimi set meal, or fried ocean sunfish set meal at the restaurant. Afterwards, browse sanma-zushi (saury sushi), dried fish, fresh fish, and Ouchiyama soft serve. This way, Kihoku flavors can continue through dinner at home.

Restaurant → shop → takeaway → prepare cold storage before leaving.

The restaurant lists closing time as 15:00. Check Thursday closures and holiday-period opening.

A reset during a long drive

Take young children outside briefly on the lawn and at Katagami Pond

Use the toilets and have a snack at the station, then take photos by the giant ocean sunfish and spend some time on the lawn. On a day when everyone can walk a little more, visit Katagami Pond for a short stroll during the cherry blossom or migratory bird seasons.

Station → lawn → Katagami Pond → back to the car.

Keep it short in summer sun or rain, and watch your footing when wet.

A sense of the region on a clear day

Explore the Kumano Kodo at Tsuzurato Pass with school-age children

Eat and fill up on water at the station before heading to Tsuzurato Pass on the Kumano Kodo Iseji route. Seeing the sea off Kii-Nagashima from the pass connects the town's ocean sunfish food culture with the history of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.

Roadside station → Tsuzurato Pass trailhead → station or onsen.

The route is described as about 9 km and 3 hours 30 minutes. Decide based on equipment, weather, and stamina.

Before the drive home from the coast

Finish at Furusato Onsen on a rainy or tiring day

When you want less outdoor activity, eat and shop at the station, then visit Kii-Nagashima Furusato Onsen for a hot spring bath. Check reopening information and its Tuesday closure before planning a relaxing stop on the way home.

Station → Furusato Onsen → journey home.

For temporary closures and maintenance, prioritize the town's latest official information.

Hours

Opening hours

Shop

Weekdays 8:15–18:00 / weekends and public holidays 8:00–18:00

Sanma-zushi, fresh fish, dried fish, and local products.

Restaurant

9:00-15:00

Listed as closed every Thursday; opening is listed for Golden Week, Obon, New Year, and public holidays.

Takeaway

9:00-16:00

Ouchiyama milk soft serve, coffee, and more.

Manbo food stall

Mainly weekends

Check official notices for each week's opening days.

Toilets

24 hours

Official access information lists 24-hour availability.

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 toilets, quick shopping, and a soft-serve break for the family; use the lawn only for a little fresh air.

Avoid long waits at restaurant or stall peak times; first check where to change and feed the baby.

Ages 2–3

★★★★☆

The giant ocean sunfish and lawn make a good change of pace. Sharing one bite of unfamiliar food is more realistic.

Adults should check the temperature of skewers and watch for bones or coating; also bring familiar food.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Link the ocean sunfish's name and monument with soft serve and a walk at Katagami Pond.

In heavy rain or heat, favor the shop and restaurant over Akaba Park.

Elementary school age

★★★★☆

Discuss ocean sunfish food culture, the Kumano Kodo, and seasonal changes at Katagami Pond.

Tsuzurato Pass requires stamina and equipment. Katagami Pond or Akaba Park is easier for a short stop.

Toilets

Use them on arrival before heading to the stall or shop.

Outdoor play

Keep play at the station short; go to Akaba Park for more active play.

Rainy day

Spend less time at the stall or on the lawn; consider Hajikami Terrace or the onsen.

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

Manbo food stall

Check the mainly weekend opening schedule each week and whether ocean sunfish skewers, shark, and moray eel are available.

Lawn area

It is sometimes used for the Manbo Spring Festival, Kumano Kodo events, and character appearances.

Restaurant

Check official notices for the Thursday closure, holiday-period opening, and changes to restaurant days.

Shop

Check availability of Watari's Kobo oysters, Ouchiyama soft serve, and seasonal fresh fish, dried fish, and sanma-zushi.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The official guide lists the shop, restaurant, takeaway, and Manbo stall separately

The shop lists weekdays 8:15–18:00 and weekends and public holidays 8:00–18:00. The restaurant lists 9:00–15:00, and takeaway 9:00–16:00. Check times according to what you plan to do.

Source: Official site (facilities guide)

The Manbo stall mainly opens on weekends; check the latest opening days

Official notices give the stall's opening days each week. If the stall is your main reason to visit, check the latest post before setting off.

Source: Official site (notices)

Small shared portions suit unfamiliar local foods

Travel accounts and reviews often describe ocean sunfish as mild and similar to chicken, while shark and moray eel also draw interest. Some children may be hesitant, so families can try a bite of each.

Source: Travel accounts and review trends

The giant ocean sunfish monument is a photo stop and a chance to reset

The tourism association describes an approximately 3.3 m ocean sunfish monument relocated from Shima Marineland to the lawn. It gives children a memorable landmark for the station.

Source: Kihoku Town Tourism Association

The restaurant lists Thursday as a closed day, so check before planning lunch

The official facilities guide lists the restaurant as closed every Thursday, with opening during Golden Week, Obon, New Year, and public holidays. The day of the week matters if lunch is your main reason to stop.

Source: Official site (facilities guide)

About five minutes from Kii-Nagashima interchange for a toilet break

Official directions say to turn left at the Higashi-Nagashima Minami intersection after leaving Kii-Nagashima interchange; the drive takes about five minutes. It is a practical short stop on a longer journey.

Source: Official site (access)

The Manbo Spring Festival is a local event on the lawn

The Manbo Spring Festival on March 21, 2026 included taiko drumming, mochi pounding, a large Kumano Kodo board game, and character appearances. That event has ended; it illustrates how the lawn is used rather than announcing a future festival.

Source: Kihoku Town 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.

The Manbo food stall operates mainly on weekends, with opening days in official notices. Check before setting off if it is your goal.
The restaurant lists approximately 9:00–15:00 and a weekly Thursday closure. Check the weekday and holiday-period opening if you plan lunch there.
If buying fresh fish, dried fish, or sanma-zushi, consider a cooler bag and your travel time home.
The lawn and giant ocean sunfish suit a short break. Avoid a long outdoor stop in midsummer or rain.
Tsuzurato Pass is a trail hike, not a casual stroll. Even with school-age children, consider shoes, water, weather, and stamina.
For Furusato Onsen's reopening and closure updates, prioritize the latest town or tourism association information.
The station is close to Kii-Nagashima interchange, but holiday traffic on National Route 42 can vary. Shifting your meal away from peak time may make the visit easier.

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.

Food stall
Grilled ocean sunfish skewers
Mainly weekends / check opening days
Food stall
Grilled and fried shark
Check opening days
Food stall
Fried moray eel
Check opening days
Restaurant
Fried ocean sunfish set meal
Restaurant 9:00–15:00 (approximate)
Restaurant
Assorted seafood rice bowl
About ¥1,000
Restaurant
Sashimi set meal
About ¥1,300
Shop
Sanma-zushi (saury sushi)
Check in store
Takeaway
Ouchiyama milk soft serve
About ¥450

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.

Food stall

Grilled ocean sunfish skewers / shark / fried moray eel

Try a bite of the station's distinctive foods on a weekend.

Check official notices for opening days.

Restaurant

Assorted seafood rice bowl / sashimi set meal / fried ocean sunfish set meal

Sit down to eat lunch.

Approximately 9:00–15:00; Thursday closure is listed.

Shop

Sanma-zushi (saury sushi) / fresh fish / dried fish / local products

Bring Kihoku flavors home for dinner or as gifts.

Sweets

Ouchiyama milk soft serve / coffee

Take a short break for children and adults.

Cold storage

Prepare for buying fresh and dried fish

On hot days or a long trip home, match what you buy to the journey's length.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station

Michi-no-Eki Kii-Nagashima Manbo

Grilled ocean sunfish skewers, sanma-zushi, dried fish, and seafood rice bowls: taste the food culture of the Kumano-nada Sea one bite at a time during a stop on National Route 42.

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.

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