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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Niigata Prefecture · Hokuriku

Michi-no-Eki Yunotani

道の駅 ゆのたに

Just minutes from Uonuma IC, stop for Koshihikari rice and wild mountain vegetables before driving toward Okutadami or Yunotani.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Uonuma City
Road
Prefectural Route 50, Koide–Okutadami Line
Hours
9:00–17:00
Miyuki no Sato's April and May 2026 notices list shop hours of 9:00–17:00 (9:00–16:30 from December 1, 2025 through April 24, 2026). The official restaurant hours are 11:00–14:00 on weekdays and 11:00–15:00 on weekends and public holidays. Check official monthly notices for changed hours or temporary closures.
Parking
Cars: 71 / Large vehicles: 18
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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 stop
Browse rice, wild vegetables and sake at Miyuki no Sato

Uonuma-grown Koshihikari, preserved wild mountain vegetables, local sake and seasonal produce are the main draws. Shopping alone offers a taste of Uonuma to take home.

Stopping at lunchtime
Eat Koshihikari and regional dishes in the restaurant

Official notices list restaurant hours of 11:00–14:00 on weekdays and 11:00–15:00 on weekends and public holidays. Hours can change by month, so arrive early if lunch is your goal.

Need local information
Visit the Uonuma City Information Center

Plan trips to mountain and cultural destinations, including Lake Okutadami, Oze, the Yunotani hot-spring area and Saifukuji Temple.

Spring through autumn
Look for wild vegetables, produce and Lake Okutadami

Spring brings wild mountain vegetables, summer suits trips toward Okutadami, and autumn brings mushrooms and foliage. The market and nearby sights change with the seasons.

Visiting in winter
Check hours and roads first

The shop has announced shorter winter hours. Snow and road conditions also affect trips toward the mountains. Check for temporary changes even though the station is generally listed as open daily.

EV charging
Suspended since April 1, 2026

Uonuma City and the tourism association say charging is suspended until further notice. Plan an alternative charging stop before traveling by EV.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Yunotani is close to Uonuma IC, yet its Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice, wild mountain vegetables, local sake and kenchin-jiru, a hearty vegetable soup, leave a lasting impression. Shop for rice and preserved mountain vegetables at the Miyuki no Sato produce hall, eat rice dishes and regional fare in its restaurant, and gather information on Lake Okutadami, Oze, the Yunotani hot-spring area and Saifukuji Temple at the adjacent Uonuma City Information Center. It is an easy place to eat and shop in Uonuma before or after a larger excursion.

  • #Niigata Prefecture
  • #Uonuma City
  • #Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice
  • #Wild mountain vegetables
  • #Kenchin-jiru vegetable soup
  • #Local sake
  • #Direct farm sales
  • #Okutadami
  • #Yunotani hot-spring area
  • #Near Uonuma IC
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Eat Uonuma rice and take some home

The heart of this station is the Miyuki no Sato produce hall. It stocks Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice, local sake, preserved wild mountain vegetables and seasonal produce. In the restaurant, try Uonuma Koshihikari rice and the house specialty kenchin-jiru, a hearty vegetable soup. Even a short stop lets you buy the flavors you just enjoyed.

02

Gather information before heading to Okutadami, Oze or the hot springs

At the adjacent Uonuma City Information Center, find information on Lake Okutadami, routes into Oze, the Yunotani hot-spring area and works by the sculptor Ishikawa Uncho. Mountain travel changes with the season, road conditions and weather, so it helps to plan your next stop while you eat and shop.

03

A short detour from Uonuma IC

The station is only a few minutes from Uonuma IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway. Have lunch before Okutadami, buy rice and sake after a hot-spring visit, or use the toilets and tourist information before exploring snow country. It fits easily before or after the day's main destination.

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 driving day toward Lake Okutadami, Ginzan-daira or Oze

Have a rice lunch before Okutadami

Before heading into the mountains, eat Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice dishes or regional fare at Miyuki no Sato. Pick up drinks, snacks and preserved wild vegetables in the shop, then check road and sightseeing information at the information center.

Uonuma IC → Michi-no-Eki Yunotani → Okutadami Silver Line and Lake Okutadami area.

Seasonal services, roads and weather strongly affect Okutadami trips. Check current sightseeing boat service and road conditions on the day.

Returning from the Yunotani hot-spring area or Oyu Onsen

Buy rice and sake on the way back from the hot springs

After a relaxing hot-spring visit, take home Uonuma-grown Koshihikari, local sake and preserved wild mountain vegetables. Even after the restaurant closes, the produce hall may still be open for shopping.

Oyu Onsen and the Yunotani hot-spring area → Michi-no-Eki Yunotani → Uonuma IC.

Watch the shop's closing time in the evening; winter hours may be shorter.

A short cultural detour for adults or on a rainy day

Pair Ishikawa Uncho's Saifukuji with Uonuma food

Saifukuji's Kaisando hall is a Uonuma cultural sight known for Ishikawa Uncho's carvings. After lunch and shopping at the station, a short drive to see the sculptures adds another side of Uonuma to the visit.

Michi-no-Eki Yunotani → Saifukuji Kaisando Hall; about 10 minutes by car.

Confirm viewing hours and closures with the temple. It is a quiet place; a shorter visit may work better with children.

A stop off the Kan-Etsu Expressway or a time-limited weekend drive

Take a little Uonuma home on a short break

Because the station is near Uonuma IC, a long detour is unnecessary. You can combine a toilet break, tourist information and shopping for rice, local sake and preserved wild vegetables in 15–30 minutes.

A few minutes from Uonuma IC, on Prefectural Route 50 toward Okutadami.

The restaurant mainly serves lunch. Decide whether this stop is for quick shopping or also for a meal.

Hours

Opening hours

Miyuki no Sato produce hall
9:00-17:00

Official notices list 9:00–17:00 from April 25, 2026 and in May. Winter hours were 9:00–16:30 from December 1, 2025 through April 24, 2026. Check official notices for monthly changes.

Restaurant
11:00–14:00 (weekends and public holidays 11:00–15:00)

Miyuki no Sato's monthly notices list 11:00–14:00 on weekdays and 11:00–15:00 on weekends and public holidays. Arrive early if you plan to eat lunch.

Uonuma City Information Center
9:00-17:00

The tourism association and Snow Country Tourism Zone list hours of 9:00–17:00.

24-hour toilets
24 hours

Miyuki no Sato says the roadside station toilets are available around the clock, including when the shop and restaurant are closed.

EV charging facilities
Suspended

Charging has been announced as suspended from April 1, 2026 until further notice.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Age 1 and under
★★★☆☆

Best for a short break using the 24-hour toilets, information center and shop. This is not a play-area destination; check signs on site for nursing and diaper-changing facilities.

The restaurant mainly serves lunch and can be busy. Plan to carry the child.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Good for rice crackers, a little shopping and a toilet break. With no large play area, it suits a pause before or after Okutadami or the hot springs better than a long stay.

Hold children's hands in the parking area.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Looking for rice, wild vegetables and child-friendly sweets in the shop can spark conversation; leave the sake for adults. Pair the stop with a Lake Okutadami boat trip or a hot spring.

Keep the visit short if adding a quiet place such as Saifukuji.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Children this age can connect Lake Okutadami, Oze, Ishikawa Uncho and snow-country food culture. Let them help choose the next destination at the information center.

Summer holiday activities around Lake Okutadami and stamp rallies can fit well.

Lunchtime

The restaurant mainly serves lunch. If children get hungry early, look in the shop for a light snack first.

Outdoor play

This stop connects trips to nearby Lake Okutadami, Oyu Onsen or sights on the flower map, rather than offering a long play session at the station.

Toilets

The roadside station toilets are listed as open 24 hours, useful before heading into the mountains.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Arrive easily from Uonuma IC

    The short drive from the interchange lets you combine a toilet break, meal and shopping before mountain roads. Parking is listed for 18 large vehicles and 71 cars.

  2. 2
    Choose lunch early

    Restaurant hours center on 11:00–14:00. On busy days, eating before browsing the shop may make for a calmer stop.

  3. 3
    Gather information before mountain travel

    Seasons and roads affect trips to Okutadami, Oze and the Yunotani hot-spring area. Stop by the information center before you go.

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

Uonuma City Information Center

A place to gather information on Okutadami, Oze, the Yunotani hot-spring area, works by Ishikawa Uncho and local events.

Miyuki no Sato produce hall

Spring wild mountain vegetables, autumn mushrooms and Uonuma-grown Koshihikari make seasonal shopping a highlight.

Direct sales and morning market

Uonuma City lists a morning market alongside local product sales. Weather and deliveries affect what is available.

Activities around Okutadami

From summer into autumn, Lake Okutadami boat trips and stamp rallies can extend your visit beyond the station.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Uonuma flavors set the mood before a major excursion

Rice and regional dishes before Okutadami or Oze make the Uonuma visit feel underway even before arrival. If you skip the restaurant, rice, local sake and preserved wild vegetables still give the shop a strong local character.

Source: Miyuki no Sato official site and Niigata tourism guide

Kenchin-jiru and Koshihikari offer a comforting meal

Miyuki no Sato features Uonuma-grown Koshihikari rice and its specialty kenchin-jiru, a hearty vegetable soup. It is a satisfying choice on a mountain drive rather than a flashy novelty meal.

Source: Miyuki no Sato official site

Spring wild vegetables and autumn mushrooms change the market

Niigata Prefecture's direct-sales information introduces spring wild mountain vegetables, autumn mushrooms and a seasonal morning market. Alongside rice, these mountain foods make shopping different each season.

Source: Niigata Prefecture website

The tourist information desk helps settle the next destination

The Uonuma City Information Center covers destinations such as Okutadami, Oze, the Yunotani hot-spring area and works by Ishikawa Uncho. Printed information and notices on site can help adjust a mountain drive.

Source: Niigata tourism guide

Visitor reviews often emphasize a short restaurant-and-shop stop

Travel and map listings commonly mention the proximity to Uonuma IC, access to tourist information, and rice and specialty shopping. The station is valued as a useful stop before or after another destination rather than as a large park for a long stay.

Source: Trends in travel-site and map listings

Suspended EV charging matters when planning a stop

Uonuma City, its tourism association and the Niigata tourism guide list EV charging as suspended from April 1, 2026 until further notice. Do not plan to charge here without checking for a service update.

Source: Uonuma City and Uonuma City Tourism Association
Movie

Preview the place on video

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

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.

  • If you want lunch, arriving around 11:00 makes planning easier.
  • For an Okutadami trip, recheck boat operation, roads and weather around the time you reach the station.
  • EV charging has been listed as suspended from April 1, 2026 until further notice.
  • Spring wild vegetables, autumn mushrooms and new rice, and Lake Okutadami from summer into autumn give each season a different reason to stop.
  • Leave room in the car if you plan to buy rice or sake on the way home.
  • Winter shop hours and road conditions can change; check the restaurant, shop and mountain routes separately.
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.

  • Restaurant
    Uonuma-grown Koshihikari set meal
    Varies by menu
  • Restaurant
    Rice-ball set meal
    Example listed by Niigata tourism guide: ¥560
  • Regional dish
    Kenchin-jiru vegetable soup
    Varies by menu
  • Local products
    Uonuma-grown Koshihikari, local sake and preserved wild mountain vegetables
    Varies by product
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.

Full lunch

Uonuma-grown Koshihikari set meal / rice-ball set meal / kenchin-jiru vegetable soup

An easy way to taste the region's rice before heading to Okutadami or the hot springs.

Official restaurant hours are 11:00–14:00 on weekdays and 11:00–15:00 on weekends and public holidays. Arrive early for lunch.

Take-home shopping

Uonuma-grown Koshihikari / local sake / preserved wild mountain vegetables / seasonal local specialties

Traveling by car makes it easier to carry rice and bottles home, extending the flavors of the trip.

New-rice season and peak travel periods can affect stock; look for your priority items first.

Seasonal direct sales

Spring wild mountain vegetables / autumn mushrooms / local produce

The tent area and morning market reflect the season. In spring and autumn, allow time to browse.

Stock depends on weather and season; selection may be thinner late in the day.

Sweets and lighter snacks

Rice crackers / local sweets / tourism association goods

Even without a restaurant meal, pick up a snack for the car or a memento. Original Uonuma tourism association goods have also been announced recently.

Some items are sold in the shop and others at the information center.

Order more online

Koshihikari rice / canned kenchin-jiru / local specialties

Buy a small amount of heavy rice on site, then order more from Miyuki no Sato's online shop if you like it.

Online stock and shipping costs can change.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Yunotani

Just minutes from Uonuma IC, stop for Koshihikari rice and wild mountain vegetables before driving toward Okutadami or Yunotani.

Open in Google Maps
2
Food and shopping
Miyuki no Sato produce hall

The station’s main stop for Uonuma Koshihikari rice, wild mountain vegetables, local sake and kenchin-jiru vegetable soup.

Open in Google Maps
3
Tourist information
Uonuma City Information Center

Plan Uonuma destinations before heading to Okutadami, Oze or the Yunotani hot-spring area.

Open in Google Maps
4
History and culture
Saifukuji Kaisando Hall

After Uonuma food, discover the area’s cultural depth in Ishikawa Uncho’s carvings.

Open in Google Maps
5
Nature and scenery
Lake Okutadami Sightseeing Boat

After a rice meal at the station, see the scale of the mountains from Lake Okutadami.

Open in Google Maps
6
Hot springs
Oyu Onsen (Yunotani hot-spring area)

After shopping for rice and wild vegetables, unwind in a mountain hot spring.

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

Illustrative photo, not taken at Miyuki no Sato produce hall
Illustrative image
Food and shopping
Miyuki no Sato produce hallJapanese guide
Within the stationA short walk

For lunch, shopping for rice, sake and preserved wild vegetables, or a meal before Okutadami.

Illustrative photo, not taken at Uonuma City Information Center
Illustrative image
Tourist information
Uonuma City Information CenterJapanese guide
Within or adjacent to the stationA short walk

Check information on mountain roads, seasonal events, hot springs and cultural sights before setting the day’s itinerary.

Illustrative photo, not taken at Saifukuji Kaisando Hall
Illustrative image
History and culture
Saifukuji Kaisando HallJapanese guide
About 5 kmAbout 10 minutes by car

For a short cultural visit for adults, a rainy day or a trip with more than food on the agenda.

Illustrative photo, not taken at Lake Okutadami Sightseeing Boat
Illustrative image
Nature and scenery
Lake Okutadami Sightseeing BoatJapanese guide
About 35 kmAbout 50 minutes by car

For a summer lake outing, autumn foliage or a half-day drive via the Okutadami Silver Line.

Illustrative photo, not taken at Oyu Onsen (Yunotani hot-spring area)
Illustrative image
Hot springs
Oyu Onsen (Yunotani hot-spring area)Japanese guide
About 10 kmAbout 15 minutes by car

For the return from Okutadami, a rainy day or ending a half-day drive with a hot spring.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →