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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Toyama Prefecture · Hokuriku

Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira

道の駅 上平

A roadside station for iwana (char) and mountain village souvenirs before heading to the gassho-style villages, whether you are approaching or leaving Gokayama IC.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Nanto City
Road
National Route 156
Hours
9:00–16:00
Indicative hours for the roadside station and tourist information desk; individual businesses differ. Confirm the desk's current hours before visiting.
Parking
Cars: 62 spaces / Large vehicles: 10 spaces for large vehicles
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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, take care of
Parking, toilets, and weather

Before or after using National Route 156 and Gokayama IC, take a break before entering the mountain roads.

If you want to eat
Iwana and Gokayama tofu

At lunchtime, make the restaurant your main stop. Availability depends on the season and opening days.

If you want to shop
Red turnip pickles and tochi mochi

Choose mountain village souvenirs that are easy to load into the car before or after walking around the gassho-style villages.

If you want to explore
Iwase House or Suganuma village

Choose Iwase House for a short look at local history, or Suganuma for World Heritage scenery.

If you want nature
Katsura Lake and a mountain road weather check

Before extending your trip to the lake or campsite, check rain, snow cover, and road conditions.

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

Put food, shopping, and toilets in order before entering the mountain roads.

Akari Kitami sees this station as a place to sort out the practical needs of a Gokayama drive. Will you eat iwana, buy red turnip pickles, or head straight for Suganuma village? Choosing one priority first leaves more room in your schedule on the mountain stretches of National Route 156.

1

Restaurant at lunchtime

If you want iwana or Gokayama tofu, time your visit to restaurant service.

2

Shops for a short stop

Look for red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, and prepared mountain vegetables that are easy to take back to the car.

3

Explore if the weather is good

Choose Iwase House, Suganuma village, or Katsura Lake and make time for a walk.

4

Prioritize roads in winter

In snowy months, check road surfaces, snow clearance, and travel time before opening hours.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira is a mountain rest stop in Gokayama, convenient for travelers using Gokayama IC on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway or National Route 156. At its main facility, Sasara-kan, you can eat iwana (char, a river fish) and Gokayama tofu, and browse red turnip pickles, tochi mochi (horse-chestnut rice cakes), mountain vegetables, and crafts. Before heading to the World Heritage Suganuma gassho-style village or Iwase House, use the stop to check the toilets, parking, meal times, and weather for a more relaxed mountain drive.

  • #Gokayama
  • #Sasara-kan
  • #Iwana (char) dishes
  • #Gokayama tofu
  • #Gassho-style villages
  • #National Route 156
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Make iwana and mountain village flavors the focus of your meal

At Sasara-kan's restaurants, consider iwana (char), Gokayama tofu, mountain vegetables, and soba for a meal that reflects the mountain setting. If your timing fits lunch service, this is a good place to taste Gokayama food as part of your stop.

02

Browse red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, and crafts before choosing souvenirs

The shops make it convenient to choose souvenirs for the car before or after visiting the gassho-style villages. Browse red turnip pickles, tochi mochi (horse-chestnut rice cakes), Gokayama tofu, prepared mountain vegetables, washi paper, and local crafts.

03

Check the weather and take a break around your Gokayama sightseeing

National Route 156 runs through mountain roads, tunnels, and riverside stretches. Before heading to the World Heritage villages or Katsura Lake, check parking, toilets, and restaurant opening hours so you can adjust your plans on rainy, snowy, or crowded days.

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 starting point for Gokayama sightseeing

Sort out lunch and toilets before visiting a gassho-style village

After leaving Gokayama IC, check the toilets and meal times at Kamitaira. If it is close to lunchtime, try iwana dishes or Gokayama tofu first, then give your time at Suganuma gassho-style village to walking.

Gokayama IC or National Route 156 → Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira → Suganuma gassho-style village

Restaurant closing days and service change by season, so check official information first if lunch is the main reason for your stop.

A 1–2 hour detour

Pair your stop with Iwase House for a short history outing

Shop and rest at the station, then visit nearby Iwase House. Even a short look at the large gassho-style house links Gokayama's way of life with the souvenirs at the roadside station.

Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira → Iwase House → more souvenirs at Sasara-kan

Check Iwase House's admission hours and closing days. In winter, also check walking conditions and snow clearance.

A break on a through drive

Buy mountain flavors before continuing toward Shirakawa-go or Tonami

If you are staying briefly, focus on easy-to-carry items such as red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, and prepared mountain vegetables. Use the toilets and pick up drinks before the next mountain road stretch.

Park → shop → toilets → return to National Route 156

In summer, keep food cool on the drive home. In winter, allow for icy roads and the timing of snowfall when you set out.

A half-day drive

On a clear day, add Katsura Lake for more time in nature

After eating or shopping at the station, head toward Katsura Lake if the weather is good. Check the operating seasons of the lakeside facilities, campsite, and visitor center for a quieter mountain outing distinct from the sightseeing villages.

Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira → Katsura Lake → Kuroba Onsen or the journey home

Facilities near Katsura Lake are affected by seasonal opening and road conditions. In rain or snow, focus on the station and gassho-style villages instead of forcing an extra stop.

Hours

Opening hours

Sasara-kan shops
Varies by business

Souvenir shops include Chinpin-do and Mansaku. Toyama's tourism site gives 9:00–16:00 for the station and information desk; the operator lists the desk as 10:00–15:00, closed Wednesdays. Confirm before visiting.

Gokayama Shunsai Kobo Iwana
10:00-20:00

Iwana dishes are the specialty. The operator lists Tuesday as its closing day and 11:00–20:00 as its hours, which differ from the indicative hours shown here; confirm before visiting.

Soba-dokoro Kurumi
10:30-20:00

Mountain vegetable soba and Gokayama tofu. The operator lists Thursday as its closing day and 11:00–20:00 as its hours, which differ from the indicative hours shown here; confirm before visiting.

Closing days
Varies by business

The overall facility may close around New Year; restaurants have their own regular closing days. Check current arrangements.

Parking and toilets
Roadside station rest facilities

Night use and snow clearance depend on conditions on site and on the roads.

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 or younger
★★★☆☆

Suitable for a short toilet stop and feeding preparations before or after the mountain roads.

This is not a place for extended play; concentrating on toilets, the shop, and preparations in the car can make the stop easier.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Works best with short stretches for eating and shopping.

If you add a village walk, watch for slopes and roads. On rainy days, focus on an indoor break.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Iwana, tofu, and red turnips make useful food topics for the trip.

For more active time, head to Suganuma village or Katsura Lake, separating play from the station break.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Gassho-style houses, mountain life, and river fish can make a local learning experience.

Pair the station with Iwase House or Suganuma village to experience more of Gokayama than shopping alone.

Use the toilets before the mountain road

Some stretches of National Route 156 have a substantial distance to the next rest stop.

Keep outdoor walks short in rain or snow

At the gassho-style villages or Katsura Lake, watch your footing, umbrellas, and road crossings.

Switch to the shop if the restaurant wait is long

Avoid keeping hungry children waiting; pick up souvenirs and a light bite before moving on.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Choose a parking spot, then visit the toilets first

    At this mountain station, check your footing and use the toilets after getting out of the car. On major holidays or around lunchtime, a break before the meal can make the visit more comfortable.

  2. 2
    Decide between a meal and the shops first

    Choosing whether to eat iwana dishes or simply buy red turnip pickles and tochi mochi makes your stop length easier to plan.

  3. 3
    Add just one nearby destination

    Rather than squeezing in Iwase House, Suganuma village, and Katsura Lake, choose one according to the weather and your energy.

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

Seasonal events in Gokayama

Dates for village illuminations, local events, and folk music events vary; check current notices from the Nanto City and Gokayama tourism associations.

Changing supplies of local produce and food

Mountain vegetables, red turnips, and tochi mochi vary with the season and deliveries. Look at both regular souvenirs and seasonal goods in the shops.

Winter roads and snow information

Gokayama receives snow. In winter, check snow clearance and road surfaces on National Route 156, nearby roads, and parking areas before planning around events.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

A practical break near Gokayama IC

The facility operator and Toyama's official tourism site describe Sasara-kan as the station's central facility. Visitor reviews also commonly describe combining toilets, a meal, and souvenirs en route to the gassho-style villages or Shirakawa-go.

Source: Gokayama Tourism Association and visitor review trends

Iwana dishes can be a reason to make this station a destination

Restaurant accounts often mention enjoying mountain foods such as river fish, mountain vegetables, and tofu. If you arrive during lunch service, making the meal the focus can leave a stronger impression than a brief break.

Source: Official facility information and travel review trends

The shops can complete your souvenir shopping after sightseeing

In a short visit, browse red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, Gokayama tofu, prepared mountain vegetables, and crafts. If you have little time to shop while walking through a village, stopping here on the way back is practical.

Source: Official facility information and travel review trends

A short stop still helps when you are heading to the gassho-style villages

If Suganuma or Ainokura village is your main destination, using the station for toilets, drinks, and a look at possible souvenirs leaves more time for walking.

Source: Gokayama and Nanto City tourism associations

In rain, choose the station and indoor sights; in sun, extend to the lake or villages

Mountain weather can change the experience of outdoor sightseeing in Gokayama. In rain, favor a meal, the shops, and more indoor visits such as Iwase House. In clear weather, Suganuma village or Katsura Lake can make the mountain scenery the focus.

Source: Official nearby facility and tourism information

In winter, road conditions come before sightseeing

Gokayama gets snow, so in winter prioritize icy roads, snow clearance, and travel time over opening hours, events, or photos. Winter scenery is appealing, but check National Route 156 and nearby roads and consider fewer detours.

Source: Local authority and road information check guidance
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 station and tourist information desk are listed as approximately 9:00–16:00 by Toyama's tourism site, while the facility operator lists the desk as 10:00–15:00 and closed Wednesdays. Restaurant and shop hours and closing days differ; check the operator's current information before visiting.
  • National Route 156 crosses mountain terrain. Before going to your next destination, use this stop for toilets, drinks, and a weather check.
  • If you are visiting for iwana dishes or Gokayama tofu, check lunch hours and closing days first. Menus can change with sellouts and supplies.
  • Red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, and prepared mountain vegetables make convenient souvenirs, but consider car temperatures and cooling in summer.
  • When adding Suganuma gassho-style village or Iwase House, leave enough time for walking and for the attraction's closing time.
  • In winter, prioritize snow, icy roads, and snow clearance. Avoid risky detours even for photos.
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
    Iwana (char) dishes
    Check the official information for restaurant opening days and availability
  • Meal and shopping
    Gokayama tofu
    An option on restaurant menus or as a shop souvenir
  • Souvenir
    Red turnip pickles
    An easy Gokayama souvenir to take home by car
  • Sweets and souvenirs
    Tochi mochi and prepared mountain vegetables
    Selection varies with the season and deliveries
  • Light meal
    Soba and mountain vegetable dishes
    An option for a shorter lunch stop
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
The main lunch choice

Iwana dishes, Gokayama tofu, mountain vegetables

For a chance to taste several Gokayama foods in one meal. Make this your priority if your itinerary fits lunchtime opening hours.

Offerings vary by season, supplies, and opening day.

A quick meal

Soba and lighter mountain vegetable dishes

Good for a taste of mountain village food without a long sit-down stop while heading to a gassho-style village or Shirakawa-go.

Take something home

Red turnip pickles, tochi mochi, prepared mountain vegetables

Easy souvenirs for a car trip, bringing a taste of Gokayama home even if you miss a meal here.

Explore local character

Gokayama washi paper, crafts, locally processed foods

Take time in the shop to see some of the handiwork of the gassho-style villages as well as food.

On a busy day

Switch to shop souvenirs and drinks

You can avoid a long restaurant wait and visit Suganuma village or Iwase House first.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Kamitaira

A roadside station for iwana (char) and mountain village souvenirs before heading to the gassho-style villages, whether you are approaching or leaving Gokayama IC.

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

Iwase House
Gassho-style architecture
Iwase HouseJapanese guide
Close to the stationApproximately a few minutes by car

Good for a brief look at Gokayama life after enjoying iwana dishes or souvenirs at the station.

Suganuma Gassho-style Village
World Heritage village
Suganuma Gassho-style VillageJapanese guide
Drive from the stationApproximately 10 minutes by car

A major side trip where you will want time to walk after eating and using the toilets at the station.

Kuroba Onsen
Hot spring bath
Kuroba OnsenJapanese guide
Drive from the stationApproximately 15 minutes by car

Good for resting before the journey home after a village walk or a trip toward Katsura Lake.

Katsura Lake
Lake and nature
Katsura LakeJapanese guide
Drive from the stationApproximately 20 minutes by car

Good for adding time in the mountain outdoors on a clear day, with scenery different from the gassho-style villages.

Gokayama Gassho-no-Sato
Activities and accommodation
Gokayama Gassho-no-SatoJapanese guide
Drive from the stationApproximately 15 minutes by car

Good for adding activities or a stay when the roadside station and World Heritage village alone would make for too short a visit.

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