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Shiga · Kinki

Michi-no-Eki Kutsuki Shin Honjin

道の駅 くつき新本陣

In the middle of the Saba Kaido, stop in Kutsuki for the morning market, mackerel sushi and tochi mochi.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Takashima City
Road
National Route 367
Hours
Tourist information desk: 8:30-17:00
The official site currently lists these hours, while the tourism association and others also list a 9:00 opening; follow the information posted on site.
Parking
Cars: 93 / Large vehicles: 3
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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.

Start with
Sunday or public-holiday morning market, or shopping for mackerel sushi and tochi mochi

The market may close early when goods sell out, so arrive in the morning if you have something specific to buy.

Meals
Sato restaurant currently lists 11:00–14:00 as its usual hours

Mainly set meals. Check the official business calendar for menus and closures.

With children
Eat and use the toilets at the station; go elsewhere for play

The station is not designed for extended outdoor play, so planning a hot spring, pool, park or ski area makes the day easier.

Weather
On rainy days, use the station and hot spring; in winter, check roads and snow conditions

Kutsuki lies in the mountains. Check winter information for prefectural roads and the ski area before setting off.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kutsuki Shin Honjin is a food and rest stop in Kutsuki, Takashima City, midway along the Saba Kaido, the historic Mackerel Road linking Obama in Wakasa with Kyoto. On weekdays, make a short stop at the specialty shop and Sato restaurant for mackerel sushi, tochi mochi, a salted mackerel set meal and local vegetables. The station becomes livelier for its morning market on Sundays and public holidays from March through November. For a family drive, use the station for toilets, food and shopping, then continue to Maruhachi Department Store within walking distance, Kōshōji Temple a few minutes away by car, or Green Park Omoide no Mori on rainy or hot days, rather than planning a long stay at the station itself.

  • #Saba Kaido (Mackerel Road)
  • #Sunday morning market
  • #Mackerel sushi
  • #Tochi mochi (horse chestnut rice cakes)
  • #Kutsuki hot spring
  • #National Route 367
Takumi Okumura's stopover notes

Morning market, toilets, lunch: organize the family's day first.

Takumi Okumura sees this station as a starting point for buying Saba Kaido foods, eating lunch and moving on to the next play area, rather than as a large destination for a long stay. With children, take care of meals and toilets briefly before heading to the hot spring, pool or snow play. On an adults-only day, buy mackerel sushi and tochi mochi, then extend the outing to Maruhachi Department Store or Kōshōji Temple. Kutsuki's character comes through even more when you venture a little beyond the station.

Eat

Eat lunch at Sato; take home mackerel sushi and tochi mochi. Shop first on market days.

Shop

Log-grown shiitake, local vegetables and processed river fish vary by season and time of day.

Move on

If children want to play, head for the hot spring, pool or ski area instead of lingering at the station; it is easier to keep the day on track.

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Time your visit for the market and see everyday Kutsuki

The Sunday market is the station at its liveliest, with local vegetables, handmade seasonings, processed river fish, mackerel sushi and tochi mochi (rice cakes made with horse chestnuts). Timing a rest stop on National Route 367 for market hours turns it into a chance to shop for foods from Kutsuki's mountain villages, without having to tour a string of attractions.

02

A quick taste of the Mackerel Road in sushi and set meals

At the specialty shop, look for mackerel sushi, fermented mackerel narezushi, tochi mochi and shiitake grown on logs. Sato serves a salted mackerel set meal, curry, udon, soba and children's dishes, making it easier to bring together a family with different tastes for lunch.

03

With children, choose the next place to play before leaving the station

After a toilet and meal stop, head to Kōshōji Temple or Green Park Omoide no Mori in fine weather, the indoor heated pool in summer, or Kutsuki Ski Area in winter. The hot spring provides a rainy-day option, so the family can divide the day among eating, shopping and playing.

04

A mountain stop that changes with the seasons and road conditions

Visits change with spring wild vegetables, vegetables from early to high summer, autumn mushrooms and foliage, and winter snow play. In winter especially, check snowfall, road closures and ski-area operations before deciding whether to shop at the station only or add a hot spring or snow play.

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 shopping drive from morning to before lunch

Shop for Kutsuki flavors at the Sunday morning market

If coming up National Route 367 from Kyoto, aim to arrive in the morning. Use the toilets first, browse vegetables and processed river fish at the market, then add mackerel sushi and tochi mochi from the specialty shop. Eat lunch at Sato, or, if it is crowded, keep the visit focused on takeaway purchases.

Parking → toilets → morning market → specialty shop → Sato restaurant or departure

The market may end as soon as goods sell out. If you have a particular item in mind, avoid arriving late in the morning.

Families with preschool and primary-school children

Make a rainy half-day of food and a hot spring

Keep the station visit to lunch and shopping rather than planning prolonged outdoor play. After eating, drive to Green Park Omoide no Mori for its hot spring, seasonally operated indoor heated pool and restaurant; this gives children a way to be active even in rain.

Lunch and shopping at the station → Green Park Omoide no Mori → hot spring or pool

The pool operates seasonally, and the hot spring sometimes closes for maintenance. Check opening notices before leaving.

Adults who want a stronger sense of the area even on a short visit

Add a walk into Kutsuki's retro townscape

A stop at the station alone is a shopping break. Walk to Maruhachi Department Store for an early Shōwa-era wooden Western-style building and time at its café. It fits a short gap that does not call for moving the car and makes a pleasant break after the market.

Station → Maruhachi Department Store → return to station

Maruhachi Department Store is also generally closed Tuesdays. Check current opening information.

An autumn or adults-only half-day drive

Continue on to history and autumn foliage

Pair shopping along the Saba Kaido with the garden at Kōshōji Temple. After looking for mackerel sushi or tochi mochi at the station, drive a few minutes to encounter history associated with the Kutsuki clan and the Ashikaga shoguns, as well as quiet autumn foliage.

Station → Kōshōji Temple → Green Park Omoide no Mori or homeward

Walk quietly at the temple. Allow extra time for parking and watch your footing during foliage season.

A winter family drive

In winter, plan the station, hot spring and snow play separately

Shop and use the toilets at the station, then head to Kutsuki Ski Area if snowfall and road conditions allow. If it is closed or the weather worsens, switching to the hot spring still gives the Kutsuki trip a purpose.

Station → Kutsuki Ski Area or Kutsuki Onsen Tenku hot spring → homeward

In winter, notices may warn of prefectural-road closures or advise carrying tire chains. Check ski-area operations before heading out.

Hours

Opening hours

Tourist information desk
8:30-17:00

The official site currently lists these hours, while the tourism association and others also list a 9:00 opening; follow the information posted on site.

Specialty products shop
8:30-17:00

Hours may change in winter or according to the business calendar.

Sunday morning market
8:00-12:00

Usually held every Sunday and on public holidays from March through November. It may end when goods sell out.

Sato restaurant
11:00-14:00

Set meals. Normally closed Tuesdays, or the following day when Tuesday is a public holiday. Check the business calendar for temporary closures.

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 0–1
★★★☆☆

At the station, focus on a short meal and shopping stop rather than depending on nursing or diaper-changing facilities.

In rain or cold, continuing by car to the hot-spring complex may be less taxing.

Age 2–3
★★★☆☆

Hold hands in the crowded market and sales area; after eating, move to Green Park Omoide no Mori so children can be active.

Avoid planning a long play session at the station alone.

Age 4–6
★★★★☆

With children's curry and udon available, this age has meal choices. Add the pool in summer or snow play in winter for a more satisfying day.

The market is easier to walk around earlier in the morning.

Primary-school children
★★★★☆

Combine the Saba Kaido story, market shopping, hot spring and ski area to shape a full day.

Check operations and equipment before winter snow play.

Toilets

Parking and toilets are listed as accessible 24 hours a day.

Children's meals

Sato has children's curry and children's udon.

Indoor rainy-day option

Use the station for food and shopping, then move to the hot spring or pool for rainy-day activities.

Stroller

In a crowded market, prioritize maneuverability. Check the weather and sidewalks before walking around the nearby town.

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

Sunday morning market

Held every Sunday and on public holidays from March through November, this is the station's signature event. Local vegetables, handmade seasonings and processed river fish are among the goods, and the market may end when they sell out.

Shin Honjin Marche

A roughly monthly event with stalls selling handmade goods and food. Dates are updated in official notices and tourism event listings.

Business calendar

The annual calendar changes which days the facility, restaurant, market and marche operate. Besides the usual Tuesday closure, the restaurant has separate closing days during some periods.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The dining room has a brief lunch window

Sato focuses on lunchtime and has switched to set meals. For late arrivals or busy periods, leave room to try takeaway food from the station, Maruhachi Department Store or the restaurant near the hot spring.

Source: Official restaurant information and business calendar

Adjust winter plans to roads and snow

Kutsuki Ski Area caters to families, but opening and road conditions determine whether a visit works. If snow play is the goal, check advice on carrying chains and road closures; otherwise, switch to the station and hot spring.

Source: Kutsuki Ski Area official information
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.

  • For the market, arrive early in the morning.
  • Bring a cooler bag when buying mackerel sushi or other perishables.
  • Sato has a short lunch service; if arriving late, consider other nearby meal options.
  • The station and nearby shops often share Tuesday closing days.
  • On rainy days, continuing to Green Park Omoide no Mori makes family plans easier to keep.
  • In winter, check snowfall, prefectural-road closures and ski-area operations before departure.
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.

  • Local dish
    Mackerel sushi
    Choose according to stock at the specialty shop or morning market
  • Sweet and souvenir
    Tochi mochi (horse chestnut rice cakes)
    Look for packs of five or vacuum-packed versions
  • Meal
    Salted mackerel set meal
    A set-meal option at Sato restaurant
  • Shopping
    Log-grown shiitake from Kutsuki
    Varies with deliveries
  • Morning market
    Vegetables and processed river fish at the Sunday market
    Usually available in the morning until sold out
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.

For the morning market

Local vegetables, handmade seasonings, processed river fish, mackerel sushi, tochi mochi

Come on a Sunday or public-holiday morning with shopping as your main purpose.

The market generally runs 8:00–12:00, but popular items begin to run low earlier.

Lunch at the station

Salted mackerel set meal, curry, udon, soba, children's curry, children's udon

Useful for a family lunch when preferences differ from preschoolers to adults.

Sato is open for a short lunch period only. If arriving late, consider nearby eateries or a meal at the hot-spring complex.

Prioritize food to take home

Mackerel sushi, tochi mochi, log-grown shiitake, local sake, fermented foods

Good when you want to bring a taste of Kutsuki to your table at home.

A cooler bag helps with perishables. In summer or on long journeys, waiting to buy them until later makes travel easier.

Just a little something sweet

Tochi mochi, Japanese sweets, seasonal fruit daifuku and more

Take home a taste of the station even during a short stop without dining in.

Weekend and seasonal items may sell out early.

Rainy-day meal alternatives

Set meals at the station, the Satoyama Restaurant at Green Park Omoide no Mori, nearby cafés

When cutting back outdoor play, shop at the station and move to the hot-spring area for a more comfortable visit.

Closing days differ by facility, so check openings especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Kutsuki Shin Honjin

In the middle of the Saba Kaido, stop in Kutsuki for the morning market, mackerel sushi and tochi mochi.

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2
Hot spring, pool and park
Green Park Omoide no Mori / Kutsuki Onsen Tenku

A hot spring and play area for families after a station meal, even on rainy or hot days.

Open in Google Maps
3
Snow play and skiing
Kutsuki Ski Area

Combine a rest at the station with snow play on a winter Kutsuki drive.

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

Historic building and café
Maruhachi Department StoreJapanese guide
About 400 m from the stationAbout 5–8 minutes on foot

Good after the market or shopping when you want a little more local character without moving the car.

Temple, garden and autumn foliage
Kōshōji TempleJapanese guide
About 5 minutes by car from the stationA few minutes by car, or about 15 minutes on foot

Good for an adults-only half-day drive or a quiet autumn foliage visit.

Hot spring, pool and park
Green Park Omoide no Mori / Kutsuki Onsen TenkuJapanese guide
About 2 km from the stationAbout 5 minutes by car

For families who have eaten and shopped at the station and want to add children’s play and a bath on a rainy or hot day.

Farm, dairy products and yakiniku
Takara Farm / Shiboritate Kōbō Ajiwai-kanJapanese guide
Just over 2 km from the stationAbout 5–10 minutes by car

For sweets or meat dishes different from the station’s mackerel sushi and set meals, perhaps combined with a trip toward the hot spring.

Snow play and skiing
Kutsuki Ski AreaJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by car from the stationAbout 20 minutes by car, depending on winter road conditions

For a winter family drive that uses the station as a rest and shopping base before snow play.

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