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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Wakayama Prefecture · Kinki

Michi-no-Eki Ichimaiiwa

道の駅 一枚岩

A small Kozagawa roadside station facing Ichimaiiwa, where you can plan a game meat lunch and a break by the river.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Kozagawa Town, Higashimuro District
Road
National Route 371
Hours
9:30–17:00
These are the summer weekday hours. Opening is listed as 8:30 on weekends and national holidays; in winter, it is 10:00 on weekdays and 9:30 on weekends and national holidays.
Parking
Cars: 18 / Large vehicles: 0
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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.

See first
Kozagawa's Ichimaiiwa

The scenic landmark is directly opposite the station. After parking and using the toilet, enjoy the rock face and river while the weather is clear.

Eat
Game meat, ayu and lunch

Enjoy Kozagawa ingredients such as venison, wild boar and ayu (sweetfish) with the view. Allow enough time within lunch service if you are coming to eat.

Shop
Yuzu, menma and prepared game meat

Expect mainly vegetables, fruit, processed foods and woodcrafts. This is a place to choose Kozagawa souvenirs, rather than a large produce market. Menma is seasoned bamboo shoots.

With children
Keep the riverbank visit short and safety first

You can descend to the water, but watch for rising water, slippery stones and summer heat, and keep the visit brief.

Explore nearby
Mushikuiiwa, the submersible bridge and Takinohai

Drive between Kozagawa's unusual rock formations and bridge as well as Ichimaiiwa for a half-day outing.

Fumino's unhurried travel notes

At Ichimaiiwa, park and use the toilets first, then take in the view.

Fumino Fujishiro suggests using this station as a comfortable rest stop for Kozagawa's scenery. Decide on parking, toilets, meal times and whether to descend to the river before setting out. That leaves room to choose an unhurried game meat lunch, a short riverbank walk with children, or a drive onward to Mushikuiiwa and Takinohai.

Take your time over the meal; sorting out the view and toilets first makes a Kozagawa drive feel calmer.
Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Ichimaiiwa faces Kozagawa's Ichimaiiwa, a nationally designated Natural Monument, across the road; the scenery itself is reason to stop. The facility is small, but opens from 9:30 on weekdays and 8:30 on weekends and national holidays in the summer season. Enjoy food and shopping featuring Kozagawa game meat, ayu (sweetfish), yuzu citrus and menma (seasoned bamboo shoots) with a view of the rock. Parking is limited. If you plan both lunch and river activities, arrive early and allow separate short stops for the toilets, meal, riverbank and nearby unusual rock formations.

  • #Ichimaiiwa
  • #Kozagawa
  • #Game meat
  • #Ayu (sweetfish)
  • #Tent sauna
  • #Unusual rock formations
  • #National Route 371
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A rock face about 500 m wide stands opposite the station

Ichimaiiwa, described as about 100 m high and 500 m wide, is a symbol of Kozagawa Town. The view is close to the parking area, so even a short break can become a memorable part of the trip.

02

At this small station, plan your mealtime first

Both the shop and restaurant are modest in size. If you want lunch, café time or an activity, check the opening hours and irregular closing days before leaving.

03

Continue straight into Kozagawa's outdoor activities

The riverbank, tent sauna, canoeing, tubing and BBQ with equipment provided offer more than a view. Plan ahead for experiences with reservation or age requirements.

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 break when heading into the mountains from Kushimoto or Koza

A 30-minute Route 371 stop for the view and toilets

Parking spaces are limited, so park while a space is available and use the 24-hour toilets first. Even without a meal, the rock face and river give you a clear sense of this station.

National Route 371 → park → toilets → view Ichimaiiwa → briefly browse local products.

This is not a large facility. When it is busy, a short photo and rest stop is easier than planning a long stay.

A day centered on Kozagawa Town's local ingredients

Have lunch overlooking Ichimaiiwa

The view of Ichimaiiwa from inside is the station's best accompaniment to a meal. Choosing game meat, ayu or yuzu brings the town's mountain and river produce into your lunch.

Arrive in the morning → lunch → café or shopping → brief riverbank walk.

Lunch is listed as 10:30–14:00 and café service as 14:00–16:30. These may change with the operator's circumstances; check official information if lunch is your main purpose.

A change of pace with preschool or elementary-school children

A brief riverside outing with children

Steps lead to the riverbank, offering more than a view from the car. For small children, a short walk among the stones, listening to the river or a little time outside after eating may work better than extended water play.

Toilets → meal or drink → short riverbank visit → return to the car for dry clothes and water.

Watch for high water, rain-soaked conditions, slippery stones and summer sun. Keep children close enough for an adult to supervise at the water.

A day to see more of Kozagawa's landscape than Ichimaiiwa alone

A half-day Kozagawa drive linking rocks and bridges

Ichimaiiwa, the Myojin submersible bridge, Mushikuiiwa and Takinohai each offer a different view. Eat at Ichimaiiwa, then use Michi-no-Eki Mushikuiiwa and Michi-no-Eki Takinohaitaro as rest stops to keep parking and toilets in the plan.

Michi-no-Eki Ichimaiiwa → Myojin submersible bridge → Mushikuiiwa → Takinohai.

Mountain roads feel different as weather changes. Plan to return in daylight instead of pressing farther inland late in the day.

Hours

Opening hours

Summer weekdays
9:30–17:00

Officially listed for March through November.

Summer weekends and national holidays
8:30–17:00

A morning visit works well for sightseeing or river activities.

Winter weekdays
10:00–17:00

Officially listed for December through February.

Winter weekends and national holidays
9:30–17:00

With irregular closing days, check official information before traveling far for lunch.

Meal service guide
Lunch 10:30–14:00 / Café 14:00–16:30

Times listed by Kumano Area Tourism. Menus and operating days may change.

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
★★★☆☆

Suitable for a brief toilet break, enjoying the view and tending to feeding or rest in the car.

A short visit around the parking area and indoors is easier than descending to the riverbank.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Children this age may enjoy the river sounds and huge rock, but stay close enough for an adult to supervise by the water.

Stones can be slippery; hold hands and keep the visit short.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

After eating, children can walk briefly by the river, look up at the rock and hear the story of the guardian dog.

Keep spare clothes, hats and water in the car, especially in summer.

Elementary-school children
★★★★☆

Comparing Ichimaiiwa, Mushikuiiwa and Takinohai makes the area's landforms and river easier to understand.

Canoeing and tubing may have age and reservation conditions; check ahead if the activity is your goal.

Limited parking

Arrive early on days when lunch, river activities and events coincide.

Toilets available all day

Use the toilets before moving on to food or the riverbank to make the visit easier with children.

Let weather guide the river visit

After rain or when the current is strong, enjoy the scenery from a distance instead.

Plan activities in advance

Check age requirements, what to bring and whether activities are running before adding them to your plans.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Choose a parking place first

    The parking area is not large. Park while spaces are available, and keep road crossings and trips down to the riverbank to a minimum.

  2. 2
    From toilets to a meal

    Use the outdoor toilets first, then settle in for lunch or café time. Enjoying the scenery from indoors is an easy option.

  3. 3
    Keep a riverbank visit short and watch your footing

    Weather changes how easy the stones and steps are to walk on. There is plenty to see from the parking area or indoors without descending to the riverbank.

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

Ichimaiiwa Nature Park

Cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, sekkoku orchids and kiijorohototogisu flowers change the seasonal scenery. Check weather and river levels before walking by the water.

Daichi o Miageru Film Festival

This event is known for treating Ichimaiiwa as a giant screen. Years and dates vary, so check the organizer or tourism association before an autumn visit.

Cherry blossom illumination

In spring, the cherry blossoms around Ichimaiiwa and the rock face are a highlight together. On evening event days, extended opening and parking arrangements may differ from normal.

River activities and sauna

Add reservable outdoor activities to the permanent view. Plan for summer heat, or for cold water and a place to change in winter.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The scenery is outside the station, but just steps away

Ichimaiiwa is directly in front of the roadside station, so you can see it while stopping for a meal or parking. Even on a short visit, the rock face across the river gives a strong sense of Kozagawa.

Parking and toilets first make the visit easier

The tourism association and prefectural guidance list 18 standard-car spaces, two spaces for disabled drivers and toilets available throughout the day. With children or older companions, use the toilets before going indoors or down to the riverbank.

Each season offers a different reason to visit

Spring brings cherry blossoms; summer, river play and outdoor activities; autumn, leaves, kiijorohototogisu flowers and the season of the guardian dog's shadow. Leave time for Ichimaiiwa when the weather is good rather than crowding the schedule.

Source: Kozagawa Town Tourism Association and Nanki Kumano Geopark

Link unusual rocks with rest stops that have toilets

Parking and toilets are also listed at Mushikuiiwa and Takinohai. Starting from Ichimaiiwa, link places with different views and build rest stops into the mountain drive.

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 coming for lunch, check lunch hours and irregular closing days first.
  • Parking is limited, so an early arrival makes holiday lunch visits easier.
  • Bring shoes with good grip and spare clothes if descending to the riverbank.
  • After rain or when water is high, stay back from the water and focus on the view and meal.
  • Visit Mushikuiiwa, the submersible bridge and Takinohai during daylight if extending the drive.
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
    Venison basil curry
    A lunch choice for trying game meat. Offerings may vary by day.
  • Meal
    Ayu dishes
    A choice for tasting Kozagawa's ayu (sweetfish); availability varies with the season and supply.
  • Shopping
    Yuzu products, jam and juice
    Souvenir options that bring Kozagawa's citrus aroma home.
  • Shopping
    Kozagawa menma and prepared game meat
    Take home local mountain produce, including seasoned bamboo shoots. Check the selection in the shop.
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.

Morning arrival

Breakfast, café, local products

Weekend and national holiday opening is listed from 8:30 in summer and 9:30 in winter. An early visit can make it easier to see the scenery quietly and find parking.

Lunch

Game meat, ayu, fried chicken, pasta, curry

Pair a meal with the Ichimaiiwa view. If lunch is your goal, plan to arrive before the listed 14:00 end of lunch service.

Afternoon break

Coffee, café visit, souvenir shopping

Even after lunch elsewhere, stop for the café and shopping to take a taste of Kozagawa home.

Take-home items

Yuzu products, Kozagawa menma, prepared game meat, woodcrafts

Choose a few town specialties rather than expecting a large shopping circuit. Selection varies with the season and deliveries.

When it is crowded

Prioritize the view, shop briefly, continue to nearby sights

If parking fills, see Ichimaiiwa and then move on to Mushikuiiwa or the submersible bridge instead of relying on a meal here alone.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Ichimaiiwa

A small Kozagawa roadside station facing Ichimaiiwa, where you can plan a game meat lunch and a break by the river.

Open in Google Maps
2
Nature and scenery
Kozagawa's Ichimaiiwa

The Kozagawa landmark directly opposite the station: about 100 m high and 500 m wide.

Open in Google Maps
3
Bridge and river scenery
Myojin Submersible Bridge

A low bridge without railings: a glimpse of life beside the Kozagawa River.

Open in Google Maps
4
Nature and geosite
Takaike no Mushikuiiwa

A huge, hole-pocked rock face connected to the guardian dog legend of Ichimaiiwa.

Open in Google Maps
5
Waterfall and river scenery
Takinohai

See potholes in the riverbed and a waterfall for another view of Kozagawa's landforms.

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

Nature and scenery
Kozagawa's IchimaiiwaJapanese guide
Directly opposite the stationA very short walk

For seeing a characteristic Kozagawa view even on a short break; also good for a walk before or after a meal.

Bridge and river scenery
Myojin Submersible BridgeJapanese guide
About 6 km from the stationAbout 10 minutes by car

A short detour after Ichimaiiwa to see more of the scenery along the Kozagawa River.

Nature and geosite
Takaike no MushikuiiwaJapanese guide
About 12 km from the stationAbout 20 minutes by car

For comparing a different rock surface with Ichimaiiwa and touring unusual rocks with a toilet stop.

Waterfall and river scenery
TakinohaiJapanese guide
About 18 km from the stationAbout 30 minutes by car

For a half-day route that continues past Ichimaiiwa, the submersible bridge and Mushikuiiwa to Kozagawa's riverbed scenery.

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