Shimane Prefecture · Chugoku

Michi-no-Eki Yunokawa (道の駅湯の川)

道の駅湯の川

Shussai ginger, Lake Shinji clams, the Flower House, and a footbath: a short stop for local food and onsen atmosphere at the eastern gateway to Izumo.

Updated 2026-10-01Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Location

Izumo City

Road

National Route 9

Hours

9:00–17:30

Hours may be shorter in winter. The parking area, toilets, and telephone are available 24 hours a day.

Parking

Cars: 112 / 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.

Buy first

Clams and Shussai ginger

Keep fresh items chilled; processed goods make good souvenirs. Convenient for shopping before or after a flight.

To eat

Ginger curry, ginger udon, or clam rice

Dishes using local ingredients are fitting choices here. Check notices for hours and temporary closures.

To rest

Footbath

Good for a short break before or after sightseeing; check recent notices because it sometimes closes.

For seasonal color

Flower House

Spring hydrangeas and autumn–winter cyclamen reflect Hikawa’s flower-growing character.

To venture farther

Kōjindani, Gobius, or Yunokawa Onsen

History, a family aquarium, or a hot spring each gives a half-day outing a different shape.

Tōma’s shopping notes

Clams, ginger, flowers, and a footbath: even a short stop can bring a little Yunokawa along.

Tōma Ichinose sees this station as a place to take home a memory of local food before or after a trip, rather than as a vast attraction. Fresh clams call for chilling; Shussai ginger can be a meal or a souvenir; the Flower House offers seasonal plants to take home; and the footbath gives you a moment to unwind. You need not spend a long time on everything: choosing just one leaves you with a sense of Hikawa.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Yunokawa stands on National Route 9 in Hikawa, near Izumo Enmusubi Airport and Yunokawa Onsen. Its produce and specialty shops offer Yamato clams from Lake Shinji, Shussai ginger, Izumo green tea, and local vegetables. The restaurant offers possible travel meals such as Shussai ginger curry and udon, clam rice, and Izumo soba. A free-flowing spring-water footbath and the Flower House give you a chance to rest your feet and enjoy seasonal flowers as well as shop. Hikawa Bijin no Yu has been closed until further notice since March 30, 2026. For a full hot spring bath, check currently operating facilities such as Yumoto Yunokawa and Shikisō.

#Shussai ginger
#Lake Shinji clams
#Flower House
#Footbath
#Yunokawa Onsen
#Izumo Enmusubi Airport
#National Route 9
#Hikawa Plain

Practical information

Registration number: 島根-14
Prefecture: Shimane Prefecture
Municipality: Izumo City
Road: National Route 9
Telephone: 0853-73-9327
Closed days: Closed on irregular days. Check official notices for maintenance, shop closures, and changes in opening hours.
Station stamp: Available

Address

825-2 Gakuto, Hikawa-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture 699-0501 (〒699-0501 島根県出雲市斐川町学頭825-2)

Facilities

Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Specialty goods shop
Farm produce market
Flower House
Footbath
Hot spring water stand
Information center
Tourist information
Multipurpose plaza
EV rapid charger

3 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)tokusan-hikawa.com (Japanese guide)www.kankou-shimane.com (Japanese guide)www.gogin.co.jp (Japanese guide)www.kankou-shimane.com (Japanese guide)www.kankou-shimane.com (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Take home Shussai ginger and Lake Shinji clams from the station

There is more to shopping at Yunokawa than browsing the Izumo souvenir shelves. The official guide lists Shussai ginger, clams from Lake Shinji, Izumo tea, locally processed tomatoes, and local vegetables as specialties. Visitor accounts also often describe buying fresh clams and processed ginger products. If you are traveling far, bring a cooler bag and ice; checking the clams, ginger, and vegetables in that order can make choosing easier.

A footbath and flowers make even a short break feel like Yunokawa

One corner of the station has a footbath fed by Yunokawa Onsen, traditionally counted among Japan’s three “beauty hot springs.” At the Flower House you can see Hikawa’s seasonal tulips, azaleas, lotuses, sunflowers, and cyclamen. Shopping alone may take just 15 minutes, but adding the footbath and flowers turns a Route 9 rest stop into a distinctly Yunokawa detour.

Easy to fit around the airport or trips toward Izumo Taisha and Matsue

The station is near Izumo Enmusubi Airport, within walking distance of JR Shōbara Station, and beside National Route 9. Buy clams or ginger before returning a rental car, rest in the footbath before heading toward Matsue, or visit Kōjindani and Gobius before or after seeing Izumo Taisha Shrine. It fits easily at the edge of an itinerary.

Plan a full hot spring bath around the 2026 closure notice

The station name may suggest a day-use hot spring bath, but nearby Hikawa Bijin no Yu has been closed until further notice since March 30, 2026. Decide whether the station footbath is enough for your day, or check an operating inn or day-use bathing facility before extending your trip.

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 30-minute stop before or after returning a rental car

Finish a trip with a quick shop near the airport

Because the station is near Izumo Enmusubi Airport, you can look for clams, processed Shussai ginger, Izumo green tea, and local vegetables at the end of your trip. If buying fresh clams, first work out your cooler bag, ice, and time until you get home.

Park → toilets → specialty goods and produce → check chilling needs → airport or Route 9

Shussai ginger and fresh clams depend on deliveries and may sell out. If you are seeking one fresh item in particular, allow time to stop earlier in the day.

A lunch break on National Route 9

Make lunch and the footbath a Yunokawa break

Choose Shussai ginger curry, Shussai ginger udon, clam rice, or Izumo soba at the restaurant, then head for the footbath. After warming your feet, walk through the Flower House to fit food, hot spring water, and flowers into a short stop.

Park → restaurant → footbath → Flower House → specialty goods shop

Notices sometimes announce footbath or hot spring water stand closures and temporary restaurant closures. Leave room to switch to shopping rather than relying on the footbath alone.

A half-day detour for adults

Pair Kōjindani’s ancient history with Hikawa’s flowers

Look at clams and ginger at the station, then visit the Kōjindani archaeological site and museum. Walking where bronze swords, bells, and spearheads were unearthed connects the Yagami-hime statue at the station with Hikawa’s myths and ancient history. In flower season, ancient lotuses and Hikawa’s flowers add another reason to go.

Roadside station → Kōjindani site and museum → Yunokawa Onsen area or Matsue

The museum exhibition rooms are generally closed on Tuesdays and the museum closes over New Year. In the outdoor areas, allow for heat, rain, and the ground underfoot.

Rainy or hot days with preschool and elementary-school children

With children, make Gobius the main stop and use the station for food and rest

Rather than spending a long time at the station alone, make Shimane Nature Museum of Lake Shinji Gobius the main destination. Use the station for toilets, a light meal, sweets or souvenirs, and a brief footbath stop. Seeing the life of Lakes Shinji and Nakaumi before buying clams also connects the day’s experiences.

Eat and shop at the roadside station → Gobius → Lake Shinji Green Park area

Gobius is generally closed on Tuesdays, with last admission at 4:30 p.m. With young children, watch the footbath water temperature and wet ground.

Hours

Opening hours

Roadside station shops

9:00-17:30

Winter hours may be shorter; hours can change and closing days are irregular. Prioritize official notices. Listed times are approximate.

Parking, toilets, and telephone

24 hours

The tourism association says these are available 24 hours a day.

Footbath and hot spring water stand

May close even when the station is open

Official notices have repeatedly announced closures; check ahead if the footbath is your reason for visiting.

Restaurant

Follows shop opening hours

Temporary closures or changes to last-order time may occur.

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 toilets, changing a diaper, and a short shopping break.

The tourism association lists a baby changing area and multipurpose toilet. A brief stop for feeding, changing, and shopping is more suitable than a long stay at the station alone.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Flowers and the footbath may appeal, but mind wet ground and merchandise shelves.

The Flower House is enjoyable to look around; keep children from handling potted flowers and goods too much. An adult should check the footbath temperature and steps.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Flowers, footbath, clams, and a visit to Gobius can keep the day varied.

Eat and shop briefly at the station, then continue to Gobius or Kōjindani’s outdoor areas for the afternoon.

Elementary-school age

★★★★☆

Lake Shinji clams, ancient ruins, and hot spring legends offer things to discuss.

Buy clams, talk about the bronze swords at Kōjindani, and see waterside animals at Gobius to give the day a learning theme.

Rainy day

Keep the footbath and outdoor time short, then move to an indoor attraction.

Hot day

Consider car temperature and travel time before buying clams, vegetables, or potted flowers.

Visiting for a hot spring

As checked in July 2026. Choose the footbath or separately check an operating inn or day-use bathing facility.

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

Mother’s Day Hydrangea Fair

An official notice dated April 20, 2026 announced it. Treat this as a spring highlight at the Flower House; check each year’s announcement for dates and varieties.

Izumo Cyclamen Fair

Official notices generally announce it around November. Hikawa is a strong cyclamen-producing area, making the event a good reason to visit the Flower House in autumn or winter.

Footbath and hot spring water stand closure notices

Official notices reported closures on dates including June 1 and April 5, 2026. If visiting for the footbath, check whether it is operating that day.

Event calendar

As checked on July 16, 2026, the official event calendar displayed “No events at present.” Check the news notices for changing event information.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

For fresh clams, decide your journey home before buying

Several travel reviews describe taking home Lake Shinji clams, and some mention cooler bags and ice. Choose clams with chilling and travel time in mind rather than buying them on impulse.

Source: Travel review patterns and the official specialty products guide

Shussai ginger works as both a meal and a souvenir

The official guide lists Shussai ginger curry, Shussai ginger udon, and processed ginger products. Availability of fresh ginger changes with the season and deliveries, so decide whether to look for ginger itself or take home a processed product.

Source: Official dining and specialty products guides

The footbath is appealing, but closure notices recur

Several official notices announce closures of the footbath and hot spring water stand. If the footbath is unavailable, shopping, the Flower House, and the information center give you other ways to spend the stop.

Source: Official notices

The Flower House changes with the seasons

The official guide names tulips, azaleas, lotuses, sunflowers, and cyclamen as Hikawa’s five signature flowers. Local coverage also mentions the Mother’s Day Hydrangea Fair and Izumo Cyclamen Fair. On a flower-focused visit, you may want to see the Flower House before eating.

Source: Official Flower House guide and local coverage

The compact station is easy to explore in a short time

Visitor accounts describe easy access at the corner location, a layout that is quick to browse, and people using the footbath. It works well as a brief stop before or after Route 9 driving, the airport, or a hot spring visit.

Source: Travel review patterns

Check current bathing options even though the area is known for hot springs

Hikawa Bijin no Yu has been closed until further notice since March 30, 2026. The station footbath is a separate experience from bathing at an inn or day-use facility; check an operating facility if you want a full bath.

Source: Shimane Tourism Navi: Hikawa Bijin no Yu

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 seeking Shussai ginger or fresh clams, allow time to stop early in case they sell out.
Before buying fresh clams, vegetables, or potted flowers, plan for a cooler bag and the temperature inside your car.
If going for the footbath, check official notices for closures before setting out.
Hikawa Bijin no Yu has been closed until further notice since March 30, 2026. Check separately for an operating day-use bathing facility.
On rainy or hot days, use the station for a short stop and continue to a more indoor-oriented nearby attraction such as Gobius.
The Kōjindani Museum and Gobius are often closed on Tuesdays, so have another destination in mind for a Tuesday trip.

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
Shussai ginger curry
Check whether the restaurant is serving it
Meal
Shussai ginger udon
Check whether the restaurant is serving it
Meal
Clam rice
Check whether the restaurant is serving it
Shopping
Yamato clams from Lake Shinji
Check stock, size, and chilling needs in the shop
Souvenir
Processed Shussai ginger products
Sweets, seasonings, drinks, and more
Farm-direct sales
Izumo green tea and local vegetables
Varies by season

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.

Main lunch

Shussai ginger curry, Shussai ginger udon, clam rice

Options for tasting Hikawa and Lake Shinji ingredients at the station.

Check official notices for temporary restaurant closures or changes to last-order time.

Souvenirs

Processed Shussai ginger, Izumo green tea, processed tomato products

Easier to take home at room temperature and choose around a flight.

Shelves change with the season and deliveries.

Fresh food

Yamato clams from Lake Shinji, local vegetables

Bring a taste of Izumo home for a meal.

Plan chilling and the journey home first; switch to processed goods if fresh items sell out.

Flowers to take home

Potted flowers, seedlings, and seasonal plants at the Flower House

Take home a reminder of Hikawa’s flower-growing area; spring hydrangeas and autumn–winter cyclamen are easy seasonal markers.

Consider car temperature, luggage space, and movement on a long drive.

Other ways to take a break

Footbath, Flower House, information center

Even if the restaurant is crowded or closed, you can still make a short stop feel local.

The footbath sometimes closes, so keep shopping or flower viewing in your plan.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station

Michi-no-Eki Yunokawa (道の駅湯の川)

Shussai ginger, Lake Shinji clams, the Flower House, and a footbath: a short stop for local food and onsen atmosphere at the eastern gateway to Izumo.

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At the station: flowers and shopping

Flower House (花ハウス)

Tulips, lotuses, sunflowers, and cyclamen: see Hikawa’s flower-growing character right at the station.

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Hot spring area

Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉)

A hot spring area traditionally counted among Japan’s three “beauty hot springs.” Continue from the station footbath to an operating inn or day-use bath.

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Archaeological site and museum

Kōjindani Archaeological Site and Kōjindani Museum (荒神谷遺跡・荒神谷博物館)

Visit the place where bronze swords, bells, and spearheads were unearthed, extending Yunokawa’s myths and ancient history into a half-day detour.

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Aquarium and family outings

Shimane Nature Museum of Lake Shinji Gobius (島根県立宍道湖自然館ゴビウス)

Meet wildlife from Lakes Shinji and Nakaumi, then connect the experience with shopping for clams at the station.

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Transport and itinerary starting point

Izumo Enmusubi Airport (出雲縁結び空港)

A starting point for a quick final shop before or after a flight: choose clams, ginger, or flowers in a short time.