Shimane · Chugoku

Michi-no-Eki Ara Essa

道の駅あらエッサ

Just off the San'in Expressway: a food gateway to eastern Shimane, with Yasugi vegetables, flowers, seafood and a farmhouse restaurant in one stop.

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

Location

Yasugi City

Road

National Route 9 / National Route 180

Hours

9:00–18:00

Saisaikan 9:00–18:00; Tottoichi 10:00–18:00; Nakaumi no Sato 11:00–17:30 (last order 17:00). Stall hours vary by season and current notice. The information corner and toilets are available 24 hours.

Parking

Cars: 76 / Large vehicles: 14

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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 on arrival

Walk through Saisaikan and Tottoichi

See the vegetables, flowers, fruit, dried fish and prepared foods before choosing a meal; this shows what makes the station distinctive.

For lunch

Izumo soba, tempura and Yasugi dishes at Nakaumi no Sato

Open 11:00–17:30, with last order around 17:00. Watch for Tuesday closures and limited-quantity dishes.

For something sweet

Milk soft serve or a seasonal parfait at the station stall

When Yasugi strawberries or other seasonal fruits are featured, even a short break feels rewarding.

With children

Find the toilets, nursing room and diaper-changing area first

Knowing where they are before dining or shopping helps when it is crowded or raining.

Add on a sunny day

Time outdoors by Lake Nakaumi at Tokamiyama Nagisa Park

About 15 minutes by car; its beach, green space and paths suit a short stroll by the water.

Add on a rainy day

Make the Adachi Museum of Art your main destination

The Wako Museum has been closed for extended renovations since April 1, 2026. Save it for after reopening; for now, choose the Adachi Museum of Art or food and shopping at the station.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Ara Essa is a practical rest stop just off Yonago-Nishi IC on Route 9, but food is the main reason to visit. Browse Yasugi vegetables, flowers, pears, grapes and strawberries at Nakaumi Saisaikan; choose dried fish and prepared seafood from the San'in coast at Yasugi Tottoichi; then sit down to Izumo soba and other Yasugi dishes at Nakaumi no Sato. With children, locate the 24-hour toilets, nursing room, diaper-changing area and small play area first. On a rainy day, the shops and restaurant alone can make a satisfying stop.

#Shimane Prefecture
#Yasugi City
#National Route 9
#National Route 180
#Yonago-Nishi IC
#Farm produce shop
#Seafood
#Traditional farmhouse restaurant
#Yasugi strawberries
#Families with children
#24-hour toilets

Practical information

Registration number: 島根-27
Prefecture: Shimane Prefecture
Municipality: Yasugi City
Road: National Route 9 / National Route 180
Telephone: 0854-23-2510
Closed days: Saisaikan and Tottoichi close over New Year. Nakaumi no Sato closes Tuesdays, with possible holiday substitutions. The station stall has irregular closures and closes over New Year. Tottoichi was temporarily closed Monday, September 28, 2026. Details may change by shop.
Station stamp: Available

Address

118-1 Nakaumicho, Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture (島根県安来市中海町118-1)

Facilities

Nakaumi Saisaikan farm produce shop
Yasugi Tottoichi seafood shop
Nakaumi no Sato traditional farmhouse restaurant
Milk Shop's station stall
Nakaumi Community Hall
Event plaza
Play area
Information corner
24-hour toilets
Nursing room
Diaper-changing area
Ostomate-equipped toilet

4 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)michinoeki-araessa.jp (Japanese guide)yasugi-kankou.com (Japanese guide)www.kankou-shimane.com (Japanese guide)www.navitime.co.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Yasugi's produce and San'in seafood in one parking stop

This is a good place to sample local food while taking a break. Saisaikan stocks freshly delivered vegetables and cut flowers, with seasonal Yasugi bamboo shoots, grapes, Nijisseiki pears and strawberries. Tottoichi offers dried fish, processed seafood and prepared fish dishes from the San'in coast. Walk through both shops before deciding what to eat for a fuller sense of Ara Essa.

A farmhouse restaurant turns a quick highway break into a proper meal

Nakaumi no Sato is a Japanese restaurant in a relocated and renovated Meiji-era farmhouse. Izumo soba (buckwheat noodles), tempura, loach dishes, Shimane Wagyu and Daisen chicken appear among its changing seasonal offerings. It is a strong choice for a seated meal between Yonago and Matsue. Tuesday closures and limited-quantity dishes can change, so check the restaurant notice if you have a specific meal in mind.

With children, locate the toilets and places to pause before eating

A nursing room, diaper-changing area, 24-hour toilets and an ostomate-equipped toilet make planning a stop with a baby easier. The play area and event plaza suit a short stretch during a drive more than a long play session. In rain, keep the route simple: produce shop, seafood shop, soft serve and restaurant.

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.

Family drives toward Yonago, Matsue or Izumo

Make this your first food stop after leaving Yonago-Nishi IC for Route 9

Just off the expressway, you can combine toilets, parking, shopping and a meal. Browse Saisaikan and Tottoichi for fruit, dried fish or prepared food to take along, then eat at Nakaumi no Sato if timing allows. Even a short stop gives you a taste of Yasugi.

About 5 minutes by car from Yonago-Nishi IC, near the Route 9/180 junction.

Entering or leaving from the national road can take care at busy times. The official site also shows a back route toward Matsue; choose your exit calmly in traffic.

Families with infants or toddlers who need a reset during a drive

With children, plan food, toilets and a treat before play

This is not a destination for large playground equipment, but the nursing room, diaper-changing area, 24-hour toilets and play area work well for a short family break. Walk a little while waiting for food, lift spirits with soft serve, or switch to shopping only if it rains.

From the parking area, locate the toilets and nursing room, then visit Saisaikan, Tottoichi, the stall and Nakaumi no Sato.

For a longer outdoor play stop, mind heat, rain and moving vehicles. Older children may enjoy adding a nearby park.

Adults shopping for ingredients or gifts to take home

When buying food to take home, focus on seasonal stalls

Spring bamboo shoots, grapes and pears from early summer into autumn, Yasugi strawberries from winter into spring, and dried San'in fish and fish sauce all reward a shopping stop. Even without a restaurant meal, Saisaikan, Tottoichi and the stall offer a taste of Ara Essa to take away.

Saisaikan → Tottoichi → station stall. Buy anything needing refrigeration last.

Farm produce and seafood vary by season and time of day. Arrive early if you want a particular item.

Families with school-age children, or anyone wanting a short post-meal walk

On a clear day, stretch your legs at a park by Lake Nakaumi

After eating and shopping, drive about 15 minutes to Tokamiyama Nagisa Park for a beach, grassy space, paths and Lake Nakaumi views. It suits children wanting more than a brief station stop and adults wanting fresh air between driving stretches.

Ara Essa → Tokamiyama Nagisa Park, driving toward central Yasugi.

Camping requires a reservation. Park parking is limited, so a short walk may be the easiest plan.

Adult trips and three-generation drives in bad weather

On a rainy day, head to the Adachi Museum of Art; save the Wako Museum for after reopening

When rain rules out outdoor play, eat and shop at the station before visiting the Adachi Museum of Art for a mostly indoor half-day. The Wako Museum covers tatara ironmaking and Yasugi steel, but it has been closed for extended renovations since April 1, 2026; consider it only after reopening.

Ara Essa → Adachi Museum of Art: about 20 minutes by car; Wako Museum: about 10 minutes by car, after reopening.

The Wako Museum has been closed for facility renovations since April 1, 2026. Check its latest status before choosing a destination.

Hours

Opening hours

Nakaumi Saisaikan

9:00-18:00

Closed over New Year. Start here for freshly delivered vegetables, flowers, fruit, processed foods and San'in souvenirs.

Yasugi Tottoichi

10:00-18:00

Closed over New Year; shorter winter hours may apply. Temporarily closed Monday, September 28, 2026, with normal service from Tuesday, September 29. Come here for dried fish, processed seafood and prepared fish dishes.

Nakaumi no Sato

11:00-17:30

Last order 17:00; closed Tuesdays, with possible holiday substitutions. A sit-down meal in a farmhouse setting.

Station stall

11:00-16:00

Hours are approximate. The shop's official page notes possible seasonal extensions, irregular closures and a New Year break. The Yasugi tourism guide also lists 10:00–18:00; follow the shop's current notice.

Information corner and toilets

24 hours

Use them for early or late breaks and to check road and sightseeing information.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Under 1 year

★★★★☆

The nursing room, diaper-changing area and 24-hour toilets make this a practical stop with a baby. A brief reset suits better than lengthy outdoor play.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

The play area and stall sweets can refresh a child. Hold hands outdoors near moving cars and keep the stop short.

Ages 4–6

★★★☆☆

Food, shopping and soft serve make an enjoyable sequence. Add Tokamiyama Nagisa Park if play is the main goal.

Primary school age

★★★★☆

Browse local food at the produce and seafood shops, then add a Lake Nakaumi park or historic site after eating for a half-day outing.

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

Nakaumi Community Hall

A multipurpose indoor venue often used for sales, exhibitions and local events. It adds a reason to stop even on rainy or hot days.

Event plaza

Outdoor space suited to antiques markets, craft sales, coffee stalls and food vendors. On weekends there may be more to explore than a meal.

Events outside Yasugi Tottoichi

Maimai Day and seasonal seafood sales may bring grilled fish, prepared dishes and fill-a-bag dried fish offers. Check the official blog when shopping for seafood.

Seasonal events at Nakaumi Saisaikan

Strawberries, bamboo shoots, pears, seedlings and flowers often feature in seasonal promotions. A lively place to shop for Yasugi produce.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Short stays can still hold a lot of shopping

Travel-site visit patterns suggest many stops last under an hour, but Saisaikan, Tottoichi, the stall and restaurant are close enough to sample quickly, making this more memorable than a toilet break.

Source: Jalan and travel-site trends

Take care entering and leaving from the national road at busy times

Some visitor reviews mention difficult right turns entering or leaving Route 9. The official site also gives a back route toward Matsue; in traffic, consider an easier approach.

Source: Visitor review trends and official access guide

Dependable toilets make this a useful long-drive stop

The 24-hour toilets, ostomate-equipped and multipurpose toilets, and nursing room help families and older travelers plan a break. Find these before eating or shopping.

Source: Official facility guide and Shimane Tourism Navi

Seasonal fruit and seafood change the feel of the shops

Spring strawberries and bamboo shoots, summer shaved ice and pear products, autumn grapes and pears, and winter Lake Nakaumi ark shells and red snow crabs show how the official blog tracks changing stock.

Source: Official shop blog

Nakaumi no Sato is worth a stop for the meal itself

Food sites and the official blog often feature its farmhouse setting, tempura wariko soba (buckwheat noodles served in stacked bowls), loach, Shimane Wagyu, Daisen chicken and sweets. It offers a meal worth planning around within the station.

Source: Official restaurant guide and dining-site trends

On event days, the station itself becomes the destination

The monthly calendar lists antiques markets, sales, coffee vendors and events outside Tottoichi. Leave time to browse direct-sale stands and vendors rather than fixing the whole visit around one restaurant.

Source: Official event calendar

Choose nearby stops to fit the group

For adults, consider the Adachi Museum of Art; for children needing outdoor activity, Tokamiyama Nagisa Park; and for history enthusiasts, Gassan Toda Castle Ruins. The Wako Museum could add a rainy-day lesson about ironmaking after it reopens; it has been closed since April 1, 2026.

Source: Yasugi tourism guide and editorial planning

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.

About 5 minutes by car from Yonago-Nishi IC. Combine a meal, shopping and toilets while traveling toward Yonago or Matsue.
Official facility information lists 76 standard-car spaces plus 2 accessible spaces, and 14 large-vehicle spaces. Allow time to enter and exit around weekend lunches or events.
The information corner and toilets are available 24 hours. Official information lists 11 men's fixtures, 10 women's fixtures and 2 accessible fixtures.
A nursing room, diaper-changing area, ostomate-equipped toilet and multipurpose toilet help families with babies and older visitors take a break.
Nakaumi no Sato closes Tuesdays; the station stall closes irregularly. Check individual shop notices before traveling for a meal or sweets.
Tottoichi may shorten winter hours. Seafood and prepared foods may run low later in the day.
Seasonal events and stalls appear in the official event calendar. Check dates and times in the current month's calendar when visiting for an event.
In rain, enjoy a shorter station stop for shopping and food, then consider the Adachi Museum of Art. The Wako Museum has been closed for extended renovations since April 1, 2026.

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.

Nakaumi Saisaikan / station stall
Yasugi strawberries
Varies by season and item
Nakaumi Saisaikan
Nijisseiki pears and grapes
Varies by season and item
Yasugi Tottoichi
Dried fish from the San'in coast
Varies by item
Yasugi Tottoichi
Salted mackerel viscera and mackerel fish sauce
Varies by item
Nakaumi no Sato
Izumo soba and tempura
Varies by restaurant menu
Station stall
Milk soft serve and seasonal parfaits
Varies by stall menu

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.

Buy local vegetables and fruit

Nakaumi Saisaikan / Yasugi bamboo shoots / grapes / Nijisseiki pears / Yasugi strawberries

Walk this shop soon after arriving. Seasonal fruit and flowers make shopping here part of the trip.

Direct-sale items change by season and time of day. Buy anything needing refrigeration near departure.

Take seafood home

Yasugi Tottoichi / dried San'in fish / prepared fish dishes / salted mackerel viscera / mackerel fish sauce

Tottoichi is the place to choose food for home. Dried fish, seafood delicacies and prepared dishes make a rewarding stop even without a restaurant meal.

Winter hours may be shorter and items can sell out. Visit earlier when seafood is the goal.

Sit down for lunch

Nakaumi no Sato / Izumo soba / tempura / loach / Shimane Wagyu / Daisen chicken

The main choice when a driving break should become a proper meal. The calm farmhouse space can suit three generations.

Closed Tuesdays; last order 17:00; some dishes are limited in quantity. Check official information for a particular dish.

A treat for children

Station stall / milk soft serve / seasonal soft serve / Yasugi fruit parfaits

Good when a full meal is too much but you want something fun. Yasugi strawberry and seasonal fruit specials are particularly appealing when offered.

The stall closes irregularly and hours vary by season. Check current operation in winter or bad weather.

Snack your way through an event day

Maimai Day / antiques market / coffee stalls / hot dogs / seafood takoyaki

On days with vendors in the official event calendar, the station itself becomes a destination. Walk between stalls and produce stands instead of committing to one meal spot.

Event dates change each month. Check the current month's calendar before traveling for an event.

Access