Image unavailable

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Okayama · Chugoku

Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo

道の駅鯉が窪

Pick up rice flour bread and vegetables from Tessei before a walk through the marsh.

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

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Niimi City

Road

National Route 182

Hours

9:00–18:00

Shop and produce market hours; times are approximate.

Parking

See facility information

My stamp

Record this station in your journal

Records are saved in this browser. Visited stations receive a stamp and count towards your nationwide progress.

Nationwide progress

— / 1,238 stations

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, get ready

Restrooms and rest area

Use the restroom and pick up drinks and bread before heading to the marsh or nearby sights. The rest area has vending machines and tourist brochures.

For shopping

Produce market and rice flour bread

The shop and produce market are generally open 9:00–18:00. Kome Kobo is generally open 9:00–16:00 and closed Thursdays.

For lunch

Sanya Saikan

Generally open 11:00–14:00. This restaurant uses Niimi-grown Koshihikari rice and Chiya beef. On busy days or when items are unavailable, switch to bread or sweets.

With children

Kids’ play area and a short shopping stop

The lawn and play equipment suit a short chance to move around before returning to food and shopping, rather than a long play session.

For an outing

Koi ga Kubo Marsh

May–October is a good walking season. Check for heavy-rain and winter closures; there are no toilets inside the marsh, and pets are not allowed.

Keiko’s break note

Leave room to choose your next stop after looking at the bread and vegetables.

Keiko Mizuno sees this station as a place to eat and rest at the entrance to the marsh. First, get a sense of parking, restrooms and opening hours; then choose between the shop, Kome Kobo and Sanya Saikan once you arrive. If time allows, go on to the marsh. In rain or winter, a shorter visit for shopping still works. That flexibility makes Koi ga Kubo easy to use.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo is a convenient stop for a meal, shopping, a restroom break and a short outdoor visit when you leave the Chugoku Expressway between Niimi IC and Tojo IC for National Route 182. The shop and produce market carry Tessei vegetables, rice, rice flour products, Chiya beef and sweets made with Tessei chestnuts; Kome Kobo offers bread made with locally produced rice flour. If you have time, eat at the station before heading to Koi ga Kubo Marsh to experience the local connection between water, rice and plants.

#Rice flour bread
#Tessei vegetables
#Chiya beef
#Tessei chestnuts
#Koi ga Kubo Marsh
#National Route 182

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Rice flour and Tessei produce lead the food and shopping choices

The shop and produce market are generally open 9:00–18:00, with local vegetables, processed foods, rice, rice flour cookies, Chiya beef and Tessei chestnut soft serve. Kome Kobo rice flour bread is generally available 9:00–16:00; the bakery is closed Thursdays. Choices include sandwich loaves, walnut bread, savory filled rolls and anpan (sweet red bean buns). Shop early for a snack in the car or bread to take home.

Have lunch at Sanya Saikan, then look to the shop or cafe for sweets

Restaurant Sanya Saikan generally serves lunch 11:00–14:00, using Niimi-grown Koshihikari rice and Chiya beef, a local beef variety. Some menu items may be suspended because of staffing, so leave room to switch to rice flour bread, chestnut soft serve or cake served on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

A useful place to prepare before visiting the marsh

Koi ga Kubo Marsh, a nationally designated Natural Monument for its plant community, is a short drive from the station. There are no toilets inside the marsh, and it may close in heavy rain or during winter. Use the station restroom and pick up drinks and a light snack before leaving. On a walking day, treat the station as your preparation stop.

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 45–75 minute driving break

Combine lunch and shopping on a Route 182 break

After parking, use the restroom, have lunch at Sanya Saikan, then browse the shop and produce market. Try Niimi-grown rice or Chiya beef at lunch and add rice flour bread or chestnut soft serve for the road. Even a brief stop gives you a taste of Tessei.

Parking → Restrooms → Sanya Saikan → Shop and produce market → Kome Kobo

Lunch is generally 11:00–14:00. On weekends and event days, leave time to switch from the restaurant to bread or sweets.

A shopping focused stop

Get rice flour bread first, for the car and for home

Kome Kobo bread has the pleasantly chewy texture associated with rice flour. Savory rolls work as a car snack; sandwich loaves and walnut bread can go home for later. Add rice flour cookies and local vegetables from the shop for a satisfying stop even without a restaurant meal.

Kome Kobo → Shop → Produce market → Rest area

Kome Kobo bread is not 100% rice flour and is listed as containing gluten. If you have a wheat allergy, check the product label before choosing.

Nature walks from May to October

Use the station before and after a marsh walk

Use the station restroom, pick up drinks and take a light snack to Koi ga Kubo Marsh. The marsh has an approximately 2.4 km circuit of boardwalks and paths, with a different feel depending on flowers and weather. On your return, pause for chestnut soft serve or rice flour bread.

Station → Koi ga Kubo Marsh → Station for sweets and shopping

The marsh may close after heavy rain; winter closure is generally from early November to mid-April. There are no toilets inside, and pets are not allowed.

Families with preschool and primary school children

With children, add a short play break before food and shopping

The station lawn and kids’ play area offer a chance to move around during a long drive. Let children spend a little time outside before or after food and shopping, then return for rice flour bread or soft serve when they tire.

Restrooms → Kids’ play area → Meal or bread → Shop

If you continue to the marsh, do not count on completing it with a stroller alone. Watch the rain, heat and footing on the boardwalk, and turn back as needed.

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

★★★☆☆

Restroom and shopping stops are manageable; do not force a marsh walk into the visit.

The roadside station association lists a baby changing bed. Keep feeding, changing and resting at the station brief, and prioritize weather and footing if visiting the marsh.

Ages 2–3

★★★★☆

A little movement on the lawn and in the kids’ play area before or after a meal.

This is not a large park for hours of play, but it works as a break in a drive. Decide on bread or soft serve before entering the shop to make it easier to steer little hands away from displays.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Choosing bread, seeing Koi Koi Shrine and playing on the lawn provide variety.

Children can choose their own rice flour bread, visit Koi Koi Shrine and play outside for a short time. The marsh walk is longer, so plan plenty of breaks even for confident walkers.

Primary school age

★★★★★

Marsh plants, rice flour milling and the pizza workshop can become learning activities.

Book a rice flour pizza workshop when available, or visit Koi ga Kubo Marsh for nature. Use the visit to discuss its protection rules: do not collect plants or step off the wooden walkway.

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

Rice flour pizza workshop

The workshop goes ahead in light rain and costs ¥1,100 per pizza dough base. Book at least one week ahead. The official page lists the last Saturday of each month, 11:00–14:00, except December–March, and separately gives a 10:00 start; confirm the session time when booking.

Koi ga Kubo Marsh opening and flower season

The marsh is generally open from late April to October. Official notices give opening dates, winter closures and flowering updates; check the latest notice before a flower focused visit.

Seasonal events in Tessei

Official notices collect events around the station, such as a spring stamp rally (a visit-and-collect event), events associated with the marsh festival and nearby Hina doll festivals. Treat past events as background and check current official notices for dates.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Choose rice flour bread early for the widest selection

The official Kome Kobo page features bread made with local rice flour, including sandwich loaves, walnut bread, croissants, savory rolls, anpan (sweet red bean buns) and apple pie. Bread and sweets are popular reasons for a quick stop; later in the afternoon, expect fewer choices.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Kome Kobo

Keep a backup for lunch if dishes are suspended

Sanya Saikan is generally open 11:00–14:00. Its official page says some dishes may be suspended when staffing is short. Even if you hope for Chiya beef or Niimi-grown rice, rice flour bread, chestnut soft serve or a shop snack can keep the day on track.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Restaurant Sanya Saikan

The marsh is close, but calls for preparation

Koi ga Kubo Marsh has an approximately 2.4 km circuit. Plant collection and leaving the wooden walkway are prohibited; there are no toilets inside, and pets are not allowed. Use the station for a restroom stop, drinks, a light snack and a weather check before walking.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Koi ga Kubo Marsh

A short play stop helps families take a break

The lawn and kids’ play area are described as having equipment and space to relax. They work well for a little movement before or after a meal, followed by shopping or choosing bread, rather than an all-day play visit.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Lawn

Walk the marsh from spring to autumn; focus on shopping in winter

The marsh is listed as open 9:00–17:00 from May to August and 9:00–16:00 from September to October. Winter closure is generally from early November to mid-April. In winter, consider the shop, rice flour bread and nearby hot springs instead of forcing a marsh visit.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Koi ga Kubo Marsh

The distance from each interchange changes the role of your stop

Official access information puts the station approximately 17 km and 20 minutes from Niimi IC toward Tojo on Route 182, or approximately 8 km and 10 minutes from Tojo IC toward Niimi. Around a Chugoku Expressway drive, the station can be a meal stop or a place to stock up before the marsh or hot springs.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo: Access

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 shop and produce market are generally open 9:00–18:00, offering an option outside restaurant hours.
Kome Kobo is generally open 9:00–16:00 and closed Thursdays.
Sanya Saikan is generally open 11:00–14:00; some menu items may be suspended.
Use the restroom and get drinks at the station before going to the marsh.
The marsh may close after heavy rain; winter closure is generally from early November to mid-April.
The station is a handy Route 182 break, about 10 minutes from Tojo IC or 20 minutes from Niimi IC.

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.

Bread
Rice flour bread from Kome Kobo
Generally 9:00–16:00; closed Thursdays
Meals
Chiya beef and Niimi-grown rice dishes at Sanya Saikan
Generally 11:00–14:00
Sweets
Tessei chestnut soft serve
A popular sweet during shop hours
Shopping
Tessei vegetables and processed foods
Produce market generally 9:00–18:00
Activity
Rice flour pizza workshop
Reserve at least one week ahead; generally ¥1,100 per pizza dough base

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.

A full lunch

Restaurant Sanya Saikan

A restaurant using Niimi-grown Koshihikari rice and Chiya beef. Plan around 11:00–14:00 and allow for days when some dishes are suspended.

A snack for the car

Savory rolls, anpan and apple pie from Kome Kobo

Easy to pick up before or after the marsh or before returning to the Chugoku Expressway. Keep the Thursday closure and the general 16:00 closing time in mind.

A sweets break

Tessei chestnut soft serve, rice flour cake and rice flour cookies

Shop sweets suit a short stop. Cake service, generally 14:30–17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, is another option.

To take home

Tessei vegetables, rice, rice flour products and Chiya beef

Browse the produce market and shop separately for dinner ingredients, gifts and car snacks. A cooler bag helps in summer.

A booked activity

Rice flour pizza workshop

Book at least one week ahead. The official workshop page lists sessions on the last Saturday of each month, 11:00–14:00, with a December–March closure, but also gives 10:00 as a start time. Confirm the exact session time when booking. Kneading dough and adding toppings make this better suited to a planned visit than a passing stop.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location

Open in your map app Open in Google Maps

Explore stations near 新見市 (Japanese guide)

If the map does not load, open it in Google Maps

Roadside station

Michi-no-Eki Koi ga Kubo

Pick up rice flour bread and vegetables from Tessei before a walk through the marsh.

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

Rice flour bread

Kome KoboJapanese guide

Inside the stationA very short walk

Good for picking up a snack before a marsh walk, a treat during a drive or breakfast to take home.

A walk around the station

Koi Koi Shrine and LawnJapanese guide

Inside the stationA very short walk

Useful when children need a little time outside before or after a meal or shopping.

Nature walk

Koi ga Kubo MarshJapanese guide

A short drive from the stationUse the station restroom and get drinks before driving over

For a spring-to-autumn day when you want to walk through Niimi and Tessei nature as well as eat or shop.

Hot spring and lodging

Niimi Chiya Onsen Ibuki no SatoJapanese guide

Drive from the stationA half-day detour toward Niimi IC

For ending a marsh walk with a hot spring, or spending more time resting when rain or winter shortens your nature walk.

Send your travel companions a possible stop.

Share on X Share on LINE

Send a correction

Updated 2026-10-01Explore the nationwide map →