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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Okayama · Chugoku

Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie

道の駅 風の家

Just off Hiruzen IC, stop at the farm market first for corn and highland dairy products.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Maniwa City
Road
National Route 482
Hours
08:30–17:00
These are guide hours for the shop and produce market. Official information lists soft serve, gelato and self-service coffee at 9:00–16:30, and the snack counter at 9:30–17:00 (last orders 16:30). Hours may be shorter in winter.
Parking
Cars: 218 / Large vehicles: 6
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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
Outdoor fresh produce market

Boxes of seasonal produce, including morning-harvested corn, Hiruzen daikon and tomatoes, set the tone for your visit.

For a meal
Hiruzen yakisoba and Kaze no Ie ramen

The snack counter is convenient during a drive; Asazen yakisoba, served until 11:30, is another option.

For something sweet
Jersey milk soft serve and gelato

Even without a restaurant meal, a dairy dessert gives you a taste of Hiruzen.

For a longer lunch
Mikaku Kobo Soba no Yakata

Just beside the station, enjoy Hiruzen-grown soba prepared fresh in three stages: milling, kneading and boiling.

For a seasonal addition
Summer sunflowers and highland flowers

Sunflowers around Kaze no Ie usually peak around mid-August. Check current bloom reports if flowers are your main reason for visiting.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
A guide to planning a stop

In Hiruzen, look through the vegetable boxes before you eat.

Kaze no Ie offers more than its snack counter. Browse the outdoor market for corn and daikon; choose yakisoba or soba for a meal, or Jersey milk sweets for dessert. Decide what to buy first and you can carry a taste of Hiruzen into the second half of your highland drive.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie stands at the gateway to the Hiruzen Highlands, just off Hiruzen IC on the Yonago Expressway, where it meets National Route 482. At the fresh produce market, summer corn, Hiruzen daikon radishes and tomatoes take center stage. The shop offers Jersey milk products and local souvenirs; the snack counter serves Hiruzen yakisoba, Kaze no Ie ramen and Jersey curry. A morning market visit, lunch at Soba no Yakata, soft serve, sunflowers and a highland drive make a fuller stop than a meal alone.

  • #Hiruzen Highlands
  • #Fresh produce market
  • #Corn
  • #Hiruzen daikon radish
  • #Hiruzen yakisoba
  • #Jersey dairy products
  • #Soba no Yakata
  • #Sunflowers
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Start your Hiruzen shopping at the produce market

The outdoor fresh produce market is as much a draw as Kaze no Ie's shop selection. Hiruzen daikon grown in the area's dark soil, known locally as kuro-boko, and summer corn are especially enjoyable to browse in the morning. Bring a cooler bag and decide whether to buy before lunch or on your way back.

02

An easy choice of Hiruzen yakisoba, ramen and curry

The snack counter offers Hiruzen yakisoba, Asazen yakisoba until 11:30, Kaze no Ie ramen, Jersey curry, and wild-vegetable soba or udon, among other dishes. Ticket ordering makes for a quick meal when your Hiruzen sightseeing schedule is uncertain.

03

A convenient starting point for a highland drive

Close to Hiruzen IC, the station is easy to spot by its large windmill. Choose your vegetables, dairy products and snack here, then head to GREENable HIRUZEN, Hiruzen Kogen Center, Hiruzen Jersey Land or Herb Garden HerBill to plan shopping, eating and walking in a comfortable order.

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 just after leaving Hiruzen IC

With 30 minutes, choose the market and dessert

First browse the outdoor fresh produce market and decide what corn, daikon or other produce to take home. For something to enjoy right away, choose soft serve, gelato or coffee. Shopping and dessert still make for a distinctly Hiruzen stop without a restaurant meal.

Parking → fresh produce market → shop → soft serve and gelato → departure.

Popular summer vegetables offer more choice earlier in the day. In hot weather, avoid leaving fresh produce in the car for long.

A day when you want a meal before or after highland sightseeing

For a lunch-centered visit, choose a snack meal or soba

For a quick meal, choose Hiruzen yakisoba, Kaze no Ie ramen or Jersey curry at the snack counter. For a more relaxed lunch, head to nearby Mikaku Kobo Soba no Yakata. Both let you try Hiruzen flavors.

Produce market → snack counter or Soba no Yakata → shop for dairy souvenirs.

Soba no Yakata usually closes on Wednesdays and may close when it sells out. Check its hours first if soba is your main goal.

A half-day outing with preschool or elementary-age children

For a family play day, continue to Hiruzen Kogen Center

Keep your restroom, snack and shopping stop at Kaze no Ie brief, then drive a few minutes to Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park. With an amusement park and jingisukan, a grilled mutton dish, the road station can become the starting point for a full day.

Kaze no Ie → Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park → return to the produce market on the way back.

Hours and events can change during summer holidays and other long breaks. Buying fresh produce on the return trip makes it easier to manage in the car.

A day for separate food stops and highland walks

For adults, take a quieter route through architecture, dairy and flowers

Browse seasonal vegetables at Kaze no Ie, architecture and shops at GREENable HIRUZEN, dairy products at Hiruzen Jersey Land, and flowers and a cafe at HerBill. This takes you naturally from food shopping into the highland landscape.

Kaze no Ie → GREENable HIRUZEN → Hiruzen Jersey Land or HerBill.

HerBill closes for winter, and GREENable usually closes on Wednesdays. Check for overlapping closures on a weekday trip.

Hours

Opening hours

Shop and produce market
8:30〜17:00

Hours may be extended in summer or on weekends and public holidays, and shortened in winter; Maniwa Tourism WEB lists winter hours of 9:00–16:30. Okayama Tourism WEB says the farm produce market closes from December through March, so confirm before a winter trip for vegetables.

Soft serve and gelato / self-service coffee
9:00〜16:30

Convenient for a short break without a meal.

Snack counter
9:30〜17:00

Official last orders are at 16:30. Menus and availability may change.

Mikaku Kobo Soba no Yakata
10:30〜16:30（LO 16:00）

December–March hours are listed as 10:30–16:00 (last orders 15:45). Closed Wednesdays except public holidays; it may close when sold out.

Family

Visiting with children

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

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

Age 1 or younger
★★★☆☆

Better for a restroom stop, quick shopping and a break in the car than for nursing or a long stay.

The outdoor market is exposed to heat and cold. After seeing the fresh produce, keep any dessert or shop visit short to make the stop easier.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Short stages—soft serve, looking at vegetables, then back to the car—work well.

For large play equipment, visit nearby facilities rather than the station. Pair the stop with Kogen Center or Jersey Land if children need room to run.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Corn, soft serve and sunflowers offer simple, easy-to-grasp pleasures.

The market and sunflowers are appealing in summer, but sun exposure can be tiring. Plan shade breaks and water.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Adding Kogen Center, Jersey Land and HerBill can make this a half-day outing.

Use the station as a starting point for food and shopping, then move on to nearby places for longer play.

Meal options

The snack counter's official menu lists noodles, curry and children's curry.

Outdoor play

The station suits shopping and eating; head to Kogen Center, Jersey Land or HerBill for play.

Heat precautions

The summer market and sunflowers mean more time outdoors. Consider both fresh produce storage and children's stamina.

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

Fresh produce market

Produce deliveries vary by day. Check the official Instagram stories and posts for corn, Hiruzen daikon and other seasonal vegetables.

Sunflowers near Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie

Okayama Tourism WEB says sunflowers near Kaze no Ie usually peak in mid-August, around August 10 through the Obon holiday. Its 2026 bloom report, updated August 25, marked the season as over. Check bloom reports before traveling next summer.

Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park

Summer holiday events and operating calendars change often. If combining a family visit, check that day's hours before deciding how long to spend at Kaze no Ie.

GREENable HIRUZEN

Exhibitions, activities, cycling and illuminations vary by season. Shopping at Kaze no Ie first can make the onward route simpler.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The produce market is worth visiting in the morning

Tourism information and visitor accounts often highlight the freshness and abundance of local vegetables here. If you want seasonal produce such as corn, see the stalls first, before spending too long over a meal.

Source: Maniwa Tourism WEB and visitor review trends

Just off Hiruzen IC, it makes a useful first stop

Official access information says to turn right from Hiruzen IC; the station is immediately on the right, marked by a large windmill. You can use the first stop after the expressway for restrooms, shopping and a quick meal before exploring nearby sights.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie official access information

Quick meals offer both Hiruzen specialties and convenience

The official menu lists Hiruzen yakisoba, Asazen yakisoba, Kaze no Ie ramen and Jersey curry. When it is busy, leave room to choose a dessert or a meal at a nearby facility instead of relying on one dining spot.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie official snack menu

Corn and sunflowers change the feel of summer

Okayama Tourism WEB lists mid-August as the usual peak for sunflowers near Kaze no Ie. Corn at the produce market and flowers often coincide; plan a short outdoor circuit with precautions for the heat.

Source: Okayama Tourism WEB sunflower bloom information

In winter, check hours and closing days carefully

Official and tourism information describes Wednesday closures from December through March, shorter winter hours and varying arrangements for the farm produce market. Winter road and weather conditions in Hiruzen make a short, well-timed food and shopping stop sensible.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie official site and Okayama Tourism WEB
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.

  • Official guide hours are 8:30–17:00 for the shop and produce market, and 9:30–17:00 for the snack counter.
  • Soft serve, gelato and self-service coffee are listed at 9:00–16:30. In the late afternoon, plan more around shopping than dining.
  • Wednesday is the usual closing day from December through March. Watch for shorter winter hours or temporary closures in bad weather.
  • Soba no Yakata closes Wednesdays except public holidays and may close when sold out. Go earlier for a soba lunch.
  • Summer corn, sunflowers and highland facilities can be busy over holidays; keep several options for eating, dessert and shopping.
  • Perceived temperatures in the Hiruzen Highlands change with the weather. Check sun, rain and winter road conditions when planning flowers or outdoor walks.
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.

  • Snack meal
    Hiruzen yakisoba
    Listed at ¥800 on the official menu; an option for a quick taste of Hiruzen. Hiruzen yakisoba is the area's stir-fried noodle dish.
  • Snack meal
    Kaze no Ie ramen
    Tonkotsu soy-sauce ramen topped with homemade Jersey beef chashu and grated daikon; listed at ¥930 on the official menu.
  • Snack meal
    Jersey curry
    A dish that reflects the area's dairy character; listed at ¥850 on the official menu.
  • Produce market
    Corn and Hiruzen daikon
    Seasonal highlights: summer corn and daikon from autumn into winter are reasons to stop.
  • Dessert
    Jersey milk soft serve and gelato
    A quick taste of Hiruzen even when you skip a restaurant meal.
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.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Morning shopping

Corn, Hiruzen daikon, tomatoes and flowering plants

Morning is the best bet if the produce market is your priority. If buying on your way back, check what remains of popular seasonal vegetables and decide early.

Produce deliveries change daily. The station's official Instagram stories can help you see what is available.

Quick lunch

Hiruzen yakisoba, Kaze no Ie ramen and Jersey curry

For days when sightseeing makes your timing uncertain, choose a regional dish at the snack counter and then return to shopping.

Official information lists last orders at 16:30. If arriving in the evening, focus instead on sweets or shopping.

A leisurely soba lunch

Hiruzen soba at Mikaku Kobo Soba no Yakata

For a relaxed meal of locally grown soba, separate from the station's quick snacks, choose Soba no Yakata.

Closed Wednesdays except public holidays, and it may close when sold out. Go earlier in the day if soba is the aim.

Dairy desserts

Jersey milk soft serve, gelato and dairy souvenirs

A short taste of Hiruzen even if you have already eaten; also an easy break with children.

Options when it is busy

Shop souvenirs, self-service coffee and meals at nearby facilities

If the snack counter is busy at lunchtime on a holiday, stop for shopping and dessert, then eat at Soba no Yakata, Hiruzen Kogen Center or Jersey Land.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Kaze no Ie

Just off Hiruzen IC, stop at the farm market first for corn and highland dairy products.

Open in Google Maps
2
Tourist information and exhibitions
GREENable HIRUZEN

A Hiruzen sustainability hub for sightseeing advice on rainy days or days other than Wednesday.

Open in Google Maps
3
Amusement park and dining
Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park

A highland facility where children can play and you can try jingisukan after shopping at Kaze no Ie.

Open in Google Maps
4
Farm and dining
Hiruzen Jersey Land

Extend your taste of Jersey milk country with a restaurant and pastoral scenery.

Open in Google Maps
5
Flowers and cafe
Hiruzen Herb Garden HerBill

Flowers, herbs and a cafe offer a different highland experience from Kaze no Ie's produce market.

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

Dining
Mikaku Kobo Soba no YakataJapanese guide
Beside the stationAbout 2 minutes on foot

For a relaxed lunch of Hiruzen-grown soba instead of a quick snack.

GREENable HIRUZEN
Tourist information and exhibitions
GREENable HIRUZENJapanese guide
About 5 minutes by car from the stationBy car

Useful on rainy days, before cycling, or when revising plans for nearby Hiruzen sights.

Amusement park and dining
Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful ParkJapanese guide
About 3 kmAbout 5 minutes by car

For families who want shopping and a snack at Kaze no Ie, then play at Kogen Center.

Farm and dining
Hiruzen Jersey LandJapanese guide
About 5 kmAbout 10 minutes by car

For a day that extends Kaze no Ie soft serve and dairy souvenirs into farm scenery and a meal.

Flowers and cafe
Hiruzen Herb Garden HerBillJapanese guide
About 5 kmAbout 10 minutes by car

For an adult outing that continues from the produce market and quick meal to flowers and a cafe.

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