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

Hiroshima · Chugoku

Michi-no-Eki Yu YOU Salon Tojo

道の駅 遊YOUさろん東城

Just off Tojo Interchange: plan a stop for Hiba beef, soba, local produce and a hot spring before heading to Taishakukyo Gorge.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Shobara City
Road
National Route 182
Hours
09:00–18:00
The listed main hours are a guide for the souvenir shop. Restaurant Momiji is listed as 11:00–18:00 and Tensaku Soba Shop as 10:00–16:00. Hours may differ in winter or by business.
Parking
Cars: 54 / Large vehicles: 11
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.

Check first
Dining hours and Wednesday closures

The shop, Momiji, Tensaku, Kinsai Market and the hot spring all keep different hours. Plan a meal stop around midday.

For a meal
Hiba beef rice bowl or Tojo soba

Restaurant Momiji has Hiba beef rice bowls and set meals; Tensaku serves soba made from Tojocho buckwheat. Decide what you want before choosing where to eat.

For shopping
Takeya Manju sweets, fresh konnyaku, local sake and farm-direct vegetables

Visit both the souvenir shop and Tojo Kinsai Market to shop for gifts and everyday food to take home.

For an outing
Taishakukyo Gorge or historic Tojo

Shinryu Lake is about 10 minutes away by car, Upper Taishaku about 20 minutes, and the Tojo Road town walk is within walking distance. Choose according to the time and weather.

For a short stop
Restrooms, shop and tourist information

Just outside Tojo Interchange, the station is useful both after leaving and before rejoining the expressway.

To finish the day
Drive to Tojo Onsen

Add a hot spring visit after Taishakukyo Gorge or a town walk to make an outing of half a day or longer.

Keiko's note

Think about shopping and the return trip before you eat

Use this stop to decide what to eat in Tojo, what to take home and how far to travel. Check parking, restrooms, dining hours, what is available at Kinsai Market and the hot spring's last admission first. That helps keep either a Taishakukyo visit or a historic-town walk manageable.

Morning

Browse vegetables and processed foods at Tojo Kinsai Market, then head to Shinryu Lake or Upper Taishaku. If shopping first, plan how to keep purchases cool in a hot car.

Midday

Make a Hiba beef rice bowl or Tojo soba the main event, then visit historic Tojo or Taishakukyo Gorge. Check the dining places' Wednesday closures first.

Evening

Pick up souvenirs at the shop, then head to Refresh House Tojo if time allows. The station also works as a last stop before rejoining the expressway.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Yu YOU Salon Tojo sits just outside Tojo Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway and makes a convenient base for planning food and sightseeing around Tojo. The souvenir shop stocks Takeya Manju sweets, fresh Hiba konnyaku, local sake and folk toys, while Tojo Kinsai Market on the same grounds offers vegetables and processed foods from the morning. For a meal, Restaurant Momiji serves Hiba beef rice bowls, and Tensaku Soba Shop serves soba made from buckwheat grown in Tojocho. Shinryu Lake is about 10 minutes away by car, Upper Taishaku about 20 minutes, and historic Tojo is within walking distance. Check the restrooms, meal options, shops and opening hours here before setting out.

  • #Just off Tojo Interchange
  • #Hiba beef
  • #Tojo soba
  • #Tojo Kinsai Market
  • #Taishakukyo Gorge
  • #Tojo Onsen
  • #Historic Tojo town
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A convenient stop just outside Tojo Interchange

Parking and restrooms are close to the expressway exit, making it easy to prepare for Taishakukyo Gorge, pick up supplies on the way back or adjust mealtime. There are spaces for 54 standard cars and 11 large vehicles. Watch the flow of tour buses and lunchtime visitors on holidays when deciding between a quick stop and a meal break.

02

Hiba beef, Tojo soba and farm-direct produce in one place

Restaurant Momiji serves Hiba beef rice bowls and set meals, while Tensaku Soba Shop specializes in ni-hachi soba made from buckwheat grown in Tojocho. Tojo Kinsai Market also sells vegetables and processed foods, so you can take local flavors home after your meal.

03

A starting point for Taishakukyo Gorge and historic Tojo

From here, choose between Shinryu Lake, Upper Taishaku, the Tojo Road town walk and Tojo Onsen. On a clear day, visit the gorge or explore town; in rain or heat, shift toward a meal, shopping and the hot spring. The route is easy to adjust to the day's conditions.

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 drive to Shinryu Lake or Upper Taishaku

A preparation stop before Taishakukyo Gorge

After leaving Tojo Interchange, stop for the restrooms, drinks and tourist information. Shinryu Lake is about 10 minutes away and Upper Taishaku about 20 minutes. Check the weather and meal timing here before choosing a lakeside visit or a walking route.

Tojo Interchange → Michi-no-Eki → Shinryu Lake or Upper Taishaku.

Upper Taishaku involves walking, and some sections may close because of rockfalls or other restrictions. Follow the official Taishakukyo access information.

A visit centered on food

A lunch stop for Hiba beef or Tojo soba

Choose Restaurant Momiji for a substantial meal, or Tensaku for a lighter soba lunch. The dining places are generally closed on Wednesdays. Steakhouse Onbashi (雄橋) has suspended regular operations, so check the station's official updates if you are coming especially for Hiba beef.

Parking → dining place → souvenir shop → Tojo Kinsai Market.

At busy holiday lunchtimes, leave time to look around the souvenir shop or farm-direct market before eating.

A walk after shopping

A short walk through historic Tojo

The Tojo Road is a town walk within reach on foot. Tojo Machinaka Exchange Facility Ebisu is a useful landmark for tourist information, a break and local events such as the spring festival. When a long nature walk does not appeal, heading into town still gives a sense of the area.

Michi-no-Eki → Tojo Road → Tojo Machinaka Exchange Facility Ebisu.

Shop closures and event days change the feel of a town walk. Allow extra time for traffic and parking during the spring festival.

A relaxed drive for adults

A half-day route ending at the hot spring

Eat and shop at the station around midday, explore Taishakukyo Gorge or Tojo town, then drive to Refresh House Tojo. Its open-air bath, sauna, heated pool and lounge offer a place to unwind after walking before returning to the expressway.

Michi-no-Eki → Taishakukyo Gorge or Tojo Road → Refresh House Tojo → Tojo Interchange.

The hot spring is generally closed on Wednesdays. Pool and gym admission times and age rules differ from dining and bathing arrangements.

Hours

Opening hours

Souvenir shop
9:00–18:00

Generally closed only on January 1. Shobara Tourism Navi also notes shorter winter hours, so check shortly before a winter visit.

Restaurant Momiji
11:00–18:00

A lunch option for Hiba beef rice bowls and set meals. Generally closed on Wednesdays, or the following day when Wednesday is a public holiday.

Tensaku Soba Shop
10:00–16:00

Serves ni-hachi soba, noodles made with eight parts buckwheat and two parts wheat, using buckwheat grown in Tojocho. If soba is your main reason for stopping, aim for around lunchtime.

Tojo Kinsai Market
8:00–17:00

Vegetables, processed foods and boxed meals offer more choice in the morning. Generally closed over the New Year holidays.

Refresh House Tojo
10:00–21:00

About 8–10 minutes away by car. The hot spring's last admission is generally 20:30; it is generally closed on Wednesdays.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Ages 1 and under
★★★☆☆

Best for a short restroom and shopping stop.

This is not a station with large play equipment, so an easy return to the car may work better than a long stay. If adding the hot spring, plan bathing time and what to bring beforehand.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Keep meals, the shop and the farm-direct market in short segments.

If the wait for food is long, browse Kinsai Market or the souvenir shop first. For a Taishakukyo walk, choose a manageable distance and watch the ground underfoot.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Add a short visit to Shinryu Lake or the town walk to keep things varied.

The lake, bridge, streetscape or hot spring can make the day more memorable than staying only at the station. In hot weather, lean toward an indoor meal and the hot spring.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Combine Taishakukyo's landscape, the historic town and the farm-direct market for a learning outing.

Upper Taishaku and the Tojo Road offer chances to talk about nature and history. If closures or weather make that difficult, enjoy the station and hot spring instead.

Mealtime

Momiji generally opens at 11:00; Tensaku is generally open from 10:00 to 16:00. Plan around when children will be hungry.

Looking for a play area

For play, add a short visit to Shinryu Lake, the town or the hot spring instead of expecting playground equipment at the station.

Rainy day

Skip a difficult gorge walk and choose a meal, shopping and Refresh House Tojo.

Summer shopping

Buy fresh market food near the end of the outing or bring a way to keep it cool.

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

Souvenir shop

Look here for seasonal gifts, local sake, a Michi-no-Eki commemorative ticket and the station stamp. Official news may announce limited menus or changes to business hours.

Restaurant Momiji

A main place for Hiba beef rice bowls, set meals and limited-time dishes. If food is the purpose of your visit, check current hours and closure notices first.

Tojo Kinsai Market

This farm-direct market sells vegetables, processed foods and boxed meals from the morning. Visit before popular items sell out for a wider choice.

Tojo Road

A town walk within reach on foot that pairs well with events on the town side, such as the spring festival and sake festival.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Tojo Interchange makes a flexible rest stop

Because the station is close to the expressway exit, you can decide on arrival whether to eat, use only the restrooms or continue to Taishakukyo Gorge. Reviews also describe it as a place to gather information before or after visits to the gorge and Shinryu Lake.

Source: Official site and trends in Jalan visitor reviews

Consider Momiji and Tensaku separately for a meal

Hiba beef rice bowls, set meals and Tojo soba offer different kinds of lunch. Around holiday lunchtimes and Wednesdays, check which dining places are open and leave time for the shop or farm-direct market if plans change.

Source: Official facilities guide and Shobara Tourism Navi

Morning brings more choice at the farm-direct market

Tojo Kinsai Market opens at 8:00 and sells vegetables, processed foods, sushi and okowa sticky rice. Local residents shop here too, so it works as a stop before setting out, as well as at the end of a sightseeing day.

Source: Shobara Tourism Navi: Tojo Kinsai Market

Season and access conditions shape a Taishakukyo visit

Shinryu Lake is easy to add to a short outing, while Upper Taishaku offers more walking. Rockfalls and path closures can affect some sections, so check Taishakukyo's current access information if the natural sites are the main purpose of your trip.

Source: Taishakukyo Tourism Association and Shobara Tourism Navi

Use the hot spring on rainy or very hot days

When an outdoor walk feels too demanding, eat and shop at the station, then drive about 8–10 minutes to Refresh House Tojo. Its relatively late last admission makes it an option for ending the afternoon.

Source: Official Refresh House Tojo information

Think of the town in spring, gorge in autumn and hours in winter

The Tojo Townscape Spring Festival, autumn at Taishakukyo Gorge and shorter winter business hours offer different reasons to stop in each season. Check actual event dates before making plans.

Source: Shobara Tourism Navi event information
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 you are coming to eat, check each dining place's hours and Wednesday closure first.
  • The farm-direct market usually offers more choice of vegetables and boxed meals in the morning.
  • Close to Tojo Interchange, the station is handy for buying gifts before the return drive.
  • For Taishakukyo Gorge, use the weather to decide whether Shinryu Lake or Upper Taishaku is your main destination.
  • In summer, plan how to store fresh food in the car; in winter, check for shorter business hours.
  • On rainy days or after a tiring walk, switch to Refresh House Tojo.
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
    Hiba beef rice bowl
    A signature choice at Restaurant Momiji
  • Meal
    Ni-hachi soba made with Tojocho buckwheat
    Visit Tensaku Soba Shop around lunchtime
  • Souvenirs
    Takeya Manju and Onbashi local sweets
    Gifts from Tojo and Taishakukyo
  • Shopping
    Fresh konnyaku, a local Hiba specialty
    A local food to take home
  • Souvenirs
    Local sake including Chogun and Kiku Bunmei
    A gift for someone who is not driving
  • Farm-direct market
    Vegetables and processed foods from Tojo Kinsai Market
    More choice in the morning
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
The main lunch choice

Hiba beef rice bowl, set meals and Hiroshima beef soba

Make a local meal part of your visit to Tojo. Choose between Restaurant Momiji and Tensaku according to your arrival time and what you want to eat.

The dining places are generally closed on Wednesdays. On busy days, check seating and ordering arrangements first.

Come for soba

Ni-hachi soba made with Tojocho buckwheat

For a lighter meal with a local flavor. Tensaku is generally open until 16:00, so it is a poor fit for a late lunch.

Information about the new-buckwheat season may change; treat it as a seasonal pleasure to check for.

Buy something to take home

Takeya Manju sweets, fresh konnyaku, local sake and folk toys

Choose local gifts quickly after Taishakukyo Gorge or a town walk. The souvenir shop alone offers a broad selection.

Morning farm-direct shopping

Vegetables, pickles, sushi, okowa sticky rice and processed foods

Visit Tojo Kinsai Market first. The morning generally offers a better selection and a glimpse of everyday local shopping.

In hot weather, plan your sightseeing order around safe storage of fresh food in the car.

Before or after the hot spring

Souvenirs, drinks and light sweets from the shop

Pick up something for the return trip before or after driving to Refresh House Tojo. It is worth a stop even after you have eaten.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
Open in your map appOpen in Google Maps
Explore stations near 庄原市 (Japanese guide)
Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

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

1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Yu YOU Salon Tojo

Just off Tojo Interchange: plan a stop for Hiba beef, soba, local produce and a hot spring before heading to Taishakukyo Gorge.

Open in Google Maps
2
Farm-direct market and shopping
Tojo Kinsai Market

Shop for Tojo vegetables and processed foods from the morning, right on the station grounds.

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

Farm-direct market and shopping
Tojo Kinsai MarketJapanese guide
On the station groundsA short walk

Before or after a meal, when you want Tojo foods for home rather than souvenirs.

Hot spring and rest
Refresh House Tojo (Tojo Onsen)Japanese guide
About 8–10 minutes by carAbout 8–10 minutes by car

After Taishakukyo Gorge or a historic-town walk, when you want to end the trip with a bath and rest.

Town walk and history
Tojo Road and Tojo Machinaka Exchange Facility EbisuJapanese guide
About 10 minutes on footAbout 10 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car

After eating or shopping, when you want to see Tojo town without a long journey.

Nature and scenery
Taishakukyo Gorge and Shinryu LakeJapanese guide
About 10 minutes by carAbout 10 minutes by car

After a meal break, when you want natural scenery without a long walk.

Nature and walking
Upper Taishaku and Onbashi Natural BridgeJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by carAbout 20 minutes by car, plus walking

For adults or families with elementary-school-age children and up who want a nature walk after a meal break.

Share

Send your travel companions a possible stop.

Share on XShare on LINE

Send a correction

Let us know if information on this page, such as hours or closing days, is incorrect. Our editors will review your message before updating the guide.

We use your submission only to review and improve our content and to reply about your message.

Updated 2026-10-01Explore the nationwide map →