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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Kumamoto Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Ozu (道の駅大津)

道の駅大津

A roadside station on National Route 57 where you can pick up karaimo sweet potato treats and Kumamoto souvenirs and take a break before heading to Aso.

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

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Ozu Town, Kikuchi District (菊池郡大津町)

Road

National Route 57

Hours

Produce and souvenir hall; craft hall: 9:00-18:00

Confirmed by the official blog and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. New Year's Day is the usual closure.

Parking

109 spaces

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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.

Start here

Parking and restrooms

Many cars enter and leave this station on National Route 57. Check the restrooms and your departure direction before shopping to make the stop easier.

What to buy

Karaimo and Kumamoto souvenirs

Look first for Ozu-grown karaimo, ikinari dango and souvenirs from around the prefecture. Early in a trip, shelf-stable items are easier to manage.

What to eat

Akaushi beef or karaimo snacks

Choose the restaurant for lunch, or imotai and karaimo sticks for a short break. If it is busy, shop first.

If you are riding

Motorcycle shrine

Stop to pray for a safe journey before entering Aso. Riders often gather on holidays, so allow room when choosing where to park.

If you want to explore

Zoro statue, azaleas and airport

For a quick photo, try the Zoro statue; in spring, consider Ozu Hiyoshi Shrine or Showaen Park. Sorayoka Park is an option for children to stretch their legs.

Hiyori's rest-stop notes

Browse karaimo, use the restroom, and set off for Aso at an easy pace.

Hiyori Miyasaka sees this station as a place to sort out meals, shopping and a break before heading toward Aso, as well as a large produce and souvenir hall. Start with parking, restrooms and opening hours, then explore karaimo, Akaushi beef, the motorcycle shrine and nearby seasonal spots. Even a short visit can give you a taste of Ozu Town.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Ozu stands on National Route 57 between central Kumamoto and Aso. Known as a gateway to Aso, it brings together karaimo (the local name for sweet potatoes), souvenirs from across Kumamoto Prefecture, an Akaushi beef restaurant, a craft hall and a motorcycle shrine. The produce and souvenir hall has enough to browse that it is worth more than a quick restroom stop. Around lunchtime, combine a meal with shopping; in autumn and winter, look for karaimo. Riders can pray for a safe journey, while families can add nearby parks or outdoor play at the airport to their visit to Ozu Town.

#Karaimo sweet potatoes
#Akaushi beef
#Gateway to Aso
#National Route 57
#Motorcycle shrine
#Kumamoto souvenirs

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Browse karaimo treats and Kumamoto souvenirs in one stop

Ozu Town is known for karaimo sweet potatoes. The station stocks karaimo products, ikinari dango (steamed dumplings with sweet potato and red bean paste), boxed meals, rolled sushi and souvenirs from around the prefecture. On the way to Aso, you can also scout what to buy on your return.

An easy meal stop on the drive toward Aso

The produce and souvenir hall and craft hall generally open 9:00-18:00; Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka generally opens 10:00-18:00. The restaurant has a last-order time, so if lunch runs late, leave room in your plans for a snack or karaimo dessert instead.

Pray for a safe ride in motorcycle-loving Ozu

The grounds include the No. 19 Michi-no-Eki Ozu Motorcycle Shrine. As well as meeting or resting here on an Aso ride, you can make a brief visit to the shrine before heading onto Milk Road or toward Aso.

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 morning or late-morning break when driving from central Kumamoto toward Aso

Get ready for Aso in 30 minutes

After parking, use the restroom first, then check the produce and souvenir hall for karaimo sweets and shelf-stable gifts. If you do not want a full meal, take imotai or karaimo sticks as a car snack before setting off for Milk Road or Aso.

Park → Restroom → Produce and souvenir hall → Karaimoyasan → Depart

On holidays, shopping traffic overlaps with cars stopping for a break. Even on a short stop, watch your parking position and pedestrians.

A meal break on a family trip or before or after using the airport

Have lunch here and buy Kumamoto souvenirs

Have lunch at Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka, then visit the produce and souvenir hall and craft hall. With a wide selection from Kumamoto Prefecture, this is a useful place to compare gifts from Aso, northern Kumamoto and Kumamoto City in one stop.

Park → Restaurant → Produce and souvenir hall → Craft hall → Karaimo snack

The restaurant generally opens 10:00-18:00, with last orders at 17:30. If it is late or busy, switch to a karaimo snack or boxed meal.

Solo or group motorcycle touring in Aso

Add a prayer for a safe ride before Aso

Make a brief visit to the Michi-no-Eki Ozu Motorcycle Shrine, then get drinks and snacks before leaving. Ozu Town promotes itself as a motorcycle town, making the station a natural marker in the journey as well as a rest stop.

Park motorcycle → Restroom → Motorcycle shrine → Produce and souvenir hall → Toward Aso

Rain and strong winds can change road surfaces and visibility toward Aso. Check the station's information corner and road reports before continuing.

A half-day detour to get a sense of Ozu Town

Explore Ozu's seasons in spring or autumn and winter

In spring, visit the azaleas at Showaen Park or Ozu Hiyoshi Shrine. In autumn and winter, spend more time shopping for karaimo at the station. Adding the Zoro statue in the town center gives children and first-time visitors another clear destination.

Station → Zoro statue → Showaen Park or Ozu Hiyoshi Shrine → Shopping at the station

The azalea peak is brief; a notice said the 2026 bloom had ended by late April. Check current bloom reports just before a flower-focused visit.

Hours

Opening hours

Produce and souvenir hall; craft hall

9:00-18:00

Confirmed by the official blog and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. New Year's Day is the usual closure.

Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka

10:00-18:00

The official blog lists last orders at 17:30. Follow the restaurant's notices if hours change.

Karaimoyasan

9:00-18:00

Sansui Honpo's official site indicates daily opening, with New Year's Day as the usual closure.

Information corner and rest area

9:00-18:00

Information is available on roads, nearby roadside stations, tourism, medical services and weather.

Parking

Available

The Kumamoto Prefecture tourism site lists 109 spaces. Watch for entering and leaving cars on busy days.

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

★★★☆☆

Best for a restroom break and brief shopping; use nearby places for a longer stop.

Infant care facilities are available, but short stops for feeding, changing and shopping may be easier than spending a long time walking around the station.

Ages 2-3

★★★☆☆

Karaimo snacks can help keep children content, but take care around the parking area.

Cars frequently enter and leave beside the national highway. Hold children's hands when moving between the produce and souvenir hall and Karaimoyasan.

Ages 4-6

★★★★☆

Imotai, the motorcycle shrine and the Zoro statue can each be a small goal.

Rather than expecting children to play at the station for hours, head after lunch to the Zoro statue in Ozu Central Park or Sorayoka Park at the airport.

Elementary school children

★★★★☆

The Kumamoto Reconstruction Project, motorcycle town and karaimo-growing area offer things to talk about.

Adding the Zoro statue or a spring azalea spot turns shopping into a half-day outing. On a day heading toward Aso, leave enough travel time.

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

Michi-no-Eki Ozu event calendar

The official blog carries a Google Calendar for checking expected arrivals and vendor information. As of July 18, 2026, the calendar and a call for food-truck vendors remained on permanent pages.

Karaimo Festival

Ozu Town tourism information describes karaimo as coming into season from autumn to winter and the Karaimo Festival as an annual November event. For each year's dates, follow the town or tourism association announcements.

Ozu Azalea Festival

On April 26, 2026, Ozu held an Azalea Festival marking the 70th anniversary of the municipal merger. It is a spring event that can extend a station visit into the town center; check the dates and traffic restrictions for later years.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Cars and motorcycles meet here on the way to Aso

The station is on National Route 57, about 13 km east of the Kumamoto interchange. The Kumamoto tourism site says it receives more than 11,000 visitors a day on busy days. Even for a brief stop, plan where to park and which way to leave.

Source: Kyushu Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Kumamoto Prefecture tourism site

The produce and souvenir hall has a large selection; focus your shopping

The tourism site describes more than 10,000 products in the hall. On a first visit, look separately at karaimo, Kumamoto souvenirs and items needing refrigeration to choose without spending too long.

Source: Kumamoto Prefecture tourism site

Allow for a weekend queue at Karaimoyasan

The Kumamoto tourism site describes Karaimoyasan as popular enough to draw weekend queues. If you came for imotai, keep ikinari dango, karaimo sticks or sweets from the produce and souvenir hall in mind as alternatives.

Source: Kumamoto Prefecture tourism site, Karaimoyasan

The restaurant suits lunch; switch to snacks if you arrive late

The official blog generally lists Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka as open 10:00-18:00, with last orders at 17:30. Near evening, consider karaimo snacks or a boxed meal instead of relying on the restaurant.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Ozu official blog

Ozu's motorcycle culture gives the station character

Ozu Town promotes itself as a motorcycle town and is home to Honda's Kumamoto Factory; the roadside station has a motorcycle shrine. Riders and other visitors alike may find it a memorable pause before Aso.

Source: Ozu Town tourism information

Spring azaleas and autumn-winter karaimo change the visit

The town identifies Showaen Park and Hiyoshi Shrine as azalea spots and describes karaimo as in season from autumn to winter. Adding one seasonal destination makes a visit about more than station shopping.

Source: Ozu Town tourism information and azalea bloom reports

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 produce and souvenir hall and craft hall generally open 9:00-18:00; Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka opens 10:00-18:00, with last orders at 17:30.
New Year's Day is the usual closure, but check the official blog or social media for individual shop changes and product arrivals.
The parking capacity is listed as 109 vehicles. Allow extra time around midday on holidays and on event days, even for a brief stop.
Karaimo snacks can attract crowds, so consider imotai, ikinari dango or sweets from the produce and souvenir hall.
Weather, traffic and road restrictions can change travel times toward Aso. Use the station's information corner too.
For spring azaleas, autumn-winter karaimo and the November Karaimo Festival, check the town or tourism association for current dates shortly before visiting.

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.

Sweets
Imotai from Karaimoyasan
A signature fish-shaped cake filled with sweet potato paste made from Ozu-grown Beniharuka. Queues and sellouts vary by time of day.
Snacks
Karaimo sticks and imo-ten
Fried sweet potato snacks that are easy to eat in the car. If taking them home, consider the travel time and heat.
Meals
Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka
Generally 10:00-18:00, with last orders at 17:30. Consider an Akaushi beef rice bowl for lunch.
Shopping
Bakery Mirai, handmade dango and ikinari dango
The official blog says these arrive daily. They can make a light lunch or a snack for the car.
Take-home foods
Souvenirs from Kumamoto Prefecture
Options include karashi renkon (mustard-filled lotus root), horse sashimi, Japanese Black beef and sweets from around the prefecture. Early in a trip, plan how to keep chilled items cool.

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.

Plan lunch

Akaushi Restaurant Yokayoka

For a substantial meal before heading toward Aso. General hours are 10:00-18:00, with last orders at 17:30.

Eat in the car

Imotai, karaimo sticks and imo-ten

Sweets and snacks that are handy if you want to avoid a restaurant wait or children need a bite.

Take home for later

Ikinari dango, handmade dango and bread from Bakery Mirai

Everyday items with arrival updates on the official blog. Early in a trip, choose according to whether they can travel at room temperature or need cooling.

Buy a taste of Ozu

Michi-no-Eki Ozu certified karaimo and processed karaimo products

Karaimo feels especially seasonal in autumn and winter. Around the Karaimo Festival, it is worth looking at events in town too.

Gather Kumamoto souvenirs

Karashi renkon, horse sashimi, Japanese Black beef and local sweets

Convenient before or after the airport or on the way home. For refrigerated products, think about a cooler bag and the time until you get home.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station

Michi-no-Eki Ozu (道の駅大津)

A roadside station on National Route 57 where you can pick up karaimo sweet potato treats and Kumamoto souvenirs and take a break before heading to Aso.

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Sweets and snacks

Karaimoyasan

Enjoy Ozu-grown karaimo as fried snacks, dumplings and imotai inside the station.

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Photo stop and park

Zoro Statue (Ozu Central Park)

After shopping at the station, this is an easy-to-understand photo stop for children and first-time visitors.

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Park and azaleas

Showaen Park

A town park for spring azaleas, or lawns and a children's area for outdoor play after the station.