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Kumamoto Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto (Roadside Station Sakamoto)

道の駅 坂本

With the roadside station closed for now, enjoy Sakamoto along the Kuma River through hot springs and outdoor stops.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

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Location
Yatsushiro City
Road
National Route 219
Hours
Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto: Temporarily closed
Toilets, parking and the stamp are unavailable through an expected June 2027. A July 2027 reopening is planned.
Parking
See facility information
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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.

Current status
Closed through an expected June 2027

The toilets, parking lot and station stamp are also announced as unavailable. Plan to rest elsewhere.

Where to rest now
Kureon or Sakamoto Ikoi no Ie

Switch your stop to a nearby facility where hot springs, a break and toilets are more readily available.

For families
Kumagawa Waiwai Park

Restrictions on ordinary vehicles were lifted on February 14, 2026, making it an outdoor play option again.

Shopping to look forward to
Ayu, botamochi, Banpeiyu citrus and kazura tofu

These are treats for after the station reopens. Meanwhile, watch local events such as Sakamoto Furusato Festival.

Road checks
Check restrictions on National Route 219 and roads in Sakamoto just before travel

Restoration work may mean lane restrictions, alternating one-way traffic or detours.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Hiyori's Sakamoto notes

In Sakamoto today, decide where to rest before making the trip.

Hiyori Hyuga plans around parking, toilets, rest stops and opening hours. The roadside station awaits reopening, but travel in the area continues: rest at a hot spring, let children play at Waiwai Park, or visit the waterfall or observatory. Save shopping and snacks at the station for after reopening, and choose places currently open to enjoy Sakamoto along the Kuma River.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto (道の駅 坂本) is in Sakamoto, Yatsushiro City, beside the Kuma River on National Route 219. It is announced as closed through an expected June 2027 because of restoration work following the July 2020 heavy rain disaster; its toilets, parking lot and station stamp are also unavailable. For now, plan around Sakamoto Onsen Center Kureon (さかもと温泉センター クレオン), Kumagawa Waiwai Park (くま川ワイワイパーク), Hashirimizu Falls (走水の滝) and Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory (さかもと八竜天文台) instead of relying on the station. When it reopens, look forward to local ayu (sweetfish), Sakamoto botamochi rice cakes, Banpeiyu citrus soft serve and kazura tofu.

  • #Kuma River
  • #National Route 219
  • #Restoration work
  • #Sakamoto botamochi
  • #Ayu sweetfish
  • #Hot springs
  • #Observatory
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Check the closure before setting out

The roadside station is announced as closed through an expected June 2027, including its toilets, parking lot and station stamp. Before entering Sakamoto, choose other places for a toilet break, meals, a hot spring bath and children's outdoor play, rather than dropping in for an unplanned break on National Route 219.

02

Kuma River ayu and Sakamoto sweets await reopening

Past roadside station favorites include sweet simmered ayu, Banpeiyu citrus soft serve, myoga manju buns, kazura tofu and Sakamoto botamochi. In-store sales are currently suspended, but Sakamoto Furusato Festival features botamochi and ayu dishes as local specialties. They are foods to look for after the station reopens.

03

Make a half day of hot springs, a riverside park, a waterfall and stargazing

While the station is closed, use Kureon hot springs as a rest stop. Families can head to the reopened Kumagawa Waiwai Park; for quieter nature, try Hashirimizu Falls; after dusk, visit Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory. Plan these as separate stops and check restoration work and road 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 short break while driving National Route 219 from the Yatsushiro direction

For a 30-minute break, head toward the hot springs

Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto is closed, so do not plan to park or use its toilets. Choose a stop before entering Sakamoto. During the hot spring facilities' opening hours, Kureon or Sakamoto Ikoi no Ie can make it easier to arrange toilets, a break, drinks and a bath.

From the Yatsushiro IC direction → National Route 219 → Kureon or Sakamoto Ikoi no Ie → pass by the closed roadside station area.

The station's parking lot and toilets are announced as unavailable. Keep another rest option earlier on the route in case plans change.

Outdoor play with preschool and elementary school children

Make Waiwai Park the main stop for an active day with children

Restrictions related to restoration work at Kumagawa Waiwai Park have been lifted, making it easier for the public to visit. Even while shopping at the roadside station is unavailable, outdoor play paired with a hot spring break or snack can fill half a day in Sakamoto.

Kumagawa Waiwai Park → a bath or break at Kureon → a meal stop on the way home.

In summer, prepare for sun and bring water; after rain, watch your footing. Do not rely on the roadside station's toilets.

Adults seeking quiet mountain scenery, a waterfall and autumn leaves

Add a short visit to Hashirimizu Falls for nature

Hashirimizu Falls offers a glimpse of Sakamoto's mountain landscape. Parking is limited and there are no nearby toilets. Take care of practical needs first, then make this a brief stop rather than a roadside station style break.

Toilet stop at Kureon or in town → Hashirimizu Falls → return after checking road conditions.

The mountain road is narrow; watch for branches and fallen rocks after rain. With small children, consider the park or hot springs instead of forcing a waterfall visit.

A day combining hot springs, night views and stargazing

Extend a Sakamoto drive into an evening of stars

Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory opens from 1 p.m. into the evening, offering daytime views and nighttime skies. Dinner and shopping at the roadside station are currently unavailable, so arrange the order of your hot spring visit, meal and observatory stop ahead of time.

Bath at Kureon → early meal → Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory.

Check for narrow stretches and restrictions on the road to the observatory. Dress warmly in winter.

Hours

Opening hours

Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto
Temporarily closed

Toilets, parking and the stamp are unavailable through an expected June 2027. A July 2027 reopening is planned.

Usual hours
10:00〜18:00

These are pre-closure facility details. Check official information again after reopening.

Sakamoto Onsen Center Kureon
10:00〜20:00

Reception ends at 19:30. Closed Thursdays; reportedly open when Thursday is a public holiday.

Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory
13:00〜22:00

Reception and shop close at 21:30. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays; during summer holidays, Tuesdays only.

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 and under
★★☆☆☆

The roadside station cannot serve as a rest stop, so plan a break at a hot spring facility or in town first.

A short drive can work if you do not count on the station for diaper changing, nursing or a cool place to rest.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Waiwai Park offers room to move, but you cannot shop or use the toilet at the roadside station.

Bring water, spare clothes and sun protection; play within easy reach of a hot spring or a break in the car.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Separate visits to the park, hot springs and observatory can make a Sakamoto half day.

Hashirimizu Falls involves a mountain road and has no toilets, so decide based on stamina and weather.

Elementary school children
★★★★☆

The Kuma River, the recovering community, the stars and hot springs can make an educational drive.

Take care around the observatory's optical equipment. If staying into the night, arrange dinner and warm clothes first.

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

Sakamoto Furusato Festival

The 39th festival, held near the Sakamoto branch office on April 26, 2026, to pray for recovery, advertised Sakamoto botamochi, salt-grilled ayu, wild boar soup and game dishes. That event has ended; watch for the next one, provisionally planned for November 2027.

Public access to Kumagawa Waiwai Park

Restrictions on ordinary vehicles were lifted at 4 p.m. on February 14, 2026, and the sports field is also open. The park is a useful outdoor play option for families while the roadside station is closed.

Seasonal programs at Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory

The observatory is a destination for stargazing, night views and its planetarium. Check official information before visiting because summer holiday and seasonal programs, road advice and closed days may change.

Redevelopment of Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto

A notice projects a July 2027 reopening. Details for the toilets, parking lot, station stamp and local products hall may change as reopening approaches; check the official page.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Ayu and botamochi define the local food memories

Roadside station descriptions highlight sweet simmered ayu and Banpeiyu citrus soft serve. At the 2026 Sakamoto Furusato Festival, Sakamoto botamochi, ayu dishes, wild boar soup and game dishes featured as local foods. Choose the Sakamoto foods you want to seek when station shopping resumes.

Source: Kyushu Regional Development Bureau and Yatsushiro City event information

Restoration on National Route 219 shapes the trip

Restoration work and completed bridges have made more places accessible, but lane restrictions, alternating one-way traffic and detours may remain. Check current road and facility notices before leaving instead of judging the drive by distance alone.

Source: Yatsushiro City and Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory road 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.

  • Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto is announced as closed through an expected June 2027.
  • During the closure its toilets, parking lot and stamp are unavailable; choose another rest stop before you go.
  • The station's usual hours are listed as 10:00–18:00, but it is currently closed.
  • Kureon is listed as open 10:00–20:00, with reception until 19:30 and closure on Thursdays.
  • Restrictions on ordinary vehicles at Kumagawa Waiwai Park were lifted at 4 p.m. on February 14, 2026.
  • Parking is limited at Hashirimizu Falls, and there are no nearby toilets.
  • Sakamoto Hachiryu Observatory is listed as open 13:00–22:00; reception and shop close at 21:30.
  • Watch for restoration-related restrictions and alternating one-way traffic on National Route 219 and local Sakamoto roads.
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.

  • Shopping after reopening
    Sweet simmered ayu (sweetfish)
    A Kuma River specialty. Check official notices for when sales resume during the station closure.
  • Local sweet
    Sakamoto botamochi
    A Sakamoto specialty: sweet bean paste wrapped in rice cake dough with sweet potato. At the festival, go early for popular items.
  • Snack after reopening
    Banpeiyu citrus soft serve
    A sweet previously advertised as exclusive to Sakamoto-kan. Look for it on a short break after reopening.
  • Local flavor
    Kazura tofu
    A Sakamoto specialty highlighting the taste of soybeans, and a local food to take home.
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
Roadside station now

Local products hall and light meals suspended

Do not count on it for meals or shopping; await an official reopening notice.

Foods to seek after reopening

Sweet simmered ayu, Banpeiyu citrus soft serve, myoga manju buns, kazura tofu

Foods reflecting the Kuma River and Sakamoto. After reopening, check opening hours and sale dates before going.

Festival foods

Sakamoto botamochi, salt-grilled ayu, wild boar soup (shishi-jiru), game dishes

Sakamoto Furusato Festival brings local foods together. Go early for popular items.

For a meal during a break

Restaurant and hot spring break around Kureon

While the roadside station is closed, plan your break during the hot spring facility's opening hours.

Snacks with children

Bring drinks and light snacks in advance

Avoid depending on purchases at the park or waterfall; buy what you need before arriving.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Sakamoto (Roadside Station Sakamoto)

With the roadside station closed for now, enjoy Sakamoto along the Kuma River through hot springs and outdoor stops.

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

Hot springs and rest
Sakamoto Onsen Center KureonJapanese guide
About 7 minutes by carFrom a short break to a bath

Useful when you need somewhere to rest while the roadside station's toilets and parking lot are unavailable.

Park and families
Kumagawa Waiwai ParkJapanese guide
About 6 minutes by car30 minutes to half a day

Good for a day when children need outdoor play while the roadside station cannot serve as a rest stop.

Nature and waterfall
Hashirimizu FallsJapanese guide
About 20–35 minutes by carA short nature walk

Suited to adults or children of elementary school age and above who are prepared for mountain roads and no toilets.

Views and stargazing
Sakamoto Hachiryu ObservatoryJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by carAfternoon into night

Good for pairing a Sakamoto hot spring visit with stargazing, or adding nature and learning to a family day.

Festival and local food
Sakamoto Furusato FestivalJapanese guide
Around the Sakamoto branch officeHalf a day on the festival date

For visitors wanting to explore Sakamoto's food culture in one outing, especially those who can arrive early for botamochi.

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Updated 2026-10-01Explore the nationwide map →