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

Kumamoto Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato

道の駅 宮地岳かかしの里

A roadside station in a former elementary school, where a village of scarecrows meets Amakusa food.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Amakusa City
Road
National Route 266
Hours
09:00–18:00
The local-products shop is open until 18:00 from March through October and until 17:00 from November through February. The restaurant runs from 11:00 to 15:00, with last orders around 14:30.
Parking
Cars: 39 / Large vehicles: 5
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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
Scarecrows and the old school

Walking through the school feels more like entering a small village than a roadside station. The permanent display upstairs is a useful stop whatever the weather.

Lunch
Reishuya

Amakusa Daio chicken ramen, soba, udon, set meals and Tuesday-only champon are among the choices. Allow for sellouts and day-specific menus, with a snack as a fallback.

Take home
Miyajidake rice shochu and shiitake

Look for local products such as shochu made from Miyajidake rice and soup using log-grown shiitake mushrooms. Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Family route

This stop makes it easy to fit one playful break after the toilets.

A drive across Amakusa can feel longer than it looks on a map. At Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato, the scarecrow displays, children's room, nursing room and dog run sit near the food and shopping, so a family can adjust the stop when its members want different things.

1

Sunny day

See the outdoor scarecrows first, then browse the local-products shop after eating. Allow more time for photos in spring.

2

Rainy day

Center the stop on the school building's displays and children's room, with a short meal and shopping break.

3

With a dog

Register and show the required certificate before heading to the dog run. Taking turns to shop can make the stop easier.

Highlights

In the middle of Amakusa Shimoshima Island along National Route 266, Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato occupies the former Miyajidake Elementary School. Browse shochu made from Miyajidake rice and shiitake products in the local-products shop, choose Amakusa Daio chicken ramen or Tuesday-only champon noodle soup at Reishuya, and spend time with the permanent scarecrow display upstairs or the indoor children's playroom. The spring scarecrow festival makes a trip in itself, while the toilets, nursing room, diaper vending machine and dog run also make this a useful family stop when driving north or south across Amakusa.

  • #Former elementary school
  • #Scarecrow display
  • #Amakusa Daio chicken ramen
  • #Family rest stop
  • #Dog run
  • #National Route 266
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A former elementary school where scarecrows take the lead

The former Miyajidake Elementary School closed in 2012; its classrooms now house a local-products shop, restaurant, displays and activity rooms. Beyond the unusual reuse of a school, the place links memories of classrooms with the rural landscape of scarecrows.

02

Room for children to move, even in the rain

An indoor children's playroom in the multipurpose room, a permanent scarecrow display on the second floor, a nursing room, 24-hour toilets and a diaper vending machine help families regroup during a long Amakusa drive. A break here need not depend on outdoor play.

03

Miyajidake's name runs through the food and shopping

Meals at Reishuya, shochu made with Miyajidake rice, log-grown shiitake products and an Amakusa ceramics corner give the shop a distinctly local character.

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.

Families with toddlers through elementary-school children

A family break during the drive

Start with the toilets and nursing room, then head to the playroom or the scarecrow display upstairs. If the timing works, eat at Reishuya; otherwise, pick up something light from the local-products shop or takeout counter. This can ease a long drive through Amakusa.

Parking -> 24-hour toilets and nursing room -> scarecrow display or children's playroom -> Reishuya or local-products shop

The restaurant closes at 15:00, with last orders around 14:30. Arrive earlier if lunch is the main reason for stopping.

A spring drive in Amakusa

Make the scarecrow festival the destination

Each spring, the number of scarecrows has exceeded the number of local residents, changing the atmosphere beyond the station. Make time to walk and take photographs first, then fit meals and shopping around the crowds.

Outdoor scarecrow display -> permanent second-floor display -> local-products shop -> meal or sweet treat

Dates and programs change each year. Check the official site and the tourism association's event information before a spring visit.

Visitors with pets

A short reset with your dog

The dog run is modest in size, but offers a valuable rest stop for dogs in Amakusa. Check the registration process, vaccination certificate requirement and road crossing before setting out so you and your dog can use it calmly.

Park -> register at the shop -> dog run -> brief stop at the local-products shop

Fees, registration and closure days follow the roadside station's operation. You cannot use the dog run without the required certificate.

Adults and families with elementary-school children or older

A half-day route across Amakusa Shimoshima Island

Enjoy the scarecrows and lunch at Miyajidake in the morning, then head toward Sakitsu Village (﨑津集落) in the afternoon: the scenery changes from a rural roadside station to a coastal village shaped by its history of faith. Return toward the Hondo hot-spring area to end the day with a rest in the evening.

Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato -> Sakitsu Village (﨑津集落) area -> Hondo and Perla no Yufune

Travel across Amakusa can take longer than the distance suggests. Leave some room in your evening schedule.

Hours

Opening hours

Local-products shop
9:00-18:00

Closes at 17:00 from November through February. Note the year-end and New Year closures and the first and third Wednesdays.

Restaurant Reishuya
11:00-15:00

Last orders are around 14:30. It may close earlier if supplies run out.

Tourist information corner
24 hours

Check road and sightseeing information on the large touch panel and in leaflets.

Dog run
9:00-17:30

Closes at 16:30 in winter. Closure days follow those of the roadside station.

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 one or younger
★★★★☆

A nursing room, 24-hour toilets and diaper vending machine make this a useful place to regroup when something goes wrong during a car journey.

Focus on toilets, nursing and a short shopping stop rather than a long stay.

Ages two to three
★★★★☆

The indoor playroom and scarecrow display offer a change of scene even on rainy or hot days.

Stay close to children at the outdoor display and watch the distance to cars and the road.

Ages four to six
★★★★★

Children may enjoy finding scarecrows, seeing the school displays, or trying gel-candle and kaleidoscope activities.

Check reservation requirements and activity dates first.

Elementary-school age
★★★★★

The old school's atmosphere, soba making, pottery and scarecrow festival offer both learning and play.

Add Sakitsu Village (﨑津集落) or Nishi no Kubo Park for a half-day outing.

Toilets

Useful before or after a long drive.

Nursing room and diapers

There is a nursing room and a vending machine for baby diapers and wipes.

Rainy days

A short change of scene without relying on outdoor play.

Meals

The restaurant generally opens from 11:00 to 15:00. If you arrive late, switch to snacks or the local-products shop.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    From the parking area to the school building

    There are fewer parking spaces than at a large roadside station. On a busy day, consider dropping off a companion near the entrance first.

  2. 2
    Match the upstairs display to your energy

    The permanent scarecrow display is appealing, but it involves going up a floor. There is still a taste of this station in its shop and restaurant if you choose to skip the display.

  3. 3
    After eating, head for Hondo or Shimoda

    For a hot-spring finish, try Perla no Yufune in Hondo; for a route toward the coast, head toward Shimoda. Leave enough time for the evening drive.

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

Outdoor scarecrow display

A centerpiece of the spring festival and seasonal displays. On days when more people are taking photos, walk around before eating to leave yourself time.

Permanent second-floor display

Scarecrows on display year-round. Even on rainy or midsummer days, or during a short stop, this is a way to enjoy Miyajidake's character.

Event square

A place to spend longer on event days, when parking and restaurant crowds differ from normal.

Hands-on workshop

Soba making, pottery, gel candles and kaleidoscopes carry the old school's atmosphere of learning into hands-on activities.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Scarecrows at the entrance make this stop memorable

Visitor accounts often emphasize the sense of being greeted by scarecrows throughout the site, even more than the food and shopping. Children can enjoy spotting them and adults can take photographs, making even a short stop easy to remember.

Source: Patterns in reviews on Yahoo! Maps and NAVITIME

A rainy-day stop inside the school building

The former school houses a children's playroom, permanent scarecrow display and tourist information corner. You can stay briefly or longer to suit the weather. It is a useful stop to remember if plans for Amakusa's sea or flowers are disrupted.

Source: Official facility information

With a dog, plan for registration and the road crossing

Register at the shop before using the dog run and bring proof of rabies vaccination. The route from the main gate beside the parking area crosses a road; if children and dogs are together, decide which adult will watch each.

Source: Official dog-run information

A brief nature stop between major sights

The area around Miyajidake-machi has the feel of a mountain roadside station, with Kamegafuchi on the Omiya River nearby. Parking and footing may be less straightforward than in a developed park, so with children, treat it as a short stop to enjoy the cool air rather than a demanding outing.

Source: Patterns in Jalan reviews and travel accounts

A place to rethink plans between Hondo and Ushibuka

The official access guide lists a roadside-station bus stop on the route linking Hondo Bus Center and Ushibuka Port. Whether traveling by car or public transport, this central Amakusa Shimoshima stop lets you check food, toilets and tourist information together.

Source: Official access 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.

  • The local-products shop is generally open 9:00–18:00, or until 17:00 in winter. The restaurant runs 11:00–15:00, with last orders around 14:30; for a late lunch, consider snacks or the next town.
  • The station closes on the first and third Wednesdays. A public holiday may shift the closure to Thursday; check individual notices for Golden Week and the year-end and New Year period.
  • With a nursing room, 24-hour toilets and diaper vending machine, this is a practical first stop to regroup with babies and toddlers before driving on.
  • During the spring scarecrow festival, allow time for photography. Choose what to see first instead of squeezing lunch, parking and the outdoor display into the same short stop.
  • The dog run requires registration, a fee and a vaccination certificate. Fees are about ¥500 for a large dog and ¥300 for a small dog, and it closes earlier in winter.
  • The station lies in central Amakusa Shimoshima Island, convenient for routes toward Hondo, Shimoda and Sakitsu (﨑津). Leave extra time for evening travel.
  • A bus route between Hondo Bus Center and Ushibuka Port serves the station. Check the operator's timetable and frequency before departure.
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.

  • Restaurant
    Amakusa Daio chicken ramen
    About ¥900. A set meal and spicy miso version are also available.
  • Tuesdays only
    Amakusa champon
    About ¥1,000. On Tuesdays the menu centers on champon, a noodle soup with vegetables, and ramen.
  • Rice and takeout
    Daikon chicken rice
    From ¥400. Takeout rice balls are also available.
  • Local-products shop
    Miyajidake shochu made with local rice
    Check prices at the shop or online store.
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
Sit down for lunch

Amakusa Daio chicken ramen, soba, udon, set meals

Reishuya is the main lunch choice. Tuesdays are champon days and the menu changes, so choose a Tuesday if that is the dish you want.

Soba may be unavailable if it sells out or the soba maker is absent. Consider snacks for a late lunch; check the current restaurant menu, which may be reduced.

Grab a quick bite

Soft-serve ice cream, croquettes, daikon chicken-rice balls

If there is no time to sit down in the restaurant, takeout can feed children or the driver. It is handy when the next sightseeing stop is some distance away.

Offerings vary by day, so check the menu at the counter.

Buy something to take home

Miyajidake shochu, shiitake soup, Amakusa ceramics

Products reflect Miyajidake rice, log-grown shiitake and Amakusa's pottery-stone tradition. Many make easy talking points to bring home from the trip.

Stocks of alcoholic drinks and limited items change. Look early in the day if buying gifts.

Make food part of an activity

Soba-making experience

This experience connects the atmosphere of the former school with soba made from Miyajidake buckwheat. It suits a day when you want to make something with your children, as well as eat.

Experiences depend on reservations and scheduled dates. Contact the station in advance if you plan around one.

A day with your dog

Dog run after registration, then a brief shopping stop

Let the dog exercise first, then take turns looking around the local-products shop so everyone can manage the stop.

Food and drink are prohibited inside the dog run. People without a dog cannot enter on their own.

Access

Location and surroundings

Driving directions from your location
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Explore stations near 天草市 (Japanese guide)
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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Miyajidake Kakashi no Sato

A roadside station in a former elementary school, where a village of scarecrows meets Amakusa food.

Open in Google Maps
2
In-station display and indoor rest stop
Permanent scarecrow display and children's playroom

A place to see scarecrows and play a little inside the former school, even in rain or heat.

Open in Google Maps
3
Rest stop with a dog
Dog Run Miyajidake

A valuable place for dogs to stretch their legs during an Amakusa drive.

Open in Google Maps
4
Park and flowers
Nishi no Kubo Park

Add a flower walk to a family stop at the scarecrow village from spring to early summer.

Open in Google Maps
5
Day-use hot spring
Perla no Yufune Natural Hot Spring

After time at the scarecrow village, finish with a soak in a sea-view or forest-view bath near Hondo.

Open in Google Maps
6
World Cultural Heritage site and village walk
Sakitsu Village in Amakusa (天草の﨑津集落)

A half-day route from a mountain scarecrow village to a coastal village shaped by its history of faith.

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

In-station display and indoor rest stop
Permanent scarecrow display and children's playroomJapanese guide
Inside the stationA short walk

When children need to play after a toilet stop, or rain or extreme heat makes a short outdoor visit preferable.

Rest stop with a dog
Dog Run MiyajidakeJapanese guide
Next to the stationA short walk

On an Amakusa drive with a dog, when you want a dog break before eating or shopping.

Park and flowers
Nishi no Kubo ParkJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by car from the stationAbout 20 minutes by car

A family drive in spring or early summer when you want a walk or photo stop after eating.

Day-use hot spring
Perla no Yufune Natural Hot SpringJapanese guide
About 25 minutes by car from the stationAbout 25 minutes by car

When you want to unwind at a hot spring in the evening after the scarecrow festival or sightseeing around Sakitsu.

World Cultural Heritage site and village walk
Sakitsu Village in Amakusa (天草の﨑津集落)Japanese guide
About 25 minutes by car from the stationAbout 25 minutes by car

When you want to follow food and a toilet stop at Miyajidake with an afternoon walk through Amakusa's history.

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