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Oita Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Taketa (道の駅竹田)

道の駅竹田

Start with Yonai rice, strawberries and saffron before heading to Oka Castle and Kuju.

Updated 2026-10-02Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Taketa City

Road

National Route 442

Hours

Farm shop: 9:00–17:00. Zenmai Shokudo is generally listed at around 11:00–16:00; check the restaurant's latest notice or the tourism association's information.

Parking

70 passenger-car spaces. Information for Zenmai Shokudo also lists 100 spaces and bus parking; confirm which capacity applies before planning around it.

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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.

Look first

Farm-shop vegetables, processed foods and saffron products

A quick way to find Taketa products.

For lunch

Rice dishes at Zenmai Shokudo

Consider saffron-rice vegetable curry, Bungo beef, herb-fed chicken or toriten.

For a sweet

Strawberry soft serve

A reason to stop even without a meal.

In winter and spring

Strawberry farm

From around late December to mid-May, check opening status and remaining berries first.

Where next

Oka Castle Ruins, Nagayu Onsen or the Kuju Highlands

Choose a walking tour, hot spring or highland drive.

Haruka's detour notes

Decide whether to eat before the drive or shop before setting off.

Haruka Asakura sees Michi-no-Eki Taketa as a place to fit Taketa food into a journey. Will lunch be at Zenmai Shokudo, or will it be a lighter stop for strawberry soft serve and the farm shop? Are you heading to Oka Castle Ruins, Nagayu Onsen or the Kuju Highlands? Decide first, and the Yonai rice, saffron, strawberries and vegetables become a connected memory of the trip.

Pick up rice, strawberries and vegetables, then head toward Taketa's castle town, hot springs or highlands.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Taketa stands on National Route 442 in Yonai, Taketa City, combining a farm shop, Zenmai Shokudo restaurant and a seasonal strawberry farm in one stop. Shop for local vegetables and processed foods, try strawberry soft serve, or eat rice grown in Yonai, dried on racks and cooked with Taketa water at Zenmai Shokudo. Before or after Oka Castle Ruins, Nagayu Onsen or the Kuju Highlands, choose what to eat and what to bring home for a taste of Taketa.

#Zenmai Shokudo
#Saffron rice
#Strawberry soft serve
#Farm shop
#Oka Castle Ruins
#Nagayu Onsen
#Kuju Highlands
#National Route 442

Practical information

Registration number: 大分-03
Prefecture: Oita Prefecture
Municipality: Taketa City
Road: National Route 442
Telephone: 0974-66-3550
Closed days: The roadside station generally closes over the New Year holidays. Zenmai Shokudo is variously listed as closed on Wednesdays or on irregular days; check current information if you plan to eat there.
Station stamp: Available

Address

663-1 Yonai, Taketa City, Oita Prefecture (大分県竹田市米納663-1)

Facilities

Toilets
Multipurpose toilet
Parking
Farm-produce shop
Meals
Snacks and sweets
Tourist information
EV charger
Free Wi-Fi
Seasonal strawberry farm

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)taketa.guide (Japanese guide)www.qsr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)www.warabi-tfc.com (Japanese guide)taketa.guide (Japanese guide)taketa.guide (Japanese guide)www.visit-oita.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Get a quick taste of Taketa at the farm shop and Zenmai Shokudo

Michi-no-Eki Taketa is a place to choose among local vegetables, processed foods, strawberry soft serve and Zenmai Shokudo, rather than tour a large complex. If eating here, check the restaurant's current hours first, then browse vegetables and sweets in the farm shop after your meal.

Yonai rice and Taketa water make the meal memorable

Zenmai Shokudo highlights rice grown in the Yonai district, dried on racks and cooked in Taketa's spring water. Its saffron-rice vegetable curry, Bungo beef hamburger steak and toriten (Oita-style chicken tempura) make a useful lunch stop for local flavors.

From winter into spring, the strawberry farm and soft serve are reasons to stop

The on-site strawberry farm is advertised as a seasonal experience from around late December to mid-May. Choose between all-you-can-eat picking, take-home strawberries and strawberry soft serve according to your time and berry availability that day, especially when traveling with children.

A convenient stop before Oka Castle Ruins, Nagayu Onsen or the Kuju Highlands

On National Route 442, this is a useful break on journeys toward Taketa town and its castle district, hot springs or highlands. For Oka Castle Ruins, have lunch before walking; for Nagayu Onsen, shop and use the toilets; for the Kuju Highlands, stop for a sweet and a light snack.

Take saffron and seasonal vegetables home

Taketa is known for saffron production, and the station is a place to look for local products. If you cook, browse saffron products and vegetables before lunch and bring something home to open after the trip.

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 lunch break en route to Taketa town or Oka Castle Ruins

Arrive before lunch and make Zenmai Shokudo your meal stop

Go first to Zenmai Shokudo and choose from saffron-rice vegetable curry, Bungo beef hamburger steak, toriten and other dishes. After eating, browse local vegetables, processed foods and sweets in the farm shop, then head to Oka Castle Ruins or stroll through the castle town.

Parking → Zenmai Shokudo → farm shop → Oka Castle Ruins or Taketa town

Published hours and closing days for the restaurant differ. If your trip depends on lunch there, use the latest notice from the restaurant or tourism association.

A short break on a long drive

Spend 30 minutes on shopping and a sweet

If you are skipping a full meal, use the toilets, browse the farm shop and get strawberry soft serve. Even one local vegetable or processed product makes a Taketa souvenir, and the sweet gives fellow travelers a break.

Parking → toilets → farm shop → strawberry soft serve → departure

Selection and sweet-service availability can change by evening. Come earlier if shopping matters most.

Families with children, sweet treats and a short activity

Make strawberries the goal from winter into spring

From around late December to mid-May, the strawberry farm takes center stage. Choose a 40-minute all-you-can-eat session or take-home berries. If berries are scarce or reception is about to close, switch to strawberry soft serve and shopping.

Check at farm shop → strawberry farm → sweet or shopping

Information lists Monday closures, irregular closures and ending when berries run out. Check by phone or official updates for a strawberry-focused visit.

Before or after a hot-spring drive

Stock up before Nagayu Onsen

On a trip toward Nagayu Onsen, pick up vegetables or a sweet here before bathing so evening shop hours do not constrain you. If also visiting Lamune Onsenkan, decide where to eat after your bath beforehand.

Michi-no-Eki Taketa → Nagayu Onsen → Lamune Onsenkan

Hot-spring facilities can change closing days and prices; check the facility's official information if bathing is your goal.

A highland drive, families with children, and dairy or sweet lovers

Connect Taketa foods with the Kuju Highlands and Guernsey Farm

Pick up Taketa rice, vegetables and strawberries at the station, then continue to Guernsey Farm for soft serve and farm activities in the Kuju Highlands. With several food stops, plan a lighter lunch if that suits your day.

Michi-no-Eki Taketa → Kuju Highlands → Guernsey Farm

Highland plans depend on weather, snow and temporary closures. In winter or bad weather, consider the castle town or hot springs instead.

Hours

Opening hours

Farm shop

9:00〜17:00

Closed over the New Year holidays; check official and social-media updates for changed hours.

Zenmai Shokudo

Generally listed around 11:00–16:00

Sources differ on Wednesday or irregular closures and last-order times. Check the latest notice if planning a meal.

Strawberry farm

Around late December to mid-May, 10:00–16:00

Last reception 15:30; closes when berries run out; watch for Monday and irregular closures.

Nearby attractions

Varies by facility

Check closing days, prices and weather separately for Oka Castle Ruins, hot springs and highland facilities.

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

★★★☆☆

Convenient for a short break and shopping.

The toilets, farm shop and return to the car can be a short circuit. If adding the strawberry farm or Oka Castle Ruins, plan for carrying your child and timing feeding or diaper changes.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Easy to include in strawberry-soft-serve or berry season.

This is not a station focused on large play equipment. Keep the shopping visit brief and add a sweet or short strawberry-farm visit before moving on.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Good for the winter–spring strawberry farm and a trip onward to the Kuju Highlands.

Pick one goal, such as picking berries, eating soft serve or visiting the farm, to keep children engaged. Oka Castle Ruins has slopes, so choose shoes and a route suited to their stamina.

Elementary-school children

★★★★☆

Combine food, history, hot springs and highlands in a day of discovery.

Saffron, rack-dried rice, Oka Castle Ruins, Nagayu Onsen and the farm show different sides of Taketa. Comfortable walking shoes help on a castle-ruins day.

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 Taketa Strawberry Farm

A seasonal experience from around late December to mid-May. Options include all-you-can-eat picking, take-home berries and strawberry soft serve; berry availability affects the visit.

Oka Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

Spring is a good time to pair cherry blossoms at Oka Castle Ruins with lunch and a toilet stop at the station. Check each year's dates, traffic and parking notices.

Kuju Mountain Opening

In June, more visitors head toward the Kuju Highlands. For a climb or highland drive, check weather and road conditions first, and use the station to stock up.

Kibaru Hachiman Shrine Grand Festival and Chikuraku

Autumn events around Taketa town and its castle district can affect travel plans. Use the station for shopping and rest, and check event-specific parking and traffic information separately.

Saffron season

Saffron flowers attract attention around late October. Check the shop's products and any nearby events when choosing a Taketa souvenir.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Check Zenmai Shokudo first if lunch is the goal

Visitor accounts often focus on Bungo beef, hamburger steak, vegetable curry and toriten at the restaurant. Choices change outside meal hours, so head to the restaurant first on a lunch stop.

Strawberry soft serve completes a short rest stop

Adding strawberry soft serve to a farm-shop visit can make a quick stop more satisfying for fellow travelers. It suits a short break without a meal or a visit with children.

Source: Summary of official and tourism information

At the winter–spring strawberry farm, berry supply and reception time matter

Strawberry picking is a seasonal highlight, but information also lists closing when berries run out and Monday or irregular closures. The later you arrive, the more useful a current check and backup plan become.

Source: Taketa City Tourism Association

Use this stop for food and a travel break, rather than large play equipment

Break up the drive with toilets, sweets, berry picking or a meal. For more active time, continue to Oka Castle Ruins or the Kuju Highlands.

Eat before walking around Oka Castle Ruins

The route from the Oka Castle Ruins ticket office toward the main enclosure includes uphill walking. Lunch or shop at the station first, then give your time at the ruins to the views and walk.

Source: Taketa City Tourism Association

Check weather and closures for Nagayu Onsen and the Kuju Highlands

A hot-spring or highland trip has more changing conditions than a station-only stop. Check Lamune Onsenkan's closing days, Guernsey Farm's weather-related or temporary closures, and cold conditions in the highlands.

Source: Summary of official information from nearby facilities

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 farm shop is generally open 9:00–17:00. Selection changes toward evening; visit earlier for more shopping choice.
Zenmai Shokudo's listed hours and closing days differ among sources. For lunch, check the restaurant's official site, tourism association and latest social-media notices.
The strawberry farm's approximate season is late December to mid-May. It may close when berries run out, on Mondays or on irregular days.
Oka Castle Ruins involves uphill walking. If going directly after eating, prepare suitable shoes and water before leaving.
For Nagayu Onsen, check bathing-facility closing days and fees. A July 2026 fee revision was announced for Lamune Onsenkan.
Weather changes conditions in the Kuju Highlands. In winter or bad weather, consider a castle-town or hot-spring plan instead.

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
Vegetable curry with saffron rice
Check current availability at Zenmai Shokudo
Meal
Bungo beef hamburger-steak set meal
Check the restaurant's current menu and prices
Meal
Toriten set meal (Oita-style chicken tempura)
Good for lunch
Sweet
Strawberry soft serve
Varies by season and availability
Farm-shop goods
Local vegetables and processed foods
Varies by season and deliveries
Souvenirs
Saffron products
Subject to shop stock