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Oita Prefecture · Kyushu

Michi-no-Eki Yayoi

道の駅やよい

A rest stop on National Route 10 where you can combine Saiki food, a freshwater aquarium, and a bath beside the Banjo River.

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

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Saiki City

Road

National Route 10

Hours

8:30–17:30

These are the approximate hours for Pikaichi market. The restaurant, aquarium, baths, and Cafe Rin have different hours and closing days.

Parking

Cars: 195 / Large vehicles: 7

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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

Ginger and red shiso products and prepared foods at Pikaichi Market

Pikaichi Day falls on the 8th of each month. Vegetable and seafood specials may sell through, so an earlier visit is a sensible choice if shopping is your main purpose.

For food

Ku-chikuri's local dishes, seafood, and seasonal menus

Look for dango-jiru (local soup with dough pieces), toriten (Oita-style chicken tempura), fried horse mackerel, boiled whitebait rice bowls, and ginger soft-serve. Seasonal dishes include an ayu set meal in spring and gani-jiru, a local crab soup, in autumn. As of September 2026, a limited-time Saiki autumn mackerel cutlet was advertised.

With children

From Banjo Osakanakan Aquarium to the large playground

Primary-school children may enjoy spending time with the exhibits; for preschoolers, combine a shorter aquarium visit with the playground.

When tired

Bath at Yayoi no Yu; reserve the private family bath

Bath Day is held on the 26th of each month. Children who use diapers cannot use the communal baths; consider a reserved family bath or a shorter rest instead.

Haruka Wakamiya's rest-stop notes

Yayoi is more enjoyable when you do not limit yourself to one activity.

After parking and using the restroom, browse ginger, red shiso, and prepared foods at Pikaichi; around lunchtime, head to Ku-chikuri. With children, make Banjo Osakanakan the main stop, then use the large playground if they still have energy. If you are tired on the way home, unwind at Yayoi no Yu. Eating, shopping, looking around, and resting are close together, so it is easy to adjust when companions want different things.

A roadside station with an aquarium can become a small family outing rather than just a break.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Yayoi is about a 10-minute drive from Saiki IC on National Route 10. It brings together dining, shopping, bathing, a freshwater aquarium, and a break by the river. At the Pikaichi market, browse Yayoi-grown ginger and red shiso products and processed Saiki seafood. Then try dango-jiru, a local soup with hand-pulled dough pieces, fried horse mackerel, a bowl of boiled whitebait, or a seasonal ayu (sweetfish) set meal at Ku-chikuri. Families can add the Banjo Osakanakan aquarium and large play equipment; a stop at Yayoi no Yu on the way home can turn a break into a half-day outing.

#Banjo River
#Yayoi Pikaichi
#Ku-chikuri Restaurant
#Banjo Osakanakan Aquarium
#Yayoi no Yu
#Ginger soft-serve ice cream
#National Route 10

Practical information

Registration number: 大分-10
Prefecture: Oita Prefecture
Municipality: Saiki City
Road: National Route 10
Telephone: 0972-46-5951
Closed days: The market and restaurant normally close January 1; Banjo Osakanakan closes on the second Tuesday, December 31, and January 1; Yayoi no Yu closes on the second Tuesday; and Cafe Rin normally closes Tuesdays but opens on public holidays. Check official notices for temporary changes on holidays or due to fuel supply.
Station stamp: Available

Address

898-1 Kamiogura, Yayoi, Saiki City, Oita Prefecture (大分県佐伯市弥生大字上小倉898-1)

Facilities

Restrooms
Multipurpose restroom
Parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities
Free Wi-Fi
Pikaichi Market
Ku-chikuri Restaurant
Banjo Osakanakan Aquarium
Yayoi no Yu Baths
Cafe Rin
Large playground equipment
Waterside plaza
Road information and rest area

2 more facilities listed.

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)www.michinoeki-yayoi.com (Japanese guide)www.michinoeki-yayoi.com (Japanese guide)www.michinoeki-yayoi.com (Japanese guide)www.michinoeki-yayoi.com (Japanese guide)www.visit-saiki.jp (Japanese guide)www.visit-saiki.jp (Japanese guide)www.visit-saiki.jp (Japanese guide)www.qsr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)www.visit-oita.jp (Japanese guide)www.michinoeki-yayoi.com (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Turn a rest stop into a meal, shopping, an aquarium visit, and a bath

Yayoi has a freshwater aquarium and bathing facility on the same grounds as its market and restaurant. For a short break, use the market and restrooms. With one or two hours, add Ku-chikuri and Banjo Osakanakan; with half a day, include Yayoi no Yu.

Shop for Saiki's coastal and mountain products in one place

Pikaichi stocks freshly picked vegetables, products made with ginger and red shiso grown in Yayoi, processed Saiki seafood, local bread, and prepared foods. It is a place to look for gifts from both fishing town Saiki and inland Yayoi.

Fish, play equipment, and the riverside give children a change of pace

Banjo Osakanakan is a compact aquarium with fish from clear-running rivers and freshwater species from around the world. After the exhibits, the large playground equipment and waterside plaza offer outdoor options, making it easy to adjust a visit for rain or sunshine.

A practical stop before or after Saiki IC

The station is on National Route 10, about 10 minutes by car from Saiki IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway. It is convenient for restrooms, food, shopping, and a bath before or after travel toward Oita, Nobeoka, central Saiki, or Kamae.

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.

While traveling on National Route 10, when you want a taste of Saiki without changing your schedule

A 30–60 minute break for food and shopping

After parking, use the restroom, then browse Yayoi ginger and red shiso products, prepared foods, local bread, and processed Saiki seafood at Pikaichi. If the restaurant is serving, try dango-jiru, fried horse mackerel, or ginger soft-serve. Even without the baths or aquarium, you can take home a taste of Saiki's coast and inland area.

Park → restrooms → Pikaichi → Ku-chikuri or ginger soft-serve → depart.

Set meals and rice bowls have a shorter service window. Around or after 15:00, focus on soft-serve, drinks, and the market instead.

Families with primary-school children, especially those interested in fish and river life

Turn a children's break into an outing at the aquarium and playground

Banjo Osakanakan is a small aquarium where children can compare Banjo River fish with freshwater species from around the world. Afterwards, the large play equipment or waterside plaza lets them move after a car ride. At Ku-chikuri, children's lunch sets and udon provide options even when family members want different things.

Restrooms → Banjo Osakanakan → restaurant → large playground or waterside plaza → Pikaichi.

Preschoolers may enjoy a short visit to the exhibits paired with play equipment more than a long aquarium visit.

After sightseeing in Saiki, time at the sea or river, or a long drive

Add a bath to make the journey home more comfortable

Yayoi no Yu lists hours until 21:00, making it useful for an evening break. Bath prices change on Bath Day, the 26th of each month; allow extra time for possible crowds. Private family baths require reservations, so plan ahead when traveling with small children or companions who need one.

Drinks and gifts at Pikaichi → Yayoi no Yu → Cafe Rin or the journey home.

Hours can change on the second Tuesday or because of fuel supply or maintenance. For a bathing visit, check official social-media and Saiki tourism notices.

Adults and families with primary-school-age or older children looking for time by the water

Add the river, cycling, or SUP on a fine day

Beside the Banjo River, the station can serve as a meeting and refreshment point when rental cycling or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is offered. On hot days, you can shorten outdoor time and switch to the aquarium or baths.

Pikaichi → riverside walk or activity → restaurant → baths.

River activities depend on weather, rising water, and whether an operator is running them. Decide after checking local reception and availability.

Hours

Opening hours

Pikaichi Market

8:30〜17:30

Closed January 1. Pikaichi Day is held on the 8th of each month.

Ku-chikuri Restaurant

10:00〜16:00

Set meals, rice bowls, seafood champon noodles, and similar dishes are served 10:30–15:00; udon and soba are served 10:00–16:00. Drinks and soft-serve ice cream are available until 17:00, or 16:00 during maintenance. Closed January 1.

Banjo Osakanakan Aquarium

10:00〜17:00

Last admission is 16:45. Closed on the second Tuesday of each month, December 31, and January 1.

Yayoi no Yu Baths

10:00〜21:00

Bath admission closes at 20:20. Closed on the second Tuesday of each month. Private family baths require a reservation; reservation reception is 11:00–18:00.

Cafe Rin

11:00–17:00 (until 17:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays)

Last order is 16:30. Tuesday is the usual closing day.

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 or younger

★★★☆☆

Restrooms, the market, and short breaks are convenient.

Children who need diapers face restrictions on the communal baths. A short aquarium visit while being carried may suit them better than a long stay.

Ages 2–3

★★★★☆

It is easy to combine watching fish, moving around at the playground, and a soft-serve treat.

Watch the fish move, then make a short visit to the large playground rather than focusing on exhibit descriptions. On rainy days, center the aquarium.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Banjo Osakanakan and the waterside plaza give the stop a purpose beyond a break.

Children's dishes at the restaurant, the aquarium, and the playground make a good sequence for a change of pace during a drive.

Primary-school children

★★★★★

Clear-river fish, worldwide freshwater species, the riverside, and even SUP or cycling offer things to explore.

Children old enough to read exhibits and compare river life may get more from the visit. In summer, plan around heat and safety by the water.

On arrival

This makes the rest of the visit easier, whether you continue to the aquarium, playground, or baths.

On rainy days

Keep outdoor play and riverside walks short, and spend more time with exhibits and shopping.

On hot days

The riverside is attractive, but prioritize sun exposure and water safety at midday in high summer.

Before bathing

The baths have admission conditions. Family baths require reservations, so check ahead if they are central to your visit.

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

Pikaichi Day on the 8th of every month

From 8:30, this monthly event offers specials on vegetables, seafood, and original products. Visit earlier in the day for a wider shopping choice.

Bath Day on the 26th of every month

Admission prices at Yayoi no Yu change on this day. It may be a bargain but could be busier, so allow extra time if bathing is your main purpose.

Special and themed exhibitions at Banjo Osakanakan

Exhibitions and observation events run throughout the year. With primary-school children, check current programs as well as the regular exhibits before visiting.

Summer events in the Yayoi area

Events such as the Natsuyoi Festival and Kirari Yayoi Festa near the Yayoi Regional Community Center can be paired with food and shopping at the station before or after.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Choose between 30 minutes, two hours, or half a day

With a market, restaurant, aquarium, baths, and playground, trying everything at once can be tiring. For a brief stop, browse the market and have soft-serve; for two hours, combine the aquarium and restaurant; for half a day, add the baths.

Source: Official website and Saiki City Tourism Guide

Plan around the restaurant's lunchtime service

Ku-chikuri lists opening hours of 10:00–16:00, but set meals and rice bowls are listed for approximately 10:30–15:00. Go around lunchtime if eating is the main purpose; later, focus on soft-serve or the market.

Source: Official Ku-chikuri Restaurant page

Children may enjoy the aquarium more if they expect a compact venue

Visitor accounts describe a small aquarium with rewarding exhibits and chances to observe fish. Plan for a close look at Banjo River species rather than a large aquarium visit.

Source: Family visit accounts and Ikoyo visitor trends

Bathing can make the journey home more pleasant; check admission conditions first

Yayoi no Yu has communal baths, a sauna, reservable family baths, table tennis, and Cafe Rin. Closing days and conditions concerning diapers and tattoos also apply. With small children, keep another plan available in case the baths do not suit your group.

Source: Official Yayoi no Yu page and Saiki City Tourism Guide

For gifts that feel local, look at ginger, red shiso, and processed Saiki seafood

Alongside freshly picked vegetables, Pikaichi is particularly strong in Yayoi ginger and red shiso products, processed Saiki seafood, local bread, and prepared foods. Choose one coastal and one inland item for a pair of local gifts.

Source: Official Pikaichi Market page

Summer river time and ayu, autumn crab soup, and monthly events change the experience

As of July 2026, notices covered the ayu set meal, eel rice bowl, Pikaichi Day, and Natsuyoi Festival. Seasonal dishes and events can change, so treat these as a guide and check current notices.

Source: Official website and Saiki City Tourism Guide event listings

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 the restaurant is your main purpose, arrive around lunch within the set-meal and rice-bowl service window.
For shopping, start with Yayoi ginger and red shiso products, processed Saiki seafood, and prepared foods.
With children, split time between Banjo Osakanakan and the large playground; on rainy days, focus on the aquarium.
For bathing, check the second-Tuesday closure, temporary changes due to fuel supply, and family-bath reservation terms.
Pikaichi Day on the 8th and Bath Day on the 26th of each month can offer savings, but allow for crowds and sold-out items.
Riverside walks and rental cycling feel different with weather, heat, or rising water, so leave room to switch to an indoor facility.

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.

Local cuisine
Dango-jiru set meal (local soup with dough pieces)
Approximately ¥800
Local cuisine
Toriten set meal (Oita-style chicken tempura)
Approximately ¥800
Set meal
Fried horse mackerel set meal
Approximately ¥800
Seafood rice bowl
Boiled whitebait rice bowl
Approximately ¥750
Sweet treat
Ginger soft-serve ice cream
Approximately ¥350
Seasonal menu (spring only)
Ayu (sweetfish) set meal
Check official notices for when it is served

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.

Make lunch the main event

Dango-jiru, toriten, fried horse mackerel, seafood champon, boiled whitebait rice bowl

For a substantial meal before or after Saiki IC, choose between local dishes and seafood.

Set meals, rice bowls, and seafood champon are generally served 10:30–15:00. Check the latest official menu.

Choose by season

Spring ayu set meal, autumn gani-jiru crab soup, limited-time autumn mackerel cutlet, winter amazake (sweet fermented rice drink)

For a stronger taste of Yayoi, look for river fish and local dishes when they appear in seasonal notices.

As of September 2026, a limited-time Saiki autumn mackerel cutlet was advertised. Gani-jiru is an autumn dish, but a 2026 start date had not been posted officially. Check on-site notices for end dates and quantities.

Buy something to take home

Ginger pork sauce, ginger dressing, kabosu citrus and ginger syrup, red shiso dressing, Umi to Yama Nori seaweed

Even if you eat elsewhere, Yayoi ginger and red shiso products and processed Saiki seafood give you something local to take home.

A light stop with children

Children's lunch set, children's udon, ginger soft-serve, seasonal soft-serve, fries

For a short rest before or after the aquarium or playground. If a full restaurant meal is too much, choose soft-serve or browse the market.

Options when busy or outside meal hours

Market boxed meals and prepared foods, local bread, Cafe Rin, drinks

If you miss the lunch rush or cannot get into the restaurant, look for prepared foods or boxed meals that can be heated at the market, then rest by the river or in the car.

Boxed meals and prepared foods may sell out, and availability varies by day of the week.

Access