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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Miyazaki Prefecture · Kyushu

Roadside Station Kitagawa Hayuma

道の駅 北川はゆま

Just off Kitagawa IC, this roadside station offers a taste of Miyazaki at its northern gateway, with fresh whitebait rice bowls, chicken nanban and Tsuki no Shio fried chicken.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Nobeoka City
Road
National Route 10 / Higashi-Kyushu Expressway
Hours
8:30–18:00
Indicative hours for the local products shop and takeaway. Restaurant service starts at 11:00, with last orders at 17:00. Check official notices for New Year holidays and event days.
Parking
Cars: 108 / Large vehicles: 25
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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.

First thing to eat
Fresh whitebait rice bowl or chicken nanban set meal

The restaurant opens at 11:00. Around lunchtime, keep takeaway as an option rather than relying on one restaurant meal.

Take home
Tsuki no Shio fried chicken, melon bread and Nobegaku pudding

Prepared foods, bread and sweets make it easy to pick something for the journey home, even after a meal.

With children
Use the children's corner and takeaway for a short stop

This is more suited to a meal, toilet and sweet treat than a long play stop. For outdoor activity, continue toward Kitagawa Wetland or Hotaru no Yakata.

Explore nearby
Kitagawa Wetland, Hotaru no Yakata and the Saigo Takamori Encampment Site Museum

Choose nearby nature, firefly and outdoor information, or history. Leave the Houri River area for a day with more time.

Yakumo's stopover notes

Even when you cannot dine in, Kitagawa Hayuma has plenty of good food options.

It would be a shame to remember this station only for its convenient location just off Kitagawa IC. At lunch, try a fresh whitebait rice bowl or chicken nanban; for a short break, choose Tsuki no Shio fried chicken, melon bread or Nobegaku pudding soft serve. Decide on one food goal before browsing the shop, and the stop will feel like an arrival in northern Miyazaki. If you want to move outdoors, head to Kitagawa Wetland or Hotaru no Yakata after the station rather than extending your stop here.

Highlights

Roadside Station Kitagawa Hayuma is a rest stop in northern Miyazaki where Kitagawa IC on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway meets National Route 10. At the restaurant, choose a fresh whitebait rice bowl from the Hyuga-nada Sea, chicken nanban, a fried chicken dish that originated in Nobeoka, or the Himuka set meal with hiyajiru, chilled miso soup served over rice. The shop offers Tsuki no Shio salt-seasoned fried chicken, melon bread from Hayuma Bakery, Nobegaku pudding and soft serve, giving even a short stop a food destination. After eating, make a short trip to Kitagawa Wetland, Hotaru no Yakata or the Saigo Takamori Encampment Site Museum; head toward Houri River for nature and a hot spring if you have more time.

  • #Fresh whitebait rice bowl
  • #Chicken nanban
  • #Tsuki no Shio fried chicken
  • #Nobegaku pudding
  • #Hayuma Bakery
  • #Kitagawa IC
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Taste northern Miyazaki with fresh whitebait rice bowls and chicken nanban

Restaurant favorites include the fresh whitebait rice bowl, chicken nanban set meal and Himuka set meal. If you have time to eat in, a plate here offers a taste of Nobeoka beyond a quick expressway break. Choose fresh whitebait for seafood, chicken nanban for a Miyazaki specialty of fried chicken with sweet-and-sour sauce, or the Himuka set to try a little of both.

02

The shop and takeaway make a satisfying stop on their own

Tsuki no Shio salt-seasoned fried chicken, Nobegaku pudding, mango or Hyuganatsu citrus soft serve, and Hayuma Bakery melon bread give you options when a restaurant wait does not fit. On a short break, the toilets, fried chicken or soft serve, then the souvenir shop make a manageable sequence.

03

Just off Kitagawa IC, with the ease of an expressway service stop

The station is at the junction of the toll-free section of the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway and National Route 10. It is convenient when heading north from central Nobeoka or entering Miyazaki from Oita. With 24-hour toilets and an information room, it is useful as a rest stop outside meal hours too.

04

Continue to Kitagawa Wetland, fireflies and Saigo Takamori's history

A few minutes from the station, Kitagawa Wetland offers seasonal views of kohone yellow pond lilies and dragonflies. The Hotaru no Yakata area is a place for June fireflies and outdoor information, while the Saigo Takamori Encampment Site Museum makes a short history stop. After eating and shopping, you can add a little of Kitagawa's nature or history.

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 day when you pass Kitagawa IC from 11:00 through the 14:00 hour

Make lunch your goal and sample northern Miyazaki in one stop

If you arrive during restaurant hours, choose among the fresh whitebait rice bowl, chicken nanban set meal and Himuka set meal. For adults, fresh whitebait and hiyajiru, chilled miso soup with rice, make a useful combination; with children, chicken nanban or mini udon may make the choice easier.

Park → toilets → restaurant → shop for fried chicken, pudding and souvenirs → depart.

Prices are guides based on the official menu at the time it was checked. Supply, seasonal menus and group bookings can affect availability.

Travel in the morning or evening, or outside the lunch rush

Take a 15-minute break with sweets and prepared foods, without dining in

The local products shop and takeaway still offer a taste of the station. Combine Tsuki no Shio fried chicken, mango or Hyuganatsu citrus soft serve, Nobegaku pudding soft serve and melon bread for a short break that feels like an arrival in Miyazaki.

24-hour toilets → takeaway → shop → prepare drinks for the drive.

Limited soft-serve flavors and fair items may sell out. Check the station's official social media posts if you want a particular item.

A fine day when you want to give children a little outdoor experience

Add Kitagawa Wetland for a short nature walk after eating

Kitagawa Wetland is a few minutes' drive from Kitagawa IC. Kohone pond-lily flowers, dragonflies and other waterside creatures change with the seasons. After a meal and toilet stop at the station, a brief visit makes this a gateway to Kitagawa rather than just a rest break.

Station → Kitagawa Wetland → Hotaru no Yakata for outdoor information if needed → return journey.

The wetland is suited to observation. After rain, and in heat or insect season, check the ground and conditions and keep the visit manageable.

An evening or half-day drive with time to spare

See fireflies in June, or continue to the river and hot spring in summer

Kitagawa is associated with fireflies and clear streams. Gather information around Hotaru no Yakata and Hotaru no Yado, then continue toward Houri River Onsen if time allows. Eating and shopping at the station first helps you prepare before heading into the mountains.

Station → Hotaru no Yakata and Kitagawa General Sports Park → Houri River Onsen, or return journey.

Firefly sightings vary with weather, season and time of day. Check the operating days of the onsen and outdoor facilities before setting out.

Hours

Opening hours

Local products shop
8:30〜18:00

Miyazaki souvenirs, local vegetables, prepared foods and Tsuki no Shio fried chicken, among other items.

Restaurant
11:00〜17:00 L.O.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism lists closing at 17:30 and last orders at 17:00. Check the official website for current hours.

Takeaway
8:30〜18:00 L.O.

Check the day's notices for the availability of soft serve, coffee and light meals.

Closed days
Open year-round

Hours change over the New Year holidays.

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
★★★☆☆

Suited to a short use of the nursing room, 24-hour toilets and shop for a break.

Rather than staying long, use the toilets and get drinks and food you can eat in the car.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Soft serve and the children's corner offer a brief change of pace.

Do not plan on a place for extended running around inside the station. For outdoor movement, head toward Kitagawa Wetland or Hotaru no Yakata.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Easy to combine a meal, sweet treat, shopping and a short nature stop.

A clear food goal such as chicken nanban, mini udon or soft serve helps the visit go smoothly.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Extend the conversation to Kitagawa Wetland, fireflies and Saigo Takamori's history.

A short stop to see wetland dragonflies or the museum after eating can make the area more memorable.

Before dining

At the lunch rush, use the toilets first and switch to takeaway if the wait is long.

Rainy day

Skip a forced wetland or riverside trip; shopping and a snack make a satisfying short stop.

Fine day

Adding 10–30 minutes of nature or learning after eating changes the feel of the 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

Seasonal fairs and events

In 2026, the official website announced a 30th anniversary festival in July, the Roadside Station Chestnut Fair on September 12–13, and a Harvest Moon fair on September 25 with reserved delivery sales of Tsuki no Shio fried chicken and moon-viewing dango dumplings. All have ended; check the latest official website and social media notices for future events.

New-product notices on the official website and social media

Summer menus, new breads, limited soft-serve flavors and new items in the local products shop appear frequently. If food is your reason for visiting, check recent posts for what is available.

Woodworking experience facility

Woodworking at Hayuma Hall requires a reservation. The nameplate-making session is a request booking through Jalan.net, generally accepting reservations only for Saturdays and Sundays. It is listed at ¥800 and about 60–90 minutes, but a booking may be unavailable, so confirm in advance.

Firefly and clear-stream season

The impression of June fireflies, Kitagawa Wetland plants from around April to November, and summer river play or trips toward the onsen changes with the weather.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

For a restaurant visit, start with fresh whitebait and chicken nanban

Fresh whitebait rice bowls and chicken nanban come up repeatedly in the official menu, tourism information and visitor reports. For a first visit with room for just one dish, either gives you a taste of the station.

Source: Official restaurant and Miyazaki Tourism Navi

Takeaway can save a lunch rush or event-day stop

Reviews often rate meals highly, but the parking area, shop and restaurant tend to get busy on holidays and event days. Keeping fried chicken, soft serve or melon bread as an alternative helps your travel plan stay flexible.

Source: Visitor trends on Jalan, Tabelog and Retty

The wetland experience changes with season and weather

Kohone pond lilies flower from spring into autumn, and dragonflies and other waterside creatures change with the season. The wetland's footing, heat and insects matter, so a short visit after a station break is realistic.

Source: Nobeoka Tourism Association and Nobeoka City

For June fireflies, check time and weather

Kitagawa is known for Genji fireflies. If they are the aim, get an early-evening snack at the station and adjust your visit to local temperature, rain and time of day.

Source: Nobeoka City and Hotaru no Yado
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.

  • For lunch, time your visit for the restaurant's 11:00 opening.
  • Choose your main dish in advance: fresh whitebait rice bowl, chicken nanban or Himuka set meal.
  • On holidays or event days, leave room to switch to fried chicken, soft serve or melon bread.
  • For Kitagawa Wetland, check insects, heat and footing and keep the visit short.
  • For fireflies, check the season, weather, time of darkness and nearby facilities' operating days before setting out.
  • For New Year hours, limited menus, fair items and woodworking, check recent official website and social media notices.
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
    Fresh whitebait rice bowl
    About ¥1,200
  • Restaurant
    Chicken nanban set meal
    About ¥1,200
  • Restaurant
    Himuka set meal
    About ¥1,680
  • Local products shop / prepared food
    Tsuki no Shio fried chicken
    A popular prepared food in the shop
  • Takeaway
    Nobegaku pudding soft serve
    About ¥450
  • Hayuma Bakery
    Classic melon bread / Tsuki no Shio salt melon bread
    Prices and limited sizes vary by season
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
Choose the main dish at the restaurant

Fresh whitebait rice bowl, chicken nanban set meal, Himuka set meal, Hayuma special set meal

When lunch is the reason for stopping. Choose between seafood, a dish that originated in Nobeoka, and a Miyazaki-style set meal.

Restaurant hours are approximately 11:00 to 17:00 last order. Prices are based on the official menu dated June 1, 2026.

Cool off with takeaway

Hyuganatsu citrus soft serve, mango soft serve, Nobegaku pudding soft serve, coffee

Good for a break without dining in, a change of pace for children or summer travel.

Limited flavors and promotional prices vary by quantity and period.

Bring something home from the shop

Tsuki no Shio fried chicken, local vegetables, Miyazaki souvenirs, local sake, Nobegaku pudding

When you want something to enjoy at your lodging or at home. Shopping still has a purpose after a meal.

Have a small bite at the bakery

Classic melon bread, Tsuki no Shio salt melon bread, monthly special breads

Handy for a morning or evening break, or a light bite outside restaurant hours.

Check notices for new breads and giant sizes offered only in certain months or on weekends.

An option when it is crowded

Soft serve, fried chicken, melon bread and drinks

Switch to these during the lunch rush, group visits or event days when it is hard to get into the restaurant.

On seasonal fair days, such as the chestnut fair, the parking area and shop may also be busy. Consider a short stop or a nearby excursion first.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Roadside Station Kitagawa Hayuma

Just off Kitagawa IC, this roadside station offers a taste of Miyazaki at its northern gateway, with fresh whitebait rice bowls, chicken nanban and Tsuki no Shio fried chicken.

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

Nature watching and seasonal walks
Kitagawa Wetland and kohone pond liliesJapanese guide
About 3–5 minutes by carAbout 3–5 minutes by car

Good for a brief nature stop on a fine day after a meal and toilet break at the station.

Fireflies and outdoor information
Hotaru no Yakata and the Hotaru no Yado areaJapanese guide
About 10 minutes by carAbout 10 minutes by car

For June fireflies or a clear-stream outing, use the station to get a light meal and supplies first.

History and a short museum visit
Saigo Takamori Encampment Site MuseumJapanese guide
About 5 minutes by carAbout 5 minutes by car

A brief Kitagawa history stop after eating, suitable for adult travelers or an educational visit with elementary-school-age children and older.

Hot spring and mountain drive
Hourigawa Onsen Bijin no Yu (祝子川温泉 美人の湯)Japanese guide
About 40–50 minutes by carAbout 40–50 minutes by car

For a day with enough time to eat and shop at the station before continuing to mountain scenery and the hot spring.

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Updated 2026-09-27Explore the nationwide map →