Roadside Station Yamauchi

Black is good?
Gastronomic power of black products

Kurogami," one of Kyushu's 100 most famous mountains, and the town offers a lineup of rare specialties such as black rice, black radish, black garlic, and black watermelon with a black-green rind. The processed products are also unique, such as "black rice rice rice balls," "black rice bread," and "black rice pasta.

Roadside Station Yamauchi Map

Roadside Station Yamauchi Gourmet Information

Black rice, a local product

The roadside station's specialty is black rice, a type of ancient rice. The rice is grown at the foot of Mt. Kurogami using spring water from the mountain and with reduced use of agricultural chemicals. Black rice is rich in anthocyanin, an antioxidant, and is believed to have anti-aging effects, strengthen liver function, and prevent eye strain. It also contains vitamins, iron, protein, calcium, and magnesium. If added to white rice, it gives the rice a purple, firm texture. It tastes even better when cooked with a little natural salt. Ohagi (rice balls), udon noodles, pasta, bread, etc. made from this black rice are also sold at the station. 300 g 800 yen (tax included).

Buy this one too! Lemongrass tea

Herbal teas are popular among women. Lemon verbena, lemon balm, and lemongrass teas, which taste and smell like lemons, are particularly popular. Lemongrass tea sold at the roadside station is organically grown by Takeo Sodachi Lemongrass Happy Farmers, an agricultural corporation. By utilizing abandoned farmland and planting fast-growing lemongrass, the farmers are able to increase the earnings of aging farmers. This was the idea behind the project. The organic herb is grown in idle terraced rice paddies halfway up a mountain, where other farmers' pesticides cannot reach. The freshness of lemon spreads in your mouth the moment you take a sip. It is a perfect cup for an afternoon break. Tea packets (10 bags) are priced at 750 yen including tax.

Around Roadside Station Yamauchi

Takeo Onsen

If you want to have fun in the area

The symbol of Takeo Onsen is the dragon palace-like Takeo Onsen Tower Gate designed by Kingo Tatsuno. The hot spring has a history of more than 1,000 years, and is famous for the baths "Tonoyu" and "Ieroyu," which have existed since the Edo period (1603-1868). Takeo Onsen Toromon and Takeo Onsen Shinkan are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. The Takeo Onsen Shinkan is open to the public free of charge as a museum, where visitors can see the baths of the time and the baths built for Emperor Taisho. In addition, the "Tono-sama-yu," a bathhouse made of marble that was once exclusively for the lord of the domain, is available for 3,800 yen per room for one hour.