Roadside Station Yamato

One million visitors per year!
Communicating the charm of rural areas to urban visitors

All of the main local produce has a production history. Moreover, the freshness of the produce is strictly controlled, with fast-growing leafy greens only available for one day, and root vegetables only available for two days. The store also offers processed products such as the district's specialty "Shiratama Manju" (white ball buns), konnyaku (Japanese jelly made from fresh water), confectionery, and even Nao washi (Japanese paper). The most prized of all are the Matsubai area's traditional winter dried persimmons and their processed products. Dried persimmon yokan, dried persimmon dressing, dried persimmon pound cake, etc. are sold. The original soft serve is also called "dried persimmon soft serve! It is evident that the "roadside station" is a place that places importance on local products.

Map of Roadside Station Yamato

Roadside Station Yamato Gourmet Information

Buy it! Shiratama Manjuu (white ball buns)

Despite the name "buns," the texture of the buns is soft and chewy, almost like dumplings. The skin is made of twice-steamed Uruchi rice. It has been more than 130 years since "Ganso Yoshinoya" first opened its shop. Currently, in addition to this store, "Honke Tokiwa-ke" and "Honke Ikeno-ke" also sell the dumplings. The best-before date is the day of purchase. Since they do not keep for long, they are more for personal use than for souvenirs.

Let's buy dried persimmon

Dried persimmons have been produced in the Matsubai area for 300 years. The persimmons are peeled by hand, dried for about a month, and then exposed to the cold mountain winds to increase their sweetness. The melt-in-your-mouth sweetness is irresistible. Moreover, the outside is soft and fluffy, while the inside is soft and tender. The sweetness of the persimmons is very popular. Sold from December to February every year. 500 yen for 3 pieces, 800 yen for 6 pieces (tax included)

Around Roadside Station Yamato

Kawakamikyo Spring Festival

If you want to have fun in the area

Every year, from mid-March to late May, approximately 300 carp streamers are hoisted on the Kanjin Bridge on the Kase River and swim gracefully above the surface of the river. In fact, Kawakamikyo Gorge is a scenic spot known as "Kyushu's Storm Mountain. Every year on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during this period, the sightseeing houseboat "Yodohime" will be in operation. (Cancelled in 2020, undecided in 2021). Various local events are also held, including the "Kawabiraki Festival," the nighttime opening and lighting up of the Gigantic Stone Park during the cherry blossom season, and the Yodohime Shrine Grand Festival.

Kumanokawa Onsen, Koyu Onsen

If you want to have fun in the area

Kumanokawa Onsen is said to have been discovered by Kobo Daishi when he saw waterfowl bathing in the hot spring on his way across Japan. Currently, there are only three inns and three day-trip bathing facilities. The spring is a simple, slightly radioactive spring. There are 14 inns and the springs are alkaline simple hot springs. The springs are alkaline simple hot springs, and both are warm and suitable for a long soak.