Roadside Station Namino

The cool plateau brings
Enjoy the aroma and flavor of buckwheat

Roadside Station Hano" is located along Route 57 near the border between Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures. It is marked by a large lantern with "Kagura-en" written on it hanging from the tower. Hano soba (buckwheat noodles), grown in the cool environment of the highlands, is a specialty of the area, and a flour mill and noodle factory are located on the premises. The soba sold at the souvenir center is, of course, directly shipped from the mill. The restaurant serves freshly milled and freshly made soba noodles, and there is also a hands-on soba-making workshop that accepts reservations for two people or more (reservation required). You can taste the finished soba at the restaurant (extra charge required). (extra charge required).

Roadside Station Hano Map

Roadside Station Hano Gourmet Information

Here's what to eat: Namino Soba

Hano is known as a soba production area. The climate of Aso, with its extreme temperature differences, nurtures the delicious Hano soba. The soba is grown in a well-drained volcanic ash field, which is ideal for soba, which does not like moisture. You can taste freshly ground soba produced in Hano at "Soba Restaurant Iwatokai. The best time to visit is around November, when new buckwheat noodles are available. Zaru soba is 750 yen (tax not included), tenzaru 1,200 yen (tax not included), etc. Don't forget to pick up some dried noodles as souvenirs. Don't forget to pick up some dried noodles as a souvenir.

Buy this Cabbage dressing made from cabbage.

In fact, Hano is one of the best cabbage growing areas in Kyushu. The cabbage grown in the highlands of Hano is so sweet that it is called "sweet cabbage. This long-selling product, made from such cabbage and grated, is not only good with cabbage, but also with any vegetables. Also good for carpaccio sauce. 540 yen (tax included)

Around Roadside Station Namino

ancient Shinto music and dancing

I'm proud of this one too.

In Hano, Aso City, kagura is passed down in two villages, Nakae and Yokobori. The "Kagura Festival" held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October every year is a well-known event where you can enjoy both kagura and Hano soba noodles at the same time. Groups from Oita, Kumamoto, and Shimane prefectures perform their own distinctive kagura. The Nakae Iwato Kagura of Nakae Village has a history of about 250 years and has been designated a national intangible folk cultural property. Regular performances are held on the first Sundays of April through November, except when participating in the Kagura Festival, at a dedicated outdoor kagura hall. Admission is free.