Roadside Station Buzen Okoshikake

Michi no Ekiben was born at this station!
Local kagura can be seen in the fall.

　The name "Buzen Okoshikake" is also a curious one. In fact, the name comes from a legend that Empress Jingu took a rest sitting on a stone here during her pilgrimage along the Bozen Road. The specialty of this area is yuzu (a type of citrus fruit) from the terraced rice paddies of Buzen. Yuzu paste, an original product of the station, is processed into jam and other products. Another pride of the station is that it is the "birthplace of roadside ekiben" (boxed lunches). The first station master came up with the idea of offering a locally-oriented bento at roadside stations in contrast to the bento sold at railroad stations, and the concept has since spread to other roadside stations throughout Japan. Bento made by local high school students are also popular. In addition, the local Kyochiku Kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed in the fall, much to the delight of tourists.

Map of Roadside Station Buzen Okoshikake

Gourmet Information of Roadside Station Buzen Okoshikake

Local product: Bizen Tanada Yuzu (Yuzu citrus)

　Kyushu is home to many yuzu production areas, and in winter they can be found at roadside stations and produce stands. At its peak, Bizen terraced rice paddies were shipped to the Tokyo metropolitan area, but they temporarily went into decline due to a lack of successors and other factors. Currently, the local community is focusing on production activities. Yuzu paste" made by the local women's association is a limited edition product available only at the roadside station! It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including as a topping for yogurt. 140g 480 yen and up.

Local products: Toyomae oyster and Toyomae crab

　Oyster cultivation in the Toyomae Sea began in the 1980s. The name "oysters" comes from the fact that "each oyster is carefully polished and shipped in its shell. The oysters are full of minerals from the nutrient-rich Toyomae Sea, and are characterized by their large size in relation to their shells, which is a source of pride. The plump flesh is full of flavor and has a rich taste.
　On the other hand, the Toyomae main crab is the blue king crab, which is caught on the tidal flats of the vast Toyomae Sea. In fact, the Buzen Sea is one of the largest sources of blue crabs in Japan. Only large and well-filled crabs are shipped under the brand name of "Buzen Hongani". The male crabs in fall and the female crabs in winter are considered delicious because they are pregnant with eggs.

This is a roadside eki-ben.

　Ekiben (boxed lunches) are a favorite accompaniment for travelers. Ekiben are one of the pleasures of visiting a roadside station. As the birthplace of ekiben, the ekiben are diverse and change every year. The bento produced by the cooking club of the local Seiho High School are also popular for their ideas that are unique to high school students. So, which bento boxed lunch should you try today?

Information around Roadside Station Buzen Okoshikake

Keichiku Kagura

I'm proud of this one too.

　In the Kyotsuki district of two cities and five towns in the northeastern part of the prefecture, including Toyomae City, there is a mountain of Shugendo, and kagura has been handed down from ancient times. Even today, 30 kagura groups dedicate their performances. Regular performances are held several times a year at the Toyomae Okoshikake Roadside Station in the station square.

Maple schoolhouse and big desks & chairs

Maple schoolhouse and big desks & chairs

　Momiji Gakusha is an exchange facility that utilizes the former Kamikawasoko Elementary School, which was closed in 1997, and is a one-story wooden school building built in 1955. The café's food is prepared in the lunchroom and served in the principal's office and reception room. Live music is sometimes performed in the auditorium. The most popular attraction are the huge wooden chairs and desks placed in the schoolyard. They are so large that you can look up at them, just like Gulliver's chair and desk. The chairs can be climbed up, and the view from there is exhilarating.