Roadside Station Imari

This is the only place where Imari beef is sold directly!
A wide selection of seasonal fruits

Operated by JA Imari, there is a direct sales shop for Imari beef, a brand of beef produced in Saga Prefecture. In fact, this is the only place where JA Imari's Imari beef meat can be purchased by the general public! Fruits are also available in abundance, including specialty Imari pears and grapes, kumquats in early spring, and peaches and plums in July. Processed products made from Imari pears, such as jam, dressing, and yakiniku sauce, are also available.

Roadside Station Imari Map

Roadside Station Imari Gourmet Information

Here are the station's prized items
Yakiniku Sauce with Imari Pear and Sesame Dressing with Imari Pear

Imari City is also known for its pears. Grown without bags, they are directly exposed to the sun's blessings. The "Hosui" pears, which have no taste or quality problems but are out of standard and cannot be sold in stores, are used in yakiniku sauce and dressings. The sweet taste of "Hosui" makes for a mild-tasting sesame dressing that can be used not only as a dressing for vegetable salads, but also as a sauce for shabu-shabu, udon noodles, and fried foods. Also. Pears contain enzymes that tenderize meat, so they taste even better if you marinate them in "Imari Nashi Iri Yakiniku No Sauce" before grilling. How about buying some meat at the Imari Beef Direct Seller at the Roadside Station and having Imari Beef Yakiniku with a little extra zest? 440 yen each (tax included).

Imari Beef

After all, what can be said about Imari beef? Imari beef is not only tender, but even the fat is sweet, delicious, and aromatic. It is also proud of the fact that it does not become tough even when overcooked. The Imari Beef Direct Sales at the Roadside Station is the only place where you can buy JA Imari's Imari Beef. In addition to meat, processed products such as hamburgers are also available.

Photo courtesy of Saga Prefecture Tourism Federation

Let's buy this one too! Black rice udon

The black rice grown at Denden Farm in the Kawauchino area is designated as rank A among "Saga Prefecture Specially Cultivated Agricultural Products," which means that no chemical pesticides or fertilizers are used. When boiled for about 8 minutes, the udon turns a beautiful purple color due to the polyphenol contained in the black rice. The texture is firm and the simple sweetness of the black rice spreads through the noodles. 400 yen (tax included) for a bag of 3 batches of 80g. Black rice pasta is also available, with the same features and price.

Around Roadside Station Imari

Imari ware (Okawa Uchiyama)

If you want to have fun in the area

Hizen pottery includes Arita-yaki, Imari-yaki, Karatsu-yaki, Hasami-yaki, and Mikawachi-yaki. Among these, Arita-yaki and Imari-yaki have a history of attracting the aristocracy of European countries. Because they were shipped from the port of Imari, they were called "Imariyaki," which also includes Arita-yaki. Even today, Imari is still a pottery town, with more than 20 kilns scattered around Okawachiyama, which flourished as the domain kiln of Nabeshima. You can find your favorite pottery while touring around the kilns.