Roadside Station Koishiwara

The "Village of Pottery (Sue)" with 400 years of history
Shopping for mountain village products and Koishiwara Pottery

　The area, once called "Koishiwara Village," has been producing mainly miscellaneous daily life ware as a domain kiln of the Kuroda Clan since the early Edo period (1603-1868). The roadside station is located right across from Sarayama, the birthplace of Koishiwara-yaki, and serves as a direct sales center for Koishiwara-yaki and Takatori-yaki, which are the roots of Koishiwara-yaki, featuring works from about 50 potteries. The Koishiwara-yaki and Takatori-yaki direct sales shop, "Pottery Village," will be renovated in April 2022 with brighter and easier-to-see product displays. The pottery fans will appreciate the easy-to-understand characteristics of each kiln. The product hall offers shiitake mushrooms, yuzu (citrus fruit), yuzu pepper, wild vegetables, miso, and other simple mountain village products. Locally made handmade steamed buns also convey a sense of warmth and gentleness. Although the station is small and cozy, it is well-liked as a base for visiting pottery studios.

Roadside Station Koishiwara Map

Roadside Station Koishiwara Gourmet Information

Buy Yuzu Vinegar Honey and Drinking Tomato Vinegar

　These two station-only products were made using yuzu (a local specialty of the village) and highland tomatoes. The "Yuzu Vinegar Honey" combines fresh yuzu with vinegar and honey from Ezaki Brewery Vinegar in Yame City. The "Drink Tomato Vinegar" is also blended with fruit vinegar and pomegranate juice from the same brewery. Both are a welcome souvenir for health and beauty. Both are priced at 700 yen (tax included).

The best way to eat it: Ebi-ten Kurogoma-men (shrimp tempura with black sesame)

　This is a specialty of Kodachi restaurant at the roadside station. It is made with special noodles kneaded with mineral-rich, fragrant black sesame, and garnished with chopped nori, shiso leaves, shredded carrots, shelled radish, and prawn tempura. Enjoy the flavor of black sesame and the smoothness of the noodles. 950 yen (tax included). Jugurin Udon is also a popular menu item at this restaurant.

Around Koishiwara Roadside Station

Koishiwara Pottery Traditional Industry Hall

If you want to have fun in the area

　Representative works from each of the Koishiwara potteries and masterpieces from past generations are all on display, as well as materials on the approximately 400-year history of Koishiwara pottery. Visitors can also try their hand at making pottery by making reservations. The pieces made during the hands-on experience will be fired in the kiln at a later date before being delivered to you. A climbing kiln is displayed outside. The village holds the "Minto-mura Festival" in spring and fall.