One of the most popular in Japan! Let's take a look at the charms of Yamagata's "Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa"!

"Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa" is a popular destination nationwide

"Michi-no-Eki (Roadside stations) ", which originated in Japan, started as a suggestion that "it would be nice to have stations on the roads that have toilets like train stations," and were created as facilities with functions for resting, disseminating information, and linking the local community. Today, there are over 1,200 roadside stations all over Japan, and many unique facilities have been created that make use of the resources and characteristics of their local communities.

Many of them mainly have facilities such as shops selling local specialties, food courts where you can taste local ingredients, and tourist information centers, and many people visit roadside stations not just to take a break, but as a purpose-built place. They are classic tourist spots that you definitely want to visit when you come to Japan.

Among the many roadside stations, the one that has repeatedly won the top spots in the National Roadside Station Grand Prix is "Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa" It opened in April 2018 and has had over 10 million visitors in just six years.

From here, we will introduce the reasons for the popularity of Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa and provide some useful information.
*All information and product prices in the article are current as of December 2024.

Enjoy gourmet food and shopping at Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa

Yonezawa beef steak restaurant "Gyubitei"

"Gyubitei" is a restaurant where you can taste "Yonezawa Beef", the world-famous Japanese beef from Yonezawa. The restaurant has specialized staff who are experts on Yonezawa Beef, and you can choose your favorite cut while looking at the meat lined up in the showcase. Various cuts are available every day, so try to experience the difference in taste and texture of each cut.

Furthermore, Ushibitei is the first restaurant in Japan that is allowed to serve raw Yonezawa beef, and you can enjoy delicacies that can only be tasted here, such as beef sashimi and yukhoe. You are sure to encounter new tastes!

A food court where you can try a variety of Yonezawa specialties

If you want to enjoy Yonezawa cuisine in a more casual way, we recommend the food court. There are three restaurants: "Kenshin-tei" where you can enjoy Yonezawa beef and domestic wagyu beef, "Bishamon" which is popular for its Yonezawa ramen and spicy miso ramen, and "Juwari-an" which serves Yamagata's specialty Japanese soba. Even if each member of the family has different preferences, you can enjoy a variety of Yonezawa gourmet foods here!

Don't be fooled by the menu, which is just a food court offering. The authentic flavors, made using ingredients that Yonezawa is proud of, are the reason for its popularity.

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The popular "Yonezawa Beef Sushi Platter (950 yen)" at Kenshin-tei has a delicious melt-in-the-mouth texture.

All stores use a meal ticket system for ordering, so please purchase a meal ticket in advance from the ticket machine and then hand it over to the store.

You can purchase meal tickets for all stores from the ticket vending machines installed next to each store. In addition to cash, you can also use credit cards, electronic money, and QR payments.

When the food is ready, the number on your ticket will be announced and displayed on the monitor. When your number is displayed, collect your food at the pickup counter. When you're done eating, don't forget to return your dishes to the return counter.

Monitor showing call number

If you're feeling a bit hungry, we recommend the Yonezawa beef skewers, croquettes, and seasonal soft serve ice cream at the "Food Pit" corner. Please purchase a ticket from the Food Pit ticket vending machine on the food court side. You can also order directly from the order counter on the free rest area side.

A great place to shop for fresh local vegetables and souvenirs

The local products area is a place where you can experience the rich food culture of Yonezawa and Yamagata and the bounty of each season.

This farm shop, which is known for its freshness and peace of mind, is packed with delicious local products, including seasonal vegetables and fruits, Yonezawa beef products, rice, side dishes, and bento boxes.

Don't miss out on the original products from Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa!

The local specialty store sells crafts that reflect the culture and traditions of Yonezawa, making it the perfect place to buy a memento of your trip.

There is also a sake section with a wide selection of Yamagata's finest sake! Yamagata is famous for its rice and fruit, nurtured by its abundant nature and clean water, and is dotted with many sake breweries and wineries. Be sure to purchase Yamagata's highly acclaimed sake and wine.

Outside, there is a "Yonezawa Beef Vending Machine," which is probably the only one in Yonezawa! You can easily purchase frozen Yonezawa Beef meat and pre-cooked products, such as meat for yakiniku and mini beef skewers.
*To heat up pre-cooked items, please use the microwave at the convenience store on the premises.

Various services useful for sightseeing and touring the city

For all your Yonezawa sightseeing needs, leave it to us! General Tourist Information Center

The General Tourist Information Center provides tourist information and suggests sightseeing courses. It is characterized by its detailed support, such as arranging accommodation and transportation, and planning group trips. Please contact the General Tourist Information Center if you would like to rent a bicycle or use the wheelchairs in the building. Souvenirs are also available.

Perfect for touring the city! Rental bicycles

The bicycle rentals available at the general tourist information center are perfect for touring the city.

The most popular tourist spot in Yonezawa, Uesugi Shrine, is about a 30-minute bike ride from the Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa. Around the shrine, you'll find the Uesugi Museum, the Uesugi Count's Residence, and the Toko Sake Brewery, a sake brewing museum.

If you ride another 10 minutes by bicycle from Uesugi Shrine, you can reach the Uesugi Mausoleum, which enshrines the successive lords of the Uesugi Yonezawa Domain, and the Wakuwaku-kan Dyeing and Weaving Workshop, where you can experience traditional Yonezawa weaving.

Why not take advantage of a rental bicycle and enjoy a trip that will allow you to experience the history of Yonezawa?

[Bicycle rental]
- Number of bicycles available for rental: 15 (2 bicycles with child seats)
・Usage hours: 9:00-17:00
・Fee: 1,000 yen for up to 4 hours, 2,000 yen for up to 8 hours
・How to use: Please apply at the general tourist information desk. Advance reservations are also available.Rental is suspended during the winter.

Other services and facilities

[Convenience store (ATM)]
・Business hours: 7:00-21:00
・Seven Bank ATMs available
・Many souvenirs not available in the local products area
・Bus tickets and coupon tickets for JR Sendai Station also available

[One Coin Taxi]
Taxis are available between JR Yonezawa Station and Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa for 500 yen per car, one way.
How to use

[EV charging station]
・Number of vehicles: 1 (up to 30 minutes per use)
・Usage hours: Available 24 hours
・Usage fee: NCS card 17 yen/min, QR code 20 yen/min
・Payment method: NCS compatible card or Eco Q card *Cash cannot be used.

[Services and facilities available 24 hours a day]
・Toilets, nursing rooms, free rest areas

[Road Information Corner]

Road conditions and snowfall information are displayed on the monitor.

[Machinavi Card]
You can freely take home coupons that can be used at facilities and shops in the Yonezawa area. We recommend getting information and coupons at the Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa before heading out sightseeing!

Events are held regularly!

At the Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa, various events are held mainly on weekends. At the "Michi-no-Ichi" held in spring, summer, and fall, you can enjoy stage events by local artists and performers, as well as gourmet food from special stalls! In addition, mini live shows, harvest festivals, and other events are held from time to time, so be sure to check them out.

Click here for event information for Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa

Facility Overview

Address: 1039-1 Kawai, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0117

・Access: Immediately after exiting the Yonezawa Chuo IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway / Approximately 10 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station (You can also take a one-coin taxi from Yonezawa Station.)

・Telephone: 0238-40-8400

・Business hours: 9:00-18:00

[Farm produce direct sales store, local product sales store, general tourist information center] 9:00-18:00

[Food court] Weekdays 10:00-18:00 (LO 17:30), Holidays 10:00-18:00 (LO 18:00)

[Ushibitei] Weekdays 10:00-18:00 (LO 17:30), Holidays 10:00-18:30 (LO 18:00)

[Convenience store] 7:00-21:00

・No fixed holidays

Click here for the official website of "Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa"