Enjoy Iitaka Station, a roadside station with hot springs!

How to enjoy Iitaka Station, a roadside station with hot springs in Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture

Matsusaka City is located almost in the Chuo of Mie Prefecture .

If you get off at Matsusaka IC and drive along National Route 166 towards Nara Prefecture for about 40 minutes, you will arrive at Iitaka Station, a roadside station surrounded by nature.

In the surrounding area, there are spots where you can enjoy canoeing and swimming in the clear streams, and the scenery changes with the seasons, with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. It's a great place to stop by on your way to or from leisure activities, but we also recommend making it your destination.

In this article, we will introduce four ways to enjoy the roadside station, Iitaka Station.

1. Restaurant Iitaka: Enjoy Matsusaka beef gourmet food

At Restaurant Iitaka, the menu items made with local seasonal ingredients and handmade soba noodles made with locally grown buckwheat flour are popular. Of particular note are the dishes made with Matsusaka beef, which is renowned as one of Japan's three great wagyu beef varieties.

The Matsusaka beef menu uses the highest grade A5 beef. We recommend the Matsusaka beef set meal, which allows you to choose your seasoning. There are two types: a rich flavor using the local miso "Totoki miso," and a refreshing flavor using grated Matsusaka yuzu, so even though it's the same Matsusaka beef, the impression changes completely. There are also other dishes to choose from, such as the Matsusaka beef hamburger set meal, Matsusaka beef bowl, and Matsusaka meat soba, so you can enjoy a variety of dishes to suit your mood. It's sure to be a satisfying meal that will make you think, "I want to eat here" even during your trip.

②Iitaka Shop: Perfect for finding local souvenirs

"Iitaka no Mise" inside the roadside station "Iitaka Station" is a popular spot for looking for souvenirs.

The first thing you'll see when you enter the store is the seasonal produce, including fresh vegetables, fruits, and shiitake mushrooms, all lovingly grown by local farmers.

Going further Oku, you'll find a lineup of local specialties packed with the charm of the region. For example, the fragrant, locally produced deep-steamed sencha is sold both as loose tea leaves and in tea bags, making it an easy choice for both souvenirs and for taking home. Also, "Tottoki Miso," which has been the number one selling product for many years, is a popular product that allows you to enjoy the local flavor at home. There are also a selection of sweets and local sake made with local ingredients, making souvenir selection fun. In addition, accessories made from local wood are also sold, so we recommend choosing a warm craft item as a memento of your trip. Be sure to stop by to find a memento of your trip or a souvenir for someone special.

3. Kahadakyo Onsen Iitaka no Yu: Relax in a natural hot spring

Iitaka Station is a roadside station with a hot spring, which is rare nationwide.

The hot spring water keeps you warm, the indoor bath offers a great view, and the 11 different baths are popular, as are the cleanliness and gentle scent of wood.

The open-air bath in particular offers an outstanding sense of openness! You can relax and refresh in a quiet environment while looking out at the clear waters of the Kushida River below. It's sure to soothe your tired body after a long drive or sightseeing.

④Iitaka Station Cottage: Stay overnight after your hot spring bath

After relaxing in the hot springs, many people will probably think, "I wish I could stay here forever..." In such cases, we recommend the cottages adjacent to the roadside station "Iitaka Station."

Newly opened in April 2025, it features a simple and calm design that evokes the warmth of wood, making it perfect for those looking for a quiet time.

Waking up to the sounds of the river and the chirping of birds surrounded by nature in the morning will be a special memory of your trip.

Find the perfect way to spend your time at Iitaka Station Roadside Station

Iitaka Station is a roadside station that offers food, shopping, hot springs, and accommodation, and is recommended for both short breaks during your trip and extended stays.

Come and discover your own way of enjoying the nature-rich area of ​​Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture .

Roadside station "Iitaka Station"

Please check the official website for the latest information.

Roadside Station "Iitaka Station" Official Website

https://www.iitakaeki.com/

address:

177 Mie Prefecture, Iitaka-cho , Matsusaka City , Mie Prefecture

Business hours and holidays:

① Restaurant Iitaka: 11:00-19:00

Closed: Every Wednesday, 12/31-1/1

② Iitaka Store: 9:00-18:00

Closed: Second Wednesday of June and December, 12/31-1/1

3. Kahadakyo Onsen Iitakanoyu: 10:00-20:00

Closed: Every Wednesday, 12/31-1/1

access:

By car: Approximately 40 minutes from Matsusaka IC on the Ise Expressway

Public transportation: Take a Mie bus from Matsusaka Station for approximately 60 minutes and get off at Iitaka Station

[Click here for detailed tourist information on Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture ]

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Site

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