Roadside Station Shizumo is located in Yamaguchi, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture. Its charming architecture evokes the atmosphere of a traditional post town along the historic Nakasendo route. Situated at the gateway to the Kiso region, it is an inviting place to discover the area’s rich natural scenery, history, and local cuisine.
One of the highlights of Roadside Station Shizumo is its selection of original products and dishes made with locally grown rice. Regional specialties include imoya komochi, karasumi, and hoba-maki. However, the must-try dish is undoubtedly gohei-mochi, a traditional rice cake with a fragrant miso-based sauce containing walnuts and peanuts.
Gohei-mochi is sold individually and is also available as part of a set meal at the station’s restaurant, making it an excellent introduction to the local food culture.
Gohei-mochi is so popular that sales can reach as many as 2,000 skewers a day during busy periods. In the Kiso region and northern Nakatsugawa, this specialty is commonly prepared in small, round, dumpling-like shapes.
The rice cakes are coated with a savory miso sauce blended with finely crushed walnuts and peanuts, creating a delicious combination of roasted aromas, rich flavor, and gentle sweetness. Visitors can also order the gohei-mochi set meal at the restaurant, where it stands out among the many menu options.
The restaurant at Roadside Station Shizumo also offers dishes with amusing names. One example is Obake Soba, which combines two familiar Japanese noodle toppings: tanuki, or crunchy tempura batter, and kitsune, or sweet-seasoned fried tofu.
The name, which translates roughly as “ghost soba,” comes from the playful idea of a fox and a raccoon dog tricking one another. In Japanese folklore, these animals are often associated with transformations and mischief. This clever wordplay adds a touch of humor to the dining experience.
Roadside Station Shizumo offers a wide selection of regional souvenirs and food products. Popular items include kinetsuki daifuku, or traditionally pounded rice cakes, handmade by the local group Ofuku Kobo, as well as karasumi sweets and soba manju made with locally produced buckwheat flour.
Seasonal specialties are also available. Chestnut-filled daifuku and hoba-maki are particularly popular when in season, attracting visitors who want to enjoy the region’s traditional flavors.
The Yoromaika corner sells fresh vegetables grown by local farmers and often becomes busy early in the morning. Visitors can also find a selection of alcoholic beverages, including locally brewed sake and craft beer, with several notable brands from Nakatsugawa City.
Traditional preserved foods and other handmade products prepared by local women are another attraction. Many incorporate seasonal ingredients, offering a taste of the area’s home-style cooking traditions.
Roadside Station Shizumo is conveniently located for visiting Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, two famous post towns along the historic Nakasendo route. Their preserved streets, traditional wooden buildings, and stone-paved paths evoke the atmosphere of Japan during the Edo period.
The area is also associated with the celebrated Japanese author Shimazaki Toson, whose hometown was Magome. History enthusiasts and literature lovers can explore the places and landscapes connected with the region’s cultural heritage.
The Higashiyama Kaii Kokoro no Tabiji Museum is located at the roadside station. It displays lithographs and woodblock prints by Higashiyama Kaii, one of Japan’s most renowned landscape painters. The museum opened in 1995 and houses approximately 500 prints donated by the artist.
Many of the works capture the beauty of Japan’s landscapes, including the natural scenery of the Kiso region. The collection offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate the quiet beauty and expressive atmosphere of Higashiyama’s art.
The museum was established following a donation of approximately 500 prints by Higashiyama Kaii in 1994 to the former Yamaguchi Village in Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture.
In 2005, Yamaguchi Village was incorporated into Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture, and the city took over management of the museum. It continues to introduce visitors to the artist’s work and the landscapes that inspired him.
Roadside Station Shizumo is an excellent place to take a break while driving through the Kiso region. Visitors can sample traditional dishes, shop for regional specialties, and learn about the area’s history and culture.
Art lovers can explore the adjoining Higashiyama Kaii Kokoro no Tabiji Museum, while travelers interested in historic streets can continue on to the nearby post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Combining local food, art, and historic scenery, the roadside station makes a rewarding stop on a journey through central Japan.