Roadside Station Tozawa Momokami-no-Sato “Koraikan” is a distinctive roadside station along National Route 47 in Tozawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture. With Korean culture as its main theme, the facility offers an unusual combination of food, shopping, cultural experiences, and scenic views.
Tozawa Village has a strong connection with Korea, and Korean cultural influences can be seen throughout Koraikan, from its architecture to its gardens. Inside, visitors will find a Korean restaurant, a shop selling Korean products, and an Ethnographic Museum introducing aspects of Korean history and culture.
Beyond its Korean-themed attractions, Koraikan also offers magnificent views of the Mogami River. It is an enjoyable place to stop during a road trip, combining local food, shopping, cultural discovery, and beautiful scenery in one destination.
The name “Momokami” is a coined expression combining “momo,” meaning cliff in the Ainu language, with “kami,” meaning basin. The sound of the name also evokes the name of the wider Mogami region.
The name reflects the landscape and regional character of Tozawa Village, where the Mogami River flows through a mountainous basin, and has become a familiar nickname for the roadside station.
Tozawa Village has longstanding cultural ties with Korea. Against the background of connections with Korean women living in the village, local producers have also developed regional products incorporating Korean food culture, including Tozawa-style kimchi.
Created as a symbol of this cultural exchange, Koraikan features architecture inspired by Korea. Korean products are widely available in the restaurant and shops, allowing visitors to experience Korean food and culture while staying in Yamagata.
The Ethnographic Museum introduces visitors to Korean history and culture. In addition to eating and shopping, visitors can learn about the cultural connections and exchanges that have developed between the two regions.
The Korean Products Corner sells local specialties from Tozawa Village alongside Korean snacks, alcoholic beverages, and a variety of Korean-themed goods.
The shopping area features an impressive umbrella sky, with colorful umbrellas suspended overhead. The vivid display creates a cheerful atmosphere that is also popular for photography.
Korean Restaurant “Colina” serves a variety of Korean dishes in a spacious dining room overlooking the Mogami River.
The menu includes familiar favorites such as bibimbap, as well as “Tozawa-style cold noodles”, which reflect the local connection with Korean cuisine. Seven varieties of stone-pot bibimbap are available, while another popular option combines the signature Tozawa-style cold noodles with a local branded pork dish called “Shio Buta-don”, or salted pork rice bowl.
Enjoying Korean-inspired cuisine while looking out over the broad Mogami River is one of the distinctive experiences offered at Koraikan.
The grounds include a Korean-style garden designed to evoke traditional Korean aesthetics.
Among its features are jangseung, traditional Korean guardian posts believed to protect villages, and dol hareubang, distinctive stone statues associated with Jeju Island. Together, these features create an atmosphere quite different from that of a typical Japanese roadside station.
The corridor connecting the product shop with Colina restaurant features red railings and colorful Asian-style lanterns.
The corridor takes on a particularly atmospheric appearance, offering a different experience from the daytime scenery. It also provides an attractive setting for photographs alongside the Korean-inspired buildings and garden.
“Norimadang” takes its name from two Korean words: “nori,” meaning play or entertainment, and “madang,” meaning an open space or gathering place.
The venue is an outdoor stage where local people can gather for songs, dances, and other events. It serves as a lively space for cultural performances and community activities.
Koraikan’s appeal extends beyond Korean culture. From Choga-no-Oka, a scenic viewpoint within the grounds, visitors can see the Mogami River making a dramatic 90-degree bend.
The river and surrounding mountains create an impressive landscape that demonstrates the power of the natural environment. On clear days, it is well worth making the short trip up to the hill, which can also be reached by car.
“Ume-chan Kimchi” at the Tozawa Koraikan shop offers 13 varieties of kimchi.
Based on authentic Korean flavors, the kimchi is prepared with a level of spiciness designed to make it easy to enjoy while retaining a rich, savory taste. The shop also sells “Ume-chan Sauce,” a versatile Korean-style sauce that pairs particularly well with dishes such as chijimi, the Japanese-style Korean savory pancake.
The area around Koraikan was once known for frequent landslides, which sometimes caused transportation routes to be closed.
In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism carried out landslide prevention and control projects over many years. Evidence of these measures can still be seen across the hillside behind the facility.
The roadside station also presents exhibits related to landslides and disaster prevention. These displays provide an opportunity to learn not only about the region’s natural environment but also about the geological and disaster-prevention challenges faced by the local community.
Every autumn, Koraikan hosts its annual “Koraikan Lantern Night” event.
Lanterns of various sizes are lit around the Korean-style buildings, corridors, and gardens, transforming the facility into a magical nighttime landscape. The colorful lights highlight the distinctive architecture and Korean garden, creating an exotic and atmospheric setting.
The event is a distinctive celebration of the combination of Korean culture and the natural beauty of Yamagata. Visitors can enjoy a completely different side of Koraikan after sunset.
Roadside Station Tozawa Momokami-no-Sato “Koraikan” is far more distinctive than an ordinary roadside station, bringing together Korean culture and the attractions of the Mogami region.
Visitors can enjoy Korean cuisine, shop for Korean snacks and local specialties, stroll through the Korean-style garden, and learn about the cultural exchange between Tozawa and Korea.
The facility also offers the spectacular view of the Mogami River from Choga-no-Oka and exhibitions introducing the region’s efforts to prevent landslides. These features provide a deeper understanding of the natural environment and local history of Tozawa Village.
The autumn Lantern Night creates an especially atmospheric experience, giving Koraikan a different character after dark. For travelers following the Mogami River, this unique roadside station is a memorable place to enjoy food, culture, and scenery all in one stop.