[Roadside Stations] Recommended for Tohoku Drives! Introducing Roadside Stations in Ishinomaki City & Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture

When traveling or going for a drive, "roadside stations" are always a point of interest.

You stop not only for a break from driving, but also to buy local specialties or have a meal, right?

The coastal area of Miyagi Prefecture, where Roopt's share houses are located, is a recommended region for drives, offering both sea views, including Matsushima, and mountain and field landscapes along the way.

This time, we will introduce roadside stations in Ishinomaki City and Onagawa Town in Miyagi Prefecture.

Please stop by for drives, sightseeing, and shopping.

For accommodation during your Tohoku trip, choose Roopt!

Roadside Station Jobon no Sato (Ishinomaki City)

Roadside Station "Jobon no Sato" has been popular since its opening in 2005.

Located in the Kahoku area of Ishinomaki City, where agriculture thrives, one of its charms is the opportunity to experience local ingredients.

Parking is free and can accommodate 246 cars!

However, it gets so crowded on weekends that all 246 spaces fill up, so be mindful of when you visit.

There are various ways to enjoy "Jobon no Sato".

The direct sales store offers produce from local farmers and regional specialties, making it a place used by both tourists and locals for daily shopping!

The food court offers a wide variety of popular dishes for all ages, such as ramen, fried rice, and curry!

Outside, the "Osato Cafe" corner features a diverse range of shops, including coffee shops, sweets shops, and seafood processing stores!

It's very convenient when you're a little hungry or thirsty.

There's also a convenience store at the end, covering your shopping needs in a pinch!

And the biggest attraction of Jobon no Sato is the hot spring health facility located within the premises!

You can enter the "Futago no Yu" hot spring for about 700 yen, and it also has a sauna!

The cold bath also uses hot spring water, making it a popular hot spring among sauna enthusiasts.

・Address 1-1 Futagokita-shita, Obunagoshi, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-0132 ・Business Hours Open all year round Yamazaki Shop 6:00 - 19:00 Agricultural Product Direct Sales Store 9:00 - 19:00 Hot Spring Health Facility 9:00 - 21:00 (Last admission 20:30) Food Court 10:00 - 20:00 (Last order 19:30) ・Access 3 minutes by car from Sanriku Expressway Kahoku Interchange ・Parking Free (246 spaces) ・Official HP

Roadside Station Kenjo no Sato Ogatsu (Ishinomaki City)

Next is Roadside Station "Kenjo no Sato Ogatsu" in Ogatsu Town, Ishinomaki City.

Ogatsu Town is located in the northeastern part of Ishinomaki City, about a 40-minute drive from Ishinomaki Station, but that's precisely where its charm lies!

This "Kenjo no Sato Ogatsu" is also built overlooking Ogatsu Bay, which stretches from the Pacific Ocean, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent nature of Ogatsu at the same time!

"Kenjo no Sato Ogatsu" largely consists of two types of facilities: "Ogatsu Suzuri Traditional Industry Museum" and "Tourist Product Exchange Center Ogatsu Tanakoya".

The former, "Ogatsu Suzuri Traditional Industry Museum," as its name suggests, is a place where you can learn about Ogatsu Suzuri, a traditional industry of Ogatsu.

Ogatsu Suzuri, with a history dating back to the Muromachi period, are all one-of-a-kind, and just comparing the differences between each inkstone is an enjoyable experience.

On the day I visited, a calligraphy exhibition was also being held, allowing me to experience the charm of traditional Japanese culture.

The other facility, "Tourist Product Exchange Center Ogatsu Tanakoya," houses a total of 7 shopping and dining establishments, offering a lineup that caters to various needs.

These include "Ogatsu Seafood Direct Sales Store," which handles a wide variety of seafood caught in Ogatsu's rich waters and local products from the Ogatsu region; "Uzumaki Megane Coffee Shop," where you can relax with a cup of coffee at a seat with a sea view; and "Misato," popular for its soba and udon made with ingredients from the sea and mountains.

It also has extensive tourist information about the Ogatsu area, making it a recommended roadside station for both a drive break and Ogatsu sightseeing.

・Address 2-5 Shimo-Ogatsu, Ogatsu Town, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 986-1335 ・Business Hours Open all year round Ogatsu Suzuri Traditional Industry Museum 9:00 - 16:30 (Closed Tuesdays) Tourist Product Exchange Center "Ogatsu Tanakoya" varies by store ・Access 25 minutes by car from Sanriku Expressway Kahoku Interchange ・Parking Free (105 spaces) ・Official HPhttps://ogatsu-rs.jp/

Roadside Station Onagawa (Onagawa Town)

The area in front of Onagawa Station, comprising "Seapalpia Onagawa," "Local Market Hamaterasu," "Onagawa Town Machinaka Koryukan," and "Onagawa Town Tabi no Joho-kan Puratto," was registered as Roadside Station "Onagawa" in the spring of 2021.

It is a symbol of the new Onagawa, redeveloped after the Onagawa Station area suffered significant damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake!

Although it's a roadside station, it's located in front of Onagawa Station, so it's accessible by train, making it a recommended spot for train travel!

Taking a leisurely train trip on a one-man train, which is becoming less common in Japan, is also a delightful experience.

*However, please note that IC cards like Suica cannot be used.

This Roadside Station "Onagawa" is famous in the field of architectural design, characterized by a design that extends straight from the station building towards the sea.

In fact, it is designed so that the sunrise on New Year's Day aligns with this path.

I also witnessed the first sunrise of 2023, and it was simply "magnificent."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roadside Station Onagawa (@michinoeki_onagawa)

The biggest charm of Roadside Station "Onagawa" is, without a doubt, the abundance of shops and facilities!

Comprising "Seapalpia Onagawa," "Local Market Hamaterasu," "Onagawa Town Machinaka Koryukan," and "Onagawa Town Tabi no Joho-kan Puratto," it's a roadside station where just walking around is enjoyable.

"Seapalpia Onagawa" gathers various tenants, including restaurants, specialty stores for soap and clothing, and a diving school counter.

There's also a cafe called Mother Port Cafe, making it perfect for a break when you're tired from walking!

Also, "Local Market Hamaterasu" features a fresh fish corner directly from Onagawa Port and a plethora of shops committed to local products, such as the "Onagawa Burger" which opened in 2023!

It's a place where you can experience the atmosphere unique to a seaside town.

In addition to these two facilities, there are restaurants, earthquake memorial sites, and accommodations.