Roadside Station Murayama in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a popular spot where you can enjoy local gourmet foods and specialty products unique to the area.
Among the highlights is the Kaimozu Stick, made with Murayama’s local specialty, “Kaimozu.” It boasts a crispy exterior and a chewy, sticky interior, earning a reputation for being addictive once you try it!

In this article, a frequent visitor to Roadside Station Murayama shares recommended gourmet items! From the station’s overview to its famous Kaimozu Sticks, Yamagata beef and Hirata Farm’s Sangenton pork dishes, soba parfait, and gelato made with local specialties.

Roadside Station Murayama: A Yamagata Gourmet Spot!

Located in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture, “Roadside Station Murayama” sits along the bypass in the heart of Yamagata Prefecture. It’s a popular roadside station where you can enjoy various Yamagata gourmet delights throughout the seasons.
Enjoy seasonal gourmet treats like cold ramen in summer and Yamagata’s famous imoni stew in autumn.
Plus, new items regularly appear, so you’ll always discover something new whenever you visit!♪
From classic favorites to unique dishes you can only find here… When it comes to tasteing Yamagata cuisine, Roadside Station Murayama is a must-visit.

Farmers’ Direct! Fresh Local Produce Corner

The direct sales corner inside the roadside station offers an abundant selection of fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits delivered directly from farms!♪

We also recommend fruit juices made by local farmers. Especially the apple juice comes in many varieties, so comparing them might be fun!♪

Souvenirs you can only find here? A well-stocked souvenir corner

The souvenir corner at Roadside Station Murayama even has original products you can’t get at other roadside stations!
That would be this “Mayu-dama”!

This original confection features zunda bean paste coated in white chocolate and shaped like eyebrows. It’s a rare treat available only here in all of Japan, making it a perfect recommendation for those seeking unique souvenirs!♪

Enjoy Yamagata Beef and Sangenton Pork! The Spacious Food Court at Roadside Station Murayama

Roadside Station Murayama features a spacious food court where you can enjoy a variety of Yamagata gourmet dishes.
The menu boasts an extensive lineup featuring Yamagata beef, Hiramaki Sangen pork, Shonai pork, and more—truly a world of Yamagata brand beef!
Also popular are the incredibly cost-effective lunch menus offered at a loss.
It’s widely loved by everyone from travelers on road trips to local office workers.

The Local Specialty “Kaimozu Stick” is an Absolute Must-Try

Among the culinary treasures at Roadside Station Murayama, the standout is the “Kaimozu Stick.”

It looks like French fries, but it’s not.
In fact, they’re famous for being “even tastier than french fries!” and I’ve personally ordered them again and again.
Here, we’ll introduce the appeal of these Kaimozu Sticks.

What is Kaimozu? Yamagata’s Hidden Local Delicacy

“Kaimozu ” is made by kneading buckwheat flour with water until it becomes soft like mochi, also known as soba gaki. In Yamagata Prefecture, ‘Kaimochi’ evolved into the local pronunciation “Kaimozu.” It’s a traditional food long cherished in Murayama City, home to the Mogami River Three Difficult Passes Soba Road.

Only Available at Roadside Station Murayama! The Appeal of Kaimozu Sticks

This “Kaimozu Stick” is an original product made using that very kaimozu.

An original product made by shaping soba dough into sticks and deep-frying them. The outside is crispy and fragrant, while the inside has the unique chewy texture of buckwheat flour.
Available in two flavors: salt and shichimi pepper. Both offer a simple yet addictively delicious taste.
Using buckwheat flour makes them a healthy choice too! ♪
They’re best enjoyed fresh and hot, but they don’t get hard when cooled, making them perfect for takeout.
This is an absolute must-try gourmet item when visiting Roadside Station Murayama!

Roadside Station Murayama is a Treasure Trove of Gourmet! Introducing the Author’s Recommended Eats from a Regular Visitor

Roadside Station Murayama has plenty more charming gourmet options!
This time, we’ll introduce the author’s recommended menu items from among the easy-to-order sweets and drinks.

Enjoy Yamagata Soba as a Sweet Treat♪ “Soba Parfait”

A Japanese-style dessert featuring gelato made with local buckwheat topped with black sugar syrup.
The gelato, infused with buckwheat flour, has a slightly sticky, soft texture and an exquisite buckwheat aroma.
It also comes with fried buckwheat dumplings (kaimozu), so eating them together lets you enjoy a sweet and savory flavor.
If you’re curious about the kaimozu sticks but also want dessert, this is the one for you♪

Unique to Murayama! Delicious Gelato Made with Roses and Buckwheat Flour

Beyond the buckwheat gelato used in our soba parfait, Murayama’s signature rose gelato and other flavors exclusive to Roadside Station Murayama are a real treat!
Enjoy different seasonal flavors, including limited-time offerings♪
Also, haven’t you noticed long lines when buying gelato at roadside stations?
At Roadside Station Murayama, depending on the time, you might surprisingly get gelato without much of a wait… It could be a hidden gem for gelato lovers.

Limited Quantity! Refreshing Plum Soda Perfect for Summer

Our summer recommendation is this limited-quantity “Plum Soda.”
The plums are from Murayama City, and they actually use green plums prepared in-house.
With sweet and sour plum pulp inside, you can really taste the plum in this drink. It’s not overly sweet, making it perfect for adults too.

Coffee Lovers Rave About It! Specialty Cold Brew Coffee and Iced Café Latte

At Roadside Station Murayama, you can enjoy coffee with a unique twist.
The iced coffee is cold brew, featuring a fluffy foam known as Cold Crema coffee.
Cold Crema is an iced coffee that gained popularity in the US recently, characterized by its creamy, fine-textured foam.
It offers a smooth, pleasant mouthfeel.

Also, my personal recommendation is this Iced Café Latte!

The cafe latte at Roadside Station Murayama has ice made from coffee itself!♪
With drinks that have ice, you usually finish the liquid first and end up with just ice left…
But with this cafe latte, even as the ice melts, you can enjoy the full coffee flavor right to the last drop! Perfect for long drives, right?♪
Their specialty coffee and iced cafe latte are must-try items whenever you stop by.

Roadside Station Murayama is scheduled for renovation in 2029! Enjoy this unique flavor while you can

Scheduled to relocate and reopen in 2029! Looking forward to the future Roadside Station Murayama!

Roadside Station Murayama is scheduled to relocate and reopen in 2029.
The new location is planned near the west exit of JR Murayama Station, so the area around Murayama Station should become even livelier after the move!
Even now, it boasts a spacious food court, fresh locally sourced vegetables, and appealing gourmet options. After the renovation, it promises to become an even more attractive spot!♪

Summary

What you can enjoy right now, before the renovation, is the unique atmosphere and signature gourmet offerings of the current facility.
Especially the “Kaimozu Stick” is a specialty you can only taste here.
From popular sweets like gelato and soba buffets to lunch options offering incredible value, why not stop by during your drive or trip to savor Yamagata and Murayama’s local cuisine? Be sure to experience the flavors available only before the renovation!♪

Click here for Murayama Roadside Station shop information