Located in Sekiyama, on the border between Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture, Otaki Drive-In Izumiya is a popular drive-in where you can enjoy a meal or a break while looking out at Sekiyama Otaki Falls. Located along National Route 48, it’s a convenient stop-off spot for driving or sightseeing.
Along with spectacular views throughout the year, you can also enjoy Yamagata’s specialty dishes, snacks, and souvenirs.

Sekiyama Otaki: Enjoy the spectacular views all year round

The greatest attraction of Izumiya is Sekiyama Falls, located right next to the restaurant. The impressive waterfall, measuring approximately 10 meters high and 15 meters wide, has a sparkling emerald green basin.

The waterfall offers a different look with each season: fresh greenery in spring, cool, clear streams in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter.

Summer Fun! Playing in the River at Sekiyama Falls

Since Higashine City does not face the ocean, Sekiyama Falls is a rare spot for playing in the water in the summer. On holidays, you can see families and groups of young people enjoying the water along the river. Everyone from children to adults can enjoy playing in the river while feeling the cool breeze, making it the perfect way to create summer memories.

To get to the waterfall basin, follow the path next to the Otaki Drive-In spring and building.

Follow the signs down the slope and you’ll come across a red bridge. Once you cross the bridge, you’ll head down to the riverbank. The river has a current and rocky areas, so you need to be careful when playing. The riverbed at Otaki has been left untouched, so there are lots of large and small stones lying around underfoot.
Furthermore, although the flowing water is very clear and you can see the bottom in many places, the basin at the bottom of the waterfall can be so deep that even adults cannot reach it with their feet, so you should always be careful.

In addition, unlike the ocean, the water temperature of rivers is low all year round. Even in summer, it can be colder than you might expect, and you may get cold if you stay in the water for too long. When playing with small children, be sure to keep an eye on them and be mindful of their safety.

To enjoy playing in the river safely, we recommend wearing water shoes or sandals that are easy to walk in even when wet, and having children wear life jackets. It’s also a good idea to bring towels and a change of clothes so you can quickly warm up if you get cold. With just a little preparation, you can enjoy the blessings of nature in even more comfort.

You can also enjoy the illuminations at night!

From sunset until 8:30 PM, the waterfall is illuminated in a magical light.
Admission is free, making it a great spot for a date or a night drive.

However, since you’ll be walking along the same route as the riverside stroll in the dim light, it’s best to bring a flashlight or something similar.

Otaki Drive-In Izumiya: Offers a Wide Variety of Takeout Menus

All that walking around is making me hungry! Let’s head to the shop.

From charcoal-grilled delicacies to specialty dishes! Enjoy the exquisite menu at Izumiya

The savory aroma of grilled trout and yakidango (grilled dumplings) over a charcoal fire in front of the restaurant will have you stopping by. The grilled dumplings in particular are exquisite, with a fragrant, subtly sweet miso sauce and a soft texture. The trout swimming in the nearby tank further enhances the deliciousness of the freshly grilled dumplings.

Once you enter the store, the delicious aroma of oden wafts through the air. A wide variety of oden is available year-round, including daikon radish, chikuwa (fish cake), konjac, and beef tendon. A particularly welcome dish on cold days, they also offer a selection of light snacks that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, including tama-konjac (round konjac), grilled rice balls, frankfurters, and soft-serve ice cream.

They also have a wide selection of meal options, including Yamagata specialties such as meat soba noodles, katsudon (pork cutlet bowl), and stir-fried offal set meals. You can enjoy your meal while looking out at the waterfall from the window seats, and in winter you can warm up in the kotatsu seats for a special moment. There are also outdoor table seats, so on nice days you can enjoy your meal while feeling the nature. You can also purchase souvenirs from Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, as well as seasonal produce grown by local farmers.

Summary

At Sekiyama Otaki, you can not only enjoy playing in the river, but also enjoy the night illuminations. If you get hungry after playing in the river, you can enjoy a delicious meal or snack at Otaki Drive-In Izumiya. It’s easily accessible along National Route 48, so be sure to stop by on your next drive!

By the way, there was a sign inside the store saying that you cannot use the restroom alone.
If you only need a restroom, please use the public restrooms across the street.

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