Hello!

This time, I went to Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Not only can you enjoy local specialties and gourmet food, but you can also find railway goods and products related to the mascot character “Bernick Nagai.” This is a place full of Nagai City’s charm.

The interior is clean and new, making it a great place to stop by with children.
This time, we’ll introduce its charms in detail based on our own experience of visiting!

What is Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai?

This roadside station is located in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture, very close to the Mogami River.
You can purchase local seasonal ingredients and specialties inside the station, and depending on the season, there is also a wide selection of wild vegetables on display, so it’s a great place to visit just for that purpose.
We also offer bicycle rentals for sightseeing, and can be used as a base for accessing surrounding facilities.

Access and Location | Conveniently located near the Flower Nagai Line

Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai is conveniently located about a 12-minute walk or 3-minute drive from Nagai Station on the Yamagata Railway Flower Nagai Line. It’s also easily accessible, about a 25-minute drive from Nanyo Takahata Interchange on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway.

The parking lot has 109 spaces for standard cars, 7 for large vehicles, and 4 for disabled people, so you can use it safely even on weekends.
It is a friendly environment for families with children and the elderly.

Very new interior | Clean and comfortable design

The interior of the building, which opened in 2017, is bright, clean, and has a relaxing atmosphere.
As you enter through the entrance, you will see the tourist information center directly in front, a restaurant to the left, and a large shop to the right.

The toilets are located outside the building, on the right side. They are especially designed to be stroller-friendly, making them a great choice for families.
The overall space was spacious, allowing us to relax and unwind.

Recommended Points of Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai

In addition to a souvenir corner, the museum also has a restaurant that uses local ingredients, allowing you to enjoy the charms of Nagai by “seeing, buying, and eating.”
There were also capsule toys lined up along the wall of the restaurant’s eat-in space, adding to the playful atmosphere.

Here we introduce recommended gourmet food and attractions at Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai.

Kendama curry? Nagai Cafe’s recommended menu

Although we ended up having lunch elsewhere this time, there was a restaurant called “Nagai Cafe” which had a menu with a strong local flavor.
One dish that caught my eye was “Japan’s No. 1 Kendama Curry.”

Nagai City is known for boasting approximately 70% of the domestic market share for competitive kendama, and this unique local dish reflects that culture.
It’s a dish you’ll definitely want to try on your next visit.

The soft, jiggly rice cakes and seasonal wild vegetables are exquisite.

The shop sells Nagai’s specialty “mizumochi,” which has a soft, chewy texture and a gentle sweetness.
We visited in May, which was also the season for wild vegetables, and wild plants such as koshiabura (seaweed) and bracken were lined up at local prices.

It was impressive to see that not only tourists but also locals use it on a daily basis.

The “Ayugai Ringo” Railway Girl exhibit is also a great attraction for train fans.

There is a life-size panel and introductory exhibit of the Flower Nagai Line’s official character, “Railway Girl Ayugai Ringo.”
Merchandise featuring the Flower Nagai Line’s mascot character, “Rabbit Stationmaster Mochii,” is also available for purchase, making this a popular spot for railway fans and families with children.

You can also use the online shop

“Kawa-no-Minato Nagai Roadside Station” also has an online shop, so it’s recommended for when you forget to buy something during your visit or want to repurchase something you bought.
The online shop carries many local specialties from Nagai and Yamagata, including various varieties of the mizumochi mentioned earlier.
They also offer a great points service, so if you shop frequently, be sure to sign up as a member.

Make a stop at “Kawa no Minato Nagai Roadside Station”! Check out the surrounding facilities!

The roadside station is dotted with spots perfect for strolling and sightseeing. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the “Former Nagai Elementary School No. 1 Building,” a precious wooden school building from the Meiji period. As a registered tangible cultural property, it boasts a dignified atmosphere.

We also recommend strolling along the riverbed along the Mogami River and around Nagai Bridge. You can spend some relaxing time feeling the seasonal breeze.
Furthermore, within a 5-10 minute drive, there are many natural attractions such as Sankai Falls and Nagai Dam, making this the perfect location for a stopover on a sightseeing drive.
Summary
“Kawa no Minato Nagai Roadside Station” embodies the charms of Nagai City, a city with a perfect balance of nature, culture, and cuisine.
It boasts a new, comfortable interior, a wide selection of local specialties, railway character exhibits, and serves as a base for sightseeing in the surrounding area.
Another appealing feature is the variety of activities available depending on the season.

If you’re visiting Nagai City, be sure to stop by!

Basic Information about Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai

Location & Access

• Address：〒993-0003 2-50 Higashimachi, Nagai City, Yamagata
• Nearest Station：Nagai Station on the Flower Nagai Line, approximately 12 minutes walk
• Car Access：Approximately 25 minutes from Nanyo-Takahata Interchange on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway

Business hours and holidays

• 3-12：9:00-18:00
• 1-2：9:00-17:00
• Holiday：None

Parking information

• Regular cars: 109
• Large vehicles: 7
• For people with disabilities: 4

Contact information/Official website

• Telephone number：0238-87-1121
• Official site：https://kawanominato.jp/ 

Click here for store information at Roadside Station Kawanominato Nagai