1. What is Shiromori Oguni Roadside Station?

Oguni Town is located on the border between Yamagata and Niigata prefectures.

Roadside Station Shiroimori Oguni, located along National Route 113 that runs through Oguni Town, is visited by many people from inside and outside the prefecture.

It is so popular that in the past it has recorded as many as 270,000 visitors per year.

What makes this roadside station a little unique is that the facility was originally known as “Buna Chaya” and was later certified as a “roadside station.”

Unlike other roadside stations, this one was not newly built, but rather is a facility that is deeply rooted in the local community and continues to function as a roadside station.

Right next door is the Yokone Ski Resort, where Olympic gold medalist Hirano Ayumu used to train, and many people stop by in the winter to enjoy winter sports.

This is a spot that you should definitely visit, as it is a place where you can experience the warmth that only a roadside station can offer and experience the nature of the four seasons.

2. Local Products Direct Sales Store | Shiroimori-no-kuma-san

The local produce shop Shiroimori-no-kuma-san (“bear of the white forest”) is lined with a wide variety of products that are unique to Oguni Town, including fresh, locally grown mountain vegetables.

One product that has been gaining attention recently is the Shiroimori White Warabi Mochi rice cake.

This is an authentic product that was developed with the help of roadside station staff, and is made using bracken powder from Oguni Town.

In addition to its soft and chewy texture, it is also popular for its melt-in-your-mouth feel.

The packaging also features images of beech trees and snow, symbols of Oguni Town, making it a popular gift.

This dish is sophisticated in both appearance and content and is filled with local love.

This is Akebia vine crafts, a traditional craft that has been passed down in Oguni Town.

The bags and baskets are highly practical and make excellent gifts.

The simple, warm texture and careful hand-knitted construction of each piece have made them popular, with customers calling from the Kanto region asking if they can order them.

In addition, there is a wide selection of processed foods and sweets made with Oguni Town’s specialty mushrooms and grains.

It has a simple taste that emphasizes the flavor of the ingredients, and is popular among health-conscious people.

There are also unique goods with mushroom and mountain vegetable motifs!

In addition to cherries and La France pear-related products, which are synonymous with Yamagata, there is also a wide selection of popular products that make great souvenirs from your trip to Yamagata, such as ramen and tamakon konjac balls.

This is a great direct sales store where you can take home a souvenir that gives you the feeling that you’ve come to Yamagata.

There is also a crepe shop on the Shiroimori-no-kuma-san parking lot premises.

JUNKFOOD Cafe mini is attracting attention for its extra-large portions, which are said to be the largest in Yamagata Prefecture.

Please be sure to stop by here as well.

3. Restaurants | Buna Chaya & Restaurant Aiai

Roadside Station Shiroimori Oguni has two restaurants where you can enjoy the unique flavors and atmosphere of Oguni Town.

・Buna Chaya

Buna Chaya is a teahouse with a light meal corner where you can casually drop in and enjoy a menu that uses local mountain vegetables and other ingredients.

One dish that catches the eye is the Tempura Soba, which comes with a generous amount of tempura that is as big as the bowl itself.

In fact, this tempura bowl is getting bigger and bigger every year thanks to the “hospitality spirit” of the local ladies who make it!

The tempura was so big I couldn’t pick it up with my chopsticks.

Another popular item is the soft-serve ice cream, which is made with a white chocolate base and topped with grain puffs.

This dish, made with locally grown grains, has a gentle sweetness and crunchy texture that will become addictive, and can only be enjoyed here.

・Restaurant Aiai - Okasan Shokudo

The other restaurant, Restaurant Aiai – Okaasan Shokudo, is an impressive log cabin-style building that exudes the warmth of wood.

The restaurant serves dishes with a nostalgic and comforting Japanese flavor, such as miso-braised mackerel set meals and mushroom pasta.

It’s the perfect place to take a break during your trip.

The warm taste of the food made by the hands of local mothers will bring a smile to your face.

4. Photos

Roadside Station Shiroimori Oguni has many spots perfect for taking photos, including large walls and photo cutouts.

In June 2025, the newly installed and much talked about Pokémon manholes “Pokefuta” was added to the list of attractions, making taking photos even more fulfilling!

Feel free to drop by and take some photos to capture your travel memories.

5. Flower Square

The Flower Square on the grounds of Roadside Station Shiroimori Oguni is an open spot with a panoramic view of the Asahi mountain range.

There are also benches available, making it a perfect place to take a relaxing break.

You can spend a moment surrounded by nature, feeling the breeze and the scent.

6. Message

Finally, stationmaster Takeuchi gave a message to everyone reading VISIT YAMAGATA.

“We offer seasonal specialties that are unique to Oguni Town. We also have a wide selection of delicious foods that you can only find here, so please come and visit Roadside Station Shiroimori Oguni!”

Be sure to visit and experience the local flavors and warmth of the people.

7. Basic Information

Hours
Direct sales store 9:00~17:00
Restaurants 11:30~14:00

Closed
January 1 (and approximately 3~5 days a year)

Access
Along National Route 113, 5 km east of the Niigata Prefecture border

Parking
Large vehicles: 20
Cars: 158
Handicap spaces: 8

Toilets
For men: 8
For women: 6
Accessible: 1

Others
Information corner
Electric vehicle quick charger
AED