1. Morina Tendo Forest Information Center (Roadside Station Tendo Onsen)

The first place I would like to introduce is the Morina Tendo Forest Information Center.

It opened in 2004 with the aim of disseminating information about forests, and was certified as the roadside station Tendo Onsen in the same year.

It was upgraded and reopened in 2020!

It promotes the charms of Tendo City, focusing on its role as a “hub for promoting tourism” and “a place to promote shogi pieces and La France, Japan’s number one producer of these pieces.”

The facility is mainly divided into five areas plus a footbath area, so I would like to introduce each one to you!

① Lobby
② Tourist information counter
③ Shogi piece production demonstration and display
④ Tento La France Factory
⑤ Forest information dissemination (exhibition space)
⑥ Footbath

① Lobby

Here’s what the lobby looks like.

This space is open 24 hours a day and provides information on roads and the local area.

And on the other side is an illustration of a popular manga that I love!

That’s right, Chika Umino’s “March Comes in Like a Lion”!

Not only is the work itself about shogi, but Umino’s parents are also from Yamagata.

Inside the museum, there are autographs and original goods on display that fans will love, so be sure to check them out too.

Just seeing the entrance got me excited, but let’s go inside!

② Tourist Information Counter

The interior of the building had high ceilings and was a very open space.

Nearly 90% of the building is made from Yamagata cedar, creating a warm atmosphere where you can feel the warmth of the wood.

This is the tourist information counter.

We provide information on tourist spots and delicious restaurants in Tendo City to help you enjoy your trip even more.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems or would like to know recommended spots.

➂ Shogi piece production demonstration and display

To the left of the entrance is the “Shogi piece production demonstration and exhibition corner.”

To promote “Tendo Shogi pieces,” a traditional craft of Tendo City, they are holding a demonstration and exhibition of how shogi pieces are made.

I heard that it was possible to observe the writing and carving of pieces, so this time I went to see how the writing pieces were made.

It’s easy to lose track of time as you watch the artisans’ unwavering brushwork.

I’ll be honest, I actually had the opportunity to try my hand at writing and carving koma at Tendo Tower in the same city (you can see what the experience was like here ).

His technique of smoothly applying the brush without any drafts was simply amazing.

The building also features a rest area where you can play shogi, which is rare across the country (?!).

As expected from Tendo City!

④ Tento La France Factory

You can also enjoy the delicious fruits of Tendo.

There’s a wide selection of seasonal sweets, including products made with La France pears, which Tendo City boasts as the largest production in Japan!

The signature menu item, gelato, is especially popular among adults, and there are often huge queues at peak times.

They also have flavors unique to Yamagata such as La France pears and dadachamame beans, as well as gelato made with Tsuyahime rice!

You may be wondering, do rice and gelato go together? Surprisingly, it does.

Please give it a try.

There were 12 different flavors on offer that day, including classics like chocolate and strawberry.

The menu changes with the seasons, so you can enjoy different flavors throughout the year, such as cherries, peaches, grapes, etc.

So, this time I chose the recommended La France pears and dadachamame beans.

They offer single and double servings, but with all those delicious looking gelatos in front of you, how could you narrow it down to just one?

No!

Without a single hesitation, I would choose double.

Both were so delicious that I could easily eat two or three more…

The La France apples had a juicy sweetness and a slight seaweed-like acidity, while the Dadacha beans had a grainy texture that made the most of the ingredients and a savory sweetness that spread the more you chewed them – they were absolutely delicious!

It’s also recommended as a place to take a break during a drive, or after having lots of fun at the “Wakuwaku Exchange Plaza” which will be introduced later.

In addition to gelato, TENTO also offers other menu items such as homemade pies, curry bread, and bread from their bakery, so be sure to check them out as well.

⑤ Forest information dissemination (exhibition space)

At the very back of the building there was an exhibition space providing information about forests.

You can learn about pellet boilers that use wood pellets, which are being promoted by Yamagata Prefecture, and the history of safflower, the prefecture’s flower.

There are also benches available, so we recommend spending some time relaxing while enjoying your gelato.

⑥ Footbath

As the station name includes the word “hot spring”, many people assume that they can take a bath here, but there are no bathing facilities at this roadside station.

Instead, there is a footbath next to the station building!

Even though it’s called a footbath, it’s in Tendo, a town famous for its hot springs, so it’s very well-constructed!

If you look closely, you’ll see that the ceiling, the bathtub, and the chair in the middle are all shaped like shogi pieces!

There are surprisingly many hidden pieces inside the building!

It might be interesting to try looking for it.

2. Multipurpose Plaza

Next, we’d like to introduce the Multipurpose Plaza/Exciting Exchange Plaza, located just west of Morina Tendo.

It’s a popular place for walks and for children to play, and my family often visits the park.

① Wakuwaku Outdoor Stage and Fountain Square

As the name suggests, it is an impressive stage that looks like it could be used to hold concerts!

Events can be held here, but most people usually just lay a sheet down and use it as a rest spot.

And there’s this fountain right in front of us!

As the visit was in October, there were no children playing there, but in the summer the park is bustling with families.

The fountain that spews three different types of water will capture the hearts of children!

Please be aware that you will need to change clothes.

② Checkmate

These stone pillars are installed all around the multi-purpose plaza.

If you get closer…

It’s turned into a checkmate problem!

This place really does have that “Tendo, the town of shogi” feel to it.

It was set up with the cooperation of the Japan Shogi Association and contains 15 questions in total, 5 each for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level of shogi player.

These tsumeshogi puzzles were created by some of the most prominent figures in the world of shogi, so it may take some time to complete them all!

3. Wakuwaku Exchange Square

The Wakuwaku Exchange Square is a park area lined with many playground equipment of all sizes.

There is also a well-maintained lawn, so you can roll around to your heart’s content.

Fortunately, there are two play areas: Wanpaku Hiroba, with large play equipment, and Chibikko Hiroba, for smaller children.

① Wanpaku Square

The most striking feature is the large, multi-purpose playground equipment called the Fruit Tower.

On the roof is a La France apple, which Tendo City boasts as the largest producer in Japan!

The slides are also luxurious, with roller slides and tube slides extending on all four sides.

It’s too big to fit in a photo!

This was the subject I tried the most to get the right angle for.

Now, no matter where we climb or slide, we never get bored, and my kids just keep playing on it until we tell them to stop.

Nearby, there is a playground that you won’t see very often anywhere else.

The play equipment was donated by Marlborough, New Zealand, which is a sister city of Tendo City, and is sure to pique children’s curiosity.

There was also a playground equipment called a parabola, which bounces sound back.

② Chibiko Hiroba

There are lots of fun play equipment in the children’s playground too!

There was also a low slide and colorful play equipment that children could climb and crawl through.

Please come and have fun.

*The play equipment and fountains at WakuWaku Land will be unavailable during the winter season from early December to late March.

4. Sun Pure

The last one I would like to introduce is Sun Pure, which is popular among tourists.

It was renovated and reopened in 2019 and is now four times larger!

Many locals visit the market in search of fresh vegetables and fruits.

I would like to introduce each area separately!

① Farmers’ Corner
② Souvenir Corner
③ Food Court & Café

① Farmers’ Corner

The direct-from-farm section is located on the south side of the store.

The market is lined with fresh fruits and vegetables, mainly those grown within the city.

At the time of the interview, the season was shifting from summer to autumn.

Grapes, pears, apples, etc. were on sale.

In addition to vegetables and meat, they also sell processed foods such as tsukemono and prepared meals.

It seems like you can get almost anything you need here.

② Souvenir corner

The souvenir corner is in the center of the shop.

Classic Yamagata souvenirs,

Ramen and soba noodles are the most consumed in Japan,

There is also a wide selection of alcohol from local breweries and wineries.

We found some interesting products that would make great souvenirs!

This pasta dish has a shogi piece motif and uses La France juice.

It’s not something you see very often, is it?

I’m also curious about the taste…

This product, which is not widely sold inland, is apparently popular.

This product, “Misaki’s House,” was launched in April 2021 (Reiwa 3) with the desire to let young people and children know how delicious fish is.

The pouches contain freshly prepared dishes based on seafood from Shonaihama.

③ Food court & café

There is a food court and café at the north entrance of Sun Pure.

Looking from the north exit, the food court is in the back.

There is a café in the foreground.

The café sells fresh juices and soft-serve ice cream.

This time I had lunch at the food court, and while there were ramen and ita-soba, which are representative of Yamagata food, the recommendation I was given was surprisingly the Roadside Station Curry with Seasonal Vegetables.

On the contrary, it raises expectations!

We waited excitedly, and then it was brought to us!

This is a spectacular dish!

It is topped with plenty of seasonal vegetables and has a vibrant brown color.

And, just from the aroma wafting through the air, you can tell it’s delicious!!!

Having to endure the conditioned reflex of my mouth, I quickly finished the shoot and started eating straight away!

This tastes even better than it looks and smells…

The combination of spicy curry and fluffy rice is reminiscent of the old-fashioned comedy duo comedy duo, a comedy duo that is performed by a married couple!

And the vegetables are so delicious it’s almost annoying!

No wonder the staff recommended it!!!

Even so, it was delicious…

5. Three Sun Pure Recommendations

When traveling, some people may not have time to carefully choose products, or may find it difficult to choose because there are so many to choose from.

rest assured!

This time, we asked the staff about their recommended souvenirs and products that you can enjoy at home!

1. Oranda Senbei rice crackers

This is a collaborative product between JA Tendo Foods, which operates Sun Pure, and Sakata Beika, a confectionery manufacturer representing Yamagata.

It uses Tsuyahime rice from Yamagata Prefecture, and has an irresistible sweet-salty, addictive flavor.

It is also attracting attention as the first soy sauce flavor in the popular Oranda Senbei series.

Next to it is sake that goes well with crunchy rice crackers.

They made a sake that goes perfectly with rice crackers!

If you like alcohol, be sure to try this set.

② Sora-no-megumi Rice Oil

This product was created through a collaboration between Sanwa Oils, well-known for its everyday-use rice oil, and JA Tendo Foods.

This healthy vegetable oil extracted from rice bran is light in flavor and doesn’t cause upset stomach.

It can be used in a wide variety of ways, such as for fried foods or as a dressing.

3) Kuromoji Oguni

Sweets and snow globes in cute packaging.

It uses Yamagata peppermint, grown in the Takadama area of Tendo City, and Kuromoji, the king of Japanese herbs, produced in Oguni Town.

These sweets are full of healthy benefits, so it might be fun to try them all and compare them.

6. Parking Lot

The parking lot is located within the grounds of the Roadside Station Tendo Onsen and Sun Pure.

There is also one a little further away, on the west side of WakuWaku Land.

7. Message

Finally, we received a message from Sun Pure Floor Manager, Mr. Oe, for all readers of VISIT YAMAGATA.

“We look forward to welcoming you with souvenirs from Yamagata and fresh vegetables and fruit.

Please come and join us!”