1. Roadside Station Yamagata Zao

The concept is “a roadside station that spreads the appeal of Yamagata and creates a flow of people.”

This is a complex facility that includes the “Juhyo Hall” where a variety of events can be held, the “Imoni Hiroba” where you can enjoy an imoni party without having to bring anything, and a bus waiting area with a free park-and-ride parking lot.

3 minutes by car from Yamagata Kaminoyama IC on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway.

It is located in a scenic area overlooking Zao to the east and Mt. Gassan to the west.

There is an event space at the front, and on the day of our interview, food trucks were set up and it was bustling.

And this magnificent mural at the front entrance!

The work was done by Maika Kobayashi, a painter and muralist based in Yamagata.

Apparently the idea was inspired by the “unknown station” concept of Roadside Station Yamagata Zao.

It depicts Yamagata’s unknown potential and hope for the future.

2. Juhyo Hall

Now, let’s head inside the building!

As you pass through the central main entrance, you will be greeted by the food, drink and merchandise corner.

At this point, the delicious aroma is already whetting your appetite…

At the back there is a multipurpose hall called the “Juhyo Hall.”

*From the official website of Roadside Station Yamagata Zao

A wide variety of events including markets and concerts will be held here.

The day of the interview was the preview and pre-opening day, so the opening ceremony was being set up.

The atmosphere changes drastically depending on the event being held.

Next to the ceremony venue, there was an exhibition of cars designed by Yamagata-born industrial designer Ken Okuyama.

The hall is large enough to accommodate car exhibitions, so I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of events will be held there in the future.

Click here to see [Feature] Nanokamachi Gotenzeki! KEN OKUYAMA CASA

Works by Yamagata’s leading artists were also on display between the Juhyo Hall and the food and beverage area.

Works by “Furniture Workshop MOKU”, which was previously featured in VISIT YAMAGATA,

There are also works made from Gassan Japanese paper that were used during the light-making experience.

If you find a piece you like, why not visit the studio in person?

Click here for the article [Activity] Furniture Studio Moku! Make your own wood art

3. Food and beverage and merchandise corner

And sorry for the wait!

A roadside station is known for its food, drink and retail corner.

There is also an eat-in space where you can take a relaxing break or enjoy your purchased items.

There is also a kids’ space within the eat-in area.

We hope you and your family will enjoy a fun time.

And when it comes to roadside stations, food is a must!

We will introduce four attractive shops that have opened in conjunction with the Roadside Station Yamagata Zao.

① ESCARGOT ZAO BAUM STUDIO

The first place I’d like to introduce is “ESCARGOT ZAO BAUM STUDIO”.

You can enjoy freshly baked baumkuchen right in the roadside station’s workshop.

The lineup includes standard baumkuchen as well as butter sandwiches made with ingredients typical of Yamagata.

This baumkuchen is made with special ingredients including eggs and cultured butter, making it a perfect souvenir.

② Yamagata Purin Roadside Station Zao

Next we will introduce “Yamagata Purin Roadside Station Zao.”

This is the second shop of Yamagata Purin, Yamagata Prefecture’s first pudding specialty store, which uses local ingredients.

“Fruit Pudding Soft” is a special pudding topped with soft-serve ice cream, “Pudding Ice” is a pudding made into ice cream,

Another highlight is that they offer products that can only be tasted here, such as “Zao Snow Pudding,” which is inspired by Zao’s snowy mountains.

Zao snow pudding has two layers, with fluffy, snow-like milk foam on top and smooth milk pudding underneath, creating a new texture!

Please come and experience it for yourself.

③ SLOWJAM Roadside Station Yamagata Zao Store

This is a cafe and sweets shop that is packed with the whole of Yamagata.

In addition to popular baked goods, you can also enjoy curry made with sakuranbo chicken from Yamagata Prefecture.

One of the most recommended items is the “Yamagata no Megumi” pound cake box, which comes with three different kinds of cake.

This special box contains “Shonai Wheat Lemon Pound Cake” made with Shonai-grown wheat, “Soba Pound Cake” made with Yamagata-grown “Dewa Kaori flour,” and “Rice Flour Safflower Pound Cake” made with Yamagata Prefecture flower, safflower.

Each and every pound cake is packed with the delicious charm of Yamagata.

This is likely to become a new staple of Yamagata souvenirs.

④ TAKAHASHI BEEF FARM

The last place we’d like to introduce is TAKAHASHI BEEF FARM.

They sell fresh meat delivered directly from their own farm.

The refrigerator is stocked with high-quality meat and prepared foods.

They also sold condiments to make the meat taste better.

This is an assortment that can only be found at TAKAHASHI BEEF FARM, which knows everything about meat.

By the way, there is a direct passageway from TAKAHASHI BEEF FARM Sugusoba to the adjacent Yamagata Prefectural Tourism and Products Center Gutto Yamagata.

Not only Roadside Station Yamagata Zao, but Gutto Yamagata also has many attractive products and restaurants!

I recommend enjoying both.

Click here for [Feature] Gutto Yamagata! Largest tourist product center in the prefecture

4. Information Corner

We’ve introduced some delicious food here, but of course it also functions as a roadside station!

This is the view from the entrance on the right as you face the front.

The building is completely barrier-free and can be used by wheelchairs and strollers.

Traditional Yamagata crafts are also on display, so be sure to check them out.

Further in, there is an information corner with three large screens.

We also offer free rental of VR goggles, allowing you to virtually experience the great outdoors of Zao.

At the general information desk, you can make reservations for roadside station use and experiential tours.

And there’s even a radio broadcasting booth!

The site will be used to spread the word about Zao’s appeal, announce events, and provide food and road information, among other things.

5. Baby care room & powder room

There is also a baby care room where you can breastfeed your baby, give them milk, and change their diapers.

There was also a vending machine like this that moms and dads will be happy to know about.

They sell not only diapers but also baby food!

What’s more, the baby food is made by a mother raising children in Yamagata.

You can purchase carefully made baby food using locally grown organic rice and organic vegetables, and without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

The women’s restroom also has a powder room that is available 24 hours a day.

Please also make use of the roadside station’s original cute cherry patterned stools.

6. Event Square

At Roadside Station Yamagata Zao, there are many attractive spots not only inside the station but also outdoors.

This is the “Event Square” where you can hold workshops, sports trial sessions, and more.

The green lawn is so beautiful and spacious that you’ll want to lie down on it!

Apparently you can also play in the snow in winter, so it looks like it will be a popular space for kids.

7. Imoni Square

When you think of Yamagata, you think of imoni, the famous stew!

The roadside station also has an “Imoni Hiroba” where you can enjoy an imoni party without having to bring anything with you.

Please enjoy the delicious stew provided by local farmers.

*Scheduled to start in April 2024

8. Park and ride

The parking lot on the east side also has parking space for park and ride.

You can park your car at the roadside station and travel by bus or enjoy cycling.

There is also a space for sleeping in your car, so you can take a break during long drives, and it also has a power outlet, so you can use it with a camper. (※ Scheduled to start in April 2024 )

When you enter the station from the entrance on the Park Island side, you will find a bus shelter and spacious changing rooms.

9. Message

Finally, we will share a message from Station Manager Aoki of the Roadside Station Yamagata Zao during the preview event for media.

“This is the first roadside station in Yamagata City and the entrance to Zao Onsen.

From here, I would like to spread the appeal of Yamagata and aim to boost economic activity.

We hope that many people will enjoy this spot as an entry point to tourist spots, so please come and visit.

10. Basic information

Opening hours
9:00~17:30
(The southern area is available 24 hours a day)
*Hours are subject to change.
*
Parking Lot
・Small vehicles: 285 spaces
・Large vehicles: 34 spaces
・Thoughtful Parking Lot: 6 spaces
・EV charging facility: 3 spaces
・Park and ride: 39 spaces
・Car camping facility (fee required): 5 spaces
*
Facilities
・Toilets: Barrier-free toilets
・Nursing room: Diaper changing station & Diaper vending machine
*The area on the south side is available 24 hours a day
*
Regional cooperation functions
・Hide-themed Hall
・Eat-in Corner
・Event Space
・Event Square
・Imoni Square
*
Information dissemination functions
・Information corner (tourist information, road information)
・Radio broadcast booth
*
Communication functions
・Public wireless LAN
・Public telephone (1 unit)
*
Transportation hub function
・Bus stops, bus shelters, park and rides
*
Disaster prevention functions
・Disaster prevention storehouse
・Emergency generator
・Water tank
・Manhole toilets