Station Ōuchi

Discover the Heart of Akita’s Rural Charm

Ōuchi roadside station, nestled in the scenic landscape of Yurihonjo City, serves as a vibrant gateway to the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Connected directly to Yūgo-Iwagaya Station via a pedestrian bridge, it offers seamless access for travelers exploring the Birda Sea and surrounding mountainous terrain. At the core of the station lies Poporocco, a revitalized multifunctional complex that blends local hospitality with modern comfort.

Visitors enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisine at the on-site restaurant, featuring regional specialties like the famed Dainai Taro Rice Bowl and Kinsaya Udon. The farm-to-table market showcases produce from local growers, including pickled vegetables, wild mountain greens, and handcrafted goods. Guests can also relax in the warm waters of the bathhouse, play a round of ground golf, or explore nearby attractions like the historic Chikata Great Buddha and the serene Kasumi Cherry Blossom Grove.

Ōuchi stands out as the only roadside station in the region offering a true taste of local terroir through its signature dishes crafted from hyper-local ingredients. Visitors can savor the uniquely rich Ōuchi Taro Rice Bowl, made with rice grown in the area’s volcanic soil, and the rare Kinsaya Udon, prepared daily from freshly harvested green beans sourced from nearby farms. These dishes, found nowhere else, are served in a vibrant community hub where seasonal mountain vegetables and hand-pickled vegetables are sold at the on-site market.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to secure the first selection of fresh kintoki-saya udon (boiled green soybean noodles) at the deli counter, as this item is restocked daily and sells out by 11:00 AM.

• Hidden Gems: At the deli counter, look for the kintoki-saya manjuu (green soybean paste dumplings) and Ouchi tororo rice (mashed yam rice), both labeled as “Ichiposho” (must-try items) and only available during the day until 4:00 PM.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, the blueberry mix soft serve is served only from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the ice cream stand—arrive before 10:00 AM to avoid the line, as it often forms by 10:30 AM.

• Local Food Timing: Order the kintoki-saya udon at the restaurant between 11:15 AM and 12:30 PM, as this is the only time the dish is served during lunch hours and is not available during the afternoon tea period.

• Best Value Shopping: Purchase the dried mountain vegetables and local pickled vegetables at the direct sales shop before 3:00 PM, as the store begins discounting unsold items after this time, reducing prices by up to 30%.

• Access Tip: If arriving by train, use the connecting bridge from Yonegawa Station to enter the Poporocco complex directly—this bypasses the main entrance and reduces walking time by 5 minutes.

• Activity Timing: Play a round of grasst golf between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on weekdays to avoid crowds, as the course is most active between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, especially on weekends.

Spring (March-May): Fresh mountain vegetables and early bamboo shoots available at the roadside station market.

Summer (June-August): Blueberry mix soft serve served from April to late November.

Autumn (September-November): Autumn harvest produce and seasonal dishes feature locally grown ingredients.

Winter (December-February): Warm dining and hot spring bathing available year-round, ideal for cold weather visits.