Station Ōtō Sakura Kaido

Discover the Heart of Fukuoka’s Rural Charm

Ōtō Sakura Kaido, nestled along the scenic Kita-Kagawa Road in the heart of Oto Town, is one of the largest roadside stations in western Japan, seamlessly blending nature, culture, and local flavor. Located just 23 kilometers from Kurosaki South IC on the Kyushu Expressway, it serves as a vibrant gateway to the region’s agricultural heritage and natural beauty.

More than a rest stop, this multi-faceted roadside station offers fresh local produce, including prized shijimi clams and black garlic condiments, a bustling food court, a relaxing onsen with indoor and outdoor baths, and a children’s playground with electric play equipment. Adjacent to the station, the Ōtō Flower Park blooms with seasonal wonders—canola in spring, sunflowers in summer, and autumn asters in fall—while winter transforms the site into a magical illuminated wonderland. With its unique combination of farm-to-table experiences, wellness amenities, and seasonal celebrations like the Shijimi Festival and Ōtō Marathon, Ōtō Sakura Kaido delivers a truly immersive journey through rural Fukuoka.

Visit Ōtō Sakura Kaido to experience the only roadside station in the region featuring a year-round floral landscape, where 1,500 cherry trees bloom in spring, followed by sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and a magical winter illumination. Home to the exclusive Ōtō Sakura Kaido Tofu, made with locally sourced soybeans and traditional methods, and the region’s only black garlic dressing and fermented black garlic sauce—both crafted exclusively for this station.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to access the fresh produce section before the morning rush, as the daily delivery of local vegetables and seafood arrives at 8:00 AM and is first available at 9:00 AM.

• Hidden Gems: At the deli counter in the main shop, look for the limited-edition black garlic dressing and black garlic all-purpose sauce, which are only restocked once per week on Mondays and often sell out by midday.

• Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the food court between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to try the exclusive “Otohara Sakura Street Tofu” sandwich, served only during the lunch rush and made with tofu produced on-site.

• Information Corner Advantage: Stop by the information corner between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to receive a free printed guide to nearby attractions, including the adjacent Otohara Flower Park and the Saboten House, which are not listed on the main signage.

• Best Time for Hot Springs: Arrive before 5:00 PM to secure a private bath in the medicinal stone bath (yakusho yu), which is reserved for the last two hours of operation and is only available during the final hour of the 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM opening window.

• Local Food Timing: Purchase the “Otohara Sakura Street Tofu” at the main shop counter before 12:00 PM, as it is made in limited batches daily and is not restocked after lunchtime.

• Family Activity Tip: Use the electric play equipment at the children’s plaza between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM, when staff provide free guided play sessions in English and Japanese, ideal for families with young children visiting from outside the region.

Spring (March–May): Visit during cherry blossom season (late March–early April) when 1,500 sakura trees bloom along the main street, and enjoy seasonal菜の花 (canola flowers) in the adjacent ootou flower park.

Summer (June–August): Experience the vibrant summer bloom of sunflowers in the ootou flower park and cool off in the natural hot spring baths.

Autumn (September–November): See autumnal chrysanthemums in full bloom in the flower park and attend the October clam festival featuring fresh local clams.

Winter (December–February): Enjoy the festive atmosphere with seasonal illuminations decorating the entire roadside station.