Station Kuzmaki Kogen

Discover the Heart of Iwate’s Rural Charm

Kuzmaki Kogen is a welcoming roadside station nestled along National Route 281, serving as the gateway to the scenic village of Kuzumaki in Iwate Prefecture. Located at the crossroads of Morioka and Kuri, it offers travelers a peaceful retreat amid lush forests and rolling farmland. More than a rest stop, it’s a vibrant cultural hub where local traditions, agriculture, and nature converge.

At the heart of the station is the direct-producer market, where visitors can sample fresh vegetables, mountain vegetables, and local specialties like Kuzumaki soba, regional beef, and charcoal from nearby woodlands. The on-site café, Kuzumaki Chaya, serves hearty dishes such as beef stew soba and premium dairy-based soft serve, all made with ingredients from the Kuzumaki Highland Farm. With a serene larch park, seasonal lavender fields, and a tranquil atmosphere, Kuzmaki Kogen invites travelers to slow down, reconnect with nature, and savor the authentic spirit of northern Japan.

Visit Kuzmaki Kogen roadside station to taste the region’s only kuzmaki soba served in a rich, slow-cooked beef stew—crafted with meat from the local Kuzmaki Highland cattle. Savor the exclusive Kuzmaki Highland wine, made from grapes grown in the area’s high-altitude vineyards, and sample handmade dairy treats like aged cheese and creamy yogurt from the same pasture-raised cows. The station’s unique Larch Park offers quiet forest walks beneath towering Japanese larch trees, a serene retreat only found here.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit the produce stand "Hosuna Aru" between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to get first access to the day’s fresh mountain vegetables and wild mountain grapes, which are often sold out by midday.

• Hidden Gems: At the deli counter in the produce stand, look for the limited-edition "Kuzmaki Mountain Grape Jam" made from locally harvested wild grapes—only available during the August to September harvest season.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, visit the light meal shop "Kuzmaki Chaya" between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM to secure a seat for the daily special, "Kuzmaki Highland Beef Stew Soba," which sells out by 1:00 PM.

• Best Photo Spot: Take a short walk to the "Larch Park" just behind the roadside station, where the best photo opportunity is from the wooden bridge overlooking the shaded forest path—ideal for capturing the natural light filtering through the larch trees.

• Unique Product to Buy: Purchase the "Kuzmaki Highland Wine" at the produce stand during your visit—this locally made wine is only available in the spring and fall months and is not sold outside the station.

• Best Time for Soft Serve: Head to Kuzmaki Chaya between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekdays to enjoy the fresh "Highland Soft Cream" made with milk from the Kuzmaki Highland Ranch—this is when the dairy is most recently processed and the cream is at its peak freshness.

• Practical Tip for Families: Use the multi-purpose restroom near the entrance, which includes a baby changing table and is equipped with a step-up platform for strollers—this is the only accessible restroom with full family facilities at the station.

Spring (March–May): Late April brings blooming lavender in the park, while fresh mountain vegetables arrive at the direct-sales house.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for fresh dairy products and soft serve from the highland pasture, with roadside markets bustling.

Autumn (September–November): Harvest season for mountain grapes and local wines, with cozy farm meals available.

Winter (December–February): Quiet months with warm dairy treats and seasonal kuzumaki soba served at the food stall.