Station Imai Megumi no Sato

Savor the Essence of Local Harvests in the Heart of Nature

Imai Megumi no Sato is a vibrant roadside station nestled along the Green Road, a scenic agricultural corridor in the heart of Matsumoto’s expansive farming region. More than a rest stop, it’s a living celebration of local agriculture, where fresh, seasonal produce is celebrated from field to table. The station showcases farm-to-table excellence with its direct sales of just-harvested vegetables, fruits, and regional specialties, all rooted in the principle of “local production, local consumption.”

Visitors enjoy hands-on experiences including farm-to-kitchen cooking demonstrations, traditional soba-making, and access to a multi-purpose community hall and sports facilities. With year-round operations and a strong commitment to connecting urban and rural communities, Imai Megumi no Sato stands as a dynamic hub for agriculture, culture, and sustainable living in the region.

Visit Imai Megumi no Sato to experience the only roadside station in the region where you can watch local farmers hand-craft soba noodles using freshly milled buckwheat from their own fields. Home to the only on-site artisanal dairy processing facility, it offers the only Jersey cow milk ice cream made from locally produced cream. Surrounded by the pristine peaks of the Chikuma Mountains, this is where sustainable farming meets authentic mountain food culture.

• Best Arrival Time: Arrive by 8:30 AM on weekdays or 9:00 AM on weekends to secure a seat at the cafeteria before the morning milk bread and seasonal vegetable rice bowl (available 8:30–10:00) sell out.

• Hidden Gems: Visit the deli counter between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM to find the day’s limited batch of homemade pickled vegetables made from locally grown cucumbers and daikon, available only during summer months.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, join the 11:00 AM guided tour of the on-site soba-making facility to witness hand-pounded buckwheat noodles being prepared using locally milled flour—tours run only on weekends and require advance sign-up at the information desk.

• Best Time for Fresh Produce: Go to the direct sales counter just after 8:30 AM on weekdays to get the first selection of freshly harvested strawberries and early-season tomatoes from nearby farms before they are sold out by midday.

• Off-Peak Activity Access: Use the multi-purpose hall for free during weekdays between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM—this is the only time when the hall is available without reservation or fee for casual visitors.

• Local Food Experience: Order the "Seasonal Harvest Plate" at the cafeteria between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to enjoy a rotating menu featuring vegetables and fruits harvested that week, such as heirloom carrots, mountain-grown spinach, or fresh plums.

• Bike and Walk Tip: Use the greenway path along the wide agricultural road to walk or bike from the main parking lot to the backside of the facility, where the small roadside fruit stand sells extra-ripe peaches and nectarines from the Imai region’s orchards—open only during harvest season (late July to mid-August).

Spring (March–May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at the market from late March to early May.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for local produce and active use of the multi-purpose facility.

Autumn (September–November): Harvest season for regional vegetables and fruits at the roadside station.

Winter (December–February): Limited fresh produce, but the facility operates daily with year-round access.