Station Ara Essa

Discover the Heart of Shimane’s Rural Bounty at Ara Essa

Nestled in the scenic countryside of Yasugi City, Ara Essa stands as a vibrant roadside station at the gateway to the Shima region’s rich cultural and natural heritage. More than a rest stop, it’s a celebration of local life—where fresh mountain and sea harvests meet traditional craftsmanship and community spirit. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by the warmth of island hospitality and the aroma of regional specialties.

At Ara Essa, every visit is an experience. Sample the famed red snow crab, freshly caught from the Sea of Japan, or enjoy a steaming bowl of sea urchin chowder at the seaside market. Savor handmade sweets at the station’s popular stall, or dine in the charming old-style restaurant, where local dishes like soft-boned sweetfish and traditional donburi shine. With rotating events, seasonal festivals, and unique attractions like the playful local dialect vending machine, Ara Essa invites travelers to slow down, connect, and taste the soul of rural Japan.

Ara Essa stands out for its unparalleled access to freshly caught red snow crabs from the Sea of Japan, available boiled and ready to eat at the Yasugi Fish Market—only here can you savor this seasonal delicacy just hours after it’s hauled in. Equally unique is the “Yamaguchi-style” donkey stew, a regional specialty served at the old-style restaurant Midai no Sato, made with locally raised donkey meat and traditional herbs. These are not just dishes—they’re culinary traditions found nowhere else.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit the ya sugi fish market between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM on weekends to secure the freshest red snow crab, which sells out quickly and is only available until the end of the day.

• Hidden Gems: Head to the nakami cai sain馆 (farmers' market) during the New Rice and Maimon Festival on October 25–26 to participate in the "weight match challenge" — the person whose guess is closest to the actual weight of a rice bag wins a 2kg bag of new rice.

• Weekend Special: On November 1–3, visit the ya sugi fish market during "Yasugi Fish Market Maimai Day" to enjoy freshly boiled red snow crab and crab soup, available only on November 2 and 3.

• Food Truck Insight: The station’s mobile food stall launches a new menu on November 4 — try the Japanese parfait, a seasonal dessert featuring local ingredients, available only during the week of November 4–10.

• Unique Experience: At the station’s vending machine, insert a coin to hear one of two regional dialect versions — either a humorous "Anzai dialect" or a cute child’s version — both are in local Anzai dialect and are only available during the current event period.

• Best Value Purchase: On October 18–19, visit the ya sugi fish market to buy dried fish in a "fill-it-up" bag for just 500 yen — the bags are filled with up to 30 pieces and sell out by 11:00 AM.

• Special Event Tip: On October 13, arrive at nakami cai sain馆 by 10:00 AM to join the "Yokan Scoop" event — pay 500 yen to scoop one bite-sized yokan with a ladle, and if you don’t get any, you’ll still receive five pieces. The event ends when the stock runs out.

Spring (March-May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at Nakauumi Sai-sha馆 in April, with seasonal markets featuring early vegetables.

Summer (June-August): Seafood festivals highlight fresh catch, including live eel dishes and limited-time sea urchin and squid specials.

Autumn (September-November): Red snow crab and dried fish samplers available October–November; new rice harvest events in late October.

Winter (December-February): Winter food festivals feature local specialties like steamed rice and roasted chestnuts, with seasonal soups and drinks.