Station Ippukudokoro Yokogawa

Savor the Essence of Shizuoka’s Mountain Countryside

Nestled along National Route 362 in the lush hills of Hamamatsu’s Tenryu District, Ippukudokoro Yokogawa is a roadside station where nature, tradition, and local flavor converge. Surrounded by verdant forests and fertile farmland, this vibrant hub celebrates the region’s renowned shiitake mushrooms and aromatic Tenryu tea, offering visitors a true taste of rural Shizuoka.

More than just a rest stop, it’s a sensory journey—home to a bustling market featuring fresh, locally grown shiitake, seasonal mountain vegetables, and unique treats like shiitake soft cream. Savor authentic handmade udon and soba, or enjoy seasonal delights like grilled corn, wild ferns, and the popular “kare pan” on weekends. With a refreshing mist shower, free charging stations, and a peaceful space to unwind, Ippukudokoro Yokogawa invites travelers to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of the countryside.

Visit Ippukudokoro Yokogawa for its signature shiitake soft cream, made exclusively from locally grown, fresh shiitake mushrooms harvested from the region’s original wooden logs—no other roadside station offers this earthy, aromatic treat. Pair it with a bowl of seasonal mountain vegetable tempura soba, where wild ferns and bamboo shoots are hand-picked from nearby streams. The station’s unique “cold amasake” and mist showers provide a refreshing retreat along the scenic National Route 362, where cherry blossoms drift down the river in spring and the scent of tea fields lingers year-round.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on weekends to secure the limited daily batch of 20 handmade curry pan, which is only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and often sells out by midday.

• Hidden Gems: Look for the seasonal "popo" fruit at the roadside station’s fresh produce counter—this summer specialty, known as "forest custard cream," is only available in August and is a rare treat found only at Ippukudokoro Yokogawa.

• Food Specialty Timing: Order the cold amazake (fermented rice drink) at the café between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM during July and August when it is served chilled and specifically promoted as a summer fatigue remedy.

• Seasonal Produce Purchase: Buy the white corn from the direct sales counter in early June when it first arrives—this variety has a crisp texture and natural sweetness, best enjoyed when cooked for just 4 minutes with a pinch of salt.

• Experience the Freshness: Head to the direct sales area just after 9:00 AM on weekdays to find the day’s fresh wild vegetables—including takanoko (bamboo shoots), warabi (fern), and wild mountain vegetables—delivered directly from nearby streams, often sold out by noon.

• Cooling Break: Use the mist shower located near the entrance during peak afternoon heat between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM when the weather is hottest, as it is specifically installed to help visitors cool down during summer.

• Best Souvenir Purchase: Buy the shiitake soft cream at the direct sales counter before 1:00 PM, as it is made fresh daily using locally grown shiitake mushrooms and is often the last item sold each day.

Spring (March-May): Peak season for fresh bamboo shoots and wild mountain vegetables like warabi, with cherry blossoms in full view from late April.

Summer (June-August): Fresh corn and summer fruit "popo" available, with cooling mist showers and cold amazake for heat relief.

Autumn (September-November): Not specified in content.

Winter (December-February): Not specified in content.