Discover the Heart of Nanto’s Heritage at Fukumitsu Roadside Station
Nestled in the scenic hills of Nanto City, nestled between the historic five-peak villages and the ancient wood-carving town of Inami, Fukumitsu Roadside Station stands as a vibrant cultural crossroads. More than a pit stop, it’s a celebration of local tradition, seasonal bounty, and sustainable community life. Surrounded by lush farmland and forested slopes, this roadside station offers travelers a rare glimpse into the enduring spirit of rural Japan.
Fukumitsu shines through its diverse offerings: handmade rice flour bread baked daily, seasonal vegetables from local farms, and regional specialties like fermented tofu salad and pork curry. The station also hosts unique events such as the Snow Lantern Festival, where giant paper balloons float above the sky, and the Firefly River Festival, held along the legendary "Damasu River" where light shows and folklore come alive. With its warm hospitality, authentic cuisine, and deep connection to nature and heritage, Fukumitsu invites visitors to slow down, savor the moment, and experience the soul of Nanto.
Why Visit
Fukumitsu roadside station stands out for its unique fusion of local heritage and culinary innovation. Visitors can savor the region’s only handmade rice flour bread, baked daily using locally grown Koshihikari rice, a specialty found nowhere else. Equally distinctive is the annual Snow Lantern Festival, where massive paper lanterns rise into the winter sky above the historic Sango mountain—inspired by the beloved artist Shikō Munakata, whose legacy is deeply woven into the community’s identity. These moments, set against the backdrop of the pristine, snow-dusted landscape, create an experience as rare as it is unforgettable.
Restaurants & Dining
Savor local flavors at Fukumitsu roadside station, where fresh, seasonal ingredients meet traditional craftsmanship.
Dandelion Restaurant
レストラン たんぽぽ
Specialty
Local cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients
A cozy dining spot offering a warm and inviting atmosphere with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and traditional flavors.
Cucina Nobu
Cucina Nobu
Specialty
Renovated century-old wooden building with open kitchen and wood-fired oven
A restaurant housed in a 100-year-old Azumadachi building, blending rustic charm with modern elegance. The open kitchen features a chef-made red wood-fired oven at its center, creating a dynamic and inviting dining experience.
Hiratoshis Honpo
平寿し本舗
Specialty
Traditional rectangular sushi with local ingredients
A restaurant specializing in uniquely shaped, rectangular sushi made with high-quality local rice, fresh trout, and bamboo leaves, emphasizing both taste and visual appeal.
Sunrise Tea House
紹興友好物産館 飲茶屋
Specialty
Chinese tea and cultural products from sister city Shaoxing
A tea house offering a serene atmosphere where visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and browse cultural items from Shaoxing, a sister city of Fukumitsu.
Kaya Shou
萱笑
Specialty
Handmade soba noodles
A traditional soba restaurant serving freshly hand-pulled noodles made from local buckwheat, offering a rustic and authentic dining experience.
Shopping Highlights
Discover unique regional products and artisanal goods at Fukumitsu, a hub of local culture and quality craftsmanship.
Rice Flour Bakery
米粉パン
A bakery specializing in rice flour bread made from local Koshihikari rice, baked fresh daily.
Products
Must-Try Item
Rice flour bread
Local Vegetable Deli
惣菜
A deli offering ready-to-eat meals made from locally grown vegetables and traditional ingredients.
Products
Must-Try Item
Soybean curd residue salad
Nobu Sweets Industry Co., Ltd.
日の出屋製菓産業株式会社
A confectionery company producing seasonal gifts, commemorative items, and local specialty sweets.
Products
Must-Try Item
Seasonal gift sweets
Featured Products
Experience signature specialties like rice flour bread and mountain-fresh vegetables, crafted with pride from South Takaoka’s rich soil.
Rice Flour Bread
米粉パン
Freshly baked bread made from locally grown Koshihikari rice flour, produced daily in-house.
Soybean Curd Residue Salad
おからサラダ
A refreshing salad made from tofu byproduct, using local vegetables and a light dressing.
Pork Curry
ポークカレー
A rich and savory curry made with locally sourced pork and seasonal vegetables.
Chinese Incense and Crafts
中国のお香 工芸品
Authentic Chinese incense and handcrafted items from Shaoxing, sister city of Fukumitsu.
Handmade Soba Noodles
手打そば
Freshly made buckwheat noodles using traditional hand-pulling techniques.
Trout Sushi
ますの寿し
A unique rectangular sushi made with fresh local trout, wrapped in bamboo leaves.
Seasonal Gift Sweets
季節のご挨拶
Artisanal sweets crafted for seasonal greetings and special occasions.
Facilities & Amenities
Relax and recharge with free Wi-Fi, mobile battery rentals, and spacious parking at Fukumitsu roadside station.
Parking
The roadside station has a parking area with space for 120 cars, including 15 large vehicle spots and 2 accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities.
Adjacent to the roadside station entrance
Restroom
Restrooms are available for visitors at the roadside station.
Inside the main facility
Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the store area. Users can access the network for up to 1 hour per day.
Inside the store
Information Center
The roadside station provides information about local attractions, events, and regional products. Staff are available during operating hours to assist visitors.
Main entrance area
EV Charging Station
Electric vehicle charging facilities are available at the roadside station. Charging is accessible to all EV users.
Near the main parking area
ATM
An ATM is available on-site for visitors to access banking services.
Near the main entrance
Nursing Room
A private nursing room is available for parents with infants, providing a comfortable and quiet space for feeding and care.
Inside the facility
Pet Area
A designated pet-friendly area is available for visitors with pets. The area includes a dog run for dogs to exercise.
Near the outdoor seating area
Activities & Experiences
Engage in seasonal festivals, hands-on workshops, and cultural experiences that celebrate South Takaoka’s heritage.
Snow Lantern Festival
なんとふくみつ雪あかり祭り
Participants can witness giant paper balloons floating high in the winter sky, creating a magical scene. The balloons are illuminated by burners, especially striking during sunset when the flames glow red through the paper.
Duration
120 min
Firefly Festival at Damashi River
だまし川と蛍の河童村祭り
Attendees can enjoy a traditional festival in June where fireflies dance over the Damashi River, inspired by a local legend about a river spirit. The event celebrates the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area.
Duration
180 min
Best enjoyed on clear, warm evenings.
Insect Sending Tanabata Festival
ムシ送り七夕祭り
Participants join a traditional event in July where adults beat drums and chant while carrying bamboo poles with wishes tied to them, symbolically sending away pests to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Duration
150 min
Outdoor event; best in dry weather.
Local Fish Grilling
岩魚塩焼 どじょう蒲焼 ナマズ蒲焼 販売
Visitors can purchase and enjoy grilled local fish such as mountain trout, loach, and catfish, prepared using traditional methods.
Duration
30 min
Rice Flour Bread Making
米粉パン
Participants can learn how to make rice flour bread using locally grown Koshihikari rice, with daily on-site dough preparation and multiple varieties available.
Duration
60 min
Local Vegetable and Tofu Side Dish Preparation
惣菜
Attendees can learn to prepare traditional local side dishes using fresh regional vegetables and tofu byproducts, such as soybean curd salad and curry dishes.
Duration
90 min
Sichuan Tea House Experience
紹興友好物産館 飲茶屋
Visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese tea and explore cultural items such as incense and crafts from the sister city of Shaoxing, Fujin City.
Duration
60 min
Traditional Soba Noodle Making
手打そば萱笑
Participants can learn the traditional method of hand-pulling soba noodles at a local shop, experiencing the craftsmanship behind this regional specialty.
Duration
75 min
Rice Planting and Harvesting Experience
田植え・芋堀り体験会
Visitors can participate in seasonal farming activities such as rice planting and sweet potato harvesting, learning about traditional agricultural practices in the region.
Duration
120 min
Outdoor activity; weather-dependent.
Insider Tips
Visit during festival season for special events and arrive early to enjoy the best selection of local produce.
- Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on weekdays to secure the day’s first batch of freshly baked rice flour bread, which is made daily and often sells out by noon.
- Hidden Gems: At the deli counter, look for the homemade tofu from five-point mountain (Gokayama) made from leftover okara, used in the okara salad and available only during seasonal events.
- Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the outdoor fish stand between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to purchase grilled mountain trout (Iwana), boiled loach (Dojo), and eel (NamaZu) — these are sold only during the summer months and often run out by early afternoon.
- Event Timing: Attend the Nanto Snow Lantern Festival at dusk, when the large paper lanterns are lit; the most striking view occurs just after sunset when the burner flames glow red through the paper, visible from the roadside station parking area.
- Cultural Experience: Visit the Shaoxing Friendship Products Pavilion to sample traditional Chinese tea and explore the display of handmade incense and crafts from the sister city of Shaoxing — this section is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Free Wi-Fi Access: Use the free Wi-Fi at the roadside station by connecting to the network named “Fukumitsu_Free_WiFi” — access is limited to one hour per day per device, and it is best to connect early to avoid congestion during peak hours.
- Battery Rental Tip: Rent a mobile battery from the HESTA CHARGE kiosk using the HESTA CHARGE app; to avoid the deposit, return the device at any HESTA CHARGE station nationwide — the most efficient return point is located near the roadside station’s main entrance.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March–May): Enjoy fresh bamboo shoots and seasonal vegetables at the roadside station, with the daimashi River and firefly festival beginning in June.
Summer (June–August): Visit during the daimashi River and firefly festival in June, and experience the hot "mushi-okuri" Tanabata festival in mid-July.
Autumn (September–November): Discover seasonal harvests and regional produce, with the snow lantern festival in winter highlighting the area’s cultural heritage.
Winter (December–February): Experience the renowned Fumitsu Snow Lantern Festival, featuring giant paper balloons lit against winter skies.
Ratings
Family-Friendly Review
Fukumitsu roadside station offers a variety of local food and interactive experiences like seasonal festivals and farm activities. It features stroller-friendly paths, clean restrooms, and ample parking, enhancing accessibility for families. While no dedicated play area is mentioned, the engaging events and educational aspects of local culture make it appealing for children.
Food Lover Review
The station provides diverse dining options including specialty items like rice flour bread, local vegetable dishes, and traditional products such as flat sushi and fermented soybean snacks. It features a well-curated selection of regional goods, fresh produce from local farmers, and artisanal offerings, delivering a rich culinary experience rooted in local traditions.
Car Camping Review
Fukumitsu offers a large parking area with 120 spaces, including facilities for large vehicles and accessible spots. Restrooms and vending machines are available, though overnight parking is not explicitly permitted. The site is quiet during the day but lacks designated overnight camping zones or camping amenities.
Scenic Beauty Review
Located near scenic landscapes including the historic Kurokawa River and the historic Kurokawa area, the station offers views of natural and cultural heritage. The seasonal events like the Snow Lantern Festival enhance visual appeal, and the surrounding mountains and traditional architecture contribute to a peaceful, aesthetically rich atmosphere.