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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become difficult to travel abroad as easily as before. In this article, we will introduce some special places where you can get the feeling of being in South Korea, which is always ranked highly on the list of countries people want to travel to during this COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Korea" suddenly appears in the midst of a landscape rich in nature!
Roadside Station Tozawa Koraikan is a roadside station in Tozawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture, marked by a Korean-style building. Tozawa Village is a small village in the northern part of Yamagata Prefecture with a population of about 4,000 people, and is also famous for its boat rides down the Mogami River.
While driving along National Route 47 while enjoying the magnificent scenery of Tozawa Village, a large Korean-style building suddenly appears!
The grounds give you the feeling of going back in time
If it weren't for the roadside station sign, you wouldn't have any idea what kind of facility it was at first glance. I went inside with excitement.
An exotic totem pole greeted me at the entrance. It was a "general's marker," a type of Korean talisman.
The vast grounds are lined with Korean-style buildings and objects as far as the eye can see. Looking at the huge palace-like buildings often seen in Korean period dramas, you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time to the Joseon Dynasty.
A statue of Dolharubang, the guardian deity of Jeju Island, placed in the garden
The garden is planted with plants familiar in Korea, such as the Rose of Sharon and Magnolia, in accordance with the Korean theory of Feng Shui, which focuses on the harmony between the energy of heaven and earth and humans
Why Korean style?
Some may wonder why a roadside station in a small village rich in nature has a Korean style. The answer dates back more than 30 years. Since 1989, Tozawa Village has been running an "International Exchange Academy" in collaboration with Jecheon City in South Korea, and mutual visits have been made with the aim of exchanging agricultural techniques among young people working in agriculture. Since then, the village has promoted international marriages as a measure to secure successors to farming families, and Tozawa Village has a history of many women from South Korea marrying into the village.
First up is the main building, the Korean Products Hall. Light-hearted K-POP music plays in the background, and about 80% of the products in the store are Korean. With rows of food, cosmetics, and Korean idol merchandise, you'll feel like you're in a Korean souvenir shop. There's also a wide selection of foods you don't often see in everyday life, such as ginseng drinks, making it a fun spot to just browse.
"Choga no Oka" - A spectacular view of the Mogami River
From the small hill "Tsunoka-no-Oka" at the back of the roadside station grounds, you can enjoy the scenery that spreads out before you. The highlight is the Mogami River, which changes its course at a right angle of 90 degrees. You can enjoy the view that only Tozawa Village, which has existed alongside the Mogami River since ancient times, can offer. There is also a gazebo, so it is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery while feeling the pleasant breeze.
Seoul Bulgogi
Seoul Bulgogi is a Korean restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Korean cuisine. When I saw the font on the sign, I felt a sense of relief, similar to the relief I felt when I saw Japanese in Korea.
Our recommended "Koryo Bijin Ice Cream" contains Korean ginseng, which is said to have many beauty and health benefits
The crispy texture of ginseng adds a unique touch to this ice cream, which is hard to find anywhere else. It is currently on hiatus, but is expected to be back in spring next year with even more flavor
There is also a photo spot where you can take photos wearing the traditional Korean dress, the Chima Jeogori. It's great to be able to experience the royal atmosphere you've seen in Korean dramas while in Yamagata. The gorgeous and cute atmosphere makes for great photos, making this a popular spot with a wide range of generations, including young women and women in their 50s and 60s who love Korean dramas. Costumes for small children are also available, so parents and children can take photos together! If the weather is nice, you can take photos in the studio, inside the building, or in the garden.
This fast food restaurant is run by Umechan Kimchi Honpo, which has its headquarters in Tsuruoka City. You'll feel like you're in a diner in the middle of a Korean town. The easy-to-eat chijimi is also available for takeout. It's a great place to drop in on a drive.
in conclusion
Roadside Station Tozawa Koraikan is a rare spot in Tohoku where you can experience the feeling of a mini trip to Korea. Why not visit to experience the mysterious atmosphere that makes you feel like you've wandered into a foreign country and enjoy the authentic cuisine and sweets?
Thank you for reading the article. I'm naka, a writer born and raised in Tohoku. His hobby is visiting temples and shrines. Her goshuin is now in its third volume. We bring you the latest information and deep topics from Tohoku that only locals can provide!
![Mogami safflower](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
![Mogami safflower](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/30121446_m-1-150x150.jpg.webp ""Mogami safflower" certified as a Japanese heritage and Japanese agricultural heritage [Yamagata Prefecture]")
