[Fukushima] Let's go to Iitate Village, a beautiful village in Japan! Roadside station “Maidan” is also open!

Iitate Village, located on the east side of the Abukuma Highlands that separates Hamadori and Nakadori in Fukushima Prefecture, is a beautiful village surrounded by rich nature.
Its name became widely known when the entire village was evacuated due to the nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, but on March 31, 2017, the evacuation order was lifted except for areas where it would be difficult to return. We are making progress towards the restoration of our hometown.

Would you like to visit Iitate Village, which is a member of the NPO "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages" association?
Delicious handmade udon noodles and a relaxing bath are also waiting for you.

It has been very popular since it opened. Iitate village roadside station “Maidan”

“Iitate Village Roadside Station Maikan” opened on August 12th of this year.
It was reported that the event was very crowded from the first day, with people who had evacuated from outside the village rushing in for the day, and people wanting to experience the new attractions as soon as possible. has already reached 100,000 people! It's very popular.

By the way, are you wondering what this "madei" means?
In the Tohoku and Fukushima dialects, the kanji is ``Mate''.
Although it literally means "both hands," it seems to have meanings such as "carefully," "modestly," "sparing no effort," and "putting all your heart into it." Even before the earthquake, Iitate Village had been advocating this spirit of ``Mai'', a ``Mai Life'' with nuances common to eco-life and slow life, as the basic philosophy of village development, hence the name of this roadside station. It has also become.

Now, what does Konmadei-kan have to offer?In addition to
the hall that makes use of the wood texture and has an impressive high ceiling, there is also a direct sales corner for agricultural products and a snack corner.
It is also convenient that there is a convenience store attached. Of course, you can also use it to check road information or take a break while driving.

At the top of the wall of the shop corner where Fukushima products are lined up on both sides, there are photos of smiling faces of the people of Iitate Village.
In addition to food and miscellaneous goods, there is also a local sake corner. There aren't many products from Iitate Village yet, but there are some that would make perfect souvenirs, so please take your time to look around.

For example, there are goods featuring the village's official character, Iitane-chan, who was born in April of this year. Clear files and other rare items.

Products using the pumpkin variety ``Iitate Yukikko'' born in Iitate Village are also popular.
In addition to the seed oil shown in the photo, we also have curry and soup. Pumpkin manju has a simple taste and can be used as a snack.

We also recommend jams and aromatic teas made with Natsugoby, which has a beautiful deep reddish-purple color and a sweet-sour flavor. Natsugoby is said to be rich in anthocyanins, which are said to be good for the eyes.

At the snack corner, rice bowls and curry rice made with delicious rice from Fukushima, and a mysterious white soft-serve ice cream with a coffee flavor are popular.

INFORMATION

I want to go to Iitate to eat this! Ebisuan's handmade udon

Ebisuan is a udon restaurant in Iitate Village that has a history of over 60 years.
This is a famous restaurant that is well-known not only among the villagers, but also among udon lovers both inside and outside of Fukushima Prefecture. After the earthquake, we operated in Fukushima City, where we evacuated, but in April of this year we returned to Iitate Village and resumed operations.

All of Ebisuan's udon dishes have their own passionate fans, but the most recommended is the Gomoku udon, which is loaded with meat and vegetables.
It's a delicious dish unique to this restaurant that you can't find anywhere else. It really seems like something like this, but it tastes like nothing else, and I don't feel satisfied after eating it.

The meat udon noodles have a refreshing soup stock and are not sticky at all.
The chewy udon itself is delicious, so many people order large portions.
I understand why some people say, ``I go to Iitate to go to Ebisu-an.''

INFO
Ebisuan
101 Iihi-cho, Iitate-mura, Soma-gun, Fukushima
TEL: 0244-43-2018
Business hours: 11:00-15:00
Closed: Tuesdays

INFORMATION

You can take a break in the bath and stay overnight at “Kikori” Accommodation Experience Center

Iitate Village is still in the process of recovery, but you can stay overnight there.
The lodging experience center lumberjack's accommodation building, the cottage, was reopened in May.
A nice price of 3,675 yen per person for one night without meals for adults. Meals are not provided, but you can bring your own, and rooms are equipped with refrigerators and microwaves.

And the most attractive thing is the large public bath.
There is also a small herbal bathtub in the Togor mineral bath, so you can soothe your body and mind by relaxing in it. You can only use the public bath from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can stop by and take a bath for 300 yen once, so please take a break during your drive.

INFORMATION

Actually, I'd like to stop by on the way between Nakadori and Hamadori in Iitate Village, which is conveniently accessible.

Although you may think of Iitate as a remote place because it is called a village, it is surprisingly easy to visit.
It is basically best to visit by car, but it takes about an hour by car from Fukushima Station. It takes about 40 minutes from Minamisoma on Hamadori. If you are visiting both Nakadori and Hamadori, please make a one-stop stop in Iitate Village.

If you donate to Iitate Village's Hometown Tax System or the Iitate Children's Future Fund, you can also take advantage of the Welcome Subsidy system, which subsidizes one-way travel expenses to Iitate Village (up to 60,000 yen). Please inquire.

INFORMATION