[Fukushima] Visit Iitate Village, a Beautiful Japanese Village! The roadside station "Madaikan" has also opened!

Iitate Village, located on the eastern side of the Abukuma Highlands, which separates the Hamadori and Nakadori areas of Fukushima Prefecture, is a beautiful village surrounded by abundant nature.
The village 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 was difficult to return. The village is now moving forward with its hometown reconstruction.

Why not visit Iitate Village, a member of the NPO "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages" Association? You'll
find delicious handmade udon noodles and relaxing baths waiting for you!

Iitate Village Roadside Station "Madaikan" has been hugely popular since it opened

Iitate Village Roadside Station Madeikan opened on August 12th of this year. It was reported that the place was bustling with people who had evacuated outside the village and those who wanted to be the first to experience the new attraction, and by October 19th, the number of visitors had already reached 100,000!
It's incredibly popular.

By the way, have you ever wondered what this "madei" means?
In the dialects of Tohoku and Fukushima, the kanji for it is "ma-te." It literally means "both hands," but it also has the meaning of "carefully," "modestly," "spare no time and effort," and "with all one's heart."
Even before the earthquake, Iitate Village had upheld the spirit of "madei," a "madei life" with nuances common to eco-living and slow living, as the basic philosophy for village development, and this is why it was chosen as the name of this roadside station.

So, what does this Madeikan have?
The interior of the building makes use of the texture of wood, and in addition to the impressive hall with a high ceiling, there is also a direct sales corner for agricultural products and a snack corner. There is also a convenience store attached, which is convenient.
Of course, you can use it as a place to check road information or take a break during your drive.

Along the top of the wall in the shop, where Fukushima products are lined up on both sides, are rows of photos of the smiling faces of the people of Iitate Village. In addition to food and miscellaneous goods, there is also a corner for local sake.
There are still only a few products from Iitate Village, but there are some that make perfect souvenirs, so take your time to look around.

For example, there are goods featuring Iitane-chan, the village's official mascot, which was born in April this year. Items like clear files are quite rare

Products made with the Iitate Yukikko pumpkin variety, which originated in Iitate Village, are also popular. In addition to the seed oil shown in the photo, they also offer curry and soup.
Pumpkin buns have a simple taste and can be used as a snack.

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

In the snack corner, popular items include rice bowls made with delicious Fukushima rice, curry rice, and the mysterious white soft serve ice cream that tastes like coffee

INFORMATION

I want to go to Iitate to eat this! Ebisu-an's handmade udon noodles

Ebisu-an is an udon restaurant in Iitate village with over 60 years of history. It is a famous restaurant known not only by the locals but also by udon lovers both inside and outside Fukushima prefecture.
After the earthquake, the restaurant operated in Fukushima City, where they were evacuated, but returned to Iitate village in April of this year and resumed business.

Each dish at Ebisu An has its own passionate fans, but the most recommended is the Gomoku Udon, which is overflowing with meat and vegetables.
It's a delicacy that you can't find anywhere else, and it's a taste that you'd expect to find, but you won't find anywhere else, and you'll feel incredibly satisfied after eating it.

The meat udon, which is filled with meat, has a clean broth and is not at all heavy.
The chewy udon itself is delicious, so many people order a large portion.
It's easy to see why some people say, "I go to Iitate just to go to Ebisu-an."

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

INFORMATION

Take a break in the bath and stay overnight at the Kikori Accommodation Experience Center

Iitate Village is still in the process of recovery, but you can still stay overnight.
The accommodation building and cottages at the Kikori Accommodation Experience Center were renovated and reopened in May.
A one-night stay for one person with no meals included is a great price of 3,675 yen for adults. Meals are not provided, but you can bring your own food, and the rooms are equipped with refrigerators and microwaves.

And the most attractive feature is the large public bath. There is a Togol mineral bath and a small herbal bath, so you can relax and soothe your body and mind.
You can also use the large public bath only from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can drop in for a bath for 300 yen each time, so it's a great place to take a break during your drive.

INFORMATION

Iitate Village is actually very accessible, so it's a great place to stop by on your way between Nakadori and Hamadori

Although the word "village" suggests it is a remote location, Iitate Village is surprisingly easy to visit.
The best way to get there is by car, and it's about an hour's drive from Fukushima Station. It's also about 40 minutes from Minamisoma in the Hamadori area. If you're visiting both the Nakadori and Hamadori areas, be sure to make Iitate Village your one-stop destination.

Those who have made a donation to Iitate Village's hometown tax system or the Iitate Children's Future Fund can also take advantage of the "Welcome Subsidy" system, which will subsidize one-way travel expenses to Iitate Village (up to 60,000 yen), so please inquire

INFORMATION

Hazuki

A writer specializing in food and travel. He loves the Tohoku region, and often visits Fukushima in particular. He even once drove his own car from Kyoto to Fukushima and back