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

Located on the eastern side of the Abukuma Highlands, which separate the coastal and central regions of Fukushima Prefecture, Iitate Village is a beautiful village embraced by abundant nature.
It 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 the difficult-to-return zone. The village is now moving forward with its reconstruction.

Why not visit Iitate Village, a member of the NPO "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages" Association?
Delicious handmade udon noodles and relaxing baths await 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. News reports showed that it was bustling with people who had evacuated outside the village and others who wanted to be among the first to experience the new attraction. And incredibly, by October 19th, the number of visitors had already reached 100,000!
It's incredibly popular.

By the way, aren't you curious about what this "madei" means?
It's a dialect from Tohoku and Fukushima, and in kanji it's written as "真手". It literally means "both hands", but it's a word that means "carefully", "modestly", "without sparing time and effort", and "with all one's heart".
Even before the earthquake, Iitate Village had adopted this "madei" spirit, a "madei life" with nuances common to eco-life and slow life, as the basic philosophy for village development, which is why it became the name of this roadside station.

So, what can you find at this Madei-kan? Well, the
interior, which makes the most of the texture of wood, features an impressive hall with high ceilings, as well as a direct sales corner for agricultural products and a snack corner. The convenience store on-site is also a plus.
Of course, you can also use it to check road information or as a rest stop during your drive.

The upper part of the wall in the shop area, where Fukushima products are displayed on both sides, is lined with wonderful photos of smiling faces from the people of Iitate Village. In addition to food and miscellaneous goods, there is also a section for local sake.
There are still few products from Iitate Village, but there are some perfect souvenirs, so please take your time and 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 "Iitate Yukikko," a pumpkin variety developed 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 flavor and can be enjoyed as a light 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 a udon restaurant in Iitate Village with a history of over 60 years. It is a well-known establishment not only among the villagers but also among udon lovers both inside and outside Fukushima Prefecture.
After the earthquake, it operated in Fukushima City where it had evacuated, but it returned to Iitate Village and reopened for business in April of this year.

Ebisu-an's udon has passionate fans for every item on the menu, but my top recommendation is the Gomoku Udon, which is piled high with meat and vegetables.
It's a delicious dish that you can't find anywhere else, unique to this restaurant. It's a flavor that seems like it should exist but doesn't, and the satisfaction you feel after eating it is incredible.

The meat udon, which is packed with meat, has a clean broth and is not at all heavy. The
noodles themselves are delicious and have a nice chewy texture, so many people order a large portion.
I can see why some people say they "go to Iitate just to go to Ebisu-an."

INFO
Ebisu-an
101 Iihimachi, 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 accommodation is available.
The Kikori no Oyado (Lumberjack's Accommodation Center) and cottages reopened in May after renovations.
The price is a very reasonable 3,675 yen per person per night for room only. Meals are not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own food, and the rooms are equipped with refrigerators and microwaves.

And the most appealing feature is undoubtedly the large public bath. It features a Togoru mineral bath, and there's also a small herbal bath, so you can relax and soothe both your body and soul.
You can use just the public bath from 10am to 6pm. You can also stop by for just 300 yen, making it 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" might suggest a remote location, Iitate Village is surprisingly easy to visit.
While traveling by car is the primary way to get there, it's only about an hour's drive from Fukushima Station and about 40 minutes from Minamisoma in the Hamadori region. If you're visiting both the Nakadori and Hamadori regions, Iitate Village is definitely a great stopover option.

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