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[Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture] “Mitagai Branch” is the most nostalgic roadside station in Japan! Visit as a parent

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  • Last updated: 2022.01.28

During the feudal period, Nanbu cattle carried sea goods from the coast to Morioka. That route was National Route 455. There are two roadside stations in Morioka.

One of them is located along National Route 455, where Nanbu cattle used to come and go. The location is Kado Mitagai, Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture. This roadside station is attracting attention as being the most nostalgic in Japan.

The model is the former Iwaizumi Town Kado Kosandakai Branch School. There was a time when the number of children exceeded 100, but the number gradually decreased and the school was closed in March 1999.

The original gymnasium still remains in the back.

A school full of nostalgia

With the completion of the Hayasaka Tunnel, which passes through Hayasaka Pass, which was once known as a difficult point for transportation, Iwaizumi Town is no longer a remote area. After passing through the Hayasaka Tunnel and continuing for about 7km, you will arrive at the Mitagai Branch.

The branch school is decorated with photos from the past, and when you look at them, you can see that the building has been faithfully recreated.

At the entrance, there is a blackboard that was actually used at the time. There are words written in chalk such as ``Lunch hours 11:00 to 16:00'' and ``Visiting days until 18:00''.

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that's right. The food provided here is just a school lunch, and we are the parents who are visiting the children to observe the classes.

As soon as you step into the school building, you will be greeted by a space filled with nostalgia. It is truly the most nostalgic roadside station in Japan.

Let's sit at the desk and eat lunch

There is a shoe rack and a study desk that was used at the time. There is even graffiti left by the students at the time.

The lunch room is immediately to the right of the entrance. The inside looks like a school classroom, and the tables, of course, are elementary school study desks.

The daily school lunch style set (600 yen) is the most popular. The tableware is also made of aluminum and has a school lunch-like finish.

Iwaizumi's specialty "Apricot gibat"

Many people also order Iwaizumi's local food, ``Anzugibatto'' (320 yen). There are many people who don't know what "Anzugibatto" means when they hear it.

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This is a dialect, and in standard Japanese it is "Azuki Hatto". I understand a lot now. Azuki is just azuki. Hatto means udon. Hatto is a local dish of Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is a flour dish with a chewy texture similar to sweet noodles.

In Iwate, there is a custom that Miyagi's Hatto is called Hittsumi. Therefore, "hatto" is udon here.

There are udon noodles inside the azuki beans, and it looks like an oshiruko. It has a reputation for being delicious.

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Another specialty is the branch school ramen (550 yen). It's simple, but it's packed with attention to detail, such as by kneading acorn flour into the noodles.

The purchasing department's croquettes are exquisite.

You can buy Tankaku beef croquettes (120 yen) from the purchasing department even when the school lunch room is not open. Iwate's Tankaku Beef is extremely popular, especially for its low-fat, high-quality red meat that is delicious.

The great thing about Tankaku beef is that the more you chew, the deeper the flavor becomes.
The minced meat inside is rich in flavor and pairs perfectly with the moist potatoes. This is a dish that you should definitely try. Other popular menu items include kinako fried bread and vice principal manju.

There are many other items that give you a nostalgic feeling. For example, there is an organ that was used at that time. It seems like you can actually play this organ.

The paintings and calligraphy left by graduates are also displayed. There are timetables, world maps, and slogans such as ``He is a cheerful child who chews well and eats well.''

Summary about Roadside Station Mitagai Branch

Mitagai Branch School has been hit by typhoons in the past, causing major problems such as power outages and water outages. However, buses carrying many volunteers visited from Morioka Station every day to help with the reconstruction efforts.

Despite overcoming these hardships, it still exists as a comfortable place that heals many people and evokes memories. Why not enjoy a school lunch at your classroom desk while thinking about the students at the branch school at the time or your own elementary school days?

INFORMATION

nameRoadside Station Mitagai Branch
location47-2 Kadomitagai, Iwaizumi-cho, Shimohei-gun, Iwate Prefecture
telephone number0194-25-4311
Official URLhttp://www.ryusendo-water.co.jp/michinoeki/mitakaibunkou.html
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