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During the feudal era, Nanbu cattle were used to transport marine goods from the coast to Morioka. This route was National Route 455. Morioka has two roadside stations
One of them is located along National Route 455, where Nanbu cattle once traveled. It is located in Kadomitagai, Iwaizumi-cho, Iwate Prefecture. This roadside station is attracting attention as the most nostalgic in Japan
The model for this school is the former Iwaizumi Municipal Kado Elementary School Mitagai Branch. At one time, the school had over 100 students, but the number gradually decreased and it closed in March 1999
With the completion of the Hayasaka Tunnel, which runs through Hayasaka Pass, once known as a difficult place to travel, Iwaizumi Town is no longer a remote area. After passing through the Hayasaka Tunnel and going about 7km, you will arrive at the Mitagai Branch School
The branch school is decorated with photographs of its former self, and looking at them you can see that it has been built with a fairly faithful rendition
At the entrance, there is a blackboard that was actually used at the time, with words written in chalk on it such as "Lunchtime 11:00-16:00" and "Open until 18:00 on school visit days."
That's right. The food served here is just school lunch, and we who visit are parents who are attending a class observation
Once you step inside the school building, you'll find yourself in a space filled with nostalgia. This is truly the most nostalgic roadside station in Japan
The cafeteria is located immediately to the right of the entrance. Inside, it is set up like a school classroom, and of course there are elementary school desks on the tables
This is a dialect, and in standard Japanese it would be "azuki hatto." Now you understand quite a bit, right? Azuki is simply azuki. Hatto means udon. "Hatto" is a local dish from Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is a wheat flour dish with a chewy texture similar to sukiyaki
In Iwate, there is a custom of calling Miyagi's hatto "hittsumi," which is why "hato" here is called udon
The udon noodles are stuffed inside the red bean paste, and it looks similar to red bean soup. It is said to be delicious
Even when the cafeteria is closed, you can buy Tankaku beef croquettes (120 yen) from the store. Iwate Tankaku beef is especially popular for its lean, high-quality red meat
The great thing about Tankaku beef is that the more you chew it, the deeper the flavor you can taste. This minced beef is inside, and it's flavorful, and it pairs perfectly with the moist potatoes. It's a dish you definitely want to try. Other popular menu items include kinako fried bread and vice principal's manju.
There are many other items that bring back memories, such as an organ that was used back then. Apparently, you can actually play this organ
There are also paintings and calligraphy works left by graduates on display, as well as timetables, world maps, and slogans such as "Chew well, eat well, be a healthy child."
The Mitagai Branch School has suffered major damage in the past from typhoons, resulting in power outages and water outages. However, buses carrying many volunteers arrived from Morioka Station every day to help with the recovery
Having overcome such hardships, the school still exists today as a comfortable place that heals many people and evokes memories. Why not try enjoying school lunch at a classroom desk while thinking back to the students at the branch school at the time, or your own elementary school days?
A web writer who loves sightseeing. He is dedicated to exploring local gourmet food. Recently, I've been researching famous Japanese sweets shops such as manju and dango. Going around the basements of department stores is my daily routine.
