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Among the six Tohoku prefectures, Kanagawa has the third highest number of roadside stations, with 34, after Iwate and Fukushima (as of June 2025).
Each roadside station offers local soft serve ice cream and other gourmet foods that make the most of the region's unique characteristics, delighting visitors.
In the first installment of our introduction to soft serve ice cream at roadside stations in Akita Prefecture, we introduced the popular soft serve ice cream and gourmet food at roadside stations around Akita City, but here we will introduce the soft serve ice cream at roadside stations in the inland part of the prefecture.
Please note that the prices in this article are tax-inclusive prices as of August 2025.
[Roadside Station Kamioka Chayakko Ichirizuka] "Aji Doraku no Sato," the all-purpose soup stock beloved by Akita residents, is also great for soft serve ice cream! (Omagari, Daisen City: National Route 13)
A spacious space in front of the roadside station
Daisen City was established in March 2005 through the merger of one city, six towns, and one village in the Omagari-Senboku region. It is a thriving rice-producing region located in the center of inland Akita Prefecture.
Chayakko Ichirizuka is close to Kariwano, the hometown of actor Toshiro Yanagiba, and is a roadside station that fans of Yanagiba should definitely visit.
Flavored Doraku soft serve ice cream: 380 yen
Just by looking at it, you wouldn't believe it has soup in it.
This roadside station is popular for its soft serve ice cream made with Aji Doraku no Sato
The souvenir shop is piled high with Ajidoraku goods
the " All-purpose White Sauce Secret Aji, " "Aji Doraku no Sato" is beloved as the local "soul seasoning," and most of the customers in line before me were purchasing the "Aji Doraku Soft Serve."
Newly released "Ajidoraku Mitarashi Dango"
The umami flavor of Aji Doraku no Sato's soy sauce and dashi stock spreads throughout your mouth, and the sweetness of the cream and the sweetness and saltiness of the broth are perfectly balanced, with a lingering milky aftertaste. This is a Japanese-style soft serve ice cream that will make you feel truly glad to be born Japanese.
Daisen Burger: 480 yen
A large patty on lettuce and tomato, with tartar sauce containing smoked pickles
The tartar sauce contains lots of chopped smoked daikon radish , and its texture, taste, and flavor are irresistible for fans of smoked daikon radish.
This tartar sauce pairs perfectly with the pate, which has a strong beef flavor, and the amount of tartar sauce is just right, making it easy to eat without spilling, which is another great point.
The popular Daisen Burger
The Daisen Burger, which is only available on weekends and holidays, was the takeout gourmet food that we wanted to get at all costs during this interview.
However, since I visited in the afternoon, I had almost given up, but luckily I was able to buy the last one.
The last one of the day
Once the stock is sold out, it's gone, so we recommend you go and buy it as soon as possible.
Nakasen Roadside Station, Donpanbushi Village: Enjoy tomato-flavored soft serve ice cream in the hometown of Donpanbushi! (Nagano, Daisen City: National Route 105)
On the left side of the building is the Daisen Founding Company's direct store, Factory Shop Tomato, and the tomato juice factory.
This roadside station is located in the Nakasen region, known as the birthplace of " " famous for the lyrics " Don don pan pan, don pan pan.
Donpan girls welcome you
jumbo rabbits which can weigh up to 10kg . These rabbits have actually been bred specifically for food, and can be enjoyed in the former Nakasen town near the roadside station.
Tomato soft serve ice cream: 350 yen
Orange tomato soft serve ice cream
The freshly squeezed tomato soft serve ice cream has a moderate acidity and tastes like a lactic acid bacteria drink, with a light apple-like flavor and sweetness.
Factory Shop Tomato
You can purchase it at Factory Shop Tomato a direct store of Daisen Sogyo , which has a factory on the roadside station grounds
A juice bar inside the shop where you can sample tomato juice
In addition, you can sample tomato juice in the shop, and they also serve edible Neapolitan pasta on a plate made from shrimp crackers, which I would like to try on my next visit.
Bodakko rice ball: 200 yen
There is plenty of "Bodakko" inside the rice balls.
Hidamari Shokudo on the premises you can have rice balls made with locally grown rice and filled with shoppebodakko brings out the flavor of the rice
At Hidamari Shokudo, you can enjoy ramen and soba noodles for just 500 yen (in the back left is Coco Cony, which is popular for its koppepan).
"Bodakko" is an Akita dialect word for salty sockeye salmon, and it is said that the name "bodakko" was corrupted from the comparison that sockeye salmon fillets are as red as a peony flower.
The accompanying pickles are also delicious
The salty bodakko brings out the sweetness of the white rice, making it possible to eat as much as you like, and the accompanying lightly pickled gourd or cucumber is a perfect palate cleanser.
Nakasen Roadside Station Donpanbushi Village ＜Information＞
Facility name: Roadside Station Nakasen Donpanbushi Village
Address: 95-1 Takahata, Nagano, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0187-56-4515
Business hours: FACTORY SHOP TOMATO 9:00-16:00 (light meals 10:30-14:30)
Business hours: Hidamari Shokudo 10:00-14:00 (open during winter hours from December to March)
Closed: FACTORY SHOP TOMATO on Mondays, Hidari Shokudo on Thursdays
[Misato Roadside Station] Enjoy caramel-like fragrant brown rice soft serve ice cream at the historic battlefield of the Gosannen War! (Misato Town, Senboku District: National Route 13)
You will be greeted by Minamoto no Yoshiie on horseback
there is an anecdote known as Disorderly Flight of Geese in which Minamoto no Yoshiie, during the Gosannen War, saw wild geese flying and discovered an ambush
Inside the store lined with souvenirs
The town has many springs of water, and as "Misato Town Rokugo," it has been selected as one of the "100 Water Towns," and is a producer of delicious rice and vegetables.
Roasted brown rice soft serve ice cream: 400 yen
Brown rice colored soft serve ice cream
This soft serve ice cream is made with roasted brown rice, giving it a fragrant caramel-like flavor and taste.
It has a subtle salty taste that makes it feel like you're licking salted caramel, and leaves a slight milky aftertaste in your mouth.
Salted rice balls: 250 yen for 2 pieces, seared carp: 220 yen
"Ginshari" salted rice balls and irresistible carp tataki with the double deliciousness of miso and koji
Misato no Megumi (direct sales of agricultural products and merchandise) , allow you to simply savor the delicious flavor of the rice.
Lots of delicious looking side dishes
The carp tataki (seared carp) combines the mild flavor of carp raised in clean water with the saltiness of miso and the umami of koji, making it a delicious dish that goes well with both rice and sake.
[Roadside Station Shimizu-no-Sato Chokaigo] This roadside station on the eastern foot of Mount Chokai is a treasure trove of soba noodles, wild vegetables, and mushrooms! (Chokai-cho, Yurihonjo City: National Route 108)
A roadside station surrounded by nature
This is a small roadside station in Chokai Town, located at the eastern foot of Mount Chokai, on the border with Yamagata Prefecture.
Even though the store is small, it has a wide variety of local specialties
You can enjoy the bounty of the mountains nurtured by Mt. Chokai, including wild vegetables in spring, mushrooms in autumn, and Momoyakesoba grown in the Momoyake area
Soba caramel soft serve ice cream: 430 yen
Soft serve ice cream topped with caramel sauce and roasted buckwheat flour
The soft serve ice cream is only available during the green season when there is no snow, and is sold at Restaurant Hotin
This delicious soft serve ice cream is made with caramel sauce sprinkled with roasted buckwheat flour from Yurihonjo City, and after savoring the aroma and sweetness, you will also get a subtle hint of buckwheat flavor.
Soft serve ice cream can be purchased at this restaurant
The base soft serve ice cream has a strong whipped cream flavor and is rich, and you can choose between a cone or a cup (380 yen).
Chokai mountain vegetable manju: 150 yen each
Spicy kimchi flavor and subtle soy sauce flavor
These two types of manju can be purchased at the direct sales store " Hot Inn Chokai " and can be heated at the register.
Once you've purchased it, you can enjoy a warm wild vegetable bun in the microwave at the register.
The inside is filled with plenty of wild vegetables simmered in soy sauce, and the thick skin is chewy and fluffy.
The filling is filled with plenty of wild vegetables.
The soy sauce flavored buns are delicious with a refreshing taste, while the kimchi buns add a spicy kick to the simmered wild vegetables.
Roadside Station Shimizu-no-Sato/Chokai-go ＜Information＞
Facility name: Roadside Station Shimizu-no-Sato Chokaigo
Address: 100 Sakaidai, Kamisasago, Chokai-cho, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0184-59-2022
Opening hours: Direct sales store 8:30-18:00 (12/16-4/15 closes at 17:00)
Opening hours: Restaurant 11:00-18:00, last orders 17:30 (12/16-4/15 closes at 16:00)
In addition to the 34 roadside stations introduced in the first and second installments, there are many more that offer soft serve ice cream and local delicacies that make use of the region's unique characteristics at the 34 roadside stations across the vast Akita prefecture.
We hope to continue visiting local areas, such as roadside stations in the northern part of the prefecture and along the Sea of Japan, and introduce even more delicious things to you.
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
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