Roadside Station Irihirose

The Roadside Station Irihirose, situated along National Route 252 between Niigata and Fukushima Prefectures in the former Irihirose district of Uonuma City, also known as the "Mountain Vegetable Republic." In the souvenir section, they sell a variety of local products including seasonal mountain vegetables, locally grown vegetables, and doburoku (unrefined sake) made from Uonuma-produced Koshihikari rice, such as "Kihachi" and "Manki." The specialty here is the Uonuma Koshihikari rice "Sogoro," known for its delicious taste throughout the year thanks to snow storage. Popular items include hand-baked rice crackers made with "Sogoro" dough, and sasadango (bamboo leaf dumplings) shaped like snowmen, known as "Sasa Yukidaruma."

Next door at "Kojo Restaurant Kagamigaike," you can enjoy hand-made soba noodles, pressed sushi, and set meals abundant with mountain vegetables. On weekdays, an all-you-can-eat Goppo Soba is available by reservation only, so those interested should check it out. During the winter closure, meals are available inside the station (menu varies).

You can enjoy free fishing at Kagamigaike Pond on the premises, and the pond is surrounded by a roughly 1 km walking path for forest bathing.