A Peaceful Lakeside Setting
Enjoy the Views of Sakura Orochi Lake
Roadside Station Orochi-no-Sato stands directly beside Sakura Orochi Lake. The quiet lake and surrounding mountains create a relaxing atmosphere that makes the station much more than a simple roadside rest area.
A viewing area on the grounds provides an excellent place to look across the lake and surrounding landscape. Visitors can pause here, take photographs, or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery of the Unnan countryside.
Architecture in Harmony with Nature
The main building is a single-story wooden structure with a traditional tiled roof. Its design blends naturally with the surrounding forest and landscape.
The peaceful setting makes the roadside station suitable not only for a quick break during a drive but also as a destination for travelers who want to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Local Produce and Regional Specialties
Fresh Produce from Local Farmers
The specialty shop offers a wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits grown by local farmers. Because the selection changes with the seasons, each visit can offer something different.
Alongside familiar produce, visitors may also find unusual vegetables such as ice plant, kohlrabi, and edible ground cherries. These distinctive ingredients provide an interesting introduction to the diversity of local agriculture.
Local Foods and Souvenirs
The shop also carries locally made pickles, handmade konjac, sweets, and other regional products. These make convenient souvenirs for travelers who want to take a taste of Shimane home with them.
Among the more distinctive products are dried noodles and sweets made with cherry blossoms and cherry leaves, reflecting the area’s strong connection with cherry blossom culture.
Farm Restaurant Furusato-tei
Homestyle Dishes Made with Local Ingredients
Another attraction is Farm Restaurant Furusato-tei, located within the roadside station. The restaurant serves simple, comforting dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, offering visitors a taste of traditional rural cuisine.
The restaurant’s former buffet-style service has ended, and the menu has been updated to a selection of set dishes such as oyakodon, katsudon, and tomato curry.
The dishes use fresh local ingredients and a carefully selected rice known as “Iyashi Rice,” or “healing rice.” The cooking emphasizes the natural flavors of the ingredients and has a gentle, homestyle character.
Limited Daily Meals
The restaurant is operated by a small staff and currently offers approximately 20 meals per day. Travelers who would like to eat here are therefore encouraged to visit early.
During winter, the indoor dining space is opened as a warm and comfortable place to enjoy meals and sweets beside a wood-burning stove.
A Community-Oriented Roadside Station
Opened in 2011
Roadside Station Orochi-no-Sato was registered as an official roadside station by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2011, and opened in May of the same year.
The facility was developed as part of projects involving the Hii River system and serves as a base for regional revitalization. By selling agricultural, forestry, and fishery products from the surrounding area and serving dishes made with local ingredients, it helps introduce the character of Unnan to visitors.
A Meeting Place for Visitors and Local Residents
The roadside station also provides a place where local residents and travelers can interact. Its role extends beyond tourism, helping connect the area’s natural environment, local food culture, and community life.
Convenient Facilities for Road Trips
In addition to the specialty shop and restaurant, the facility has a 24-hour rest area and information corner. These services make it a convenient and reassuring stop for people traveling long distances by car.
For travelers exploring the mountains of eastern Shimane, the roadside station is a useful place to rest, gather information, purchase local products, and enjoy a meal before continuing their journey.
Exploring the Area Around Sakura Orochi Lake
Outdoor Activities by the Lake
The area surrounding the roadside station offers a variety of ways to enjoy nature. Around Sakura Orochi Lake, visitors can enjoy activities such as cycling and walking while taking in the changing scenery of the seasons.
Various seasonal events are also held around the lake, providing additional opportunities to experience the area’s outdoor culture and community atmosphere.
Hot Springs and Other Nearby Attractions
Hot spring facilities can also be found in the surrounding area, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a relaxing soak.
With its combination of lakeside scenery, outdoor activities, local food, and hot springs, the area around Orochi-no-Sato is well suited to a leisurely exploration of Unnan City.
Access to Roadside Station Orochi-no-Sato
By Car
Roadside Station Orochi-no-Sato is approximately 25 minutes by car from Mitoya-Kisuki Interchange on the Matsue Expressway.
Located along National Route 314, the roadside station is easy to include in a driving itinerary through the mountains of Shimane and the Unnan area.
Enjoy Nature and Local Flavors in Unnan
Roadside Station Orochi-no-Sato is a relaxing destination where the natural beauty of Sakura Orochi Lake and the flavors of Unnan come together.
Visitors can enjoy the peaceful lakeside scenery, browse fresh local produce and regional specialties, and taste homestyle dishes made with ingredients from the surrounding countryside.
Whether you stop here during a road trip or make it part of a sightseeing itinerary, Orochi-no-Sato offers an enjoyable way to experience the nature, food, and warm local atmosphere of Unnan City.