Sun Eight Mito Roadside Station is a popular roadside rest and tourism facility in Mito Town, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Located along National Route 191 at the entrance to Mito Onsen, it is a convenient place to take a break while driving and a gateway to the area’s rich natural environment, local cuisine, and traditional culture.
Surrounded by the mountains of the Chugoku region, the area offers beautiful scenery throughout the year. A visit to the roadside station provides an opportunity to experience the character of rural Mito while discovering local specialties and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.
Mito Town is known as one of the major yuzu-producing areas in the Chugoku region. Yuzu cultivation began expanding on a commercial scale in the 1970s, and the fragrant citrus has since become one of the area’s signature specialties.
The shop at Sun Eight Mito offers a wide range of products made with locally grown yuzu. Popular choices include yuzu ponzu, yuzu dressing, yuzu miso, and yuzu kosho, a spicy condiment made with yuzu and chili peppers. These products are convenient to take home as souvenirs and offer an easy way to enjoy the distinctive fragrance of Japanese yuzu.
The roadside station also sells Yuzukko, a yuzu-based beverage enjoyed as a refreshing local drink, along with specialties and original products from surrounding communities. Browsing the shop is a great way to discover the flavors of the Mito area.
Inside the facility, the restaurant Ekisoba serves dishes prepared with local ingredients. One of its specialties is jūwari soba, noodles made with 100 percent buckwheat flour and no wheat-based binding ingredient.
The restaurant uses buckwheat flour from Hokkaido and within Shimane Prefecture, and the noodles are made on site. This preparation allows diners to appreciate the distinctive aroma, texture, and flavor of buckwheat.
The menu includes familiar favorites such as zaru soba, served chilled with dipping sauce, and mushroom soba, as well as more substantial dishes such as duck-and-green-onion soba and beef-and-egg soba.
Another popular specialty is wasabi rice, prepared with fresh wasabi from nearby Hikimi. Guests can grate the wasabi themselves and enjoy it with rice and dried bonito flakes.
The dish is simple, but the fresh aroma and distinctive flavor of high-quality wasabi make it a memorable way to experience the region’s local ingredients.
Mito Onsen is located just a short distance from the roadside station. The hot spring is known for its alkaline simple spring water, which has a smooth, silky feel on the skin and is traditionally known as a “Beauty Bath.”
The nearby Yumotokan hot-spring facility offers large communal baths, open-air baths, and a restaurant. After exploring the surrounding mountains, soaking in the warm waters while surrounded by nature is a relaxing way to spend time in Mito.
Hot springs in Japan are traditionally enjoyed as a way to unwind and refresh after traveling. Mito Onsen’s peaceful mountain setting makes it particularly well suited to a leisurely break from sightseeing.
The area around Sun Eight Mito is home to several destinations where visitors can experience the natural beauty of the Chugoku Mountains. One of them is Mito Nature Forest, an outdoor recreation area equipped with cabins, camping facilities, and barbecue areas.
The forest is particularly beautiful in spring, when fresh green leaves appear, and in autumn, when the surrounding trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. During summer, visitors can enjoy playing in the clear streams and fishing, while walking trails provide opportunities for easy hikes through the forest.
It is an excellent destination for families and groups who want to spend time outdoors and experience the changing seasons of rural Shimane.
Sōgawa Gorge is another scenic attraction in Mito Town. Its highlight is Yōdo Falls, a striking waterfall approximately 20 meters high that flows through a lush natural landscape.
Ancient trees around the waterfall create a quiet, almost mystical atmosphere. The area also features a Kannon Hall, six Jizō statues, and a huge ginkgo tree, creating a landscape where natural scenery and local religious heritage come together.
Stone monuments inscribed with Japanese poems can also be found along the walking trails, allowing visitors to enjoy both the scenery and the cultural atmosphere as they explore the area.
Sun Eight Mito Roadside Station is located roughly midway between central Masuda and the Togouchi Interchange of the Chugoku Expressway. Its convenient location makes it useful as both a rest stop during a road trip and a base for exploring Mito and the surrounding mountain areas.
The facility provides restrooms, a rest area, and an information corner, making it easy for travelers to take a break and gather information about nearby attractions.
Seasonal nature-based events are also held in the area. Depending on the season, visitors may have opportunities to experience local activities such as gathering wild mountain vegetables in spring or enjoying autumn foliage walks.
Sun Eight Mito Roadside Station is much more than a place to stop during a drive. It is a gateway to the local food, culture, hot springs, and natural scenery of Mito Town.
From fragrant yuzu products and carefully prepared 100 percent buckwheat soba to the relaxing waters of Mito Onsen and the spectacular scenery of Sōgawa Gorge, the area offers many ways to enjoy the character of rural Shimane.
When visiting Masuda City, consider making Sun Eight Mito part of your itinerary. Take a leisurely break, sample local flavors, explore the surrounding mountains, and discover the warm atmosphere of this peaceful countryside community.