Roadside Station Meiho is located along National Route 472 in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, near the midpoint of the Hida-Mino Seseragi Kaido, a scenic driving route through the mountains. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the station is a popular place to sample local specialties, including the famous Meiho Ham.
Situated between Gujo Hachiman and Hida Takayama, the roadside station stands beside Surusumi no Sato Park, which offers views of the clear Yoshida River and the surrounding mountain landscape. With beautiful scenery in every season, the area is considered one of the highlights of the Seseragi Kaido.
The history of Roadside Station Meiho began in December 1989, when Surusumi no Sato Park was established. The facility initially operated as a roadside rest stop and drive-in before being officially registered as Roadside Station Meiho on April 22, 1993.
It was the first roadside station to be registered in Gifu Prefecture. In 2000, it received an Excellence Award in the Roadside Station Grand Prix 2000. In 2015, it was selected as a candidate for the national Priority Roadside Station program, and in 2016, it received formal designation as a Priority Roadside Station from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Roadside Station Meiho offers a wide variety of regional foods and specialties. Two particularly popular choices are Meiho Frankfurters and keichan, a traditional dish of chicken seasoned with a savory sauce and cooked with vegetables.
The restaurants and food stalls also serve dishes featuring Meiho Ham and keichan, homemade meals prepared in a local home-style tradition, Ōku-Mino curry, and omelet rice made with Meiho tomato ketchup. These dishes provide an excellent introduction to the flavors of the Gujo area.
The shop, known for its connection with the region’s handmade traditions, offers an extensive selection of local products. Visitors can purchase Meiho Ham, gelato, soy sauce, miso, salt, and many other regional specialties.
The direct-sales section also stocks fresh vegetables and fruit from local producers, along with pickles, jams, and other processed foods. It is an ideal place to find souvenirs that reflect the food culture of the surrounding mountain communities.
Located next to the roadside station, Surusumi no Sato Park is a beautiful place to appreciate the area’s changing seasons.
In spring, mountain cherry blossoms and flowering peach trees brighten the landscape. Summer brings the clear waters of the Yoshida River, while autumn transforms the surrounding hills with vivid foliage. In winter, the park takes on a peaceful appearance beneath its covering of snow.
The park also features a bronze statue of Kajiwara Kagesue riding his famous horse, Surusumi. The statue adds a historical dimension to the natural scenery and is a popular spot for commemorative photographs.
Roadside Station Meiho has a free rest area called Surusumi-an, where visitors can relax while looking out over the park. One of its highlights is river fish grilled over a traditional sunken hearth, including amago and char.
The hearth is particularly notable because its fire is said to have originated from the hearth of the Chiba family in Meiho. Visitors can enjoy freshly grilled fish in the warmth of the traditional setting while listening to the nearby Yoshida River. This peaceful spot is a memorable place to take a break during a drive through the mountains.
Several food outlets at Roadside Station Meiho serve regional dishes and casual meals. At Okamisan, a Japanese-style restaurant, visitors can enjoy daily lunch boxes and the restaurant’s original version of keichan.
Soba-dokoro Kuromugi specializes in handmade soba noodles and offers seasonal dishes. Other stalls sell soft-serve ice cream, gohei mochi, taiyaki, and other snacks, making it easy to enjoy a quick bite during a sightseeing trip.
The station’s specialty shop brings together products from Gifu Prefecture, Gujo City, and the Seseragi Kaido area. Its wide range of souvenirs is one of the reasons the facility is popular with travelers.
At Café & Restaurant Kissaten Meiho, visitors can enjoy regional dishes featuring keichan, Hida beef, and game meat. The restaurant also has sofa seating, making it a comfortable place for families and visitors with children to relax over a meal.
Among the station’s well-known tenants is Meiho Meat, which sells Meiho Ham, frankfurters, and handmade croquettes. The shop is particularly popular, and queues can form during busy periods.
Other choices include Okamisan and Kuromugi, where visitors can sample traditional local cuisine. The station also features a stylish taiyaki stand and a shop selling rice balls made with locally grown Koshihikari rice. This variety of food outlets makes the roadside station a destination in its own right for food lovers.
The area around Roadside Station Meiho offers a different experience in each season. Spring is marked by mountain cherry blossoms and flowering peach trees, while summer is ideal for appreciating the clear Yoshida River. Autumn brings colorful foliage, and winter covers the landscape in snow.
Surusumi no Sato Park is especially popular with visitors who want to enjoy the area’s natural beauty without straying far from the main road. The changing scenery makes it a rewarding stop throughout the year.
The bronze equestrian statue at the center of the roadside station depicts the celebrated horse Surusumi and its owner, Kajiwara Genta Kagesue, a warrior associated with the Battle of Uji River during the Genpei War.
Kagesue is remembered for competing to reach the vanguard during the battle, and the story of Surusumi has become part of the area’s historical identity. Visitors often take photographs beside the statue as a memento of their visit.
Roadside Station Meiho combines local food, regional products, historical interest, and beautiful mountain scenery. Its location along the Hida-Mino Seseragi Kaido makes it a convenient place to rest while traveling between Gujo Hachiman and Hida Takayama.
Whether you want to taste Meiho Ham, enjoy a bowl of handmade soba, browse local souvenirs, or relax beside the Yoshida River, this roadside station offers a welcoming introduction to the culture and natural beauty of Gujo City.