Roadside Station Udaji Muro is located in Sanbonmatsu, Muro, Uda City, Nara Prefecture, along National Route 165. Situated near the border between Nara and Mie prefectures, the area once flourished as a post town on the Ise Kaido, a historic route connecting the former province of Yamato with Ise. Today, the roadside station serves as a gateway to eastern Nara Prefecture and a convenient stop for travelers exploring the region.
It was the eighth roadside station to be registered in Nara Prefecture and is affectionately known as Komorebi no Mori, meaning “Forest of Sunlight Filtering Through the Trees.” True to its name, the facility is designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, offering visitors a peaceful place to rest and recharge during their journeys.
One of the station’s most distinctive features is its artistic design, which brings the buildings, outdoor spaces, and surrounding forest together as a unified work of art. The overall design was created by the late Takeyoshi Inoue, an internationally renowned sculptor who was born in the former village of Muro.
The main building, known as the Mori no Kairokan, features an angular roof inspired by a bird taking flight into the open sky. A tree approximately 130 years old was used as one of its principal structural columns, helping create an interior atmosphere that feels connected to the forest. Two sides of the building are made largely of glass, allowing natural light and greenery to flow into the open, airy space.
The building and the monument plaza are designed as a single composition. A colonnaded passage creates a welcoming space that gently embraces visitors while connecting the architecture with nature. The resulting landscape is unique to this location and reflects the character and spiritual atmosphere of Muro.
At the center of the event plaza stands a spherical sculpture by Takeyoshi Inoue. The plaza itself was designed as an integral part of the artwork, titled “My Sky Hole: Meditation on the Ground — Muro.”
The quietly contemplative sculpture invites visitors to pause and reflect. Through its relationship with the surrounding landscape, it offers another way to appreciate Muro’s distinctive connection between art, nature, and spirituality.
The facilities are organized around four themes: eating, experiencing, learning, and interacting. Beyond providing a place to rest, the roadside station introduces visitors to the culture, food, and attractions of the Muro and Uda areas.
Aoba no Sho serves Japanese-style dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients from the local area. Its simple, comforting flavors make it a pleasant place to enjoy a relaxed meal during a sightseeing trip.
Komorebi Market offers fresh vegetables from local growers, regional specialties, and other products associated with Uda. It is a convenient place to discover local ingredients and purchase food to enjoy during your journey or take home as souvenirs.
The information corner provides guidance on nearby attractions, including Muro-ji Temple, Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, and Ono-dera Temple. It is a useful starting point for planning excursions to the area’s historic sites and natural landscapes.
Roadside Station Udaji Muro offers a variety of products rooted in the traditions of the region. Decchi yokan is a traditional sweet bean jelly known for its gentle azuki-bean sweetness and refreshing texture. Yomogimaru, a mugwort-flavored rice cake, combines a fresh herbal aroma with a pleasantly chewy texture.
Another local specialty is Soma Soy Sauce, made using traditional methods passed down in the Sanbonmatsu area. Other products include Udagawa manju, Nara-style pickles known as narazuke, Uda rice crackers, and pure Japanese honey. These regional foods make appealing souvenirs for visitors who want to take home a taste of Muro and Uda.
Uda has a long-standing reputation for medicinal herbs, and the roadside station reflects this heritage with a range of products made using Yamato tōki, a traditional medicinal plant. Offerings include tōki-infused coffee, udon noodles, bath additives, and salt.
Visitors can also find Yamato tea, Yoshino kudzu starch, and chagayu, a traditional rice porridge cooked with tea. These products offer an introduction to the area’s food culture and its longstanding association with medicinal plants.
By train: The roadside station is approximately a five-minute walk from Sanbonmatsu Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line.
By car: It is approximately 25 minutes from Ogura Interchange on the Meihan National Highway.
The facility closes during the New Year holiday period, and the restaurant is closed every Wednesday. Visitors should check current opening arrangements before traveling.
Several attractions combining history and nature are located nearby, including Muro-ji Temple, Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, Takidani Iris Garden, and Lake Muro Dam. These destinations make it easy to combine a stop at the roadside station with a broader exploration of the region.
Roadside Station Udaji Muro is more than a convenient rest stop. Its distinctive architecture, outdoor sculpture, regional cuisine, and local products offer opportunities to experience the natural beauty, history, and culture of Muro and Uda. Stop here during your travels and enjoy a peaceful moment in the Forest of Sunlight Filtering Through the Trees.