What other travelers are saying about Road Station Tendo Onsen
I love visiting roadside stations because they’re a great place to try and buy local produce. This one had plenty of parking and a good selection of local produce and regional products. A nice bonus was the foot onsen, which made the stop even more enjoyable.
This is my 2nd time to stay a night here. Very crowded. There is a 24 hours supermacket and very reasonable hot spa near here.
(May 25th 2024)
This roadside parking area is a very popular site for staying a night in a car. You will feel difficulty to find your parking space. (June 11th 2023)
Great to make a stop on the road. You can enjoy a delicious and local flavor ice cream while bathing your foot. The shop Tento la France Factory offers amazing ice cream, with original tastes. I tried the cherry flavor and edamame flavor. They also have pear, rice, almond, chocolate... flavors. Great!!! English available. Near by there is a big shop where you can buy local products.
They have a pretty nice and hot onsen for your feets here! The food is average considering the price though its good. A bakery can also be found here and the typical souvenir shops.
Road Station Tendo Onsen uniquely combines practical highway amenities with authentic cultural experiences. Unlike typical rest stops, it features live shogi piece-making demonstrations showcasing Tendo's production of over 90% of Japan's shogi pieces, a Tento La France Factory offering tastings of locally-grown pears, and Koma no Yu - a complimentary footbath shaped like a shogi piece. The facility also houses shogi puzzle plates created by famous players including Yoshiharu Habu, making it both a rest stop and cultural destination.
Yes, the Koma no Yu footbath is completely free for all visitors. It operates daily from 6:00 to 21:00, giving you plenty of flexibility to enjoy this unique shogi piece-shaped hot spring experience. The footbath is temporarily closed for cleaning from 10:00 to 12:00 on Mondays and Thursdays. The water comes from the same sodium and calcium-sulfate hot springs that have been flowing since 1911, known for their beautifying and therapeutic properties.
The facility offers diverse dining and shopping through multiple venues. The Tento La France Factory (open 9:30-18:00) serves gelato made from seasonal fruits, including popular La France pear and rice flavors, plus pies and tarts made with local pears. The adjacent Sunpure farmer's market sells fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, and regional souvenirs, while its dining area offers Yamagata's traditional ita-soba, ramen, and curry dishes. You can also find personalized shogi piece souvenirs and local specialties throughout the complex.
From Tokyo, take the Yamagata Shinkansen directly to Tendo Station (2 hours 40 minutes from Tokyo Station). From Tendo Station, the road station is easily accessible by taxi or short drive. If flying, Yamagata Airport is approximately 15 minutes by car from the facility. The road station is located along National Route 13, making it highly accessible for those driving through central Yamagata Prefecture. Its strategic location also makes it an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions like Mount Maizuru and Yamadera Temple.
The Road Station Tendo Onsen operates 24 hours with continuous restroom access, but individual attractions have specific schedules. The main Tendo City Forest Information Center runs 9:00-18:00, while the Tento La France Factory operates 9:30-18:00 (last orders 17:30). The footbath is available 6:00-21:00 except during Monday and Thursday cleaning periods (10:00-12:00). Only the information center and La France Factory close on January 1 - the footbath, restrooms, and parking remain accessible year-round.
