Road Station Miyamori

Road Station Miyamori serves as both a rest stop and community hub along National Route 106 in Iwate Prefecture's mountainous interior. Established as part of Japan's michi-no-eki network, these roadside stations were developed in the 1990s to provide travelers with rest facilities while promoting local economies and regional products. This particular station takes its name from Miyamori Village, which merged with neighboring municipalities to form part of Tōno City in 2005.

The station's location places visitors in the heart of Tōno, a region celebrated throughout Japan for its preservation of folk tales and traditional rural culture. The surrounding landscape features forested mountains and agricultural valleys that have inspired generations of storytelling, most notably collected by Kunio Yanagita in his influential 1910 work "Tōno Monogatari" (The Legends of Tōno). The area maintains strong connections to its agrarian heritage, with local farming communities producing distinctive regional crops and livestock.

Visitors to Road Station Miyamori will find a comprehensive selection of locally sourced products, including fresh vegetables, mountain vegetables, dairy products, and processed foods made from Tōno's agricultural output. The station features a restaurant serving regional cuisine that incorporates local ingredients, with popular dishes highlighting Tōno beef and seasonal produce. A small museum or exhibition space typically presents information about local culture and the area's folk tale traditions, though facilities vary by season. The station also provides standard amenities including restrooms, parking, and tourist information services in Japanese.

Road Station Miyamori sits approximately 15 kilometers northeast of central Tōno along Route 106. Access by private vehicle is most practical, as public transportation in this rural area operates on limited schedules. Buses run between Tōno Station and communities along Route 106, but travelers should verify current timetables in advance. The station is positioned roughly 50 kilometers from Hanamaki Airport and 90 kilometers from Morioka, Iwate's prefectural capital. Admission to the station facilities is free, though purchases and restaurant meals are charged separately. The facility generally operates year-round with seasonal hour variations.