Roadside Station Madeikan (Iitate Village)

Roadside Station Madeikan (Iitate Village)

Madeikan is an excellent stopping point when heading east to the Soma region thanks to its clean, modern design and array of services. Like many roadside stations, it is outfitted with two restaurants in a food court style where dishes are bought using nearby ticket machines. There is a good-sized market selling local produce, as well as a souvenir shop selling goods and crafts.

The term 'madei' is a local term that depicts the slow and thoughtful way of life in Iitate Village. As such, the roadside station is intended as a place where people can unwind and take their time.

When you enter the main hall of Madeikan, you're greeted by a stunning display of hanging flowers in the rafters - growing these flowers is the main industry of the village and a source of pride. The display changes season to season, meaning you're likely to see a different arrangement every time you visit.

The service station is popular in summer time, when nearby sunflower fields are in full bloom, then again in winter time for its Christmas illuminations, which take place in the park behind the main building. Lights are usually turned on around 4:30pm, when it begins to get dark.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://madeikan.com/english-guide/
Best SeasonAll Year
Opening Hours

09:30 - 17:00

Closed on Wednesdays

ParkingFree
Access Details
Access960-1802 Fukushima, Soma District, Iitate, Fukaya, Fukaya, 前12-1
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 50 min drive from Fukushima Station

(Suitable stopping point for visiting Yamatsumi Shrine or attractions in Soma)

Nearby

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Shirahata Gingko Tree

Listed as a prefectural natural monument, the striking sight of the red torii gate at the foot of Shirahata Gingko Tree brings photographers and sightseers from up and down the eastern coast of Tohoku.It's also known as the 'upside-down gingko', owing to a legend that warlord Date Masamune planted a gingko whip upside down in the ground during an attack on Shinchi in the late 1500s. The best time to see the vibrant yellow leaves is usually the last week of November or first week of December.Although there is no parking lot specifically, there is space for cars to park on the green within sight of the tree.
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Matsugaoka Park

Matsugaoka Park is one of the oldest public parks in Iwaki, with origins going back to 1907. It was first developed around a large reservoir that doubled as a fire prevention water source. Rather than being designed as a purely ornamental space, the park grew gradually with plantings of cherry, plum, and azalea trees. That starting point still shapes the layout today, with the central pond acting as a focal point.Within the park grounds stands a statue of Andō Nobumasa, a former lord of the Taira domain, reflecting the area’s connection to the old castle town.The park is best known for its cherry blossoms in spring. Around 200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees typically flower early compared to other spots in Iwaki, making it one of the first places locals associate with the start of hanami season. The azaleas - around 340 bushes, some originally transplanted from a former samurai residence in Tokyo - add a second wave of color slightly later. During peak bloom, the area is popular with groups and families, with food stalls set up around the park.Covering roughly 37,000 square meters, Matsugaoka functions as a neighborhood park with everyday amenities: benches, a small playground, walking paths, and a modest pond.
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