What is the Michi-no-Eki?
When I drive to country-side, I often drop by Michi-no-Eki. It is a road facility that integrates commercial facilities, rest and accommodation facilities, regional development facilities, etc. Especially I look forward to getting fresh vegetables and seasonal foods. Today, I will introduce one of my favorite Michi-no-Eki in Akita.
This is Michi-no-Eki Jumonji(十文字), in Yokote prefecture. It’s easy for travelers to access there, we can walk from Jumonji station in 15 minutes and arrive from Jumonji Interchange in 2 minutes by car. When I took this picture, It was during Golden Week, so there were shops outside too.
And inside, many kinds of fresh vegetables are on the table!! Most of them are produced by the farmers around the area and I think the quality is better than the supermarket. Especially seasonal foods are so tasty, for example, wild vegetables in spring, cherries in the beginning of summer, taro in autumn, and apples in the beginning of winter. We can get fresh ingredients in literally all seasons!! So, as you can see, many people visit here to buy the ingredients everyday.
My recommend is…??
Individually, my favorite is “Aralia Sprout”, wild vegetable. The tree of Aralia that produces Aralia Sprout grows wild throughout Japan. Furthermore, the tree of Aralia grows wild in East Asia. So, this is a big chance to try to eat it for you!! I recommend making it Tempura and eating it while dipping it with sauce for Tempura or salt. This food is often served at Japanese restaurants. I feel lucky I can eat it at HOME!! It’s worth to try for you too 🙂
The products lined up at the store depend on each Michi-no-ekis. I will write about the others soon!! Why don’t you find your favorite Michi-no-eki in Akita with me??
