【桜便り 2025 #5】🌸お車で来るあなたへ――渋滞も思い出に変わる、春の寄り道ととっておきの大河原方面のほっとした時間🌸🌸For those who come by car: Turning traffic jams into memories, a spring detour and a special relaxing time in the Ogawara area🌸

東京方面や仙台方面から東北自動車道を使って「一目千本桜」へ向かうなら、ぜひ立ち寄っていただきたいのが、「道の駅 村田」さん。

東北道「村田I.C」を降りてすぐ、アクセス抜群の立地にあります🚙💨

ここは地元の新鮮野菜や特産品が並ぶ、人気の道の駅。

春のドライブ途中に、トイレ休憩はもちろん、おいしいものを見つける楽しみもたっぷりなんです♪

実は…こちらでも、私たち飴屋の飴を販売していただいているんです🍬

「伊達の仙台飴」、「さざれラッキョ飴」、「べっ甲飴」、「蔵王の醤油飴「吟醸」」、「黒あめ」など多くの種類が並んでいて、立ち寄った方が手に取ってくださると、なんだかうれしくなります。

店内は天井が高くて広々、季節ごとの野菜や工芸品、地元グルメも豊富。

運転の疲れをリフレッシュできるちょうどいい立ち寄りポイントなので、桜を見に行く前のひと息にもぴったりですよ🍵✨

これからの季節、桜を目指して東北を走るみなさんへ、地元からのささやかなおすすめスポットです♪

大河原町へ向かうルートといえば、県道14号（亘理大河原川崎線）がメインですが、
ちょっと遠回りしてでも楽しみたいのが、もうひとつの道、「蔵王さくらロード」です。

春の時期になると、周囲の山々にふわりと桜の花が点在する風景が広がり、車窓から眺める景色はとても風情があります。
山肌ににじむように咲く桜たちは、遠くから見るからこそ感じられるやわらかさがあって、なんだか心がほっとするんです。

この道を進んでいくと、前回、「桜便り #4」でご紹介した「とんとんの丘 もちぶた館」さんの近くも通ることもできます🐐🌸
ちょっと寄り道して、動物たちとふれあったり、焼きたてのバーベキューを楽しんだりするのもおすすめです。

そしてそのまま、「おおがわら桜まつり」の会場へもアクセスできるので、
“自然の春”と“おまつりの春”をつなぐルートとしてもぴったりですよ♪

桜を満喫した後ないしは前に、ちょっと科学の世界へ寄り道してみませんか？🌌
角田市にある『 JAXA角田宇宙センター 』は、日本のロケット開発の中枢のひとつ。
敷地内には 本物のロケットエンジン や開発の歴史を紹介する展示が並び、大人も子どもも「うわぁ…！」と声を上げること間違いなしです🚀✨

しかも、見学は無料！駐車場も無料！
ただし、入場時には守衛さんの前で受付が必要ですので、お忘れなく。
（入口で名前を記入するだけなので、気軽にどうぞ👌）

そして、ちょっと面白いのが…なんと 宇宙食が自動販売機で売っているんです！
まるで宇宙飛行士になった気分になれるようなアイテムが手に入るかも？✨
※残念ながら、当社の飴はここでは販売していません🍬🙇‍♀️（が、宇宙食用の飴を作って、並べてみたい気持ちはありますね…笑）

静かな山あいの中にあるこの施設は、実は春になると周辺の桜もきれいで、
宇宙と桜というちょっと不思議な組み合わせ を楽しめる、知る人ぞ知るスポットなんです🌸🛰️

「桜を見て、美味しいもの食べて、宇宙に触れる」
そんな贅沢ドライブ、いかがでしょう？🚗🌟

ドライブの途中で、ちょっと寄り道するならこちらもおすすめ🚗💨
角田市にある【産直広場 あぐりっと】は、地元の新鮮野菜や加工品がずらりと並ぶ、活気ある直売所です。
「角田の元気な百姓のお店です！」という看板に迎えられて中に入ると、野菜のいい香りと、おいしそうなものたちがずらり🍆🥬🥔

館内には、ずんだ商品やカフェスペース「稲cafeあぐりっ人」もあり、手づくり感たっぷりのやさしい味わいが楽しめます。
中でも人気なのが、地元野菜をふんだんに使った日替わりランチ🥢
この日いただいたのは、お野菜たっぷりの煮物に、さっぱりお豆腐、サラダ、スープ、小鉢…
からだが喜ぶような、やさしいお昼ごはんでした🍚✨

外には、なんとヤギさんも🐐
お子さま連れのご家族も、ちょっとしたふれあいができて嬉しいスポットです。
ほのぼのした空気の中でのんびりできる、地元に根差したあたたかい場所です。

そして…嬉しいことに、当社の飴も販売中なんです！🍬
「さざれラッキョ飴」「伊達の仙臺飴」「黒あめ」などを置いていただいていて、実際に手に取ってくださる方を見かけると、こっそり心の中でガッツポーズしてしまいます💪

一目千本桜へ向かう途中、または帰り道の小休憩に、ぜひ立ち寄ってみてくださいね🌸🚙

蔵王さくらロードや角田市内をドライブしていると、立ち寄りたくなるのが「道の駅かくだ」。
広々とした敷地には、地元の新鮮野菜をはじめ、加工品やスイーツなど、地域の“おいしい”がぎゅっと詰まった直売所が並びます。

建物の中には、特産品やおみやげがいっぱい！
その中で、目立つ場所に、飴屋の「宮城のいちご飴」や「伊達の仙臺飴」も置いていただいています🍬
お立ち寄りの際は、ぜひ手に取ってみてくださいね♪

敷地内には展望台や遊具のある広場もあり、お子さん連れにもぴったり。
天気のいい日には芝生でのんびりするのも気持ちいいですよ🌿

ちなみに、ここから東へ向かうと「常磐自動車道・山元I.C」につながっています。
仙台方面や東京方面へのアクセスにも便利ですし、逆に、ここから一目千本桜に向かうルートとして利用するのもおすすめです🌸🚙

旅の途中に、ちょっと立ち寄って、地元の味と空気を感じてみてくださいね♪

今年の春は、ちょっとだけ車を走らせて、
おいしいものや、たのしい寄り道、そして桜との出会いを楽しんでみませんか？

大河原町をはじめ、周辺にはまだまだ知られていない素敵なスポットがたくさんあります。
「一目千本桜」も、これからが本番です。

春のドライブにぴったりの季節、ぜひお出かけくださいね🚗✨
どこかの桜の下で、皆さんとお会いできる日を楽しみにしています。

👉 次回の桜便りをお楽しみに！

Hello, I’m the candy store’s signboard girl.
The Hitome Senbonzakura cherry trees along the Shiroishi River will soon be in bloom. Every year, many customers come to Ogawara during this season, and we are busily wrapping candy, feeling the arrival of spring.

Now, for those of you travelling by car:
Going out in the spring is fun, but this time of year can cause traffic jams all over town.

To tell you the truth, the road in front of the main factory of Ameya (Zao no Mukashi Ame Honpo) is no exception. There is also a directly managed store of the famous Kasho Sanzen nearby, and there are often lines of cars waiting for “Hagino Tsuki” and “Date Emaki”. Delicious food has the power to draw everyone in.

At times like these, instead of forcing yourself to move forward, why not take a little “spring detour”?

On the grounds of Ameya’s main factory, there is actually a “candy vending machine.” It’s a rather unusual vending machine that only a candy shop can make. It stocks seasonal candy such as “Sakura candy” and “Matcha candy,” as well as the reasonably priced “Chibi’s series” that kids will love, and you can purchase them inside the building if the main factory is open. If you’re lucky, you might come across a new product that isn’t sold in the vending machine…

At times like these, instead of forcing yourself to move forward, why not take a little “spring detour”?

On the grounds of Ameya’s main factory, there is actually a “candy vending machine.” It’s a rather unusual vending machine that only a candy shop can make. It stocks seasonal candy such as “Sakura candy” and “Matcha candy,” as well as the reasonably priced “Chibi’s series” that kids will love, and you can purchase them inside the building if the main factory is open. If you’re lucky, you might come across a new product that isn’t sold in the vending machine…

Turn off your car engine and have a sweet candy. Open the window and breathe in the spring breeze.
From the parking lot, you can see the Funaoka Heiwa Kannon temple at the top of Funaoka Castle Park and the cherry blossoms blooming in the mountains.
Just seeing that makes the traffic jams seem forgivable, doesn’t it?

Don’t rush or panic, spring is waiting.
Since the whole town is bustling at this time of year, take it easy and relax.

If you are heading to Hitome Senbonzakura from Tokyo or Sendai on the Tohoku Expressway, we recommend stopping by Roadside Station Murata.

It is located right after exiting the Tohoku Expressway Murata I.C., and is easily accessible. 🚙💨

This is a popular roadside station lined with fresh local vegetables and local specialties.

It’s a great place to stop for a toilet break during your spring drive, and you can also have fun finding something delicious. ♪

In fact… our candy is also sold here. 🍬

There are many types of candy lined up, such as “Date no Sendai Ame” and “Sazare Rakkyo Ame”, and it makes us happy when people who stop by pick one up.

The store has high ceilings and is spacious, and there is a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, crafts, and local gourmet food.

It’s a perfect stop to refresh yourself after a long drive, so it’s perfect for a quick break before heading out to see the cherry blossoms 🍵✨

This is a little recommended spot from the locals for everyone who’s driving through Tohoku in search of cherry blossoms this coming season ♪

The main route to Ogawara Town is Prefectural Route 14 (Watari Ogawara Kawasaki Line), but there is another road, “Zao Sakura Road”, which is worth a little detour.

In spring, the surrounding mountains are dotted with cherry blossoms, and the view from the car window is very picturesque.
The cherry blossoms that bloom as if they are blending into the mountainside have a softness that can only be felt from afar, and somehow it makes your heart feel at ease.

If you go along this road, you can also pass by “Tonton no Oka Mochibutakan”, which we introduced in the previous “Sakura News #4” 🐐🌸
We also recommend taking a little detour to interact with the animals and enjoy freshly grilled barbecue.

And from there, you can smoothly access the venue of the “Ogawara Sakura Festival”,
so it’s the perfect route to connect “natural spring” and “festival spring” ♪

Before or after enjoying the cherry blossoms, why not take a little detour into the world of science? 🌌
The JAXA Kakuda Space Center in Kakuda City is one of the hubs of rocket development in Japan.
The grounds are lined with exhibits introducing real rocket engines and the history of development, and adults and children alike are sure to exclaim, “Wow…!” 🚀✨

What’s more, the tour is free! Parking is also free!
However, you will need to register in front of the guard when entering, so don’t forget.
(Just write your name at the entrance, so feel free to come in 👌)

And what’s a little interesting is… they sell space food in vending machines!
You might be able to get some items that will make you feel like an astronaut? ✨
*Unfortunately, our candy is not sold here🍬🙇‍♀️ (But I would love to make candy for space consumption and display it…lol)

This facility is located in a quiet mountain valley, and in fact, the surrounding cherry blossoms are beautiful in spring,
so it is a spot known only to those in the know where you can enjoy the slightly strange combination of space and cherry blossoms🌸🛰️

“See the cherry blossoms, eat delicious food, and experience space”
How about a luxurious drive like that? 🚗🌟

If you’re planning a little detour during your drive, we recommend this place🚗💨

Agritto Farmers’ Square, located in Tsunoda City, is a lively direct sales store with a wide selection of fresh local vegetables and processed products.

When you enter, greeted by a sign that says “This is Tsunoda’s lively farmer’s shop!”, you’ll be greeted by the pleasant smell of vegetables and a wide selection of delicious looking items🍆🥬🥔

Inside the building, there are also zunda products and a cafe space called “Ina Cafe Agritto,” where you can enjoy gentle flavors that have a handmade feel.

The most popular item is the daily lunch that uses plenty of local vegetables🥢

On this day, we had a stew full of vegetables, refreshing tofu, salad, soup, small side dishes…

It was a gentle lunch that made the body happy🍚✨

There are even goats outside🐐

It’s a great spot for families with children to interact with them.
It’s a warm, local place where you can relax in a relaxed atmosphere.

And… what’s even better is that our candies are on sale! 🍬
They have our “Sazare Rakkyo Candy”, “Date no Sendai Candy”, “Kuro Ame” and other candies on display, and when I see someone actually picking one up, I secretly pump my fist in my heart 💪

Please stop by on your way to Hitome Senbonzakura or for a short break on your way back 🌸🚙

If you’re driving on Zao Sakura Road or in Kakuda City, you’ll want to stop by Kakuda Roadside Station.

The spacious grounds are lined with direct sales shops packed with local “delicious” products, including fresh local vegetables, processed foods, and sweets.

The building is full of local specialties and souvenirs!

Among them, candy shops have “Miyagi Strawberry Candy” and “Date Sendai Candy” in a prominent location. 🍬
When you stop by, be sure to pick one up♪

The grounds also have an observation deck and a plaza with playground equipment, making it perfect for families.
It’s also nice to relax on the grass on a nice day. 🌿

By the way, if you head east from here, it connects to the Yamamoto I.C. on the Joban Expressway.

It’s convenient for accessing Sendai and Tokyo, and conversely, it’s also recommended to use it as a route to Hitome Senbonzakura from here. 🌸🚙

This spring, why not take a short drive and enjoy some delicious food, fun detours, and cherry blossoms?

There are many wonderful spots that are still unknown in Ogawaramachi and the surrounding area.

The “Hitome Senbonzakura” cherry blossom viewing season is just beginning.

It’s the perfect season for a spring drive, so be sure to get out and explore🚗✨
We look forward to meeting you all under the cherry blossoms somewhere.