A Peaceful Retreat Surrounded by Ryujin’s Nature
The area around the roadside station includes a park and a distinctive wooden suspension bridge, offering visitors opportunities to explore the natural surroundings on foot. The bridge crosses the Hidaka River and leads toward Minase Shrine.
The simple bridge, constructed using round logs, has a rustic character that fits perfectly with the mountain landscape. Walking across it while listening to the sound of the flowing river can create the feeling of exploring a remote and untouched part of Japan.
Ryujin offers different scenery in every season. Fresh greenery appears in spring, summer brings opportunities for enjoying the river, autumn covers the mountainsides in colorful foliage, and winter offers exceptionally clear air and a peaceful atmosphere.
In summer, the Hidaka River is particularly attractive because of its clear water, making the area suitable for water activities and riverside walks. Even simply stopping during a road trip and relaxing beside the river can provide a refreshing escape from everyday life.
Woody Plaza Kizokukan: A Celebration of Local Woodcraft
The heart of the facility is Woody Plaza Kizokukan, known as a “wood-themed roadside station” operated by the local forestry cooperative. Inside, visitors can find a wide selection of furniture, wooden crafts, tableware, and aroma products made from locally sourced Kishu timber and Ryujin timber.
The wooden products on display reflect the skills and craftsmanship of local artisans. The selection ranges from practical items such as tables, chairs, shelves, and cutting boards to charming wooden toys, castanets, building blocks, and animal figures. These products are also popular as gifts for children.
The shop also offers indigo-dyed clothing and unique handmade ceramics. Each indigo-dyed item has slightly different shades and patterns, making the experience of finding a personal favorite part of the appeal. The ceramics also have individual shapes and textures, making them attractive souvenirs or gifts.
Visitors often praise the building itself, noting its high ceiling, spacious interior, impressive central wooden pillars, and the soothing fragrance of timber. For some travelers, the wooden architecture is an attraction in its own right.
A Giant Tsuga Tree More Than 350 Years Old
At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by a magnificent tsuga tree estimated to be more than 350 years old. With a trunk circumference of approximately 4.72 meters at its base, the giant tree makes a powerful first impression.
The interior pillars also incorporate Ryujin timber from trees more than 160 years old. These massive pieces of wood allow visitors to appreciate the strength and character of trees that have grown for generations in the forests of Ryujin.
The facility provides a particularly good introduction to the area’s long-standing forestry traditions and the important role that timber has played in the local community.
Enjoy a Meal beside the Clear River
The café and dining area offers a relaxing place to eat while looking through the windows at the surrounding green mountains and the clear waters of the Hidaka River. The spacious interior makes it a convenient stop for drivers, cyclists, and motorcycle travelers.
One of the specialties is local game cuisine. Dishes featuring wild boar include wild boar rice bowls, wild boar udon noodles, and wild boar curry. These dishes offer visitors an opportunity to taste food closely connected with the mountain environment.
Amago trout udon, made with amago trout from the area’s clear mountain streams, is another popular choice. The fish is a local specialty and provides a taste of the clean waters of the Ryujin region.
Outdoor terrace seating allows visitors to enjoy their meals while listening to the sound of the Hidaka River. On Saturdays, the facility is also a popular stopping point for motorcycle touring groups, creating a lively atmosphere and opportunities for travelers to meet and exchange stories.
Visitors are also welcome to bring their own boxed meals, making the facility convenient for families and groups. Coffee prepared with natural water from Ryujin is another popular refreshment and is particularly enjoyable during a long drive.
A Gateway to Ryujin Onsen
One of the greatest advantages of Roadside Station Ryujin is its proximity to Ryujin Onsen, located about a 10-minute walk away. Ryujin Onsen is traditionally counted among Japan’s “Three Beauties’ Hot Springs”, alongside Yunokawa Onsen in Shimane Prefecture and Kawanaka Onsen in Gunma Prefecture.
According to tradition, the hot spring was discovered approximately 1,300 years ago after Kobo Daishi Kukai received a divine revelation from the Dragon King Nanda. During the Edo period, the hot spring became a favored retreat of the Kishu-Tokugawa family.
Historic inns such as Kamikoten and Shimogoten still remain, allowing visitors to experience something of the atmosphere of the area’s long history.
The spring water is a sodium bicarbonate spring, traditionally associated with leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth. This reputation has helped Ryujin Onsen become especially popular with visitors seeking a relaxing and restorative bathing experience.
The public bathhouse Ryujin Onsen Motoyu offers bathing in water directly from the hot spring source. Guests can enjoy traditional cypress and rock baths, as well as an open-air bath overlooking the mountain stream.
At night, bathing beneath a sky filled with stars while listening to the sound of the river creates a particularly memorable experience. It is an ideal way to relax both body and mind after exploring the mountains.
Discover Ryujin’s History and Culture
Ryujin Onsen has been famous for centuries. During the Edo period, it was highly regarded in traditional rankings of Japan’s hot springs, alongside renowned destinations such as Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen.
Ryujin Onsen was reportedly given a special status comparable to that of a referee in these rankings, suggesting that it was considered a hot spring of such exceptional quality that assigning it an ordinary rank was difficult.
The hot spring was also particularly favored by Tokugawa Yorinobu, the first lord of the Kishu-Tokugawa domain. He supported the development and protection of the resort, including improvements to its lodging facilities and bathing areas. The historic Kamikoten and Shimogoten remain reminders of this connection.
The road known as Ryujin Kaido was once used by successive feudal lords traveling from Wakayama Castle to Ryujin Onsen. Today, the route offers travelers a scenic drive through the mountains while following in the footsteps of the region’s history.
Access Information
By Car
From Nanki-Tanabe Interchange: Approximately 60 minutes via the mountain roads.
From Mount Koya: Approximately 60 minutes via the Koya-Ryujin Skyline.
By Public Transportation
From JR Kii-Tanabe Station, take a Ryujin Bus bound for the Kirari Ryujin area and get off at the Ryujin Onsen stop. Reservation-based buses are also available from the Mount Koya area, although services are limited, so checking the timetable and making arrangements in advance is recommended.
An Ideal Base for Exploring Ryujin
Roadside Station Ryujin (Woody Plaza Kizokukan) is much more than a convenient place to stop during a drive. It is a destination where visitors can experience the nature, forestry traditions, local cuisine, hot springs, and history of the Ryujin area in one place.
Take a scenic drive along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline, stop at the roadside station to enjoy the comforting scent of local wood, taste traditional mountain cuisine, and then relax in the soothing waters of Ryujin Onsen. Together, these experiences offer a wonderful way to discover a quieter and more traditional side of Wakayama.
For travelers exploring the mountains between Mount Koya and Tanabe, Roadside Station Ryujin is an excellent place to pause, refresh, and experience the unique character of Ryujin.