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Chestnut Sweets and Delicacies From Ibaraki Prefecture!
A Refreshing Stop at “Michi-no-Eki Kasama” Roadside Station

 

 
 
"Michi no Eki" is the Japanese term for roadside stations. Scattered throughout Japan, they provide resting stops on road trips, but they are also popular places to enjoy local food and shopping.
In this article we will give you a tour of Michi-no-Eki Kasama, which opened in September 2021. Located near the Tomobe Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, it's easily accessible from Tokyo. Visitors can purchase freshly harvested vegetables, fruits, and other specialties from Kasama City and the surrounding area in Ibaraki Prefecture. Of course you can also enjoy local gourmet food.
Let's take a closer look at Michi-no-Eki Kasama!

 

 

Enjoy the Local Delicacies!

 

The food and drink area of Michi-no-Eki Kasama includes a café and store specializing in Kasama chestnuts, a food court with three stalls, and a restaurant. From meals to desserts, here you'll find a variety of special dishes made with ingredients from Kasama and Ibaraki.

 

■楽栗 La Kuri
Kasama is known for having Japan's largest chestnut cultivation area, and is one of the leading chestnut producers in the country. You can get a taste of Kasama's chestnuts in this specialty store. Their café serves amazing chestnut sweets like the freshly made Mont Blanc "La Kuri filo". Since quantities are limited they often sell out before closing time, so an early visit is recommended. (Numbered tickets may be distributed when crowds are expected.)

 

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The food court and restaurant also offer unique dishes made with local ingredients. Below is an example of each restaurant's menu. Some items are only available at Michi-no-Eki Kasama, so be sure to try a few of them out if you visit.

 

 

■GELATERIA COWCOW 1
Kasama-made rich chestnut gelato (premium single serving)

 

■kasama farm’s 2
Hitachi-hime Hamburg steak

 

■Ramen Katsuryu

 


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Kasama chestnut and sesame tantanmen (only sold in Kasama)

 

■Japanese Restaurant Hitachi-no-Kuni Kaguya Hime 2
Kuri Kamameshi (chestnut rice dish)

Buy Local Fresh Vegetables, Fruits and Other Specialties!

 

Kasama is a town where agriculture thrives due to its mild climate. In addition to Kasama's chestnuts, a lot of other seasonal fruits and vegetables can be found here, delivered every morning from local farmers. Other specialties such as sake, local crafts, and souvenirs exclusive to Michi-no-Eki Kasama are also sold here.

 

 

Discover the Artsy Kasama: Kasama Pottery and Crafts

 

As Kasama is also known as a city of art, the overall design of Michi-no-Eki Kasama has an artistic feel. The exhibit area showcases a wide variety of works of Kasama-yaki, the local traditional ceramic craft recognized as a Japanese Heritage.

 

 

Three basins in the food court restroom are also made of Kasama-yaki pottery. Each of them was made by a different artist.

 

 

Many other parts of the building are decorated with works by artists active in the city, like the ceramic wall in front of the restrooms, the handrails on the restaurant terrace, and the bike stand.

 

 

While you can't buy pottery goods here, we still recommend you check out the exhibit and get familiarized with Kasama-yaki. Then you can venture into the city and find your favorite Kasama pottery, or even try your hand at making ceramics at one of the many potters and gallery stores scattered around Kasama, like Kasama Craft Hills near Geijutsu no Mori Park.

 

The building of Michi-no-Eki Kasama features a lot of wood elements, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

 

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If you look closely at the chairs in the food court, you will see that they are designed in the shape of chestnuts! They are also made of chestnut wood. Chestnut designs are scattered throughout the premises, so be sure to look for them.

 

 

Plan Your Trip With Virtual Tourist Information, Bike Share, and Free Wi-Fi

 

Michi-no-Eki Kasama is a gateway for sightseeing in Kasama City and has several convenient facilities for sightseeing tours. One of them is the virtual sightseeing information system. Using the avatar on the screen, an operator will guide you through the information you want to know about Kasama.

 

サイネージのアバター

 

Also located here is a bike share station where you can rent a bicycle at any time. It's very convenient for sightseeing in Kasama. You can choose from a variety of models, including a city type with electric power assist and a sports type. There are 5 ports in the city (including Michi-no-Eki Kasama), and you can get on and off at any of them.

 

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Click here for more information on the bike share service and fees.
https://www.kasama-kankou.jp/page/dir000082.html
(Share cycle KASAMA CYCLING | Kasama Tourism Association)

 

Free Wi-Fi is available at Michi-no-Eki Kasama. Free Wi-Fi is available in a wide range of areas, including the building, the outdoor plaza and the main parking lots (A, B, C).

The parking lot of the roadside station is also equipped with a paid caravan parking space. Campers can use the water, trash cans, and power supply.

For details on how to use the caravan parking lot, fees and other information, click here.
https://btimes.jp/ibaraki/park/48178/
(Parking lot web reservation Times24)

 

 

Enjoy a Tour of Kasama City Starting From Michi-no-Eki Kasama!

 

Kasama City is accessible from Tokyo by car or train in about 90 minutes, making it an ideal destination for a short trip. In addition to Michi-no-Eki Kasama, there are many other sightseeing spots scattered throughout the city, so make sure to include them in your trip! You can read more about Kasama here on DiGJAPAN!.

 

 

Information

Michi-no-Eki Kasama | 道の駅かさま
Address: 22-1 Tegoshi, Kasama-shi, Ibaraki
Hours: Restrooms open 24 hours / Midori-no-Kaze Farmer's market 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. / La Kuri 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. / Food court & Restaurant 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.  (L.O. 5:30 p.m.) / Convenience store (Family Mart) open 24 hours
Holidays: every 4th Thursday *in April closes on the 3rd Thursday
Website (Japanese-only): https://m-kasama.com/

 

*The above article is based on information from February 2022.
*The information in this article was accurate at the time of the interview. Prices, business hours and other information are subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information before visiting.
 
    
We're going to leave you with a video that introduces the seasonal charms of Kasama City, its azaleas, snowy landscapes, and other seasonal views and events!

 

 

 

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THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM 03 22,2022 Author:DiGJAPAN! Editorial Team

 

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