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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Tochigi Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Motegi (道の駅もてぎ)

道の駅もてぎ

In Motegi, a town associated with steam locomotives, stop for yuzu salt ramen and sweet souvenirs.

Updated 2026-10-03Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Motegi Town, Haga District

Road

National Route 123

Hours

8:00–18:00

Hours vary by shop and season. As a guide, the produce market opens 8:00–17:00, while the souvenir shop and Jukkokuya open 9:00–18:00.

Parking

Cars: 331 / Large vehicles: 5

My stamp

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How to enjoy

Choose how to enjoy your visit

Eat, shop, play, take in the view or rest. Choose from the station’s strengths to suit your day.

For a meal

Yuzu salt ramen

This yuzu-scented, salt-broth ramen makes a satisfying meal during a drive without feeling too heavy.

For shopping

Baumkuchen and produce

There are plenty of souvenir choices here.

For play

Mobility Resort Motegi

Jukkoku River Park cannot be used except for some areas during the renovation, and the steam locomotive is suspended, so pair your stop with nearby attractions for a day out with children.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Motegi is a convenient stop for its signature yuzu salt ramen, baumkuchen and seasonal produce, and for side trips to Mobility Resort Motegi or the area around Motegi Station. A major renovation is under way from 2026 to 2028; the station stays open, but the official notice says Jukkoku River Park cannot be used except for some areas. The steam locomotive service is also suspended for an extended vehicle inspection, so check the renovation notices and operating status before planning, and center your stop on eating and shopping for a day that feels distinctly Motegi.

#Yuzu salt ramen
#Baumkuchen
#SL
#Motegi
#With children

Practical information

Registration number: 栃木-01
Prefecture: Tochigi Prefecture
Municipality: Motegi Town, Haga District
Road: National Route 123
Telephone: 0285-63-5671
Closed days: The facility closes on the first and third Tuesdays, although Jukkokuya and the Keyaki souvenir shop remain open. In October 2026, the closure dates are the 6th and 20th. It opens every day in August. Hours and closing days may change during Golden Week, the Obon holiday, and events, as well as due to the renovation work.
Station stamp: Available

Address

1090-1 Oaza Motegi, Motegi-machi, Haga-gun, Tochigi 321-3531 (〒321-3531 栃木県芳賀郡茂木町大字茂木1090-1)

Facilities

Restrooms
Parking
Produce market
Restaurant
Light meals
Cafe
Baby changing table
Accessible restroom
EV charging
Wi-Fi
Tourist information
Rest area

2 more facilities listed.

External links

Fuka's Motegi route

After ramen, make time for the steam train area or forest activities.

Fuka Shiraishi sees Motegi as a place to build a family day out: eat at the station, buy something sweet, then continue to Jukkoku River Park or Mobility Resort. Even a brief stop leaves you with a sense of what the town offers.

Eat

Let a bowl fragrant with yuzu make the stop memorable.

See

Check the steam train's operating status. For now, switch to the park's play equipment or a walk around Motegi Station.

Play

Adding nearby attractions can make the children the focus of the day.

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Memorable local specialties

Yuzu salt ramen and baumkuchen are foods that make this stop easy to remember.

Open throughout the renovation

The station stays open during the 2026–2028 renovation. Jukkoku River Park cannot be used except for some areas, and some facilities operate from temporary stores, so check the official notices before planning time in the park.

A starting point for exploring Motegi

You can use the station for a meal, a shopping stop, or the start of a half-day visit to nearby attractions.

Route idea

Ways to plan your stop

Spend your time at the station or add somewhere nearby. These ideas help you plan around your companions and the weather.

Travelers on National Route 123

A short break with a local specialty

Make yuzu salt ramen the main event, pick up souvenirs, and continue your journey.

Stay mostly within the roadside station.

Lunchtime can be busy.

Families who love vehicles

Check the steam train service before planning around it

Moka Railway's steam locomotive has an extended suspension period. After service resumes, you can time a meal at the roadside station around it. For now, consider Motegi Station or the steam locomotive play equipment here for a short detour.

Roadside station → Motegi Station area.

The SL Moka service is listed as suspended through the end of March 2027. Check Moka Railway's official updates before travel.

A full day of activities

Stop before or after Mobility Resort

Eat before your visit and pick up souvenirs on the way back.

Roadside station → Mobility Resort Motegi.

Allow for road congestion on event days.

A half-day drive

On a first visit, make a loop through the surrounding area

Start with yuzu salt ramen and a look around the shops at Michi-no-Eki Motegi. If you feel like going farther, continue to Motegi Station on the Moka Railway. Treat the roadside station as a gateway to the town to make more of the visit.

Roadside station → Jukkoku River Park or Moka Railway Motegi Station → Mobility Resort Motegi or the return trip.

Restaurant, shop, and nearby attraction hours can vary by day; check official information just before visiting.

A 30–45 minute break while passing through

Take a taste of the area home even on a short stop

If time is short, choose a baumkuchen as well as taking a restroom break. Opening it in the car or at home later gives you a reminder of the stop.

Park → restroom → produce market and shop → take a photo → depart.

Popular items may sell out as the day goes on, so come earlier if you have a particular item in mind.

Hours

Opening hours

Produce market

8:00〜17:00

An earlier visit gives you a better choice of seasonal vegetables, mountain vegetables, and processed foods.

Keyaki souvenir shop and Jukkokuya

9:00〜18:00

Jukkokuya has a last-order time to bear in mind. Hours may be extended by season or during Obon.

Restaurant Kikyo

11:00〜15:00

The restaurant resumed service in a temporary location on August 28, 2026, with a limited menu while there. On weekends and public holidays it closes at 16:00; official listings differ between 10:00 and 11:00 for opening, so confirm before visiting. Last orders are 30 minutes before closing.

Yuzunoki Baumkuchen Workshop

9:00〜17:30

There is an attached cafe. The shop opens 9:00–17:30; the cafe closes at 17:30 from April to September and at 17:00 from October to March.

Family

Visiting with children

Stars show the editorial recommendation for each age group on a five-point scale. Read the reasons alongside each rating.

Ages 1 and under

★★★☆☆

Useful for a brief break, nursing, and changing a diaper.

A short circuit of parking, restrooms, and shops suits a quick stop. Avoiding peak restaurant hours can make carrying a baby easier.

Ages 2–3

★★★★☆

A meal and a brief walk can help reset the mood.

Add a short play stop at Jukkoku River Park's steam locomotive equipment. A small sequence of ramen, restroom, and park may work better than a long stay.

Ages 4–6

★★★★★

Eating, looking around, and moving a little can make a satisfying visit.

The on-site park, ice cream, and baumkuchen workshop offer different things to look forward to. Check steam train suspension updates and consider a walk around Motegi Station instead.

Primary school age

★★★★★

Nearby attractions can add learning and play to the day.

Extend the trip to Mobility Resort Motegi or the Nakagawa River area for a full day; the roadside station makes a useful meal and souvenir stop.

Event

Make an event part of your visit

Permanent spaces and dated events are listed separately. Events can change both the atmosphere and crowds; use the official links for details.

Checking event dates.

Spaces used for events

Event plaza

Outdoor sales and product fairs can turn a shopping trip into a longer visit. Arrive early for events that end when planned quantities sell out.

Outside the produce market

This area often hosts special weekend stalls. Parking, restrooms, and shopping are close together, though foot traffic overlaps around midday.

Outside Yuzunoki Baumkuchen Workshop

The space is sometimes used for collaborative product fairs. Stop here when you want to see an event alongside sweet souvenirs.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Plan around the steam train suspension

When the steam locomotive is running, it gives the area a strong identity, but a suspension is announced through the end of March 2027. For now, try the steam train play equipment in Jukkoku River Park or the Motegi Station area, and leave room to time a future visit after service resumes.

Food and souvenirs that are easy to remember

Yuzu salt ramen and baumkuchen are signature items you can readily tell your travel companions about.

Include nearby events in a weekend plan

Events at Mobility Resort can affect road traffic and meal times.

Use Jukkoku River Park to set the pace of the day

Michi-no-Eki Motegi can leave a stronger impression when you also visit Jukkoku River Park, Moka Railway Motegi Station, or Mobility Resort Motegi. Decide what to buy, eat, and see next soon after arriving, and the break can become the center of your trip.

On busy days, use the station to reset your plans

On holidays and event days, decide whether yuzu salt ramen, the produce market, or a restroom break matters most instead of packing in too much. Even taking home one item associated with the yuzu salt ramen stop can make the visit memorable.

Seasonal ice cream can be the reason for a break

Handmade ice cream features seasonal local flavors such as strawberries, yuzu, pumpkin, and blueberries. On a hot summer day, ice cream and a quick look around the produce market can make an alternative to a restaurant meal.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Motegi official food information

Look for producer names while shopping

The produce market centers on locally grown vegetables, mountain vegetables, and processed foods, with producer names displayed. A look around after your meal can turn shopping into a memory of Motegi rather than an extra purchase.

Source: Michi-no-Eki Motegi official shopping information

Before your visit

Things to check before setting out

Opening and closure days, individual businesses and facilities for children or dogs can affect your plans.

Opening hours, closure days, individual shop hours, and event schedules can change. Check official information just before visiting.
Popular products and restaurant choices vary by time of day. Pick one priority to keep the stop manageable.
If you continue to nearby attractions, consider weather, road traffic, and parking conditions too.
For lunch, eating before the rush and shopping afterward can leave you more choices.
The SL Moka steam train has a long suspension notice. Check Moka Railway's official service status first if trains are the purpose of your trip.
For a wider trip, allow travel time to Moka Railway Motegi Station and Mobility Resort Motegi when deciding how long to stay. The official notice says Jukkoku River Park cannot be used except for some areas due to the renovation work.
Seasonal products, events, and temporary closures change quickly, so check official notices just before visiting.

Food mood