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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap

Gunma Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Akagi no Megumi

道の駅 赤城の恵

A relaxed stop on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi, with a hot spring, farm shop and hydrangea hill within walking distance.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese
Location
Maebashi City
Road
Prefectural Route 34 | Shibukawa–Ogo Line
Hours
Varies by facility
Ainoyama no Yu 11:00–20:00; Ajisai farm shop 9:30–18:00; information corner 10:00–17:00. Park walks and events vary with the season and weather.
Parking
Cars: 390 / Large vehicles: 12
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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.

On arrival
Locate Ajisai and the toilets from the parking area

There are spaces for 390 standard vehicles and 12 large vehicles. The hot spring, park and farm shop lie in different directions, so choose your route before setting out.

If shopping
Ajisai vegetables, Mugi-buta pork and prepared foods

There is usually more to choose from before noon, though you could also pick up dinner after the hot spring.

With children
Choose the park or pool according to the weather

Try Ogikubo Park on a clear day, or consider the pool and rest area at Ainoyama no Yu when it is hot or rainy.

Adults only
Take your time from the farm shop to the hot spring

Shop first, then leave time after bathing for a meal or a break before driving.

For a seasonal visit
Hydrangeas and fireflies in June

The 2026 Ogikubo Park Fair ended on June 30. For a future season, check bloom conditions and event dates shortly before visiting.

For a short stop
Toilets, Ajisai and the information corner

Even en route to Mt. Akagi or central Maebashi, you can fit in some local shopping in 30 minutes.

Harumichi's detour notes

Add a little shopping before rushing to the hot spring.

Harumichi Kobayakawa sees Akagi no Megumi as a place where you can switch easily between resting, shopping, outdoor play and bathing. Check opening hours and closure days first, choose something to take home from Ajisai, and, with children, opt for the park or pool. An unhurried route makes the most of this stop.

Highlights

The roadside station Michi-no-Eki Akagi no Megumi sits within Ogikubo Park on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi, bringing a hot spring, local produce and outdoor play into one stop. Browse vegetables from northern Maebashi, Mugi-buta pork and prepared foods at Ajisai, unwind at Ainoyama no Yu, and, when the season and timing are right, walk into the park for hydrangeas or fireflies. Harumichi Kobayakawa suggests checking the parking, toilets, rest areas and opening hours first, then extending a manageable stop into half a day, with children or without.

  • #Gunma Prefecture
  • #Maebashi City
  • #Prefectural Route 34
  • #Southern foothills of Mt. Akagi
  • #Opening hours
  • #Ajisai farm shop
  • #Ogikubo Park
  • #Hydrangeas
  • #Fireflies
  • #Family rest stop
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A hot spring and park are part of the stop

Akagi no Megumi gives you several nearby choices once you park. You can stop after the toilets and farm shop, or add a bath or swim at Ainoyama no Yu. Walk into Ogikubo Park for playground equipment where children can move around, or a stroll among seasonal flowers.

02

Ajisai offers a glimpse of northern Maebashi's food

At the Ajisai farm shop, look for vegetables, fruit and flowering plants from local growers, handmade prepared foods and Mugi-buta (“barley pork”) raised by Maebashi farmers. The selection changes with the season, with items such as dried daikon radish in autumn; even a short browse gives a sense of the area.

03

Hydrangeas by day and fireflies by night in early summer

Ogikubo Park is known for around 16,000 hydrangea plants of ten varieties. Fireflies can usually be seen along the stream in its waterside area around mid-June. Blooms and fireflies depend on natural conditions, so check the current year's bloom reports and event details shortly before deciding between a daytime walk and an evening visit.

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.

A short break from Prefectural Route 34 or the Jobu Road

Use the farm shop and toilets as a gateway to southern Akagi

Start at Ajisai to see the day's vegetables, fruit and prepared foods. Even if you are not stopping for a full meal, taking home Mugi-buta pork or a seasonal vegetable makes the stop a reminder of northern Maebashi.

Parking → 24-hour toilets → Ajisai → information corner → departure.

Ajisai closes on the first and third Tuesdays and over New Year. The selection changes with the time of day and season.

Days when you want to wash off sweat or shorten outdoor play because of rain or extreme heat

Make half a day of the hot spring and pool with children

Ainoyama no Yu has an open-air bath, sauna, pool and rest area, giving a family several options in one facility. Play in the park before bathing, or focus on the hot spring facilities on a rainy day to keep the outing manageable.

Ajisai → Ogikubo Park or pool → hot spring → dining area and rest area.

Ainoyama no Yu closes on Tuesdays. Check the latest arrangements for the pool, private rooms and dining before you go.

A seasonal June walk when you have time into the evening

Plan separately for daytime hydrangeas and nighttime fireflies in early summer

Ogikubo Park's hydrangea hill is a focus for flowers, and firefly season overlaps in the waterside area. You could see flowers by day, visit the hot spring in the evening and look for fireflies after dark. As this is nature watching, keep plans flexible and the walk short enough for the temperature and footing.

Ajisai → hydrangea hill → Ainoyama no Yu → waterside area.

The 2026 fair has ended. Fireflies, flowers and events vary each year with the weather and current announcements.

A trip toward Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura or Mt. Akagi

Use it as a stop before or after a spring cherry blossom drive

On a trip to the flower sites on Akagi's southern foothills, using the toilets and shopping first can make the day easier. Add the hot spring on the way back to unwind after traffic or crowds.

Akagi no Megumi → toward Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura → Ainoyama no Yu on the return trip.

Roads nearby can be busy during the cherry blossom festival; parking fees and traffic restrictions change by year.

A short afternoon break

Shop, soak and head home early on an adults-only visit

On a day when you do not want a long sightseeing itinerary, buy ingredients for dinner at Ajisai and relax at the hot spring. Pause in the rest area before driving home.

Ajisai → Ainoyama no Yu → rest area → homeward journey.

If you have a long drive after bathing, take time to rest and drink water before leaving.

Hours

Opening hours

Ainoyama no Yu
11:00-20:00

Closed Tuesdays, or the following day when Tuesday is a public holiday. Check pool and dining information too.

Ajisai farm shop
9:30-18:00

Closed on the first and third Tuesdays and over New Year. Seasonal stock varies by time of day.

Information corner
10:00-17:00

A quick place to check visitor and road information.

Ogikubo Park Management Center
8:30-17:15

Closed December 29 to January 3. Check separate guidance for park use and events.

24-hour toilets
24 hours

For late-night or early-morning visits, keep to a rest stop and be considerate of others coming and going.

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
★★★☆☆

Well suited to a short stop focused on indoor facilities.

Keep the parking, toilets and farm shop visit short; there is no need to add the hot spring or park. Watch car temperatures in summer and sun exposure in the park.

Ages 2–3
★★★★☆

A little walking in the park can come before the hot spring.

Ogikubo Park's playground and walking paths offer a change of scene. The grounds are large, so limit walking distance if the playground is your main aim.

Ages 4–6
★★★★★

Playground equipment, the pool and firefly watching provide plenty to talk about.

Try the park in clear weather or Ainoyama no Yu's pool on a hot or rainy day. Keep nighttime firefly watching brief, considering footing and children's sleepiness on the way home.

Elementary school age
★★★★★

Combining the hot spring with nature observation can make a memorable stop.

Connecting hydrangeas, fireflies and vegetables from Akagi's southern foothills adds a learning element beyond shopping.

Parking and toilets

Locate the 24-hour toilets and your parking space before choosing between the park and hot spring.

Walking in the park

Ogikubo Park is large. Decide whether the playground, hydrangeas or waterside area is the main destination.

Using the pool

For a visit to Ainoyama no Yu, check swimwear, towels, a change of clothes and closure days beforehand.

Nature watching at night

Keep firefly watching short, considering footing, insect repellent and sleepiness on the journey home.

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

Ogikubo Park Fair

Events are usually timed to the hydrangea season. In 2026, the fair ran from June 1 to 30 and has now ended.

Ainoyama no Yu event calendar

Monthly events, closures and updates on the pool and dining area may affect how long you stay.

Ajisai seasonal events

In years with a hydrangea festival, vegetable sales or prize draws, the farm shop is especially worth checking first.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Families can choose the park, pool or rest area to suit the weather

When heat or rain makes outdoor play difficult, the pool and rest area at the hot spring offer ways to adjust the day without abandoning the visit.

Early summer brings different reasons to visit by day and night

Hydrangeas suit a daytime walk; fireflies are for watching after dark. With children, allow for footing and sleepiness on the way home, and keep the outing brief.

Take care with time spent in the car in summer

Visitor accounts note that car temperatures need attention even overnight in early summer. A long stay in the car is less appealing than resting after a bath and then heading on.

Ajisai changes with the time of day and season

Local vegetables, fruit, flowering plants, Mugi-buta pork, prepared foods and autumn dried daikon take turns in the spotlight. Leave room to browse rather than counting on a single dish.

A quieter pace than some newer, busy roadside stations

Some visitor accounts describe a calmer visit than at nearby large stations. The appeal here is the closeness of the hot spring, park and farm shop, rather than a large number of stores.

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.

  • Ainoyama no Yu closes on Tuesdays; Ajisai closes on the first and third Tuesdays and over New Year. Check the hot spring closure day before setting out for a bath.
  • If staying for lunch or a bath, decide whether to shop at Ajisai before or after by considering the temperature inside your car. Avoid buying refrigerated items too early.
  • Ogikubo Park is large, with some walking to the playground or waterside area. With small children, choose one main destination to avoid tiring them out.
  • Hydrangeas, fireflies and cherry blossoms depend on peak conditions and weather. After an event ends, plan for an ordinary park walk.
  • For nighttime firefly watching, prioritize footing, insect repellent and the drive home; avoid a long walk after dark.
  • For a longer trip toward Mt. Akagi or cherry blossom sites, allow for traffic and parking queues. A brief toilet and shopping stop at the roadside station may fit better.
Food

Eating and shopping

Specialities, places to eat, sweets and bakeries can all give you a reason to stop. Check individual menus for current prices and availability.

  • Farm shop
    Vegetables and fruit from northern Maebashi
    Varies by season and deliveries
  • Takeaway
    Mugi-buta pork and handmade prepared foods
    Check the shop's current information
  • Dining
    Ainoyama no Yu dining area
    Check official information for the menu and operating days
  • Souvenir
    Authentic sweet potato shochu “Maebashi-produced Akagi no Megumi”
    Check availability on the day
Food mood

What would you like to eat?

A meal, a sweet treat, market shopping or something to take away: choose a focus for the day instead of trying everything at once.

Farm shop highlights

Vegetables, fruit and flowering plants from northern Maebashi

Even browsing the day's deliveries offers a taste of the region. Visiting earlier in the day usually leaves more choice.

The selection changes with the season, weather and time of day.

Take home for dinner

Mugi-buta pork, handmade prepared foods and seasonal goods such as dried daikon radish

Choosing food for home or your accommodation after the hot spring can make even a short stop feel more substantial.

Popular items may run low early in the day.

Eat at the hot spring

Ainoyama no Yu dining area

Suited to families wanting to combine bathing or swimming with a meal on the same grounds.

Check official information for dining hours, last orders and closure days.

Choose a souvenir

“Maebashi-grown Akagi no Megumi” authentic sweet potato shochu, among other items

An option for adults who want to bring home something bearing the southern Akagi name. Shochu is a Japanese distilled spirit.

Check the current sales location and stock on the day.

A fallback when busy

Prepared foods and light takeaway items from the farm shop

If the hot spring or dining area is busy, shop first to simplify the rest of your trip.

Keep an eye on car temperatures for items needing refrigeration.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Akagi no Megumi

A relaxed stop on the southern foothills of Mt. Akagi, with a hot spring, farm shop and hydrangea hill within walking distance.

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2
Day-use hot spring and pool
Ainoyama no Yu

Extend an Akagi no Megumi stop with a bath, swim and rest at this hot spring.

Open in Google Maps
3
Farm shop and shopping
Northern Maebashi Farm and Livestock Shop “Ajisai”

A quick look at local vegetables, Mugi-buta pork, prepared foods and seasonal goods at Akagi no Megumi's farm shop.

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4
Park, flowers and nature watching
Kankyo System Ogikubo Park

Ten hydrangea varieties and around 16,000 plants, plus a waterside area, extend a station visit outdoors.

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5
Seasonal flowers and driving
Akagi Nanmen Senbonzakura

A spring cherry blossom destination on Akagi's southern foothills to pair with a station break and hot spring visit.

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Food outlets and the market on the station grounds share the station pin. Nearby places are separate destinations to combine with your visit.
Nearby

Places to visit nearby

Day-use hot spring and pool
Ainoyama no YuJapanese guide
On the station grounds / a short walkA short walk

For extending a farm shop or park visit into half a day with a bath, swim and rest.

Farm shop and shopping
Northern Maebashi Farm and Livestock Shop “Ajisai”Japanese guide
On the station grounds / a short walkA short walk

For taking home an ingredient from northern Maebashi even when stopping only to use the toilets.

Park, flowers and nature watching
Kankyo System Ogikubo ParkJapanese guide
Adjacent to the station / a short walkA short walk to the park, with more time to explore it

For a walk with children or early-summer flowers before or after a meal or hot spring visit.

Seasonal flowers and driving
Akagi Nanmen SenbonzakuraJapanese guide
About 25–35 minutes by carAbout 25–35 minutes by car

For a spring blossom drive using Akagi no Megumi for toilets, shopping and a hot spring on the return trip.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →