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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Gunma Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Nakayama Basin

道の駅 中山盆地

A Takayama Village roadside station where basin-grown vegetables, a footbath, hot springs, a park and rice paddy art turn a short stop into a longer visit.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Takayama Village, Agatsuma District
Road
Gunma Prefectural Route 36, Shibukawa–Shimonitta Line
Hours
9:00–18:00
The farm shop is open 9:00–18:00 from April to October and 9:30–17:00 from November to March. Asahi Shokudo, the footbath and Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza have separate hours.
Parking
Cars: 153 / Large vehicles: 6
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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.

First stop on arrival
Browse vegetables and soba inari at the farm shop

Seasonal items become less plentiful as the day goes on, so visit the shop first if you have something particular in mind.

For a meal
Soba noodles, set meals and rice bowls at Asahi Shokudo

The restaurant has different hours from the farm shop. An earlier arrival works better if lunch is your main reason for visiting.

For a short rest
A footbath with views over the fields

The footbath mainly operates from spring through autumn and is listed as closed in winter.

With children
Add outdoor play at Takayama Fureai Park

Large and toddler-sized play equipment offer a break before or after a meal. In summer, prepare for the heat and getting wet at the mist play area.

For a seasonal visit
Rice paddy art in July and August

Its appearance changes as the rice grows. Recent official or social media photos can help you judge what to expect before visiting.

Staying into the evening
Hot springs and starry skies

Takayama Village is known for its night skies. After the hot spring, consider the weather and the dark return route.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Harumichi's shopping notes

Walk through the shop before you eat here.

Harumichi Kazama sees Nakayama Basin as more than a handy station with a hot spring. Browse Tsuki Akane rice, beets, summer vegetables, soba inari and handmade foods before heading to the restaurant, and Takayama Village's flavors become the focus of the day. Buy, eat, then rest at the footbath: a small change of order makes the detour richer.

I want to choose today's highlight at the farm shop before heading for soba.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Nakayama Basin is worth more than a quick shopping stop. The farm shop sells summer vegetables and fruit grown with the basin's day-to-night temperature swings, Takayama Village's Tsuki Akane branded rice, beets, soba inari (soba noodles tucked into seasoned fried tofu pockets), and handmade foods. Choose soba noodles or a set meal at Asahi Shokudo, then enjoy views of the Minamiyama peaks and the surrounding fields from the footbath while children head to Takayama Fureai Park. Rice paddy art in July and August, followed by winter illuminations and starry skies, can turn a break on Prefectural Route 36 into half a day in Takayama Village.

  • #Takayama Village
  • #Farm shop
  • #Tsuki Akane rice
  • #Beets
  • #Soba inari
  • #Asahi Shokudo
  • #Footbath
  • #Day-use hot spring
  • #Takayama Fureai Park
  • #Rice paddy art
  • #Starry skies
  • #Cottages
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Buy the flavors of Takayama Village's seasons at the farm shop

There is plenty here to shop for: summer vegetables, fruit, rice, beets, soba inari, handmade manju buns, naturally leavened bread, honey and jam. The selection offers a glimpse of mountain village life beyond a typical souvenir shelf. On a weekend drive, browse the farm shop before eating so you have a better chance of finding something to take home.

02

The restaurant, footbath and hot spring make a longer stop easy

Asahi Shokudo serves handmade soba noodles, basin-style soba, set meals and rice bowls. A Saturday-only beer garden is also advertised from early summer to mid-November. After eating, take in the Minamiyama peaks and the surrounding fields from the footbath, then visit Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza if you have time. Food, a soak and shopping are close together on the same grounds.

03

The park and rice paddy art invite children and adults outdoors

Takayama Fureai Park has large children's play equipment, equipment for toddlers, fitness equipment and summer mist play features, as well as views from the hill. July and August are the usual months for viewing the rice paddy art, a design formed with different rice plants. A short walk beyond the shop and restaurant makes the Nakayama Basin setting much more memorable.

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.

Weekend drives on Prefectural Route 36; travel toward Shibukawa, Numata or Nakanojo

Turn a daytime break into shopping and soba

Start at the farm shop for vegetables, rice, beets, soba inari and handmade foods. Then have handmade soba noodles or a set meal at Asahi Shokudo. Add the footbath afterward, and an ordinary break becomes time to enjoy Takayama Village's food and scenery.

Parking → Farm shop → Asahi Shokudo → Footbath → Omotenashi Hall

The restaurant and farm shop have different hours and closing days. If lunch is your main goal, check the Thursday closure and seasonal hours.

Families with preschoolers through primary school children; days when you want outdoor play

With children, see the park first and plan how long to stay

Takayama Fureai Park has large children's play equipment, toddler equipment and fitness equipment, plus mist play features in summer. If children have energy to spare, visit the park before eating and shopping.

Takayama Fureai Park → Farm shop → Asahi Shokudo or a snack → Footbath

The fields are exposed to sun and wind. Bring hats and a change of clothes in summer; keep outdoor time short in winter.

Seasonal photos, a short walk or a drive with grandparents

Visit for the rice paddy art in July and August

Rice paddy art has been a seasonal attraction since 2009, and the roadside station is a viewing point. The design changes as the rice grows, so check recent updates at the farm shop or on official social media before setting out.

Viewpoint → Rice paddy art → Seasonal vegetables at the farm shop

The best viewing period depends on weather and rice growth. Keep the walk short after rain or in extreme heat.

Days when you want a bath before heading home; the return trip from camping or nearby sightseeing

Finish the afternoon with a hot spring bath

Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza is a day-use hot spring next to the roadside station. Shop at the farm store, eat at the restaurant and finish with a bath to make a short detour more satisfying. If you stay in a cottage, the station can serve as a base for the visit.

Farm shop → Asahi Shokudo → Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza

The hot spring generally closes on the 10th of each month. A fee revision was scheduled to take effect on or after August 1, 2026; check current fees and closure information for your visit date.

Adult road trips, stargazing, or a visit paired with Gunma Astronomical Observatory

An evening Takayama Village route for stars and the observatory

Takayama Village is associated with starry skies, and the roadside station has previously hosted a stargazing gathering and a night-sky market. Visit the farm shop and park by day, the hot spring in the evening, then the observatory or a place to see the stars at night.

Michi-no-Eki Nakayama Basin → Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza → Gunma Astronomical Observatory

Weather and dark roads can change the evening experience. Check the observatory's opening days, events and your return route in advance.

Hours

Opening hours

Farm shop
April–October 9:00–18:00 / November–March 9:30–17:00

From December to March, it is generally closed on the 10th of each month, or the next weekday if that day falls on a weekend or public holiday.

Asahi Shokudo
11:00-17:00

Closed Thursdays, or the next weekday if Thursday is a public holiday. A beer garden is also advertised on Saturdays only, 17:00–20:00, from early summer to mid-November.

Footbath
April–September 10:00–17:00 / October–late November 10:00–16:00

It is listed as closed for winter after that period.

Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza
10:00-21:00

Last admission is 20:20. In January and February, closing time is 20:00 and last admission is 19:20. Closed on the 10th of each month, or the next weekday if that day falls on a weekend or public holiday; open throughout August.

24-hour toilets
24 hours

Next to the information room. At night, be mindful of the dark surroundings and where you park.

Family

Visiting with children

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

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 toilets, a rest and a short shopping stop.

The 24-hour toilets and Omotenashi Hall are helpful. Keep the farm shop, rest time and a look at the footbath in short segments instead of planning a long park walk.

Ages 2–3
★★★★☆

Toddler play equipment and a short outdoor walk offer a change of pace.

Takayama Fureai Park has equipment for toddlers. The summer mist play area is fun, but a change of clothes and attention to slippery ground can make the visit easier.

Ages 4–6
★★★★★

Large play equipment, rice paddy art and the footbath provide variety.

With both play equipment and views, outdoor time can fit before or after eating and shopping. In rice paddy art season, children can enjoy spotting the design.

Primary school age
★★★★★

The park, rice paddy art and observatory can extend the visit into learning.

A trip from the station to Gunma Astronomical Observatory adds stars and Takayama Village's setting to the day. Allow a comfortable amount of time for nighttime travel.

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

Rice paddy art

A seasonal attraction since 2009, usually best viewed in July and August. Its appearance changes as the rice grows, so recent photos or official social media updates help set expectations.

Takayama Fureai Park

The lawns and play areas also host markets and flea markets. Parking arrangements and the time you need may differ on event days.

Stargazing and market events

A stargazing gathering and a night-sky market were held in February 2026. For an evening event, plan around the weather, cold and journey home.

Winter illuminations

The facility information lists illuminations from early November to late January. A hot spring visit pairs naturally with an evening spent looking at the lights and stars.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

The farm shop is more fun as a first stop

Visitor accounts often mention local vegetables, rice, soba inari and seasonal prepared foods. If shopping matters to you, browsing before lunch usually leaves more choices.

Rice paddy art can be the visit's lasting memory

Rice paddy art features prominently in travel reviews and tourism information. In July and August, it is worth walking to the viewing point as well as visiting the restaurant or hot spring.

The adjacent hot spring makes a longer stay appealing

The day-use hot spring is next to the farm shop, so you can add a bath after eating and shopping. It also makes a pleasant final stop after camping, the observatory or Lockheart Castle.

The park gives families a change of pace

Large play equipment, toddler equipment and fitness equipment offer an alternative when children tire of waiting for food or shopping. In midsummer, plan for both the mist play features and the heat.

The weather makes a big difference after dark

Stargazing events have been held here, and the hot spring pairs well with a night under the stars. Cloud cover, winter cold and a dark return route can change the experience, so check the weather and route before staying late.

Published parking space counts differ

The facility information and the official Kanto Michi-no-Eki listing give different parking space counts. Treat the figures as approximate and follow on-site directions on event or busy days.

Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

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.

  • The farm shop, restaurant, footbath and hot spring have separate hours and closing days. Check the relevant facility's information before heading out if you have a particular activity in mind.
  • The rice paddy art changes as the rice grows during July and August. Recent official or social media photos can help you know what to expect.
  • For a park visit, consider the summer heat and mist play features or the cold winter wind when deciding how long to stay.
  • From August 1, 2026, three-hour hot spring admission, including tax, differs between weekdays and weekends, public holidays or specified days. Adults pay ¥600 on weekdays and ¥750 on weekends and public holidays; children aged 3 through primary school pay ¥300 and ¥400 respectively. Check current fees and closing days for the date of your bath.
  • If you plan to see the stars or visit the observatory at night, check the weather, opening day and dark return route beforehand.
  • Parking, lawn use and restaurant activity can differ on event days. Check for market and harvest festival information shortly before visiting.
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.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Sit down for lunch

Handmade soba noodles / basin-style soba / set meals / rice bowls

Asahi Shokudo is the place for a relaxed meal. Set meals and rice bowls offer choices when family members want something other than soba.

Check the Thursday closure, meal hours and seasonal operation before visiting.

Buy a taste of Takayama Village

Tsuki Akane rice / beets / summer vegetables / fruit / rice

For produce grown in the basin's day-to-night temperature swings, start at the farm shop. You can bring home ingredients that recall the visit at your next meal.

Freshly harvested and popular items may sell down as the day goes on.

Take food for the car or your accommodation

Soba inari / manju buns / naturally leavened bread / honey / jam

Even if you skip the restaurant, a snack or sweet makes a worthwhile stop. These items also suit a cottage stay or a supply stop before camping.

The selection changes with the season and production date.

Keep it to a short break

Omotenashi Hall / Footbath / Soft serve ice cream and coffee

For a break from driving, eat a purchased lunch in the rest area or spend a little time at the footbath.

The footbath closes in winter and is best for a spring-to-autumn visit.

Browse again after the hot spring

Hot spring shop / Local nameko mushrooms / Shiitake mushrooms / Honey

Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza also sells local flavors, so you can pick up something extra after your bath.

Check last admission, closing days and the admission fees that differ between weekdays and weekends or public holidays for your visit date.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Nakayama Basin

A Takayama Village roadside station where basin-grown vegetables, a footbath, hot springs, a park and rice paddy art turn a short stop into a longer visit.

Open in Google Maps
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

Takayama Onsen Fureai Plaza
Hot spring
Takayama Onsen Fureai PlazaJapanese guide
On the station groundsA short walk

Add a bath after eating, shopping and the footbath to turn a short detour into a half-day outing.

Takayama Fureai Park and rice paddy art
Nature and park
Takayama Fureai Park and rice paddy artJapanese guide
Next to the stationA short walk

Good for a child's break from food or shopping, a seasonal visit in July or August, or a short stroll.

Gunma Astronomical Observatory
Culture and learning
Gunma Astronomical ObservatoryJapanese guide
About 10 minutes by carAbout 10 minutes by car

For a Takayama Village day that moves from the roadside station to an evening hot spring and nighttime stars.

Sightseeing attraction
Lockheart CastleJapanese guide
About 10 minutes by carAbout 10 minutes by car

For days when you want time for sightseeing photos alongside the farm shop, restaurant and hot spring.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →