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Gunma Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Oze Katashina

道の駅 尾瀬かたしな

A stop for a footbath, spring-water udon and highland vegetables before or after Oze.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

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Location
Katashina Village, Tone District
Road
National Route 120
Hours
9:00–17:00
Approximate hours for the information desk, farm shop and snack counter. Katashina Shokudo is open 11:00–14:00; Villagers' Kitchen hours vary by month.
Parking
Cars: 74 / Large vehicles: 5
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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.

See first
Scenic footbath terrace

Views of Oze Ayamedaira and Oze Bridge make this a place to ease tired feet on the return journey. It closes in winter.

For a meal
Oze Meisui Udon at Katashina Shokudo

The cafeteria is generally open 11:00–14:00. Oze Dream Pork, maitake and seasonal tempura add more local flavors.

To shop
Highland vegetables and scarlet runner bean gifts

The farm shop is generally open 9:00–17:00. It is advertised as open until 18:00 on weekends and holidays from late July to early November.

With children
813 Plaza

Its grass, sandpit and water play area let children move around before or after a meal. Animals are not allowed; take dogs to the dog run.

To go farther
Oze Tokura or Hanasaku no Yu

For Oze, plan around parking and shared transport from Tokura; for a relaxed finish, consider Hanasaku no Yu hot spring.

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

Before rushing to Oze, take care of your feet and appetite.

Harumichi Fujishiro sees this station as a place to reset before or after Oze or Marunuma. Once parked, locate the toilets and decide when to eat. If there is time, enjoy the ridgeline from the footbath and pick up a highland vegetable on the way back. That turns a break on National Route 120 into a distinctly Katashina experience.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Oze Katashina makes a restorative stop before or after a trip along National Route 120 toward Oze, Marunuma or Nikko. In one place you can find Oze Meisui Udon at Katashina Shokudo, highland tomatoes and corn at the Katashinaya farm shop, a footbath terrace overlooking Oze Ayamedaira, and 813 Plaza with grass, a sandpit and water play. Harumichi Fujishiro suggests choosing your parking spot and locating the toilets first, eating at the cafeteria during the 11 a.m. hour, then returning for the footbath and shopping.

  • #Gateway to Oze
  • #Scenic footbath terrace
  • #Oze Meisui Udon
  • #Highland vegetables
  • #813 Plaza
  • #National Route 120
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

A footbath and a view make this more than a rest stop

From the free-flowing hot spring footbath terrace you can see the ridgeline of Oze Ayamedaira and Oze Bridge. Taking off your shoes and resting with that view after hiking in Oze or visiting the Marunuma area is one of this station's main attractions.

02

Katashina flavors in the food and shopping

Katashina Shokudo centers on Oze Meisui Udon, made with water from Katashina's Oze-no-Sato springs and locally milled Joshu wheat flour. At the farm shop, look for highland vegetables grown amid large day-night temperature changes, scarlet runner beans, maitake mushrooms and honey soft-serve.

03

Separate places for children and visitors with dogs

813 Plaza gives children grass, a sandpit and water play; visitors with dogs can head to the scenic dog run or outdoor tables. Even when companions want different things, it is easy to split up activities within the station.

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 morning or late-morning drive

Plan your Oze approach before setting out

First locate the toilets and baby care room from Parking Area 1, then look for drinks or a light sweet at the farm shop. If you are heading into Oze, account for private-car restrictions at the Hatomachi Pass trailhead and the shared bus or taxi from Tokura parking; this is a good place to check everyone's energy and timing.

Roadside station → Tokura area parking → shared transport → Hatomachi Pass trailhead

Private cars and motorcycles are restricted toward Hatomachi Pass in 2026. Check the latest traffic advice from Katashina Village and the Oze Preservation Foundation before entering Oze.

A family lunch break

Lunch and 813 Plaza give children a change of pace

Eat Oze Meisui Udon at Katashina Shokudo during the 11 a.m. hour, then head to 813 Plaza. The grass, sandpit and water play help children unwind after time in the car. On hot days, keep a change of clothes and a towel in the car for after water play.

Parking → cafeteria → 813 Plaza → farm shop → departure

Animals cannot enter 813 Plaza. If you have a dog, plan separately for the dog run or outdoor tables.

After a walk, before evening

Finish an Oze trip with a footbath and shopping

On the return journey, visit the scenic footbath terrace first and warm your feet while looking at the ridgeline. Then choose highland vegetables, scarlet runner beans, maitake or soba at the farm shop to take home, even if the stop is short.

Oze or Marunuma area → scenic footbath terrace → farm shop → return via National Route 120

The footbath closes in winter, and its reopening can depend on weather. Choose a hot spring or indoor rest instead in winter.

When the weather is uncertain

Make the most of the station on a rainy day

Skip the outdoor views and water play and plan around the cafeteria, Villagers' Kitchen, farm shop and rest area. Vendors and hours at Villagers' Kitchen change, so check the day's notice and choose between it and the cafeteria.

Toilets → cafeteria or Villagers' Kitchen → farm shop → rest area

Friday is generally the regular closing day, but holiday season and public-holiday openings and temporary closures vary.

When you want to ease driving fatigue

Extend the outing with a hot spring

After lunch and shopping at the station, head to Hana no Eki Katashina Hanasaku no Yu. This day-use hot spring offers bathing, meals and ganbanyoku, a heated-stone bathing experience, making a half-day Katashina drive possible even without going as far as Oze or Marunuma.

Roadside station → Hanasaku no Yu → National Route 120 or toward Numata

Hanasaku no Yu also generally closes on Fridays. Check its official notice for public holidays and busy travel seasons.

Hours

Opening hours

Information desk
9:00-17:00

Approximate hours for tourist information and the station's standard opening. On weekends and public holidays in October 2026, 9:00–18:00 is advertised.

Katashinaya farm shop
9:00-17:00

Opening until 18:00 is advertised on weekends and public holidays from late July to early November, including 9:00–18:00 in October 2026.

Snack counter
9:00-17:00

Approximate hours for sweets and light snacks.

Katashina Shokudo cafeteria
11:00-14:00

Limited dishes, frying times and sellouts may affect availability.

Villagers' Kitchen
Varies by month

Check official event notices for vendors, hours and temporary closures. October 16 and 23, 2026 (Fridays), are advertised as its closing days.

Toilets and baby care room
24 hours

The toilet building has facilities available 24 hours.

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.

Age 1 and under
★★★★☆

A baby care room and toilets available 24 hours make a brief stop easier.

Avoid busy times at the cafeteria and farm shop, and handle feeding and diaper changes first. Keep footbath visits short while carrying the child and watching the water temperature.

Ages 2–3
★★★★☆

The grass, sandpit and water play at 813 Plaza make a change from sitting in the car.

Bring spare clothes and a towel for water play. Animals cannot enter the plaza, so families with a dog should divide up activities.

Ages 4–6
★★★★★

Short visits to the cafeteria, footbath, grass and water play can make a satisfying stop.

Instead of leaving straight after eating, even 10–20 minutes of movement at 813 Plaza can make the next drive easier.

Primary school age
★★★★☆

Oze, Marunuma and Hanasaku no Yu offer ideas for a half-day route.

On an Oze trip, private-car restrictions and shared transport can be part of the learning. In rain, switching to a footbath or hot spring is a manageable option.

Toilets and baby care rooms

The toilet building has a baby care room available 24 hours. The restaurant building also has a baby care room and multipurpose toilet.

Outdoor play

813 Plaza has grass, a sandpit and a water play area. Crowding changes on event days.

With a dog

Animals cannot enter 813 Plaza. Official guidance points visitors to the scenic dog run and outdoor tables.

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

813 Plaza

A grassy multipurpose area for station events such as the Fureai Bazaar, stage performances and winter illuminations.

Outdoor event vendors

Depending on the month's vendors, you may find pizza, bread, grilled manju buns, fried chicken and sundries.

Villagers' Kitchen

Local cooks take turns serving food here. It is separate from the regular cafeteria, so what is available changes with your visit date.

Scenic footbath terrace

A place to spend time even without an event. When it closes in winter, choose an indoor break at the station or a nearby hot spring.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

For Oze, plan the onward transport

Private cars and motorcycles are restricted toward the Hatomachi Pass trailhead in 2026, with a shared bus or taxi from Tokura area parking as the usual approach. The roadside station is not the trailhead: use it to eat, visit the toilets, shop and check everyone's condition before hiking.

Source: Katashina Village Office, 2026 Oze traffic measures

The cafeteria works for a short meal, but allow for the lunch rush

Katashina Shokudo advertises 11:00–14:00 hours and serves Oze Meisui Udon, maitake, Oze Dream Pork and seasonal tempura. Visitor reviews also suggest it is used for meals before and after Oze. At lunchtime, first see whether the cafeteria, Villagers' Kitchen or outdoor vendors will fit your schedule.

Source: Roadside station official site, Katashina Shokudo; visitor trends

The return-trip footbath makes a lasting impression

The terrace footbath looks toward Oze Ayamedaira and Oze Bridge and offers a pause after walking or a long drive. It closes in winter, when the spring water is reportedly used to help prevent freezing on National Route 120; consider a nearby hot spring such as Hanasaku no Yu instead.

Source: Roadside station official site, footbath and scenic terrace

Shop for the season at the farm store

Official information describes Katashina's highland vegetables as growing with large day-night temperature changes. It also advertises longer weekend and holiday farm-shop hours from late July to early November. Look for tomatoes or corn in season, or take home scarlet runner beans and maitake on another visit.

Source: Roadside station official site, Katashinaya farm produce shop

Events change the plaza and outdoor food choices

The official calendar lists outdoor event vendors in July, an eighth-anniversary festival and Villagers' Kitchen opening plans. Event days bring more food choices but can make parking and meals busier; visiting the toilets first, eating next and shopping last can help.

Source: Roadside station official site, event information

In rain or winter, adjust the outdoor plans

The footbath, views, grass and water play are a large part of this station, but weather changes the experience. On rainy days, favor the cafeteria, Villagers' Kitchen, farm shop and rest area. In winter, check footbath and dog-run closures as well as road conditions on National Route 120.

Source: Official facilities and tourism information; visitor trends
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.

  • Friday is generally the regular closing day, but opening is advertised during Golden Week, August, October, New Year holidays and public holidays. The station says it will also open on Fridays in October 2026, while Villagers' Kitchen closes on Friday October 16 and 23. Check the official calendar for temporary closures and Villagers' Kitchen plans.
  • If you are visiting for the cafeteria, arrive during the 11 a.m. hour for a better choice of Oze Meisui Udon and limited dishes. During the lunch rush, leave room in your plans for outdoor vendors or the snack counter.
  • For Oze, do not assume you can drive from the roadside station directly to Hatomachi Pass. Check Tokura parking and the dates and times of shared transport first.
  • The scenic footbath terrace and dog run close in winter. In cold weather, consider an indoor hot spring such as Hanasaku no Yu.
  • 813 Plaza is suitable for children's outdoor play, but animals cannot enter. With a dog, plan separately for the dog run, outdoor tables or a break in the car.
  • Bring a cooler bag if buying highland vegetables. Tomatoes and corn in summer give way to beans and maitake among the autumn choices.
  • Parking Area 1, Parking Area 2, the RV park and spaces for large vehicles are in different places. With children, check walking routes and vehicle movements after parking.
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.

  • Katashina Shokudo cafeteria
    Oze Meisui Udon (spring-water wheat noodles)
    Kake, bukkake and dipping udon are roughly in the ¥600 range; check the menu for seasonal dishes and large portions.
  • Local ingredients
    Pork and maitake dipping udon
    A dish made with Katashina-grown Oze maitake mushrooms and Oze Dream Pork.
  • Weekends and holidays only
    Marunuma Dam Curry
    About 30 servings on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; advance booking is indicated for weekdays.
  • Farm shop
    Highland vegetables
    Tomatoes, corn, leafy greens and beans vary by season.
  • Snacks and gifts
    Honey soft-serve and scarlet runner bean souvenirs
    The snack counter and shop work well for a short break.
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
Main lunch choice

Oze Meisui Udon

The station's signature meal uses water from Katashina's Oze-no-Sato springs and locally milled Joshu wheat flour. Keep the meal light before an Oze walk; afterward, add a maitake or pork dish for something more substantial.

The cafeteria is generally open 11:00–14:00. Arriving early for lunch leaves more dishes to choose from.

A hearty meal

Oze Dream Pork, maitake and Dam Curry

Pork and maitake dipping udon, curry udon and Marunuma Dam Curry are memorable menu choices tied to the area.

Dishes with limited servings or frying time are less suited to a rushed stop.

A short break

Honey soft-serve, grilled corn and candied scarlet runner beans

Even without a cafeteria meal, a snack or sweet gives you a taste of Katashina. They also work for a pause before or after children play.

Take something home

Tomatoes, corn, scarlet runner beans, maitake and soba

The highland vegetable selection changes with the season. For a long return trip, consider fresh and preserved foods separately and choose something to open at your lodging or at home.

Something different each day

Villagers' Kitchen

Local chefs and residents take turns serving food here. Check the official monthly schedule; on some days Villagers' Kitchen can be the main reason to eat here instead of the cafeteria.

Vendors, hours and temporary closures change; follow the notice for your visit day.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Oze Katashina

A stop for a footbath, spring-water udon and highland vegetables before or after Oze.

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

At-station attraction
813 Plaza and scenic footbath terraceJapanese guide
Within the station / a very short walkA very short walk

Good for letting children move a little before or after eating, or easing tired feet in the footbath after Oze. Check official notices for winter closures and event days.

Access to Oze
Oze Tokura and Hatomachi Pass trailhead accessJapanese guide
About 15 minutes by car toward TokuraAbout 15 minutes by car

Before or after walking in Oze, it makes sense to eat, use the toilets and shop at the station, then move on to parking and shared transport.

Hot spring
Hana no Eki Katashina Hanasaku no YuJapanese guide
About 15–20 minutes by carAbout 15–20 minutes by car

A good finish after Oze, in rain, or when the footbath is closed in winter. It generally closes Fridays; check official notices for public holidays and busy travel seasons.

Highlands and views
Marunuma Kogen and Nikko Shirane Ropeway areaJapanese guide
About 25–35 minutes by carAbout 25–35 minutes by car

A half-day route: eat or shop at the station in the morning, then head for highland views or a walk if the weather is good. In winter, check road conditions and opening information.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →