Image unavailable

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Saitama Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Chichibu

道の駅ちちぶ

Chichibu soba, pork marinated in miso, miso potatoes, and water: a gateway stop for a meal before exploring the town.

Updated 2026-09-30Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Chichibu City

Road

National Route 140

Hours

9:30–17:30

Opening hours vary by shop.

Parking

Cars: 83 / Large vehicles: 12

My stamp

Record this station in your journal

Records are saved in this browser. Visited stations receive a stamp and count towards your nationwide progress.

Nationwide progress

— / 1,238 stations

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.

Eat first

Pork miso rice bowl or Chichibu soba

For a full lunch, head to Chichibu Shokudo; for something lighter, try the soba shop or food counter.

Sweets and snacks

Miso potatoes and black sesame soft serve

Even a short break can include a taste of Chichibu.

Take something home

Local vegetables and Chichibu souvenirs

The shop is easy to visit before or after sightseeing downtown, including for a last purchase on the way home.

Fill up with water

Chichibu no Mizu

This free drinking-water point draws on groundwater from the Urayama River and Mount Buko area. Hours are shorter in winter.

Explore beyond the station

Chichibu Shrine and Festival Museum

These historical and cultural sites are within walking distance, linking a meal at the station with a walk through Chichibu.

Add a spring stop

Shibazakura Hill, Hitsujiyama Park

Expect crowds during the moss phlox season; deciding the order of meals and parking in advance helps.

Harumichi's detour notes

In Chichibu, deciding what to eat first makes it easier to set out on foot.

Harumichi Sawatari starts at this station with the food: a substantial pork miso rice bowl, a lighter soba meal, or a small helping of miso potatoes and black sesame soft serve. Once you choose, it becomes easier to decide whether to walk to Chichibu Shrine, drive to Hitsujiyama Park, or buy local vegetables on the way home.

Lunch plan

Eat several specialties at Chichibu Shokudo, then walk to the nearby Chichibu Festival Museum.

Snack plan

Choose miso potatoes and a sweet at Kohirumeshi Honpo, then set off after a short stop.

Shopping plan

Buy local vegetables and souvenirs on the return journey and enjoy a little Chichibu again at home.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Chichibu is close to central Chichibu and brings together food, shopping, drinking water, and plans for sightseeing. Beyond a break on National Route 140, try a pork miso rice bowl or waraji katsu rice bowl at Chichibu Shokudo, chilled soba with walnut dipping sauce at Chichibu Soba Shoraku, or miso potatoes and black sesame soft serve at Kohirumeshi Honpo. Then continue to Chichibu Festival Museum, Chichibu Shrine, or Hitsujiyama Park for a fuller taste of Chichibu.

#Chichibu soba
#Pork miso rice bowl
#Miso potatoes
#Chichibu no Mizu drinking water
#Chichibu Shrine
#Hitsujiyama Park

Practical information

Registration number: 埼玉-12
Prefecture: Saitama Prefecture
Municipality: Chichibu City
Road: National Route 140
Telephone: 0494-21-2266
Closed days: Varies by shop, mainly around the New Year holidays
Station stamp: Available

Address

4625 Omiya, Chichibu, Saitama 368-0023 (〒368-0023 埼玉県秩父市大宮4625)

Facilities

Restrooms
Parking
Local products shop
Chichibu Shokudo
Chichibu Soba Shoraku, roadside station branch
Kohirumeshi Honpo
Men-dokoro Aono
Chozumeya Chichibu
Chichibu no Mizu drinking water
Bicycle stands
Tourist information
Outdoor special-event area

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)www.michinoeki-network.jp (Japanese guide)www.chichibuji.gr.jp (Japanese guide)chocotabi-saitama.jp (Japanese guide)www.nigurumaya.co.jp (Japanese guide)www.kanto-michinoeki.jp (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

Choose several Chichibu specialties in one place

At Chichibu Shokudo, look for combinations of pork miso rice bowl, waraji katsu rice bowl (a bowl topped with broad breaded pork cutlets), ita soba (soba served on a wooden board), and miso potatoes (fried potatoes coated with miso sauce). At Kohirumeshi Honpo, switch to a shorter stop for miso potatoes, Chichibu croquettes, or black sesame soft serve.

Chichibu no Mizu gives you another reason to stop

The free Chichibu no Mizu drinking-water facility offers a reason to visit beyond dining and shopping. After filling up, picking up one item at the shop can round out a stop at Chichibu's gateway.

From a short walk to a half-day outing

Chichibu Festival Museum and Chichibu Shrine are within walking distance; Hitsujiyama Park and Muse Park are options by car. Rearrange eating, shopping, walking, and sightseeing to make anything from a brief break to a half-day 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.

First-time visitors to central Chichibu

Make lunch the centerpiece, then walk downtown

At the station, choose pork miso rice bowl, waraji katsu rice bowl, or Chichibu soba for your main meal. After eating, walk to the nearby Chichibu Festival Museum or Chichibu Shrine before moving the car, and connect your meal with the Chichibu Night Festival and the town itself.

Roadside station → Chichibu Shokudo or Chichibu Soba Shoraku → Chichibu Festival Museum → Chichibu Shrine.

Roads and parking fill up during festivals and moss phlox season. Avoiding the lunch rush or keeping shop snacks as a fallback makes the visit easier.

A quick break on National Route 140

Take a taste of Chichibu home in 30 minutes

When time is short, make a small circuit of the restrooms, Chichibu no Mizu, the shop, and miso potatoes. Add black sesame soft serve or a Chichibu croquette for a worthwhile stop without sitting down at the restaurant.

Park → Chichibu no Mizu → shop → Kohirumeshi Honpo → depart.

Each shop has its own hours. Expect fewer options in the evening.

A flower-viewing drive from mid-April to early May

In spring, plan around the moss phlox first

During moss phlox season at Hitsujiyama Park, the order of flowers and food can shape the day. On busy days, seeing the flowers first and stopping at the roadside station later for a snack or shopping may be easier.

Hitsujiyama Park → roadside station for snacks and shopping → Chichibu Shrine if time allows.

In 2026, paid admission periods and temporary parking arrangements vary by date. Check Chichibu Tourism Navi just before a spring trip.

Finding one item for the trip home

In the evening, focus on last purchases

After sightseeing in Chichibu, keep the return stop to local vegetables, souvenirs, drinks, or snacks instead of adding more sightseeing. Choose one thing to enjoy at home, even on a brief return visit.

Nearby sightseeing → roadside station shop → Chichibu no Mizu → National Route 140.

Shop hours, sellouts, and traffic can change the experience later in the day. Decide on one thing to buy before arriving.

Hours

Opening hours

Roadside station shop

9:30〜17:30

The station's official site lists hours every day; it also posts notices of temporary closures and changes to closing times.

Chichibu Soba Shoraku

Weekdays 10:00–16:15 / weekends and public holidays 10:00–16:30

Around lunchtime is convenient for chilled soba with walnut dipping sauce or shakushina soba (soba with locally grown leafy greens).

Chichibu Shokudo

11:00〜16:30 LO

The operator's site also lists last orders at 16:00, while the station listing gives 16:30. The station lists New Year holidays as closing days, while the operator lists no regular closing days. Check current hours before visiting. This is a lunch option for pork miso rice bowl, waraji katsu rice bowl, and ita soba.

Kohirumeshi Honpo

10:00〜15:00

Miso potatoes, black sesame soft serve, and Chichibu croquettes suit a short stop.

Men-dokoro Aono

11:00–14:30 last order / weekend morning ramen 7:00–14:30 last order

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Morning ramen is a weekend option only.

Chozumeya Chichibu

10:00〜15:00

Closed over the New Year holidays; good for a light meal such as a hot dog made with handmade sausage.

Chichibu no Mizu

7:00〜19:00

In winter or freezing conditions, approximately 8:00–17:00.

Family

Visiting with children

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

Age 1 and under

★★★☆☆

This station suits a short indoor rest and shopping more than a long stay centered on nursing or diaper changing.

The restaurant and shop are useful, but when crowded, carrying a baby may be easier than maneuvering a stroller.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Keep miso potatoes or soft serve brief, and limit outdoor walking to nearby places.

A trip to Hitsujiyama Park adds slopes and distance, so plan around nap time and where you park.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Combine a snack at Kohirumeshi Honpo, Chichibu no Mizu, and Chichibu Festival Museum to keep the visit varied.

The indoor museum introduces the atmosphere of the Chichibu Night Festival and offers a rainy-day option.

Elementary school age

★★★★☆

Chichibu Shrine, moss phlox, and festival stories add something to learn beyond a meal.

Kawase Festival and moss phlox season bring larger crowds; agree on a meeting place and restroom timing.

Lunch rush

Choose the restaurant, soba shop, or food counter before lunch to shorten children's waiting time.

Nearby indoor option

In rain or intense heat, consider the indoor Chichibu Festival Museum.

Spring at Hitsujiyama Park

Temporary parking behind the roadside station is arranged on some moss phlox season dates, but the walk is fairly long.

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

Outdoor special-event area

Outdoor tent vendors sometimes sell woodwork and other goods, giving visitors something beyond the regular shop even on ordinary days.

Chichibu Shrine and downtown

Around Kawase Festival and the Chichibu Night Festival, roads, parking, and walking routes near the station differ from ordinary days.

Hitsujiyama Park

During moss phlox season, check the bloom, admission charge, parking fee, and temporary parking arrangements before planning a station visit.

Official notices

The station posts updates relevant to visits, including temporary closures, changed closing times, and online-shop announcements.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Choose among the shop's options instead of counting only on the restaurant

Visitor reports show strong interest in pork miso rice bowls, waraji katsu rice bowls, soba, and miso potatoes. At busy times, switching from the restaurant to shop snacks helps keep your itinerary flexible.

Source: Official menus and travel-review trends

Chichibu no Mizu anchors a short stop

The free drinking-water facility gives you a reason to stop even without shopping or dining. Since others may be filling bottles, a short circuit from parking to water and the shop works well.

Source: Official facility and tourism information

Moss phlox season changes how you use the station

During moss phlox season at Hitsujiyama Park, roads and parking can be unpredictable. Decide before departure whether to see the flowers or eat first to avoid a difficult lunch search.

Source: Chichibu Tourism Navi

Festival days bring both a nearby attraction and crowds

Festivals at Chichibu Shrine and downtown are close to the station, but traffic restrictions and crowds change normal travel patterns. Plan your meal, restroom stop, and return route before heading to the festival.

Source: Chichibu Tourism Association event information

On rainy days, choose indoor culture

When outdoor walking is difficult, Chichibu Festival Museum lets you experience the atmosphere of the Chichibu Night Festival indoors. A meal and museum visit make a compact bad-weather outing.

Source: Chichibu Festival Museum

Close to downtown, and useful for a last purchase

Besides eating before sightseeing, the station works for buying local vegetables or souvenirs on the return trip. In the evening, expect shops to close or sell out; decide on one item before you arrive.

Source: Official shop information and 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.

Shops have different hours. Do not assume the restaurant, soba shop, food counter, and ramen shop all operate at the same times.
For lunch, arrive in the 11:00 hour or leave room to switch to a snack at Kohirumeshi Honpo during the rush.
Chichibu no Mizu generally operates 7:00–19:00, with shorter hours in winter or freezing conditions.
Around moss phlox season, Kawase Festival, and Chichibu Night Festival, roads and parking differ from ordinary days. Plan the return journey even for destinations within walking distance.
The station officially asks visitors not to leave cars in its parking lot while going cycling.
The official site posts temporary closures and changed closing times. Check it and the tourism association's event information just before departure.

Gallery

A closer look

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.

Chichibu Shokudo
Pork miso rice bowl and miso potatoes set
Officially listed example: ¥1,200
Chichibu Shokudo
Waraji katsu rice bowl and chilled soba set
Officially listed example: ¥1,200
Chichibu Soba Shoraku
Chilled soba with walnut dipping sauce; shakushina soba
Check the shop menu on the day
Kohirumeshi Honpo
Miso potatoes
Officially listed example: ¥250 per skewer
Kohirumeshi Honpo
Black sesame soft serve
Officially listed example: ¥400
Shop snacks
Chichibu croquette and shakushina pork bun
Good 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.

A full lunch

Pork miso rice bowl, waraji katsu rice bowl, and ita soba

Chichibu Shokudo suits a day when you want a substantial meal before walking around town. Start with the set meals if you want several specialties on one plate.

At lunchtime, leave room to switch from the restaurant to soba or shop food rather than relying on one option.

A lighter soba meal

Chilled soba with walnut dipping sauce; shakushina soba

Chichibu Soba Shoraku is a good choice before a mountain drive or town walk when you want a lighter meal. It offers Chichibu flavors and textures in a short stop.

Snacks and sweets

Miso potatoes and black sesame soft serve

Even without a restaurant meal, you can take Chichibu flavors back to the car. This also suits a short break or a visit with small children.

Buy for home

Local vegetables, Chichibu souvenirs, and Potekuma-kun goods

On the way home, choose separately what to eat now and what to open at home for a more satisfying stop. Potekuma-kun is Chichibu's potato-themed mascot.

The morning exception