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Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Kanagawa Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Ashigara: Kintaro's Hometown

道の駅 足柄・金太郎のふるさと

Ashigara tea, Soshu beef, and Kintaro milk. Eat, shop, and set out from Minamiashigara toward the mountain country of the Kintaro legend.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Minamiashigara City
Road
Tsukahara–Madara-me Municipal Road (市道 塚原・班目線)
Hours
9:00–17:00
Retail hours are a guide. The dining hall and sweets shop have separate hours, which may change by season or event.
Parking
Cars: 95 / Large vehicles: 8
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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
Ashigara tea and local produce stalls

Vegetables and fruit from local growers, plus Ashigara tea sweets and tea leaves, quickly give you a sense of the area's produce.

For a meal
Soshu beef, Ashigara tea soba, and Kintoki yamame trout

The dining hall opens in the 10 o'clock hour. Around lunch, decide whether you want a rice bowl or set meal, or a lighter stop for sweets.

For something sweet
Kintaro milk and Ashigara tea

Soft serve, milk crepes, and Ashigara tea au lait also suit a break without a full meal.

For a short stop
Park, use the toilet, and buy one item

The toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor, rather than outdoors. Knowing this in advance helps on a first visit.

To go farther
Saijoji Temple or Yuhinotaki Falls

Choose Saijoji for a temple visit or Yuhinotaki for the waterside. Save Ashigara Pass for a day with enough time and suitable weather.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Takano's side-trip notes

A station where it pays to choose a take-home treat before lunch.

This station offers more than scenery. Some days call for a Soshu beef bowl at lunch; on others, Ashigara tea sweets and Kintaro milk soft serve are enough. If you know the parking, toilet location, and hours first, you can move calmly between the dining hall, market, and sweets shop even when it is busy.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Ashigara: Kintaro's Hometown is an easy place to eat, shop, and take a break on a drive toward Hakone or Ashigara. At the farmers' market, browse local growers' vegetables and fruit, Ashigara tea, and gifts made with Ashigara or Soshu beef. At the dining hall, choose a Soshu beef rice bowl, soba noodles made with Ashigara tea, or Kintoki yamame trout. With small children, it helps to know that the toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor, and pets are allowed only on the terrace beside the dining hall and at the outdoor benches. If you have time, continue to Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple, Yuhinotaki Falls, or Ashigara Pass. The water and mountains of Minamiashigara can become part of your visit too.

  • #Ashigara tea
  • #Soshu beef
  • #Kintaro milk
  • #Kintaro legend
  • #Minamiashigara drive
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Compare Ashigara flavors in one place

Ashigara tea, Soshu beef, Ashigara beef, Yamayuri pork, and Kintaro milk: you can choose whether to try these regional products in a meal, a sweet, or a gift.

02

Practical information for a rest stop

The toilets are open 24 hours but are at the end of the building's central corridor. When the parking lot is full, turning right into it may be difficult; around lunchtime on weekends, approaching for a left turn from Takematsu intersection can help.

03

A natural starting point for Kintaro legend side trips

Beyond the station's name, Yuhinotaki Falls, Kintaro Play Stone, and Ashigara Pass add depth to a Minamiashigara visit. Saijoji suits a short outing; the falls or pass are more realistic with half a day.

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.

When you came to eat

Make lunch the main event and keep shopping brief

The dining hall has many locally named dishes, including Soshu beef bowls, Ashigara beef set meals, and Ashigara tea soba. At weekend lunchtime, allow time for seating and ordering; afterward, choosing just one Ashigara tea sweet or vegetable item keeps the stop manageable.

Park → dining hall → farmers' market for an Ashigara tea gift → depart.

Serving hours and last orders can change. For a late lunch, check the official information.

With children or on an afternoon break

Keep it light with a sweets break

Kintaro milk soft serve and Ashigara tea Kintoki soft serve are useful choices when you do not want a full dining hall meal. On a day when you can use the outdoor benches or terrace, children can have a change of scene too.

Toilet → sweets → outdoor benches → next destination.

Pets are allowed only on the terrace beside the dining hall and at the outdoor benches; they cannot enter the facilities.

For a fuller taste of Minamiashigara

Follow the Kintaro legend over half a day

After looking at Ashigara tea and Kintaro-themed gifts at the station, head to Yuhinotaki Falls or Kintaro Play Stone to connect the name with places you visit. Summer's cool water, autumn leaves, and clear winter air each change the experience.

Station → Yuhinotaki Falls and Kintaro Play Stone → short break around Jizodo.

Parking areas around the falls are spread out. When it is busy, also consider Chojabashi and Jizodo rather than relying only on the lot below the falls.

A relaxed side trip for adults

Add a temple visit and forest walk

Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple is memorable for its cedar avenue, tengu legend, and large geta wooden clogs. Eating at the station first saves you from searching for a meal after your visit.

Lunch at the station → Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple → a bath if time allows.

The temple grounds have slopes and steps. With a stroller or someone concerned about walking, keep to a short section.

For a drive with views

Drive up to Ashigara Pass on a fine day

On a clear day, Ashigara Manyo Park and Ashigara Pass may offer views of Mount Fuji and the Ashigara Plain. Pick up a drink and light food at the station, and leave enough time for sunset, possible fog, and mountain-road driving.

Station → Ashigara Manyo Park and Ashigara Pass → finish with a bath if time allows.

The pass feels different with the weather. In rain or fog, switch to Saijoji or activities at the station.

Hours

Opening hours

Retail
9:00–17:00

Hours may change by season.

Furusato Gohan Shokudo dining hall
10:00–16:00

The official facility guide lists last orders at 15:30. The municipal page gives different hours, so check the day's notice.

Ashigara Kintaro Milk sweets shop
10:00–15:30

If sweets are your aim, avoid leaving your visit too late.

Parking and toilets
24 hours

The toilets are beyond the information area along the building's central corridor. Follow official notices during power outages or inspections.

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 one or younger
★★★★☆

With a nursing room and 24-hour toilets, the station works well for a short break.

The toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor. Locate them on arrival to make carrying a child easier.

Ages two to three
★★★☆☆

Keep eating, sweets, and returning to the car in short stages.

Do not count on a large play area inside the station. Use the outdoor benches or nearby nature spots for a change of scene.

Ages four to six
★★★★☆

Kintaro motifs and soft serve can make the stop fun.

If you continue to Yuhinotaki Falls, plan for waterside safety and a change of clothes.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

The Kintaro legend, Ashigara tea, and stories of the falls or pass can become part of the trip.

Beyond the meal, Kintaro Play Stone or Saijoji's tengu legend can hold their interest.

Toilets

They are at the end of the building's central corridor, not outdoors. Knowing the location helps early in the morning or at night.

Nursing room

It is listed in the facility guide. Check the on-site information for its location and availability.

Alternative to a meal

If the dining hall is crowded, switch to sweets, drinks, or shopping at the farmers' market.

Visiting with pets

Pets are allowed only on the terrace beside the dining hall and at the outdoor benches, not inside the facilities.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

  1. 1
    Approach from Takematsu intersection for an easier entry

    On weekends or when the lot is full, a right turn into it may be difficult. Planning to turn left can make arrival less stressful.

  2. 2
    Locate the toilets first

    The toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor. Find them before shopping or eating.

  3. 3
    Make either the meal or shopping your priority

    Instead of trying to do the dining hall, sweets, and market all at once, choose one main activity to suit your energy that day.

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

Official notices

Look for anniversary events, Golden Week appreciation events, power outages, inspections, and changes to hours. Check the current notice before visiting for an event on a specific date.

Farmers' market and retail

Produce arrivals, special prices, and commemorative road-station ticket giveaways can draw shoppers on event days.

Furusato Gohan Shokudo dining hall

Notices may cover renovations or limited-time dishes. If coming to eat, check for changes to its hours too.

Nearby festivals

On days when Minamiashigara events such as the Ashigara Kintaro Festival take place, the station can be a base for eating, toilets, and shopping.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Do not rely only on the dining hall at weekend lunchtime

The menu is tempting, but allow for crowds and a wait around lunch. Being ready to switch to sweets or the farmers' market makes the itinerary easier to manage.

Source: Summary of visitor reviews and experiences

Ashigara tea and processed meat products anchor the shopping

Ashigara tea leaves and sweets, and products made with Soshu or Ashigara beef, are easy ways to bring the area home. Consider chilled items and weight in light of your journey back.

Source: Official retail information

It pays to know the toilet location and parking approach

The 24-hour toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor. When the lot is full, turning right into it may be impossible. These details matter most when you are stopping for a break.

Source: Official information

With pets, plan around the outdoor areas

Pets may accompany you only on the terrace beside the dining hall and at the outdoor benches. A short shopping stop and outdoor break may work better than a long meal.

Source: Official information

Yuhinotaki Falls brings the station's name to life

Yuhinotaki is said to be the waterfall where the legendary Kintaro had his first bath. A visit there and to Kintaro Play Stone connects the station's Kintaro motifs with the landscape.

Source: Minamiashigara tourism information

In rain or fog, favor the station and Saijoji over the pass

Ashigara Pass is valued for its views, which depend on weather. In rain or fog, eating and shopping at the station or visiting the forest temple is a more comfortable plan.

Source: Minamiashigara tourism 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.

  • At lunchtime, decide in advance whether to head for the dining hall, sweets shop, or farmers' market.
  • Remember that the toilets are at the end of the building's central corridor, rather than outdoors.
  • On weekends or when the lot is full, a right turn in may be difficult; consider approaching for a left turn from Takematsu intersection.
  • For sweets, avoid arriving too close to the end of the 15:00 hour.
  • With pets, plan around the terrace beside the dining hall and the outdoor benches.
  • Yuhinotaki has several parking areas; know an alternative if the lot below the falls is full.
  • Ashigara Pass is best for clear weather. In rain or fog, switch to the station, Saijoji, or a bath.
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.

  • Dining hall
    Soshu beef rice bowl and Ashigara beef set meal
    Options include gyu-toro mabushi oke-don (a beef rice bowl served in a tub-style bowl) and Ashigara beef steak set meal. Check the day's menu for prices and availability.
  • Local flavors
    Ashigara tea soba and Ashigara tea drinks
    Good for a lighter meal or a break to enjoy the tea's aroma.
  • Specialties
    Kintoki yamame trout and Dokkoi-meshi
    Options for a meal that feels rooted in this mountain area.
  • Sweets
    Kintaro milk soft serve and Ashigara tea Kintoki soft serve
    A brief stop without entering the dining hall can still give you a taste of this station.
  • Take-home food
    Ashigara tea gifts and processed Soshu beef products
    Tea leaves, sweets, meat miso, and hamburger-style products give you something to enjoy after the trip.
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
A substantial lunch

Soshu beef, Ashigara beef, and Yamayuri pork

Making a meat dish the main event can be satisfying before heading toward Hakone or Ashigara.

At busy times, leave room to switch from the dining hall to sweets or shopping.

A lighter meal

Ashigara tea soba and seafood-broth ramen

Tea soba or other noodles are easy choices when you want to avoid a heavy meal before or after driving.

Pause for sweets

Kintaro milk soft serve and Ashigara tea Kintoki soft serve

With children or during an afternoon break, these offer a quick taste of the station.

The sweets shop closes earlier than the dining hall.

Buy something to take home

Ashigara tea leaves, matcha sweets, and milk pudding

These make gifts to open at home or at your lodging. Tea leaves come in several price ranges, for gifts or everyday use.

With rice at home

Processed Soshu and Ashigara beef products

For meat miso, hamburger-style products, or chili oil, consider refrigeration and weight when choosing what fits your itinerary.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Ashigara: Kintaro's Hometown

Ashigara tea, Soshu beef, and Kintaro milk. Eat, shop, and set out from Minamiashigara toward the mountain country of the Kintaro legend.

Open in Google Maps
2
Food and sweets at the station
Furusato Gohan Shokudo and Ashigara Kintaro Milk

Choose Soshu beef, Ashigara tea, or Kintaro milk to match your appetite without leaving the station.

Open in Google Maps
3
Temple and forest walk
Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple

After eating at the station, take a quiet side trip into a cedar forest and its tengu legend.

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

Food and sweets at the station
Furusato Gohan Shokudo and Ashigara Kintaro MilkJapanese guide
Inside the stationA short walk

Whether lunch is the main event or you pause briefly for soft serve, these are central to the station's local food.

Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple
Temple and forest walk
Daiyuzan Saijoji TempleJapanese guide
About 20 minutes by carAllow 1–2 hours for a post-meal temple visit

Good for a day when you have lunch at the station and then walk the forest approach and temple grounds at a comfortable pace.

Yuhinotaki Falls and Kintaro Play Stone
Waterfall and Kintaro legend
Yuhinotaki Falls and Kintaro Play StoneJapanese guide
About 30 minutes by carAround 1 hour for the falls alone; half a day with nearby walks

Suits a summer cooling stop, an interest in the Kintaro legend, or a short outdoor walk with children.

Ashigara Manyo Park and Ashigara Pass
Mountain pass and views
Ashigara Manyo Park and Ashigara PassJapanese guide
About 35–45 minutes by carAround 1 hour for views and a short walk

Best for a clear day. In rain or fog, a visit to the station or Saijoji is an easier plan.

Modern Toji Only You
Bathing and rest
Modern Toji Only YouJapanese guide
About 20–25 minutes by carAround 2 hours including bathing and rest

Good when you want to unwind after eating, a temple visit, or a walk. Check children's admission conditions in advance.

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