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Michi-no-Eki JournalMap
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Yamanashi Prefecture · Kanto

Michi-no-Eki Shirane

道の駅 しらね

After leaving Shirane IC, start with fruit and travel information. Shirane is a practical starting point for exploring the seasonal produce of Minami-Alps City.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Minami-Alps City
Road
Near National Route 52 and Prefectural Route 39 / near Shirane IC on the Chubu-Odan Expressway
Hours
09:00–17:00
Both the information center and farmers' market are open 9:00–17:00. These hours have applied to the information center since April 1, 2026.
Parking
Cars: 32 / Large vehicles: 4
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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.

Start here
Information center, toilets and nursing room

If you arrive from Shirane IC, start at the information center on the south side: use the toilets, pick up tourist brochures and ask about fruit picking before the family moves on.

If you want to shop
JA farmers' market

The market is north of the prefectural road. You are more likely to have a wider choice of seasonal fruit in the morning, and can ask about gifts and shipping.

If you want to play
Midaiminami Park (御勅使南公園)

There is no large play area at the station. For playground equipment or water play, switch to the park about 10 minutes away by car.

If it rains
The farmers' market and Yamanami no Yu

Skip the outdoor play: choose fruit, then head to the onsen hot-spring baths and rest room for an easy half-day outing.

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph
Hayase's stopover notes

This is where a family decides what to do next, rather than where it spends hours playing.

Shirane is easier to use once you know the information center and market sit on opposite sides of the road. With small children, use the toilets and nursing room at the information center before choosing fruit; if everyone still has energy, head to Midaiminami Park. For rain or extreme heat, head to Yamanami no Yu. The station helps you arrange eating, shopping, play and rest in the order that suits your family.

Shopping

Visit in the morning for a better choice of seasonal fruit. Shipping can also reduce the risk of fruit being damaged in a hot car.

With children

Use the information center for baby care, the nearby park for play and the onsen for a rainy day. Giving each stop a purpose keeps the outing manageable.

Highlights

Michi-no-Eki Shirane combines an information center in Zaiketsuka, Minami-Alps City, with the JA Minami-Alps City farmers' market across the prefectural road. Browse seasonal peaches, plums, grapes, cherries and anpo-gaki (soft, partially dried persimmons), then use the tourism association's guidance to plan fruit picking, a nearby park or an onsen hot-spring visit. This is a compact stop for toilets, travel information and produce shopping; add Midaiminami Park or Yamanami no Yu if you have more time.

  • #Fruit from Minami-Alps City
  • #Farmers' market
  • #Tourist information
  • #Shirane IC
  • #Rest stop with children
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

Use the information center and market as separate stops

At Shirane, the information center is south of Prefectural Route 39 and the JA Minami-Alps City farmers' market is to the north. It is easiest to use the toilets and collect travel information first, then cross the road to browse fruit and vegetables.

02

Seasonal fruit gives you a reason to stop

The market's focus changes with the season: cherries in May; plums and peaches in June and July; grapes in August and September; and anpo-gaki and korogaki (dried persimmons) in autumn and winter. Gift purchases and shipping are available on some days, making it possible to send fruit home from your trip.

03

With children, separate a station stop from outdoor play

Shopping and resting are the main activities here. If children need to move around, add Midaiminami Park (御勅使南公園) or Yamanami no Yu (やまなみの湯) afterwards. That gives the family a workable sequence of food, toilets, play and an indoor option for rain.

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 break before or after Shirane IC

Buy fruit, then set off again

Use the toilets at the information center, cross the road and choose fruit and vegetables at the market. In peach or grape season, even a walk through the stalls gives you a sense of arriving in Minami-Alps City.

Information center parking → toilets and tourist information → farmers' market → Shirane IC or National Route 52.

Plan around the market's 9:00–17:00 hours. Seasonal fruit arrivals and sellouts vary, so narrow your shopping priorities if you arrive late.

Cherry and peach seasons

Stop before or after fruit picking

Minami-Alps City has extensive fruit-picking information. In some years the Shirane information center serves as the registration point for cherry picking; families still choosing an orchard can use it as a meeting and information point.

Registration and advice at the information center → travel to an orchard → buy fruit to take home at the market.

Fruit-picking dates, prices and registration methods change each year. Check the tourism association's guidance for the year of your visit.

Families with children aged 4 or older or in elementary school

Make a half-day outing for children to play

The station is not a place for extended play. After shopping, head to Midaiminami Park for playground equipment, lawns and water play, giving children a change after the car ride.

Shirane → Midaiminami Park → return to the market for more shopping if needed.

In summer, bring heat protection and a change of clothes for the park. Check the water-play season and parking hours too.

Days when you want to limit outdoor play

End a rainy or hot day at the onsen

After buying fruit and processed foods at the market, head to Yamanami no Yu for bathing, a rest room, a children's play area and meals, with less dependence on the weather.

Shirane → Yamanami no Yu → Chubu-Odan Expressway or National Route 52.

Yamanami no Yu is generally closed on Wednesdays. Check the current hours for the baths and pool before setting out.

Hours

Opening hours

Information center
9:00-17:00

Tourist and road information, commemorative Michi-no-Eki tickets (¥200 each), a nursing room and rapid EV chargers (two vehicles can charge at once). Closed over the New Year period and on Wednesdays from November through March.

Farmers' market
9:00-17:00

Peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, vegetables and processed foods. Closed over the New Year period. The market's official Instagram can help you check arrivals.

Parking and toilets
Available 24 hours

The information center's parking area and toilets serve as a round-the-clock rest stop. There is also free parking for 61 vehicles in front of the market.

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
★★★★☆

The nursing room, hot water facilities and diaper-changing area make this a useful rest stop before or after Shirane IC.

Handle baby care at the information center and keep the market visit short. Since you must cross the road, adults should plan the route with a child carrier or stroller in advance.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

A short shopping and toilet stop works better than trying to spend a long time playing within the station.

Letting children choose a piece of fruit may keep them engaged, but they cannot run around inside the market. Head to Midaiminami Park sooner if they need exercise.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

Combining fruit shopping with park play can make for a satisfying outing.

In summer, try water play at Midaiminami Park; in rain or extreme heat, switch to Yamanami no Yu to make the day easier on parents.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Talk about fruit seasons, growing areas, shipping and tourist information to help children get a feel for the region.

In cherry-picking or peach season, use the station as a meeting and advice point to plan your itinerary. Add the park or onsen for a half-day route.

Baby and toddler care

There is a diaper-changing area in the multipurpose toilet, a dedicated nursing room and hot water facilities.

Play area

The station centers on rest, information and direct sales. Midaiminami Park is the natural choice for playground equipment.

Rainy day

Combine the market, information center and Yamanami no Yu to spend less time walking outdoors.

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

Information center

In some years, this is a starting point for fruit-picking registration and tourist advice. Confirm registration and your destination here before driving to an orchard in Minami-Alps City.

Farmers' market

Short seasonal events, such as Cherry Week and all-you-can-eat peaches, are sometimes held here. Expect crowds and heat on event days.

Official Instagram

The market may post arrivals and event notices on social media. Check before visiting if you are looking for a particular seasonal fruit.

Nearby park and onsen

For play and rest beyond the station, split your time between Midaiminami Park and Yamanami no Yu; this helps when family members want different things.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

Knowing the two buildings are across the road makes the visit easier

The station's information center and JA market are not one large building on a single site. With children or older companions, decide to use the toilets first and visit the market second to avoid confusion.

Source: Minami-Alps City official website

Watch the seasonal fruit arriving at the market, not just event dates

Short cherry and peach events are appealing, but you can still choose seasonal fruit at the market when the dates do not fit. On busy days, keep buying fruit to take home as an option instead of relying entirely on an all-you-can-eat event.

Source: JA Minami-Alps City and tourism association event information

Plan to take food away, rather than eat inside the market

Think of the market as a place to choose fruit, vegetables, processed foods and soft-serve ice cream. It suits shopping and a small sweet break more than a seated meal.

Source: JA Minami-Alps City farmers' market information

On rainy or very hot days, switch to the baths and rest room

When it is hard to stay outdoors after fruit shopping, Yamanami no Yu offers an alternative. With baths, a pool, rest room and children's play area, it makes a half-day plan easier to adjust to the weather.

Source: Yamanami no Yu official website

Tourism association fruit information is especially useful from spring to early summer

In some years, the Shirane information center is listed as a cherry-picking registration point. Families still choosing an orchard, or looking for fruit picking they can enjoy in rain, can use it for more than a rest stop.

Source: Yamanashi Tourism Organization's Fujinokuni Yamanashi travel site
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 information center and market are across the road; with children, use the toilets and nursing room before shopping.
  • Visit in the morning for a better choice when looking for peaches or grapes.
  • The market is for taking home fruit, vegetables and processed foods, plus a small sweet treat, rather than eating a meal indoors.
  • Fruit-picking registration points, dates and prices change annually; follow the tourism association's latest information.
  • For a summer trip to Midaiminami Park, keep a change of clothes, hats, water and sun protection in the car.
  • In rain or extreme heat, check Yamanami no Yu's closing day and hours before switching to a bathing visit.
  • Gift fruit can sometimes be shipped; ask staff before a long drive.
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.

  • Seasonal fruit
    Peaches, plums, grapes and cherries
    Varies by arrival date and grade
  • Direct farm sales
    Freshly picked vegetables
    Choose while checking the growers' names
  • To take away
    Jams, wine and processed foods
    For gifts or something to open at your accommodation
  • Light snack
    Soft-serve ice cream
    Buy a ticket at the machine outside the shop; good for a short break after shopping
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
May

Cherries

A good time to combine cherry-picking registration in the city with fruit on sale at the market. The season is short, so check official start and end dates before planning.

The tourism association's cherry-picking season for 2026 ended on June 14.

June–July

Plums and peaches

This is when Shirane's fruit harvest is most evident. Some years bring short events such as all-you-can-eat peaches; check the market's social media.

The 2026 all-you-can-eat peach event ran on four days: July 9, 10, 13 and 14.

August–September

Grapes

From late summer into early autumn, stop to see the grapes. If buying at the end of a drive, consider the temperature inside your car and how long the trip home will take.

Autumn and winter

Anpo-gaki, korogaki and kiwifruit

After the fruit-picking bustle subsides, take home preserved and processed flavors characteristic of Minami-Alps City. Anpo-gaki are soft, partially dried persimmons; korogaki are dried persimmons.

Year-round

Jams, wine and soft-serve ice cream

Even when fresh fruit is scarce, processed foods and a small sweet treat make for a pleasant stop. Eating inside the market is not permitted. Payment options include cash, various credit cards and QR-code payments such as PayPay; transit IC cards and iD are not accepted.

Access

Location and surroundings

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1
Roadside station
Michi-no-Eki Shirane

After leaving Shirane IC, start with fruit and travel information. Shirane is a practical starting point for exploring the seasonal produce of Minami-Alps City.

Open in Google Maps
2
Park and water play
Midaiminami Park (御勅使南公園)

A large park to add after buying fruit at Shirane when children need plenty of playtime.

Open in Google Maps
3
Tourist information and fruit picking
Minami-Alps City Tourism Association: Fruit-Picking Information

A starting point for choosing an orchard and checking registration in cherry and peach seasons.

Open in Google Maps
4
Onsen and rainy-day option
Yamanami no Yu (やまなみの湯)

On rainy or very hot days, move from market shopping to hot-spring baths and a rest room.

Open in Google Maps
5
Farmers' market and fruit
JA Minami-Alps City Michi-no-Eki Shirane Farmers' Market

Cross the road for peaches, plums, grapes and cherries at the farmers' market.

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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

Park and water play
Midaiminami Park (御勅使南公園)Japanese guide
About 10 minutes by carHead here after shopping at the station

For days when playground equipment and water play would be more fun than spending a long time at the station.

Tourist information and fruit picking
Minami-Alps City Tourism Association: Fruit-Picking InformationJapanese guide
Inside the station information centerA short walk

A convenient place to ask about fruit-picking registration or orchard choices before going to the market.

Onsen and rainy-day option
Yamanami no Yu (やまなみの湯)Japanese guide
About 20 minutes by carA final stop after shopping

For rain, extreme heat or tiredness after a long drive, bathing and resting can help the family reset.

Farmers' market and fruit
JA Minami-Alps City Michi-no-Eki Shirane Farmers' MarketJapanese guide
Across the roadA short walk

After the information center, shop here to take home a taste of the region.

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Updated 2026-09-30Explore the nationwide map →