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Shizuoka Prefecture · Chubu

Roadside Station Fore Nakakawane Chameikan

道の駅 フォーレなかかわね茶茗舘

Brew your own Kawane tea and take a break in a Japanese-style room with red felt seating. Slow down in the mountains along National Route 362.

Updated Michi-no-Eki JournalRead in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location
Kawanehon Town, Haibara District
Road
National Route 362
Hours
10:00–16:30
Tea reception and last orders end at 16:00. The Midori no Tamatabako souvenir shop is also open 10:00–16:30 (tel. 0547-56-2120). Admission is free; Kawane green tea and Kawane black tea in the Rakuchashitsu tea room cost ¥300 each.
Parking
Cars: 26 / Large vehicles: 3
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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.

Try first
Have Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea at Rakuchashitsu

¥300 each. Reception ends at 16:00, so arrange the tea experience first when you arrive.

For a snack
Handmade Kawane tea ice cream and tea sweets

At Midori no Tamatabako's dining space. Some seats have views of Oigawa Railway's steam locomotive.

To shop
Kawane tea, from single-brew packs to premium leaves

Okuhikari and Yabukita are Kawanehon Town's two principal tea varieties. Single-brew packs make it easy to compare them.

To see
The local history museum and Seiji Fujishiro's shadow art

Both are free to view and indoors, making them options on rainy or hot days.

To rest
Free rest area and lawn

There is an indoor rest area and an outdoor lawn with children's play equipment.

Before you go
Check closing days and opening hours

Closed Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and over the New Year period. Open 10:00–16:30, with tea reception ending before closing.

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

Waiting for the water to cool is the greatest luxury.

Natsuki Kurose sees this as a station where you sit down before heading home, rather than simply shop and leave. Pay ¥300 at Rakuchashitsu, cool the water as instructed, wait 40 seconds, then pour from the teapot. By the end, the rush of driving the national road has eased. The museum and shadow art are free, and there is a lawn too. The station closes early at 16:30, but arriving in time makes for a peaceful stop.

Highlights

Roadside Station Fore Nakakawane Chameikan (道の駅 フォーレなかかわね茶茗舘) stands on National Route 362 in Mizukawa, Kawanehon Town, Haibara District. Its centerpiece is the Rakuchashitsu tea room, where you brew and enjoy Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea yourself for ¥300 each, seated in a Japanese-style room with red felt mats and the sound of a suikinkutsu, a water feature that makes a resonant dripping sound. The same grounds also have a free local history museum tracing Kawane tea growing and the area's history since the Jomon period, the Nakakawane Silhouette Gallery with a permanent display of works by shadow artist Seiji Fujishiro, the Midori no Tamatabako souvenir shop, and a lawn with children's play equipment. Admission and exhibition viewing are free. The building is open 10:00–16:30; tea reception and last orders end at 16:00. It closes on Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and over the New Year period. Allow time to sit and brew tea before browsing the shop.

  • #Kawane tea
  • #Tea brewing experience
  • #Tea room
  • #Local history museum
  • #Seiji Fujishiro shadow art
  • #National Route 362
  • #Kawanehon Town
Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

01

The main attraction is brewing your own Kawane tea

At the Rakuchashitsu tea room, you learn how to brew Kawane tea and prepare each infusion yourself. Kawane green tea and Kawane black tea cost ¥300 each. You can sit on red felt mats in a Japanese-style room overlooking the garden, with the sound of a suikinkutsu water feature. The official instructions say to brew the first infusion at 60–70°C for 40–50 seconds, then use hotter water and shorter steeping times for the second and third infusions. You can taste how the same leaves change. Reception ends at 16:00, so arriving during the 15:00 hour or earlier leaves time to settle in.

02

Free admission to the local history museum and shadow art gallery

On the second floor, connected by an open atrium, the local history museum uses panels and exhibits to explore Kawane's centuries-old tea industry and the history of Kawanehon Town since the Jomon period, including a goggle-eyed clay figurine excavated in the Yumiya district. On the first floor, the Nakakawane Silhouette Gallery permanently displays shadow pictures by artist Seiji Fujishiro depicting Kawanehon Town through the four seasons. Both are free to view and offer somewhere indoors to spend time on rainy or hot days.

03

Midori no Tamatabako and the lawn: sit and watch the steam train

The Midori no Tamatabako souvenir shop stocks Kawane tea, from affordable single-brew packs to premium leaves, as well as handmade Kawane tea cookies and ice cream, shiitake mushrooms, tea-leaf tsukudani (a soy-simmered preserve), jam, and bath products. Both the official site and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism say the dining space has a view of Oigawa Railway's steam locomotive. Outside is a lawn with children's play equipment, making it easy for some visitors to rest while others browse.

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.

An unhurried drive, solo travel, or a trip for two

Make time to brew tea the centerpiece of your visit

Order Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea at Rakuchashitsu, then brew it yourself from the first infusion with guidance. Cooling the water takes time, so allow 30 minutes to an hour for a relaxed visit. Afterwards, see the local history museum and shadow art gallery, then choose tea leaves at Midori no Tamatabako: time to sit, look around, and shop in one stop.

Parking → Rakuchashitsu → local history museum and Silhouette Gallery → Midori no Tamatabako.

Tea reception ends at 16:00. The building closes at 16:30, so arriving after 16:00 is too late for the experience.

Unpredictable weather or a change to outdoor plans

An indoor stop on a hot or rainy day

The museum and shadow art gallery are indoors and free to view, and there is a free rest area. In some summers, the shop serves Grattachecca, shaved ice made with Kawane black tea; the official site also presents the station as a place to cool off. Even when an outdoor walk is impractical, you can sit down, cool off, and enjoy a cup of tea.

Parking → free rest area → Silhouette Gallery and local history museum → Midori no Tamatabako.

The handmade shaved ice is available only in summer and in limited quantities. Check the day's notices to see whether it is being served.

Travel to or from the Okuoi area; a 30–40 minute break

Take a short tea break along National Route 362

Parking includes 26 small-vehicle spaces, three large-vehicle spaces, and two spaces for disabled visitors with a ramp. There are toilets, a free rest area, and a public telephone. If time is short, a stop at the toilets and rest area followed by tea leaves or a sweet from Midori no Tamatabako still gives you a taste of this station.

Park → toilets and free rest area → Midori no Tamatabako → depart.

Parking is limited. Finding a space may be harder during holiday travel periods or events.

Car-free trips and days combining the visit with Oigawa Railway

For public transport, plan around the bus timetable

The official directions say to change from the Tokaido Line to Oigawa Railway at Kanaya Station, then take the town bus from Ieyama Station to Chameikan-mae and walk two minutes. The Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association and Wikipedia also describe a ten-minute walk from Suruga-Tokuyama Station; which route works depends on train times. Services are limited, so decide on your return journey before setting your visit length.

Kanaya Station → Oigawa Railway → Ieyama Station → town bus to “Chameikan-mae” → two-minute walk.

The official site explicitly asks visitors to check in advance because town buses run infrequently.

Hours

Opening hours

Opening hours
10:00-16:30

Tea reception and last orders end at 16:00. Admission is free.

Rakuchashitsu (tea service)
Reception ends at 16:00

Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea costs ¥300 each. Brew it yourself with guidance.

Midori no Tamatabako souvenir shop
10:00-16:30

Tel. 0547-56-2120. Sells Kawane tea, tea sweets, shiitake mushrooms, tea-leaf tsukudani, and more.

Local history museum and Silhouette Gallery
During opening hours

Both are free to view.

Japanese-style room and multipurpose space (rental)
9:30-12:00 / 13:00-16:30 / 17:30-21:30

Kawanehon Town's rental fee is ¥300 each for the morning or afternoon period, or ¥600 for the evening. Apply through the town's Industrial Promotion Division (0547-56-2226).

Closing days
Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and the New Year period

Temporary closures are announced on the opening calendar and in official notices.

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
★★★☆☆

Suitable for a short stay using the free indoor rest area.

There are toilets, a free rest area, and a public telephone. Rakuchashitsu is a quiet place to sit, so it may work best on a day when you can keep the visit short.

Ages 2–3
★★★☆☆

Alternate briefly between the lawn and indoor exhibits.

The lawn has children's play equipment, so children need not wait indoors the whole time. Hot water is used in the Japanese-style tea room; keep a close eye on them at the table.

Ages 4–6
★★★★☆

The shadow art gallery and lawn offer both indoor and outdoor activities.

Seiji Fujishiro's colorful, light-filled shadow art can appeal to young children. Admission is free.

Elementary school age
★★★★☆

Brewing tea yourself can make a school research project.

Changing water temperature and steeping time between the first and second infusions changes the taste. The local history museum also displays a goggle-eyed clay figurine and the history of Kawane tea growing.

Parking

Spaces are limited. Visiting at a different time may make parking easier during events or holiday travel periods.

Toilets

The official and ministry information does not confirm whether the toilets are available 24 hours. Plan to use them during opening hours.

Places to rest

You can move between indoor and outdoor spaces according to the weather and your companions' needs.

Tea experience

Allow around 30 minutes from sitting down to finishing your tea, including time for the water to cool.

Pets

If traveling with a dog, decide in advance how to manage your stop in the parking area and 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

Tea event “Kawane Tea Appreciation Gathering”

This event is announced month by month on the official site. On Sunday, September 27, 2026, it was scheduled for 10:00–16:00 with a ¥500 participation fee. The planned program included tea served by local growers, a chance to try Chameikan's Okuhikari tea set, a hand-rolling tea demonstration by a preservation group, and a market on the lawn. Dates and programs change each time; check official notices for the next event.

Roof renovation (September 28–late December 2026)

According to an official notice dated September 17, 2026, scaffolding will surround the building during this period. The station says it will stay open and operate as usual. Keep the scaffolding in mind if you hope to photograph the exterior.

Roadside station card and commemorative designation ticket

The Chubu Regional Roadside Stations Council began selling its Shizuoka Prefecture roadside station cards and commemorative designation tickets on April 22, 2026. The list of 26 selling stations includes “Shizuoka 06 Fore Nakakawane Chameikan.” If you collect them, visit during opening hours.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

This station closes early: 16:00 is the practical deadline for tea

The building is open 10:00–16:30, but tea reception and last orders end at 16:00. Midori no Tamatabako also closes at 16:30. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the National Roadside Stations Association likewise list 10:00–16:30, with reception ending at 16:00. If your route brings you through in the evening, you will miss the tea experience; aim to arrive between morning and the 15:00 hour.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site, facility guide; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Chubu Regional Development Bureau roadside station information; National Roadside Stations Association

Wednesdays are not the only closing days

The official site lists “Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and the New Year period” as closing days. The day after a holiday is easy to overlook. The Kawanehon Town Tourism Association specifies December 29–January 3 for the New Year period and says temporary closures appear on the opening calendar. The ministry describes the rule differently, as “Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a holiday), and the New Year period.” Check the official site when traveling around a holiday.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site; Kawanehon Town Tourism Association; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Chubu Regional Development Bureau

Tea costs ¥300 and includes guidance on brewing

Admission is free, and Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea at Rakuchashitsu costs ¥300 each. You brew it yourself with guidance in a Japanese-style room with red felt mats and the sound of a suikinkutsu water feature. The official instructions specify 60–70°C water and a 40–50 second wait for the first infusion, then hotter water and shorter steeping times for later infusions. Tasting how the same leaves change is part of the experience.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site, facility guide and Kawane tea page

Published parking counts differ

The official site and Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association list three large-vehicle spaces, 26 small-vehicle spaces, and two spaces for disabled visitors. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and National Roadside Stations Association instead list 36 standard-car spaces. The 26-space figure here follows the operator's current guidance; in either case, this is a relatively small car park.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site, facility guide; Shizuoka Tourism Guide Hello Navi; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Chubu Regional Development Bureau; National Roadside Stations Association

The museum and shadow art gallery are indoors and free

The second-floor local history museum is free to visit. It covers Kawane's centuries-old tea industry and the town's history since the Jomon period, including a goggle-eyed clay figurine excavated in the Yumiya district. On the first floor, the Nakakawane Silhouette Gallery permanently displays works by shadow artist Seiji Fujishiro depicting Kawanehon Town's four seasons; it is also free to view. Both work as indoor destinations when the weather turns.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site, facility guide

By car, allow roughly an hour or more from the access points

The official directions estimate about 1 hour 20 minutes from the Shin-Tomei Expressway's Shimada-Kanaya Interchange, about 1 hour 10 minutes from the Tomei Expressway's Sagara-Makinohara Interchange, and about one hour from Shimada City on National Route 1. The Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association instead estimates about 50 minutes from the Shin-Tomei and 70 minutes from the Tomei, depending on the route. In either case, allow for the drive after leaving the expressway when planning around the early closing time.

Source: Fore Nakakawane Chameikan official site, access directions; Shizuoka Tourism Guide Hello Navi
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 building is open 10:00–16:30, but tea reception and last orders end at 16:00. If tea is your aim, plan to arrive during the 15:00 hour or earlier.
  • Closed Wednesdays, the day after national holidays, and over the New Year period. Remember that the day after a holiday is also a closing day.
  • Temporary closures appear on the opening calendar. Check official notices shortly before setting out from farther away.
  • Parking has 26 small-vehicle spaces, three large-vehicle spaces, and two spaces for disabled visitors (with a ramp). It is a small car park, so changing your arrival time may help on event days.
  • Scaffolding for roof renovation is scheduled from September 28 through late December 2026. The official site says the station will continue operating as usual.
  • The Shizuoka Prefecture Tourism Association says pets are not allowed.
  • For rail and bus travel, the official directions say to take the town bus from Ieyama Station to “Chameikan-mae,” then walk two minutes. Services are limited, so check the return bus first.
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.

  • Experience
    Tea service at Rakuchashitsu (Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea)
    ¥300 each; reception ends at 16:00
  • Light bite
    Handmade Kawane tea ice cream (Midori no Tamatabako)
    The dining space has views of Oigawa Railway's steam locomotive
  • Light bite
    Kawane tea macarons and handmade cookies
    Availability varies with the season and stock
  • Shopping
    Kawane tea (single-brew packs to premium tea; Okuhikari and Yabukita)
    Midori no Tamatabako, 10:00–16:30 (tel. 0547-56-2120)
  • Shopping
    Shiitake mushrooms, tea-leaf tsukudani, jam, and bath products
    The shop's selection changes with the seasons
  • Summer only
    Tea shaved ice “Grattachecca” (made with Kawane black tea)
    Limited quantities because each serving is handmade (official notice dated July 11, 2026)
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 tea

Kawane green tea or Kawane black tea at Rakuchashitsu

With guidance, you brew each infusion yourself. Enjoy the garden and the sound of the suikinkutsu water feature while waiting for the water to cool.

¥300 each. Reception ends at 16:00.

Have a light bite

Handmade Kawane tea ice cream, Kawane tea macarons, and handmade cookies

Eat at Midori no Tamatabako's dining space, where some seats have views of Oigawa Railway's steam locomotive.

The selection varies by season and stock. Check what is available at the shop on the day.

A summer treat

Tea shaved ice “Grattachecca” (Kawane black tea shaved ice)

The official site advertises this shaved ice for summer. You can eat it indoors while cooling off.

Each serving is handmade, takes time, and is limited in quantity. The serving period changes from year to year.

Take something home

Single-brew packs to premium tea, shiitake mushrooms, tea-leaf tsukudani, and jam

Fragrant Okuhikari and full-flavored Yabukita are Kawanehon Town's main tea varieties. Pick some to compare at home and revisit the flavors of your stop.

Midori no Tamatabako is open 10:00–16:30. With this early closing time, shop before leaving it until the end of your visit.

Explore more of the town

Kawane Chaen Kissaten (tea served at tea farms)

This townwide program, introduced by the official site, lets visitors enjoy Kawane tea prepared by growers while looking out over tea fields. Visiting after Chameikan can add context to what you tasted there.

Opening days and hours vary by farm, and advance inquiry is necessary. Check the official schedule for participating farms.

Access

Location and surroundings

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Roadside station
Roadside Station Fore Nakakawane Chameikan

Brew your own Kawane tea and take a break in a Japanese-style room with red felt seating. Slow down in the mountains along National Route 362.

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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.
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