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Osaka Prefecture · Kinki

Roadside Station Chihayaakasaka

道の駅ちはやあかさか

A small roadside station in Osaka's only village: begin exploring Chihayaakasaka with terraced rice field curry and seasonal sweets.

Updated 2026-10-01Michi-no-Eki Journal Read in Japanese

Illustrative image — not an on-site photograph

Location

Chihayaakasaka Village, Minamikawachi District

Road

National Route 309 (Mizuwake–Enmeiji village road)

Hours

Roadside station and farm stand: 9:00-17:00

Closed Tuesdays, but open if Tuesday is a public holiday. Also closed over the New Year period.

Parking

Free; about 80 spaces

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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.

Eat first

Terraced rice field curry at the Village Café

Lunch is generally served from 10:00 to 15:00. On holidays, leave room in your plans to choose sweets or onigiri instead.

What to buy

Village vegetables and seasonal fruit

Fresh produce delivered in the morning is the highlight. In hot weather, a cooler bag helps when buying strawberries or processed foods.

A short walk

Kusunoki Masashige's birthplace and Narcissus Hill

History and seasonal flowers are a few minutes away on foot: narcissi in winter and hints of cherry blossoms in spring.

Add a view

Shimoakasaka rice terraces

Take care with parking and restrooms near the terraces. A break at the roadside station before setting out is helpful.

Head for the mountains

Toward Mount Kongo

Allow separate time for hiking or a visit to Chihaya Park. In winter, check snow and road conditions too.

Highlights

Roadside Station Chihayaakasaka was the first roadside station registered in Osaka Prefecture and is a gateway to the village's food and sights. Though small, it brings together village vegetables, rice from terraced fields, onigiri rice balls, its Village in a Bowl! Terraced Rice Field Curry, and seasonal strawberry and fig parfaits. Eat and shop here, then visit the nearby birthplace of Kusunoki Masashige and Narcissus Hill on foot, or drive a little farther to the Shimoakasaka rice terraces and Mount Kongo.

#Osaka's only village
#Terraced rice field curry
#Village vegetables
#Seasonal parfaits
#Kusunoki Masashige
#Shimoakasaka rice terraces

Practical information

Registration number: 大阪-01
Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture
Municipality: Chihayaakasaka Village, Minamikawachi District
Road: National Route 309 (Mizuwake–Enmeiji village road)
Telephone: 0721-21-7557

Address

7 Nikawarabe, Chihayaakasaka Village, Minamikawachi District, Osaka Prefecture (大阪府南河内郡千早赤阪村二河原辺7)

Facilities

Restrooms
Parking
Farm stand
Village Café
Tourist information
Rest area
Public telephone
Facilities for infants
Ostomate facilities
AED
EV charger

External links

Visit the official website (Japanese)Background information (Japanese)chihaya-class.com (Japanese guide)www.kkr.mlit.go.jp (Japanese guide)www.kinki-michinoeki.com (Japanese guide)www.vill.chihayaakasaka.osaka.jp (Japanese guide)chiaka-portal.com (Japanese guide)www.chihayaakasaka.org (Japanese guide)

Why I like it

Reasons to stop here

A roadside station where you can taste the village on one plate

The small Village Café on the second floor offers meals with views of the Kongo mountain range. Its signature Village in a Bowl! Terraced Rice Field Curry evokes the terraces, Mount Kongo and village forests on a plate. Onigiri rice balls, tamago kake gohan (rice topped with raw egg), and seasonal parfaits also put Chihayaakasaka's rice, vegetables and fruit in the spotlight.

Shopping at the farm stand opens up a village walk

Browse village vegetables and fruit delivered in the morning and products made from terraced-field rice before heading out; the fields and rural landscape then take on more meaning. Shelves change with the seasons, from strawberries, peaches and figs to steamed rice-flour buns, so even a short stop offers a taste of the area.

History and nature are close by on foot and by car

The birthplace of Kusunoki Masashige, Hoken Tower and wintertime Narcissus Hill are within walking distance. The Shimoakasaka rice terraces call for a short drive followed by a walk, while Mount Kongo is a mountain outing of at least half a day. Use the station to eat and take a restroom break before exploring the village.

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 60–90-minute lunch break

Make terraced rice field curry the centerpiece of a short village stop

If you arrive before noon, choose terraced rice field curry or onigiri at the Village Café first. After eating, browse village vegetables and fruit at the farm stand, then take a short walk to Kusunoki Masashige's birthplace or Hoken Tower. Since the station is small, a focused sequence of food, shopping and walking works well.

Parking → Village Café → farm stand → Kusunoki Masashige's birthplace and Hoken Tower

Café seating is limited. At lunchtime on holidays, allow enough flexibility to switch from a meal to sweets or shopping.

A spring-to-autumn drive for photos and a walk

Use the station as a base before or after seeing the seasonal terraces

The Shimoakasaka rice terraces look different when flooded, green, and golden with rice. Restrooms are unavailable at the terraces and parking is limited, so use the station's restroom and get a drink before going. A seasonal parfait or soft serve on the way back rounds out the outing.

Roadside station → Shimoakasaka rice terrace parking → terrace walk → sweets at the roadside station

The terraces are farmland. Stay off the field ridges and private property, and use the officially designated parking area and walking route.

A short flower stop for adults

See winter narcissi and spring cherry blossoms within walking distance

From around January to mid-February, Narcissus Hill near Hoken Tower is the main nearby attraction. When its roughly 50,000 narcissi bloom, you can take a short walk with a warm drink or shopping break at the station. Cherry blossoms around Hoken Tower are another spring option.

Roadside station → Hoken Tower and Narcissus Hill → farm stand → Village Café

Flowering dates vary with each year's temperatures. Wear footwear suitable for an outdoor walk.

Before or after hiking and foothill walks

Make this a refreshment stop on a Mount Kongo outing

If Mount Kongo or Chihaya Park is your destination, use the station for village information and food rather than a long stay. Browse the farm stand or have a light meal in the morning, then return for sweets and shopping. About an hour from central Osaka by car, the village is a convenient place to organize plans before heading into the mountains.

Roadside station → toward the Mount Kongo trailheads → sweets and shopping at the station on the return trip

Mountain weather and road conditions can differ from those around the station. In winter or after rain, check the tourism association's snow information and live images too.

Sakurako's stopover notes

The smaller the station, the more a chosen dish can enrich the trip.

Sakurako Hirose sees this station as a small doorway to Chihayaakasaka's food and scenery. Taste the village's landscape in terraced rice field curry, shop for seasonal produce at the farm stand, and walk a little to nearby historic sites or terraces. Though close to central Osaka, a stop here can send you home with rice, fruit and a taste of mountain air.

Hours

Opening hours

Roadside station and farm stand

9:00-17:00

Closed Tuesdays, but open if Tuesday is a public holiday. Also closed over the New Year period.

Village Café lunch

10:00-15:00

Approximate serving hours for lunch dishes such as terraced rice field curry.

Restrooms and parking

24 hours

The Kinki Regional Development Bureau says the restrooms, parking and public telephone are available 24 hours a day.

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

★★★☆☆

Suitable for a restroom break and brief shopping stop.

The station is small; it works best as a place for needed breaks rather than a long stay built around nursing, diaper changes or meals.

Ages 2–3

★★★☆☆

Meals and sweets can be fun, but there is little space to run around inside the station.

Help children avoid handling goods at the farm stand. For more active time, add a walk to a nearby historic site or a separate park or foothill destination.

Ages 4–6

★★★★☆

Terraced rice field curry, parfaits and a short walk make easy goals.

Walking to Kusunoki Masashige's birthplace or Narcissus Hill adds more than a food stop. If visiting the terraces, explain beforehand that the fields are off limits.

Elementary school age

★★★★☆

History, rice terraces and Mount Kongo can make an educational half-day outing.

Choose among sites linked to Kusunoki Masashige, the Shimoakasaka terraces and Mount Kongo's natural scenery to connect the village's landscape and history.

Treat it as a small station

For an easy visit, combine a meal, restroom break, shopping and a short walk rather than planning a long play session.

Use the restroom before a terrace walk

Visitor information says there are no restrooms by the Shimoakasaka terraces. Go at the roadside station before setting out.

Bring cooling and sun protection in summer

If buying fruit or vegetables or walking to the terraces, bring a cooler bag and drinks.

Check mountain weather separately

Temperatures and road surfaces toward Mount Kongo can change more readily than around the station. Keep plans flexible in winter or after rain.

Rest

Ideas for a restful stop

1
A short walk from parking to the building
As this is a small station, moving between dining and shopping should take relatively little walking.
2
Choose second-floor seating for the view
Second-floor seats at the Village Café have views of the Kongo mountain range. If stairs or crowds are a concern, you can keep the visit short.
3
Start with nearby walking stops
Hoken Tower and Kusunoki Masashige's birthplace are close; plan the Shimoakasaka terraces or Mount Kongo as separate trips to avoid fatigue.

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

Kurukuru Market

A flea market advertised for the 20th of each month. Whether it runs and which vendors attend may change with the weather and month, so check the latest official notice before going.

Sodateru Market

A market is advertised for the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. It is an option for shopping in the village on a weekday.

Weekend vendors

Vendor schedules vary by day for stone-oven pizza, baked goods, boxed lunches and croquettes. Recent updates help when planning a food-focused stop.

Seasonal village events

The station's official website and social media post events involving growers, processed products and village activities. Check these alongside the seasonal peaks for terraces and narcissi when planning.

Local feel

Reasons to return

Practical ideas and things to consider when spending time here.

At a small station, choosing a food goal makes the visit count

This is a compact roadside station. Pick terraced rice field curry, a seasonal parfait or village vegetables as the main reason to stop, and even a short visit can be rewarding.

Source: Official website and visitor trends

Leave room for limited seats and serving hours at holiday lunchtime

The Village Café has appealing second-floor views, but limited seats. At lunchtime, keep a backup option such as onigiri, sweets or shopping at the farm stand.

Source: Official website and restaurant information

An important restroom stop before the terraces

Visitor information says there are no restrooms by the Shimoakasaka terraces. If the scenery is your goal, use the station's restroom, get a drink, then walk from the designated parking area.

Source: Chihayaakasaka Village and Chiaka Portal

Seasonal fruit changes the reason to visit

Strawberry parfaits are generally a spring option; fig parfaits are more of a summer-to-autumn option. The farm stand's produce changes too, so each season brings different things to eat.

Source: Official website and regional portal

Winter narcissi and spring-to-autumn terraces shape outdoor walks

Narcissi near Hoken Tower are within walking distance; the Shimoakasaka terraces are a short drive away. Allow for yearly variation in the best viewing dates and the condition underfoot, then pair the walk with a meal at the station.

Source: Chihayaakasaka Village Tourism Association and Osaka Museum

Check weather and road surfaces separately on mountain days

The Mount Kongo area rises well above the station; snow and road conditions can affect winter trips. Use the tourism association's snow updates and live camera to help plan the mountain walk and station break separately.

Source: Chihayaakasaka Village Tourism Association

Movie

Preview the place on video

Official videos show the market and nearby park before you visit. Audio and captions are in Japanese.

If the video does not load, watch it on YouTube

Official YouTube channel of Roadside Station Chihayaakasaka

The station's official channel offers a look at village growers, processed products and the terraces, connecting the food with its local setting.

Source: Roadside Station Chihayaakasaka

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 station is normally closed Tuesdays, with opening advertised when Tuesday is a public holiday. For New Year closures or temporary changes, check its official social media.
Parking is listed as free, with about 80 spaces. Arriving early can help during terrace and narcissus viewing seasons or on market days.
Dining options at the station vary by time: lunch, sweets and weekend vendors. Check recent updates if you are visiting for a particular meal.
The Shimoakasaka terraces are farmland. Use officially designated parking and walking routes, and stay out of the paddies and private property.
For a Mount Kongo trip, check snow and road conditions in the mountains as well as the weather around the station.

Gallery

A closer look

Photo-style image of mountain rice terraces and a village road

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.

Meal
Village in a Bowl! Terraced Rice Field Curry
Lunch is generally served from 10:00 to 15:00
Light meal
Onigiri rice balls made with village ingredients
On weekdays, these are reportedly made after ordering
Sweet
Parfait with village strawberries and Ultimate Soft Serve
Usually around February to May
Sweet
Fig parfait and seasonal drinks
Figs are usually available around July to November
Meal
Stone-oven pizza on weekends and public holidays
Check official updates for vendor and serving dates
Shopping
Village vegetables and products made from terraced-field rice
Selection varies with the season and deliveries

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.

The main lunch dish

Village in a Bowl! Terraced Rice Field Curry

The station's signature dish uses terraced-field rice, village vegetables and amazake, a sweet fermented rice drink. For a first visit, this plate is a good introduction to the station's character.

Lunch is generally served from 10:00 to 15:00.

Something light

Onigiri rice balls, tamago kake gohan (rice topped with raw egg), and steamed rice-flour buns

These suit a lighter meal before or after walking among the terraces or visiting the mountains. Together they offer a taste of Chihayaakasaka's rice-growing heritage.

Take a sweet break

Strawberry parfait, fig parfait, and Ultimate Soft Serve

Even without a full meal, seasonal fruit and soft serve make a worthwhile stop, including a short break on the return trip.

Take something home

Village vegetables, fruit, and products made from terraced-field rice

The farm stand changes with morning deliveries and the seasons. Look separately for vegetables for dinner, sweets for the car, and gifts.

Weekend options

Stone-oven pizza, vendor food, and markets

Weekends, public holidays and market days may bring food beyond the regular menu. Vendors vary, so check the official social media or portal for updates that day.

Access