Located at the foot of Mount Hotaka in northern Gunma Prefecture, Kawaba Denen Plaza is far more than a typical roadside rest area. This award-winning destination has earned the top spot in Jalan’s 2025 National Roadside Station Grand Prix and “Most Recommended Roadside Station” rankings, attracting over 2.5 million visitors annually. Spanning approximately 70,000 square meters (7 hectares), this expansive complex offers farm-fresh produce, artisan workshops, authentic restaurants, and family-friendly activities that showcase the best of rural Japanese life.
Just 10 minutes from the Numata Interchange on the Kanetsu Expressway, Kawaba Denen Plaza sits conveniently between Tokyo and popular destinations like Kusatsu Onsen and Ikaho Onsen. What sets this roadside station apart from Japan’s 1,200+ similar facilities is its comprehensive approach to regional tourism—combining shopping, dining, and entertainment into a full-day experience that represents the authentic charm of Gunma’s countryside.
Why Most Roadside Stations Fall Short
If you’ve visited Japanese roadside stations before, you might associate them with limited shopping options, crowded food courts with long wait times, and little to entertain children beyond basic restroom facilities. While Japan’s michi-no-eki network provides essential services for road travelers, many locations function primarily as quick pit stops rather than destinations in their own right.
For families traveling with children, this creates a challenge: finding places where adults can browse quality local products while kids stay engaged and active. International visitors, particularly those unfamiliar with rural Japan, often struggle to identify which roadside stations offer experiences worth extending their journey for. The result? Missed opportunities to discover regional specialties, local food culture, and authentic Japanese countryside experiences that exist just off the main tourist routes.
The Roadside Station That Redefined Excellence
Kawaba Denen Plaza has consistently demonstrated why it deserves national recognition. Since winning its first major award, the facility has maintained exceptional standards that led to three separate #1 rankings in Jalan’s prestigious national surveys. This achievement reflects not just popularity, but genuine visitor satisfaction—over 70% of guests are repeat visitors who return specifically for the unique experiences offered here.
The facility’s success stems from its integration of local agriculture, artisan craftsmanship, and community culture. Unlike conventional rest stops, Kawaba Denen Plaza functions as a living showcase of Kawaba Village’s agricultural heritage. On-site workshops produce fresh dairy products, craft beer, and handmade sausages using traditional methods and local ingredients. These aren’t imported goods or mass-produced souvenirs—every product tells a story about the region’s farming traditions and culinary expertise.
What truly distinguishes this roadside station is its commitment to creating experiences rather than simply providing services. Visitors can pick fresh blueberries directly from the bushes, watch brewers craft local beer, taste premium yogurt made that morning, and watch their children play on expansive grass fields with the backdrop of mountain scenery. This holistic approach transforms a routine travel stop into a memorable part of the journey itself.
Culinary Excellence: Farm-to-Table Dining
The dining options at Kawaba Denen Plaza showcase Gunma’s agricultural bounty through multiple restaurants and cafes, each specializing in local ingredients and traditional preparation methods.
Craft Beer Restaurant Hotaka
This on-site brewery restaurant serves freshly crafted Kawaba Beer, brewed with pristine water from Mount Hotaka’s springs. The signature “Hotaka Salmon Set” features large rainbow trout raised in Kawaba Village’s aquaculture facilities, while the ginger-grilled pork set showcases Gunma’s premium Waton Mochibuta brand pork—known for its exceptional tenderness and flavor. The restaurant’s open-air seating allows guests to enjoy their meals while viewing the surrounding rural landscape.
Soba-dokoro Kokuzo
This traditional soba restaurant operates Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), serving handmade buckwheat noodles prepared with local flour and mountain spring water. The limited-edition 100% buckwheat soba (only 15 servings daily) sells out quickly, often within an hour of opening. The full-bodied flavor and perfect texture demonstrate why soba remains a cherished part of Gunma’s culinary heritage. Tempura sets complement the noodles beautifully.
Menya Kawasho
This ramen shop offers diverse styles from rich tonkotsu (pork bone) broth to lighter shoyu (soy sauce) bases. The gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) have earned particular acclaim. Outdoor terrace seating provides a pleasant dining environment during warmer months, with mountain views enhancing the casual atmosphere.
Pizzeria La Corto
Stone-oven pizzas showcase local ingredients in both classic and original combinations. The thin, crispy crust supports generous amounts of cheese and fresh toppings. Margherita remains the perennial favorite, though seasonal specials incorporate Kawaba-grown vegetables. The converted greenhouse seating area creates a bright, airy dining environment, while lawn seating allows families to relax more casually.
Kawabanchi Onigiri Specialty Shop
This dedicated rice ball shop features Yukihotaka, Kawaba Village’s premium Koshihikari rice brand. Yukihotaka has won consecutive gold awards at the National Rice Taste Analysis Competition, earning recognition as one of Japan’s finest rice varieties. Grown in mineral-rich spring water from Mount Hotaka and benefiting from the region’s significant temperature variations between day and night, this rice maintains excellent flavor even when cooled—perfect for onigiri. The shop’s fillings incorporate local ingredients, allowing visitors to experience rice quality that most urban Japanese rarely encounter. This “phantom rice” has extremely limited production, making it particularly valued.
Cafe de Campagne
Renowned pastry chef Kakizawa oversees this cafe’s creative crepe menu. Operating hours run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays and until 4:00 PM on weekends. Seasonal offerings include a February weekend-only strawberry crepe made with 100% Kawaba-grown strawberries. The balance of delicate crepe texture with rich fillings demonstrates professional-level pastry craftsmanship.
Soft Cream Cowbell
This small stand between the main plaza and farmers market consistently draws queues on weekends. Beyond classic rich milk flavor, the menu includes butter-flavored soft cream and drinking-yogurt-based varieties. Seasonal limited editions provide new taste experiences with each visit. The generous portions and quality ingredients justify the popularity.
Denen Plaza Bakery
Fresh-baked bread fills this shop from early morning, using local wheat and vegetables in various recipes. The operating schedule makes it ideal for breakfast or light meals during road trips.
Sweet Shop Kasho Kayo
This traditional sweets shop serves seasonal wagashi (Japanese confections) and sweet treats incorporating Kawaba ingredients. The offerings demonstrate traditional Japanese confectionery techniques adapted to showcase local agricultural products.
Artisan Workshops: Witnessing Traditional Craftsmanship
Multiple on-site facilities produce goods from raw ingredients to finished products, allowing visitors to observe traditional food production methods and purchase freshly made items.
Milk Workshop
This dairy facility processes fresh milk from cows raised near Mount Hotaka into various products. The flagship “Kawaba Drinking Yogurt” achieves remarkable sales exceeding 1.8 million bottles annually. Made with 85% raw milk content and absolutely no additives (no stabilizers, flavorings, or preservatives), the yogurt delivers concentrated flavor while maintaining a refreshing aftertaste. The 150ml size serves as a popular portable souvenir, while the 900ml size suits home consumption.
The premium “Yuki Hotaka Yogurt” represents the workshop’s ultimate achievement—a luxurious product developed over two years and packaged in traditional wooden boxes. The smooth texture and refined sweetness make it a favored gift item. Sampling stations allow visitors to taste before purchasing.
Fresh cheese production includes Burrata (125g)—mozzarella filled with cream—plus ricotta, stracchino, and other authentic Italian-style cheeses. These artisan products demonstrate the workshop’s commitment to European dairy traditions adapted to Japanese ingredients and tastes.
Beer Workshop
This microbrewery produces Kawaba Beer using Mount Hotaka’s pristine mountain water. The brewing facility offers viewing areas where visitors can observe the production process. The resulting craft beers exhibit distinctive aroma and balanced flavor profiles that pair well with local cuisine. While the on-site restaurant allows immediate consumption, bottled versions serve as excellent souvenirs for beer enthusiasts.
Seasonal “Kawaba Cider” (available during limited periods) ferments 100% locally grown apples without any added water. This sparkling apple wine delivers fruity, refreshing character distinctly different from conventional ciders. The seasonal nature makes it a special find worth purchasing when available.
Meat Workshop Kawaba
A German-trained artisan holding the prestigious “Geselle” certification produces authentic German-style hams and sausages here. The products have won gold medals at German food competitions, validating their adherence to traditional European standards while using premium Gunma pork.
The popular “Sanzoku-yaki” (mountain bandit grill) features multiple types of workshop-produced ham and sausage, first boiled then grilled on an iron plate. This hearty serving combines smoky flavor with juicy texture, all at a reasonable price point. The outdoor grill corner allows visitors to enjoy freshly prepared items immediately.
Packaged “Live Sanzoku-yaki Set” enables customers to recreate the experience at home. The workshop’s sausages and hams make ideal accompaniments for beer or wine, whether for personal enjoyment or as gifts.
Shopping: Regional Specialties and Fresh Produce
Farmers Market
This direct-sales venue offers morning-harvested vegetables and fruits from Kawaba Village farmers. The exceptionally fresh produce, sold at reasonable prices, makes it popular with both tourists and locals. Summer brings blueberries, while autumn features corn, grapes, and apples. Weekend afternoons often see sold-out items due to high demand, making morning visits advisable for best selection.
Yukihotaka rice, having won consecutive gold awards at the National Rice Taste Competition, represents the market’s premium offering. Harvesting typically begins in mid-September, with new crop rice arriving in mid-October. Yukihotaka undergoes rigorous taste evaluation—only rice meeting strict quality standards receives this designation, resulting in limited availability that earned it the nickname “phantom rice.” Cultivation in mineral-rich spring water and significant day-night temperature variations produces rice with exceptional sweetness and stickiness.
Blueberries grown through organic and low-pesticide methods represent another Kawaba specialty. Large, juicy berries suit fresh consumption, jams, baked goods, and fruit liqueurs. The market stocks various blueberry-derived products year-round.
Kawaba Product Center
This shop carries “Mizubasho” and “Tanigawadake,” sake brands renowned throughout Japan. Produced with careful attention to water quality, rice selection, and brewing technique, these refined sake varieties make excellent gifts. Their elegant, sophisticated flavor profiles appeal to serious sake connoisseurs.
The 100% apple juice contains no added water—only edible-quality apples pressed whole. This preserves the authentic fruit flavor in concentrated form, delivering taste far superior to standard commercial juices.
Kawaba Premier
This specialty shop carries original Kawaba Denen Plaza products and carefully selected gift items. Premium yogurt and other exclusive products make it the ideal destination for special souvenirs and presents.
Popular Souvenir Rankings
1st Place: Kawaba Drinking Yogurt
Annual sales exceeding 1.8 million bottles demonstrate this product’s signature status. Rich yet refreshing flavor combined with convenient sizes explain its enduring popularity as both a personal purchase and gift.
2nd Place: Apple Pie
Northern Gunma, including Kawaba Village, produces excellent apples. Generous apple filling enveloped in flaky, buttered pastry creates an irresistible combination. Individual elegant packaging makes these ideal for sharing.
3rd Place: Yukihotaka (Kawaba Koshihikari Rice)
This award-winning phantom rice variety maintains excellent flavor even when cold, making it perfect for onigiri and bento boxes. Rice enthusiasts particularly appreciate receiving this as a gift.
4th Place: Ham and Sausage (Meat Workshop)
Authentic German-crafted products offer deep, satisfying flavor for personal consumption or as gifts to food lovers.
5th Place: Kawaba Beer
Craft beer brewed with mountain spring water appeals to beer enthusiasts as a distinctive regional product.
6th Place: Kawaba Cider (Seasonal)
This fermented apple beverage’s refreshing, fruity character makes it a special seasonal discovery. Purchase when available, as limited production means availability varies.
Activities and Experiences: Engaging All Ages
HANETTA: Sky and Wind Net Athletics
This pay-admission net athletics facility, opened in 2021, features colorful elastic nets stretched across various formations. Visitors can jump, bounce, and relax in six distinct zones, each offering different experiences.
The “Pygmy Space” features colored balls throughout a netted area. The “Sky Space” challenges climbers to ascend cylindrical net towers. The “Hoppin Space” provides maximum bounce potential. The “View Space” offers panoramic vistas of Kawaba’s countryside and mountains. Both adults and children can play energetically or simply rest while enjoying the scenery.
Operating Season: Late April through mid-November annually (winter closure)
Operating Hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM-5:00 PM (final entry 4:00 PM); Weekends/holidays/summer vacation period 9:00 AM-5:30 PM (final entry 4:30 PM)
Closed: No scheduled closures during operating season; temporary closures during severe weather
Session Length: Standard 50 minutes (capacity 25 people); busy period 40 minutes (capacity 50 people)
Age Requirements: Ages 3 and up; children through age 8 (2nd grade elementary school) require accompanying adult (18+)
Reservations: Available (recommended to avoid crowding)
Important Note: HANETTA operates seasonally with winter closure (December through mid-April). The facility typically reopens in late April each year. Please verify operating dates on the official website before visiting.
Non-participants can observe from viewing areas beneath the nets and relax while enjoying Kawaba’s pastoral scenery. This flexible approach allows families to participate at their own comfort levels.
Blueberry Park: Free Berry Picking
This extensive blueberry orchard offers free picking experiences from early July through early August. Kawaba Village’s signature crop, grown through organic and low-pesticide methods, produces large, juicy varieties including “Otsubu-boshi” and “Amatsubu-boshi.”
Picked berries can be consumed freely on-site, though taking berries home is not permitted. This complimentary activity proves particularly popular with families. Morning visits often yield better selection of ripe berries.
Season: Typically early July through early August
Important Note: Fresh berries may be eaten freely within the park; taking berries home is not permitted
Play Zone: Grass Fields and Athletic Equipment
This family-friendly area features expansive lawn space with athletic equipment. Six different climbing and balancing structures provide physical challenges for children, while the open grass allows active play.
The “Chibikko Gelande” (children’s slope) offers grass sledding—currently closed during winter but reopening in spring. This free play area gives road-weary families an opportunity for children to expend energy in natural surroundings.
One-Day Pottery Workshop
Experience Japanese ceramics through hands-on instruction. As a one-day experience class, advance reservations are recommended though walk-ins may be accommodated. Short courses starting at 15 minutes suit time-constrained travelers, while longer sessions allow deeper exploration.
Completed works are finished and fired, then shipped to participants’ addresses, extending the memory beyond the visit itself. This makes an excellent activity for children’s school projects or couples creating shared mementos. Group visits require advance booking.
Essential Information and Access
Operating Hours
The facility operates from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM overall, though individual shops typically maintain 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM schedules. Restaurants and cafes have varying hours, so checking ahead for specific venues is advisable.
Access
By Car
Take the Kanetsu Expressway to Numata Interchange, then drive approximately 10 minutes toward Kawaba Village. The facility is about 30 minutes by car from Jomo-Kogen Station or 20 minutes from Numata Station.
By Public Transportation
- JR Joetsu Shinkansen: Approximately 30 minutes by taxi from Jomo-Kogen Station
- JR Joetsu Line: Take the Kawaba Circular Bus from Numata Station (approximately 30 minutes); disembark at “Denen Plaza” stop (1-minute walk)
Kawaba Circular Bus schedules are available on the Kan-etsu Kotsu website.
Parking
The facility provides parking for over 850 vehicles: 850 standard cars (including 12 accessible spaces) and 5 large buses. Multiple lots (P1-P7) offer similar distances to the plaza center. Lots P6 and P7 provide convenient access to Seiryu Park.
Large buses use P3 for passenger loading and unloading, with designated parking available at Kawaba Village Hall’s large bus parking area.
Facility Details
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Facility Name | Michi-no-Eki Kawaba Denen Plaza |
| Address | 385 Hagimuro, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture 378-0111 |
| Phone | 0278-52-3711 (main) |
| Operating Hours | 9:00 AM-8:30 PM (varies by shop) |
| Closed | Varies by shop |
| Parking | 850 standard vehicles, 5 large buses |
Seasonal Highlights
Kawaba Denen Plaza offers distinct attractions throughout the year.
Spring (March-May)
April’s “Spring Beer Festival” celebrates craft beer amid fresh greenery. HANETTA typically begins operations in late April. Mount Hotaka’s snowmelt ushers in verdant landscapes throughout Kawaba Village.
Summer (June-August)
Blueberry picking runs from late June through early August. July’s “Kawaba Festival” showcases local traditional culture. Summer vacation sees extended HANETTA hours and peak family visitation. The area serves as a natural escape from urban heat, with temperatures 5-10°C cooler than Tokyo.
Autumn (September-November)
“Kawaba Oktoberfest” in September combines craft beer with autumn harvest flavors. Rice harvesting begins mid-September, with new Yukihotaka rice available from mid-October. November’s “Kawaba Culture and Agriculture Festival” celebrates the harvest season. Autumn foliage against Mount Hotaka creates spectacular pastoral scenery. HANETTA continues operating through mid-November.
Winter (December-February)
“Harukoma Festival” occurs in February. Winter brings closure periods for Blueberry Park and HANETTA, though indoor shopping and dining remain fully operational year-round. From mid-December, nearby Kawaba Ski Resort begins operations with free shuttle bus service from the plaza. Combining skiing or snowboarding with roadside station dining and shopping creates a comprehensive winter experience.
Nearby Attractions
Several complementary destinations extend visits to Kawaba Village.
Seiryu Park
Located near Denen Plaza, this park offers river play during summer months—a favorite cooling-off spot for children.
Kichijoji Temple
Known as Kawaba Village’s flower temple, the grounds feature water flowing from Mount Hotaka. Abundant flowers bloom spring through autumn, while autumn foliage and winter snow create their own beauty at this Zen temple.
Kawaba Onsen
Eight day-use onsen facilities throughout the village offer mild, soft spring water suitable for all visitors. Relaxing in hot springs after exploring Denen Plaza completes the rural Japanese experience.
Harada Farm
This tourist farm offers seasonal fruit picking year-round: apples, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and more depending on season.
Numata Castle Ruins (Numata Park)
This historic site associated with the Sanada clan now functions as a public park. Cherry blossoms and azaleas provide seasonal color while the hilltop location offers city views.
Fukiware Falls
Nicknamed “Asia’s Niagara,” these powerful falls create dramatic scenery, particularly spectacular in late October when surrounded by autumn foliage.
Kawaba Ski Resort
Operating mid-December through early April, this full-service ski resort on Mount Hotaka’s northern slopes attracts winter sports enthusiasts. High-quality powder snow supports a 3,300-meter longest run suitable for beginners, while five snow parks accommodate advanced skiers. Free shuttle buses connect the ski resort to Denen Plaza, enabling visitors to combine winter sports with dining and shopping. After skiing or snowboarding, the roadside station provides warm meals and souvenir browsing opportunities.
Maximize Your Japan Journey with Professional Support
While Kawaba Denen Plaza excels as a destination, truly understanding regional Japanese culture requires navigating transportation systems, language barriers, and local customs. Many international visitors find rural areas particularly challenging despite their authentic appeal.
For travelers seeking deeper engagement with Japan’s countryside while maintaining travel efficiency, professional tour conductor services provide invaluable support. A qualified tour conductor manages itinerary coordination, assists with interpretation and logistics during emergencies, and helps navigate unfamiliar locations—allowing you to focus entirely on experiencing destinations like Kawaba Denen Plaza.
Tour conductors specialize in itinerary management rather than guiding services. They coordinate transportation, assist with language interpretation, provide logistical support, and handle emergency arrangements. This professional support proves especially valuable in rural regions where English resources are limited.
To learn more about how professional tour conductor services can enhance your Japan travel experience, visit e-Stay Tour Conductor Services.
When visiting Gunma Prefecture, make Kawaba Denen Plaza a priority destination. Japan’s #1 roadside station promises enriching hours filled with quality food, genuine cultural experiences, and memorable moments that will enhance your understanding of rural Japanese life.
Planning Your Perfect Visit
Kawaba Denen Plaza transcends typical roadside station expectations by functioning as a comprehensive rural tourism destination. The Jalan National Roadside Station Grand Prix #1 ranking reflects genuine visitor satisfaction—demonstrated by the 70%+ repeat visitor rate.
Fresh agricultural products sold direct from local farmers, artisan workshops producing yogurt, beer, and sausages on-site, authentic restaurants serving Gunma cuisine, free blueberry picking, and the HANETTA net athletics facility provide diverse experiences appealing to families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
The eight-year consecutive gold award-winning Yukihotaka rice, 1.8-million-bottle annual sales of Kawaba Drinking Yogurt, and German competition gold medal-winning sausages represent just a few exclusive products available nowhere else. These aren’t mass-produced tourist goods—they’re genuine regional specialties created through traditional methods and local ingredients.
Located just 10 minutes from the Kanetsu Expressway Numata Interchange, Kawaba Denen Plaza fits naturally into itineraries including Kusatsu Onsen, Ikaho Onsen, and other major Gunma destinations. With 850+ parking spaces, families can visit comfortably by car.
Each season brings different events and experiences, ensuring fresh discoveries on repeat visits. Morning-harvested vegetables often sell out by afternoon, making early arrival advisable for best selection.