Station Ichikawa

Discover the Heart of Chiba’s Culinary Culture

Located just minutes from Tokyo’s bustling city center, Ichikawa is a vibrant roadside station that seamlessly blends urban convenience with rural charm. Nestled along National Route 298, it serves as a gateway to the rich agricultural and cultural heritage of Chiba Prefecture, offering travelers a refreshing escape without leaving the region.

What sets Ichikawa apart is its curated mix of local flavors and stylish experiences. The highlight is Trattoria Alponte, a charming Italian restaurant serving authentic dishes made with regional ingredients. Visitors can also enjoy freshly roasted coffee at ichiCafe, savor street food from lively kitchen carts, or shop for seasonal produce and artisanal goods at Mércat Ichikawa. With rotating events like the Southern Italian Caserta Fair and seasonal festivals, there’s always something new to discover.

Ichikawa roadside station stands out as the only location in the region offering authentic Italian-inspired cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients, most notably the signature Trattoria Alponte’s handmade pasta made from regional wheat. Visitors can also experience the exclusive Ichicafe Coffee Roastery, where beans are roasted on-site using a rare traditional method, delivering a flavor profile unique to this location. These culinary experiences, combined with rotating seasonal events like the Southern Italian Caserta Fair, make Ichikawa a destination unlike any other roadside station.

• Best Arrival Time: Arrive by 9:30 AM on weekends to secure a seat at the Ichicafe Coffee Roastery before the morning espresso lineup forms, as the café opens at 9:00 AM and often fills quickly.

• Hidden Gems: Visit the Ichicafe Coffee Roastery counter between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM to sample their seasonal limited-edition roasted coffee blends, which are only available during specific weeks as noted in the monthly event calendar.

• Weekend Special: On Sundays between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, head to the Kitchen Car to try the “Sunday Special” grilled corn with miso butter, a rotating menu item announced in the weekly event updates.

• Best Time to Buy Local Goods: Visit the Mercato Ichikawa market stall just after 1:00 PM on weekdays when new batches of locally made pickled vegetables and fermented tofu are restocked from the regional producers.

• Avoid Parking Chaos: Enter the Ichikawa roadside station via the secondary access road off National Route 298 instead of the main entrance to avoid the frequent parking lot congestion reported during peak hours.

• Event Timing: Plan your visit during the South Italian Cazella Fair (November 1–3, 2025) to experience authentic Neapolitan-style street food and sample the exclusive regional pasta dishes prepared live at the kitchen car during the event hours.

• Coffee Lover’s Tip: Stop by the Ichicafe Coffee Roastery’s back counter between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM on weekdays to purchase their daily batch of freshly roasted beans, which are only available in small quantities and often sell out by 5:00 PM.

Spring (March–May): Peak season for fresh bamboo shoots at the market, with spring produce available from March through May.

Summer (June–August): Enjoy the cool refreshment of the凉菓フェア in August and the summer festival atmosphere in late July and August.

Autumn (September–November): Visit during the South Italian Caserta Fair in November for authentic regional cuisine and seasonal events.

Winter (December–February): Ideal for cozy visits to the cafe and exploring the roadside station’s warm indoor spaces during the colder months.