Station Rokugou

Discover the Timeless Beauty of Old Japan

Rokugou roadside station is nestled in the serene heart of Nakanojo, a town in the northwest of Gunma Prefecture where ancient landscapes meet modern tranquility. Perched amidst lush forests and towering mountains, this roadside station serves as a gateway to one of Japan’s most preserved natural and cultural treasures.

More than a rest stop, Rokugou offers travelers a immersive experience in the region’s rich heritage—home to gentle hot springs, rare alpine flora like the famed chatusbomigoke moss, and historic sites such as the restored Kyu Tai Shu Station. Visitors can stroll through seasonal gardens, enjoy locally crafted food, and explore guided tours of the nearby Ramsar-listed wetlands and sky-high lakes. At Rokugou, every journey feels like a step back into the quiet elegance of old Japan.

Rokugou roadside station is the only place in the region where you can sample freshly made mochi using heirloom rice from the nearby Nakanojo rice fields, a tradition dating back over 150 years. Its signature offering, shimako ice cream, crafted from local milk and flavored with wild mountain herbs, is available nowhere else. Visitors also gain exclusive access to the seasonal chatsubo-mi-goke moss garden, where rare moss species bloom in vibrant green only during summer months.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit Rokugou between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on weekends to secure a spot at the deli counter for the day’s limited batch of freshly baked milk bread, which is released at 9:30 AM and often sells out by 11:00 AM.

• Hidden Gems: Head to the back corner of the Rokugou marketplace to find the seasonal local honey display, where you can sample varieties like chestnut and alpine flower honey—available only during summer months and sold in small jars with handwritten labels.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, visit the Rokugou craft corner between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to watch local artisans demonstrate traditional paper-making using water from the nearby Shimo River, with hands-on demos available for visitors.

• Local Food Tip: Purchase the “Nakanojo Flower Garden” pickled vegetable set at Rokugou’s produce counter—it includes pickled lotus root, daikon, and mountain vegetables grown in the area, available only from May through October.

• Best Photography Spot: Position yourself at the south-facing glass wall near the Rokugou rest area during late afternoon (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM) to capture the reflection of the surrounding mountains and the town’s red-tiled rooftops in the glass, especially during autumn when foliage turns golden.

• Special Experience: Book the "Sakura View Walk" guided tour at Rokugou on the first Saturday of every spring month, which begins at 10:00 AM and includes a walk through the nearby Nakanojo Garden’s cherry blossom trail with a local historian sharing stories of the area’s Meiji-era farming heritage.

• Sustainable Shopping Tip: Bring your own reusable bag to Rokugou’s farmers’ market section to receive a 10% discount on all locally grown “Hanayukari” rice purchases—available only in 1kg and 5kg packages from the designated rice stall.

Spring (March-May): Chatsubo-mi Gokke Park blooms with rare mosses from late April to early June, while cherry blossoms peak in early April at Nakanojo Gardens.

Summer (June-August): Wildflowers flourish in the high-altitude meadows of Yagami and the Shimo-Shimako area from late June through August.

Autumn (September-November): The "Art of Autumn" festival highlights local cultural events, and the landscape turns golden at Chatsubo-mi Gokke Park in October.

Winter (December-February): Snow-dusted landscapes surround the hot springs, with the best views at Yagami and the Shimo-Shimako area in January.