Station Jomon Romance Minami-Kayabe

Step Into Japan’s Ancient Past at a Living Heritage Hub

Jomon Romance Minami-Kayabe is a distinctive roadside station nestled along National Route 278 in Hakodate’s serene Minami-Kayabe region, where the Pacific Ocean meets ancient landscapes. More than a rest stop, it stands as Japan’s only roadside station housing a National Treasure—the iconic Hollow Clay Figure of the Jomon period—on permanent display at the adjacent Hakodate Jomon Cultural Exchange Center.

This cultural gateway invites visitors to explore over 7,000 years of continuous Jomon heritage through immersive exhibits, hands-on workshops like miniature pottery making, and guided walks through the reconstructed Jomon no Wa and Jomon Forest at the nearby Otohama Archaeological Site. Savor the region’s signature treat, the Jomon Walnut Soft Serve, while browsing locally crafted goods, including healthful kombu products and clay-figure-inspired sweets. A perfect blend of history, nature, and regional flavor, Jomon Romance Minami-Kayabe offers a deeply authentic journey into Japan’s earliest civilization.

Visit Jomon Romance Minami-Kayabe to experience Japan’s only roadside station housing a National Treasure—the rare hollow clay figurine known as the Chūzū Dōgu. This iconic artifact, displayed at the adjacent Jomon Cultural Exchange Center, offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual life of the Jomon people. Beyond history, savor the region’s only signature treat: the Jomon Walnut Soft Cream, made with locally harvested walnuts and inspired by ancient dietary habits. Located on the Pacific coast with views of the sea and mountains, the station blends deep cultural heritage with unique, place-specific flavors you won’t find anywhere else.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM on weekdays to secure a spot at the deli counter for the day's fresh batch of jomon walnut soft serve, which is made daily and often sells out by midday.

• Hidden Gems: Check the small shelf near the entrance labeled "Local Finds" for the jomon-style ceramic cookie—a unique product shaped like a miniature version of the National Treasure "Hollow Terracotta Figure" and only available at this roadside station.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, visit the "Jomon Garden" area between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM to join the free hands-on clay modeling session where you can create your own small terracotta figurine using traditional techniques.

• Best Time for the Soft Serve: Order the jomon walnut soft serve before 11:00 AM during the summer months (April to October), as the shop prepares only one batch per day and it is frequently sold out by noon.

• Sticker Collection Tip: If the roadside station is closed on your visit, go directly to the Hakodate City Minakayabe Branch Office at 1520 Kawaigusa-chō, Hakodate, and ask for the stamp at the counter—this is the only official alternate location for stamp collection when the station is closed.

• Avoid the Crowd at the Onsen: If visiting the Hakodate City Minakayabe Wellness Center for day-use baths, arrive before 10:00 AM to access the open-air hot spring bath before the midday rush; the bath fills quickly after 11:00 AM.

• Best Buy at the Shop: Purchase the Kombu dried seaweed snacks and the jomon-style dried fish jerky—both are made from locally sourced ingredients and sold only at this roadside station, with no other retail outlets carrying them.

Spring (March–May): Soft-serve with roasted walnuts available from March, coinciding with early spring blooms and thawing landscapes.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for the jomon romance soft-serve and access to the reconstructed Jomon village and forest.

Autumn (September–November): Ideal for visiting the restored Jomon village and experiencing seasonal produce from local farms.

Winter (December–February): Limited hours but excellent for quiet visits to the National Treasure and nearby hot spring baths.