Station Kabuki Village Oshika

Step into a Living Legacy of Tradition and Nature

Nestled in the secluded heart of southern Nagano, Kabuki Village Oshika stands as a cultural beacon where ancient art meets alpine beauty. Surrounded by the majestic South Alps and the Iida Mountains, this roadside station is the gateway to Oshika Village—a remote community renowned for its 300-year-old tradition of Oshika Kabuki, Japan’s first designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Here, village artisans preserve the art through generations, offering visitors a rare glimpse into a living cultural heritage.

More than a rest stop, Kabuki Village Oshika is a vibrant hub of local pride. Explore a curated selection of regional specialties—handcrafted sweets made with local salt, fresh blueberries, spicy chili condiments, and wild game—alongside a cozy restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine. With information desks, free Wi-Fi, EV charging, and scenic hiking trails nearby, it’s the perfect base for discovering the quiet magic of mountain life.

Visit Kabuki Village Oshika roadside station to experience Japan’s only living tradition of Oshika Kabuki, a 300-year-old village theater performance designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. This is the only place where you can witness its authentic, community-driven performances in their original mountain village setting. Alongside this rare cultural treasure, the station offers exclusive local specialties like blueberry jam made from mountain-harvested berries, spicy chili and soybean pastes crafted from Oshika-grown ingredients, and sweets using salt sourced directly from the village’s natural mineral springs.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to speak with staff at the tourism information desk before it gets busy, as the desk opens at 9:00 AM and is staffed daily except Wednesdays and early January

• Hidden Gems: Look for the blueberry jam and blueberry jam-filled croissants at the agricultural sales counter—these are made from locally grown blueberries and are only available during the summer harvest season (late June to mid August)

• Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the restaurant "Oi Sana" between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM to try the seasonal special dish featuring locally raised game meat (jibei) served with a side of roasted vegetables and a small portion of fermented soybean paste made from regional soybeans

• Best Purchase Time: Buy the salt-cured pickled vegetables made with salt harvested from the local salt fields during the first two hours of the day—these are restocked only once daily at 10:00 AM and often sell out by 11:30 AM

• Unique Product Tip: Purchase the chili pepper powder and chili paste made from locally grown red chilies at the commercial sales area—these are sold in small, labeled containers and are only available in the first half of the day, typically before 12:00 PM

• Parking Strategy: If you're driving a large vehicle, park in the designated large vehicle space near the entrance—this area is reserved and not accessible to regular vehicles, which helps avoid confusion during peak hours

• Wi-Fi Access: Use the free Wi-Fi at the information corner by logging in with the password posted at the reception desk (available only during business hours, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) to access the official website and download maps of nearby attractions like the Central Tectonic Line Museum and the Rokuben Museum

Spring (March–May): Fresh bamboo shoots available at the market in early spring, with wildflowers like clintonia blooming in April.

Summer (June–August): Blueberries harvested in late July, with the restaurant serving seasonal blueberry treats.

Autumn (September–November): Peak season for mountain vegetables and local produce from September to October.

Winter (December–February): Limited hours; visit for quiet mountain views and seasonal dried goods.