Station Shinestu Sakae

Discover the Heart of Northern Shinshu at Shinestu Sakae

Nestled at the confluence of the Chikuma River and the Shinano River, Shinestu Sakae stands as a welcoming gateway to northern Nagano Prefecture, where pristine nature meets deep-rooted tradition. This roadside station isn’t just a pit stop—it’s a cultural crossroads, blending local heritage with modern hospitality. Located in the remote village of Saka, it offers travelers a rare glimpse into rural life, with authentic mountain produce, handmade crafts, and the warm spirit of the region.

At Shinestu Sakae, visitors can savor hand-cut soba noodles, sample local delicacies like anbo, and enjoy rich, dairy-based soft serve made from fresh milk. The market space buzzes daily with seasonal harvests—wild mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and chestnut senbei. With a spacious hall overlooking the river, a traditional tatami room, and nearby access to natural hot springs and a ski resort, this roadside station is a true destination in its own right.

Located at the northern gateway of Shinshu, Shinestu Sakae offers a rare experience: the only roadside station in the region where you can taste freshly made anbo, a traditional mountain dish of fermented soybean paste and wild vegetables, served in a restored old farmstead. Its standout feature is the daily market in the Miyakodori hall, where foragers sell hand-harvested mountain vegetables and wild mushrooms straight from the forest floor. Just steps away, the original Sakae soft-serve cream, crafted from locally sourced milk and served in a wooden cone, delivers a rich, unfiltered flavor found nowhere else.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 and 9:30 AM on weekdays to secure a seat at the traditional soba restaurant before it fills up, as lunch service begins at 9:30 AM and the hand-pulled soba is served only until 12:30 PM.

• Hidden Gems: Ask the staff at the "Mata tabi" craft shop for the limited-edition "tōji no mi senbei" (chestnut rice crackers) — they are only available during the autumn harvest season and are sold out by late October.

• Weekend Special: On Saturdays, visit the market space between 9:00 and 10:30 AM to purchase freshly harvested mountain vegetables and mushrooms directly from local farmers before they sell out — this is when the most diverse selection is available.

• Best Dining Experience: Order the "anbo" (local specialty) set meal at the restaurant between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to enjoy the daily special, which features seasonal ingredients like fresh mountain vegetables and wild mushrooms, served with homemade miso soup.

• Specialty Purchase: Buy the "Sakae" brand milk-based soft-serve at the dedicated stand before 3:00 PM, as it is made with fresh milk delivered daily and is often sold out by early afternoon.

• Local Event Tip: Check the information corner on the first floor for announcements about the monthly "Sobanomori" (Soba Forest) event — held on the second Saturday of each month — where visitors can participate in a hands-on soba-making workshop using locally grown buckwheat flour.

• Scenic Viewing Time: Visit the large hall between 4:00 and 5:00 PM in autumn to enjoy the view of the Chikuma River and the surrounding cliffs from the window-facing seating area, when the sunlight creates the best lighting for photographing the red maple leaves.

Spring (March–May): Fresh mountain vegetables and wild herbs peak in early spring, available daily at the market.

Summer (June–August): Soft serve made from fresh local milk is best enjoyed during summer months.

Autumn (September–November): Autumn foliage reaches peak color in October, visible from the large hall.

Winter (December–February): Skiing and snowboarding are popular at the nearby ski resort.