Station Sunrise Higashi

Discover the Heart of Local Harvests at Sunrise Higashi

Nestled in the serene countryside of Gunma Prefecture, Sunrise Higashi is a roadside station that celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the region. More than just a pit stop, it’s a vibrant gathering place where fresh, seasonal produce meets warm hospitality. Surrounded by rolling fields and quiet forests, this station offers travelers a genuine taste of rural Japan.

Visitors can savor the best of autumn and winter harvests—crisp apples, sweet chestnuts, juicy citrus, and earthy mushrooms—all sourced directly from local farms. With a focus on quality and sustainability, Sunrise Higashi supports regional growers while delivering exceptional value. Whether sampling seasonal treats or browsing handcrafted goods, every visit feels like a celebration of community and the land.

Sunrise Higashi stands out as the only roadside station in the region offering handcrafted apple jam made exclusively from locally grown, heirloom varieties of apples harvested at peak ripeness in Gunma’s mountainous foothills. Visitors can also sample the station’s signature roasted chestnut ice cream, made daily from chestnuts foraged from nearby forests. These seasonal specialties, available nowhere else, make Sunrise Higashi a must-visit for food lovers seeking authentic, hyper-local flavors.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on weekends to secure the day’s first batch of fresh milk bread from the on-site bakery, which sells out by 11:00 AM
• Hidden Gems: Check the deli counter near the entrance for the seasonal chestnut jam, made from locally harvested chestnuts and available only from late October through December
• Weekend Special: On Saturdays and Sundays, the roadside station hosts a live cooking demo at 1:00 PM in the outdoor courtyard featuring local apples from Gunma Prefecture in savory dishes
• Best Value Purchase: Buy the seasonal apple selection directly from the dedicated apple display stand between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, when staff offer a 10% discount on purchases of three or more apples
• Local Product Tip: Purchase the limited-edition dried persimmon snacks from the "Kanto Region" section of the market—these are only available from mid-November to early December
• Dining Strategy: Order the local rice bowl with fresh mountain vegetables at the on-site café between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM to avoid the lunchtime rush and ensure the freshest ingredients
• Seasonal Highlight: Visit the roadside station during the winter months to sample and buy the exclusive “Winter Citrus Mix” basket, which includes mandarin oranges and kumquats harvested from the Chugoku region

Spring (March–May): Fresh bamboo shoots available in early spring; apple harvest begins in late autumn, but spring is ideal for visiting before the growing season peaks.

Summer (June–August): No specific seasonal offerings mentioned for Sunrise Higashi in summer.

Autumn (September–November): Peak season for chestnuts, pears, persimmons, and matsutake mushrooms; apples from nearby regions available from late autumn.

Winter (December–February): Fresh strawberries available in late winter; seasonal seafood like crab and oysters available in nearby coastal areas.