Station Doyo no Furusato Ootone

Discover the Heart of Rural Japan Through Song and Sustenance

Doyo no Furusato Ootone is a vibrant roadside station nestled in the lush, fertile plains of Kusatsu City, Saitama Prefecture, just 50 kilometers from Tokyo’s bustling core. Situated along the historic Tone River, this destination celebrates its deep cultural roots as the birthplace of renowned composer Tanso En’ichi, whose beloved children’s songs like “Tanabata-sama” and “Yagokoro” were inspired by the serene beauty of the region. More than a rest stop, it’s a living tribute to Japan’s musical heritage and agricultural tradition.

At the heart of the station is the locally grown Daitone rice, cultivated in rich, water-fed fields and featured in everything from hearty meals to unique treats. Visitors can savor black rice soba, enjoy fresh seasonal produce at the Agricultural Innovation Center, or stroll through fields blooming with delicate hotei aoii flowers in summer. With a cozy restaurant, hands-on experiences, and a peaceful park, Doyo no Furusato Ootone offers a genuine taste of rural Japan—where nature, music, and community come together.

Doyo no Furusato Ootone stands out as the only roadside station in the region where you can taste and buy Tana-bata-sama and Yakudzu—two iconic children’s songs composed by Yokosuka En'ichi, the area’s native musical genius. The station is home to the only on-site field where the delicate purple Hotei Ao-i flowers bloom from July to October, transforming the roadside station’s 1.7-hectare fallow rice fields into a seasonal floral spectacle. Beyond its cultural roots, it offers the only place in the region to sample black rice mochi, black rice ice cream, and Yakudzu manju, all made from locally grown, heirloom ingredients.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM on weekdays to access the full selection of fresh Doyo no Furusato Ootone black rice mochi and black rice ice cream, which are only stocked in the morning and often sell out by noon.

• Hidden Gems: Check the Agricultural Innovation Center section of the farm produce shop for the limited-edition black rice karaage (fried black rice balls), available only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

• Weekend Special: On the first and third Sundays of the month, visit the information corner between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM to join a free 30-minute guided tour of the Hotei Ao-i flower fields (70% of which bloom from July to October) and receive a small packet of wildflower seeds.

• Must-Try Menu Item: Order the black rice soba at the Oshokujo Warabe restaurant—it is made with 100% locally grown black rice and is only available during the 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM lunch service.

• Best Time to Buy Local Rice: Purchase Doyo no Furusato Ootone Koshyhakari rice directly from the Agricultural Innovation Center before 3:00 PM, as the 500g and 1kg bags are replenished only once daily at 9:30 AM and often sell out by early afternoon.

• Seasonal Product Alert: From early September to late October, visit the Agricultural Innovation Center on Tuesdays to buy fresh figs and fig jam—these are harvested and sold only during the seasonal harvest period and are not available year-round.

• Photography Tip: Head to the south-facing grassy area near the information corner at 4:30 PM on weekdays to capture the best light for photos of the Hotei Ao-i flower fields, which bloom in thin purple clusters across 1.7 hectares and are visible from the roadside station’s main path.

Spring (March-May): Early spring brings fresh bamboo shoots and the start of seasonal produce at the farm stand.

Summer (June-August): Peak season for the pinkish-purple lotus flowers blooming from July to October in the nearby fallow fields.

Autumn (September-November): Harvest time for local strawberries, pears, figs, and black rice products.

Winter (December-February): Quiet months with limited hours; best for visiting the peaceful countryside and seasonal black rice specialties.