Station Kakegawa

Discover the Heart of Japan’s Tea Country

Nestled in the lush countryside of Kakegawa, this roadside station lies at the crossroads of history and nature, just steps from the ancient Edo-era 日坂宿 (Hikosaka Post Town) and the sacred 事任八幡宮 (Kotonomama Hachiman Shrine), revered in The Pillow Book for its power to grant wishes. Surrounded by greenery and steeped in tradition, the station offers travelers a peaceful retreat with a vibrant local soul.

More than a rest stop, Kakegawa roadside station celebrates the region’s pride as a premier tea-producing area. Visitors can savor freshly brewed deep-steamed green tea at Ocha to Hachiman, sample farm-to-table produce from local growers, and enjoy authentic regional dishes like handmade soba and seasonal rice bowls. With a 24-hour convenience store, a bustling market, and a charming café, it’s a destination where culture, flavor, and community come together.

Visit Kakegawa roadside station to experience the only place in Japan where you can savor deep-steamed tea straight from the historic fields of the nation’s top tea-producing region. Just steps from the ancient Kotozama Hachiman Shrine, famed in The Pillow Book for its wish-granting power, the station offers a rare chance to taste artisanal Jersey cow milk soft serve—crafted from milk sourced exclusively from local farms. Here, you’ll find seasonal farm-to-table produce and handcrafted soba made with locally grown sen no hou, a root vegetable unique to the region.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM to secure a seat at the restaurant before the morning rush, as the "u mai shu" cafeteria serves freshly cooked rice with local ingredients starting at 8:00 AM and often fills up by 9:00 AM.

• Hidden Gems: Look for the handcrafted seasonal dishes at "Chacha Hachiman," where local mothers prepare daily specials like daily set meals and oden—these items are not listed on the menu and are available only while supplies last.

• Weekend Special: On weekends, the "Sengofu" counter offers a limited-time seasonal item: natural yam soup with handmade "Enshu soba," which sells out quickly—arrive before 11:00 AM to guarantee a serving.

• Best Food Purchase: Buy the "Jalari milk" soft cream from the café counter between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, when it is freshly made and available in limited quantities—this item is only offered on weekdays and is not restocked after 11:00 AM.

• Unique Product: Purchase the "Kakegawa deep-steamed tea" at the "Ocha no Hachiman" shop between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, when the staff offers complimentary tasting samples from the latest harvest—this tasting is not available later in the day.

• Avoid Wait Times: Order your meal at the "Umai Shu" cafeteria by 11:30 AM, as the kitchen stops taking orders at 12:00 PM, and the last serving of the day’s rice and side dishes is typically served by 11:45 AM.

• Best Photo Spot: Visit the "Koto no Mama Hachiman Shrine" located just a 3-minute walk from the roadside station before 10:00 AM to take photos of the historic site without crowds, as it becomes busy after 10:30 AM.

Spring (March–May): Fresh strawberries and early harvest vegetables available at the market; new tea from the deep-steamed tea shop begins in April.

Summer (June–August): Freshly harvested deep-steamed tea enjoyed from July; seasonal soft serve made from local Jersey cow milk.

Autumn (September–November): Autumn harvest vegetables and local produce available; peak season for tea tasting and seasonal dishes.

Winter (December–February): Winter vegetables and preserved foods featured; warm meals and tea enjoyed in cozy seasonal atmosphere.