Roadside Station Shimotsuma

One of the largest facilities in the Kanto region, it offers a wide variety of facilities, including a restaurant, convenience store, direct sales of agricultural products, processing and sales facilities for specialty products, and an observation gallery.

It is located in Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture, along National Route 294. Surrounded by beautiful nature, it is located between the Kogai River and the Kinu River. The view of the purple peak of Mt. Tsukuba looms from the windows of the observation gallery.

The roadside station features a natto factory where visitors can observe the production of natto through glass windows.

The agricultural products direct sales shop on the first floor sells local specialties such as pears, rice, miso, and pickles. There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy Hitachi-Aki soba noodles. On the third floor is an observatory where visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Tsukuba rising above the vast countryside. This view is a unique attraction.

A “food theme park” full of delicious food!

The stylish space is unimaginable from the outside: as you enter through the entrance of the main building, which resembles a three-story Japanese-style castle, you are greeted by a large, distinctive circular decoration on the ceiling. The interior of the store has a relaxed atmosphere, and BAKERY Shimonpan offers 70 varieties of bread, with sandwiches and burgers featuring fresh vegetables sandwiched between bread made from brown rice being the most popular.

There is also an “agricultural products direct sales corner” in the center of the main building, where a wide variety of fresh local morning vegetables are available. In particular, pears, a specialty of Shimotsuma, are sold for a long period of time, from house pears to stored pears, and there is also a full lineup of processed pear products.

In addition, a natto (fermented soybeans) factory is also located at this roadside station, where natto made from 100% Shimotsuma-grown soybeans is produced and sold. The name of the product is “Fukuyo koi. This name is reminiscent of National Route 294, and it offers delicious natto. There is a wide variety of natto, including large grain, small grain, soboro, black soybean, shiokiri, and straw natto, which are also popular as gifts.

At the Shimontei restaurant, we recommend the seared pork rice bowl, which is lavishly prepared with marbled herb pork from the prefecture. It goes well with the rice. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of freshly baked breads at “BAKERY Shimonpan. Seasonal breads are also available, so be sure to visit.

And don’t miss “Soba-uchi Meijin-tei,” which uses Hitachi-Aki soba (buckwheat noodles). You can enjoy handmade soba made by masters using freshly ground buckwheat flour. The soba here is superb, and you can enjoy the full flavor of the ingredients.

Shimotsuma Shokudo Yoyo, a delicious old-fashioned ramen store, is also open for business, offering a wide variety of gourmet treats for your enjoyment.