If you visit Kuni Onsen from Kusatsu Onsen or Shiriyaki Onsen, Roadside Station Kuni (道の駅 六合) is the first stop at Kuni Onsen that you can stop by. Like other roadside stations in Japan, you can get sightseeing information, local specialities, fresh products, handicrafts, desserts, and light meals there. But the complex is a lot bigger as it consists of a couple of facilities in different houses.
Dried flowers from the Nakanojō Hill Top Garden at the nearby plateau are also sold at Roadside Station Kuni. There is even a hot spring facility for day visitors, as well as a small accommodation facility!
Tips:
☛ Fresh vegetables and fruits are usually sold out before closing, so we recommend visiting Roadside Station Kuni early if that is what you are after.
☛ If you want to try out something special, the spicy maitake mushroom miso-flavored Kuni Manjū (六合饅頭) sold at Oyasumi-dokoro Kuni (お休み処くに) is surprisingly delicious. The cafe also sells Pinto bean gelato too. Also, the rich Pinto bean flavored soft serve sold at Restaurant Kuni no Sato Shirasuna is a must-try!
Restaurant Kuni no Sato Shirasuna (食事処 六合の郷しらすな)
Kuni no Sato Shirasuna combines a tourist information center, a free rest area, and a restaurant. Handmade soba noodles made from 80% buckwheat flour and vegetables and maitake mushroom tempuras are highly recommended. The vegetable dishes there are delicious too!
Whether it is udon or soba noodles, the portion is pretty big! So there is no need to worry about feeling hungry when finishing your food.
In summer, the recommended dish is Asama Soba (浅間そば), topped with finely sliced radish resonating a snow-capped Mt. Asama.
Important: The noodle dipping sauce and broth are not vegetarian. But you can enjoy it with salt!
Ōdoku Onsen Kutsurogi no Yu (応徳温泉 くつろぎの湯)
Another highlight of Roadside Station Kuni is its hot spring facility, with onsen flowing non-stop from the spring source. Enjoying the nice onsen here will only cost you 400 yen (300 yen for children from 3 to junior high school students)!
This hot spring source was discovered in the Heian period during the Ōdoku era, which is why it was named after the era. What is special about the Ōdoku Onsen’s base is that the crystal formed is black. So while the spring is sulphur-based like Kusatsu Onsen, the minerals will most likely differ.
You can also spend a night at its accommodation facility, Oyado Hanamame (お宿花まめ).
As a side note, the Reiwa Emperor bathed at Ōdoku Onsen after he hiked Mt. Shirasuna (白砂山)!
Roadside Station Kuni’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Roadside Station Kuni is open daily except Wednesdays from 9 am to 5 pm.
- It is closed at the beginning of January.
- Ōdoku Onsen is open from 12 pm to 8 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- The last admission is at 7:30 pm.
- From JR Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station (長野原草津口), take Kuni Chiku Rosen Bus (六合地区路線バス) and get off at Michi no Eki Kuni (道の駅六合).
- Note that the bus services are limited. The Japanese timetable can be found on Nakanojō’s website HERE.
Tip: The toilet facility at Roadside Station Kuni is open 24/7.
Discover Other Attractions Nearby in Nakanojō
If you want to enjoy Gunma Prefecture‘s rural area, Nakanojō can be a nice option. It has one of the prefecture’s most famous hot spring towns, a gorgeous moss park, a few flower gardens, and more!
All of these attractions are not too far away from Yodate Eight Falls. So refer to our article on Kuni Village, the old name for a large part of Nakanojō!
