Ogikubo Park and Its Famous Hydrangeas
Adjacent to the roadside station, Ogikubo Park is a large green space known particularly for its beautiful hydrangeas.
From approximately mid-June to mid-July, around 16,000 hydrangea plants representing about 10 varieties come into bloom. During Japan’s rainy season, the colorful flowers create a striking landscape throughout the park.
The park also features numerous playground facilities, making it a popular destination for families with children.
Views Across Maebashi and the Kanto Plain
An observation area offers expansive views across Maebashi City and the Kanto Plain. On clear days, the broad panorama provides a wonderful sense of the scale of the surrounding landscape.
A small stream flows through the park, and when conditions are suitable, visitors may even have the chance to see fireflies.
The combination of seasonal flowers, greenery, water, and open views makes Ogikubo Park an enjoyable place for walking, nature observation, and photography.
Direct-from-the-Farm Market: “Sanchoku Ajisai”
The farmers’ market “Sanchoku Ajisai” is one of the highlights of Roadside Station Akagi Megumi.
The market offers a wide selection of fresh vegetables and fruits grown around the foothills of Mount Akagi. Because many visitors also shop after using the adjacent hot spring facility, the market can retain a good selection of products even later in the day.
A Wide Variety of Local Products
Inside the market, shoppers can find root vegetables, leafy greens, mushrooms, seasonal fruits, and eggs from local poultry farms.
Local specialties made using the area’s famous dry “karakaze” winds are also popular. These include dried sweet potatoes and dried daikon radish, traditional preserved foods that make use of the region’s dry winter climate.
The market also sells sushi, boxed meals, bread, locally produced pork, freshly milled rice, alcoholic beverages, flowers and seedlings, souvenirs, and handicrafts.
As a result, it is useful both for everyday shopping and for travelers looking for local products to take home.
“Shokujidokoro Ajisai” Snack Corner
A casual food area is also available inside the market.
Visitors can enjoy dishes such as handmade soba noodles, tempura udon, and soft-serve ice cream from Kozu Farm. On pleasant days, meals can be enjoyed at the outdoor terrace seating area.
Seasonal treats such as plum juice and shaved ice are also available, making this a convenient stop for a light meal or refreshing break.
Akagi Megumi: A Local Sweet-Potato Shochu
One of the roadside station’s signature products is the authentic sweet-potato shochu “Akagi Megumi.”
The spirit is made from Kogane Sengan sweet potatoes grown on the southern slopes of Mount Akagi. Its development brought together local farmers, JA Maebashi, liquor businesses, and local government organizations.
It can be enjoyed in several ways, including with water, on the rocks, or mixed with hot water. When served warm, the rich, gently sweet aroma of the sweet potato becomes particularly noticeable.
Other products include an unblended original spirit and a plum liqueur made by infusing Maebashi-grown Shirakaga plums into sweet-potato shochu.
These products are part of the Akagi Megumi Brand, a certification program of Maebashi City recognizing selected local products associated with regional production and quality.
Ainoyama-no-Yu Hot Spring Complex
Ainoyama-no-Yu is a hot spring facility surrounded by the natural beauty of the southern foothills of Mount Akagi.
Its outdoor baths provide an opportunity to relax while enjoying the scenery as it changes throughout the seasons. It is an ideal place to unwind after exploring the surrounding area.
Japanese Cuisine and the Akagi Megumi Set Meal
The facility also has a Japanese restaurant serving meals made with seasonal ingredients.
One of its specialties is the “Akagi Megumi Gozen”, a set meal centered on Joshu pork cooked on a ceramic plate, accompanied by a selection of seasonal dishes.
The restaurant’s experienced chef prepares dishes that highlight the flavors of Gunma’s local ingredients.
Pool and Private Bath Facilities
The complex also includes swimming facilities that can be enjoyed by a wide range of visitors, from children to older adults.
Private rooms equipped with natural hot spring baths are also available, making the facility suitable for families and groups seeking a more private experience.
Hands-on Farming Experiences and Seasonal Events
Roadside Station Akagi Megumi also provides opportunities to experience local agriculture.
Sweet Potato and Daikon Experiences
Participants in the sweet-potato farming program begin by planting seedlings from June after applications are accepted in May. After the harvest, participants can also experience making dried sweet potatoes.
Another program focuses on daikon radish cultivation. Participants begin growing the crop in autumn and can make traditional takuan pickles during winter. This program has been particularly popular with older visitors.
Year-Round Community Events
Various events are held throughout the year, including mochi pounding, miso-packing challenges, and harvest festivals.
At the autumn Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, visitors may enjoy complimentary steamed sweet potatoes and “Ajisai Tonton-jiru”, a local pork-based soup, along with special vegetable sales and prize drawings.
These events offer travelers a chance to experience local food culture and interact with the community.
A Convenient Base for Exploring Mount Akagi
The roadside station includes a tourist information area and rest spaces. Computers are also available for visitors who want to search for information about nearby attractions.
Its location makes it a convenient starting point for exploring the Mount Akagi area. Nearby is also the glamping facility AKAGI GLAMPING VILLAGE, offering another way to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Access
By car, Roadside Station Akagi Megumi is approximately 20 minutes from the Komagata Interchange on the Kitakanto Expressway and about 25 minutes from the Maebashi Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
By public transportation, take a Nagai Bus from JR Maebashi Station bound for Ogikubo Park and get off at the Ogikubo Park bus stop, which is located directly beside the facility.
Enjoy the Nature and Warm Hospitality of Akagi
Roadside Station Akagi Megumi is much more than a place to stop during a road trip. It is a local community hub where visitors can experience the nature, food, hot springs, and agricultural traditions of the southern foothills of Mount Akagi.
From colorful hydrangeas and fresh local produce to relaxing hot springs and hands-on farming experiences, the facility offers many ways to enjoy the character of Maebashi.
Whether you stop here during a sightseeing trip or make it part of your destination, Roadside Station Akagi Megumi offers a relaxed introduction to the natural beauty, local flavors, and community spirit of southern Mount Akagi.