Kuni Tourist Products Center — Discover Local Specialties
The central facility is the Kuni Tourist Products Center, which includes a rest area and a selection of local foods, agricultural products, and traditional crafts.
One of the most popular specialties is Hanaingen beans, a locally grown variety of runner bean known for its soft, fluffy texture and gentle sweetness. They are sold as canned products and in other processed forms, making them a convenient souvenir from the region.
The center also offers fragrant maitake mushrooms, fresh highland vegetables, other mushrooms, pickles, and a variety of foods gathered or produced in the surrounding mountain region.
Traditional Crafts from Kuni
Among the local crafts, visitors can find menpa, traditional lunch boxes made from pine wood, as well as colorful Konkon zori woven cloth sandals.
These simple handmade items have a nostalgic quality and reflect the practical craftsmanship that has long been part of everyday life in rural mountain communities.
Kuni-no-Sato “Shirasuna” — Food and Tourist Information
Located within the roadside station complex, Kuni-no-Sato “Shirasuna” combines a tourist information center, free rest area, and restaurant.
Exhibits introduce the natural environment and cultural heritage of the Kuni area, making it a useful first stop for visitors who want to learn more about the surrounding region.
Maitake Rice Bowl
The restaurant’s popular specialty is the maitake rice bowl, which uses a generous portion of locally produced maitake mushrooms.
The mushrooms have an intense aroma and savory flavor that pairs particularly well with rice. Other dishes incorporating seasonal mountain vegetables and locally available ingredients are also available, providing an easy introduction to the flavors of Kuni.
Rest Area “Kuni” — Famous for Hana-mame Gelato
For a light snack or relaxing café break, Rest Area “Kuni” is a pleasant place to stop.
Its specialty is Hana-mame gelato, made with the area’s famous Hanaingen beans. The gelato has a mild sweetness and smooth texture, offering a distinctive local alternative to more familiar flavors.
The shop also serves carefully selected coffee, cakes, and a house specialty curry, making it a convenient place to take a break during a mountain drive.
Otokku Onsen Kutsurogi-no-Yu — A Hot Spring with Rare Black Mineral Deposits
One of the biggest attractions at Roadside Station Kuni is Otokku Onsen, which rises within the grounds. At the day-use bathing facility Kutsurogi-no-Yu, visitors can enjoy naturally flowing hot spring water.
Otokku Onsen is traditionally said to have been discovered during the Heian period, giving it a history stretching back more than a thousand years. It has long been known as a “finishing bath for Kusatsu”, traditionally visited after bathing in Kusatsu Onsen.
Rare Black Yumohana
One of the most distinctive features of Otokku Onsen is the presence of both black and white yumohana, the mineral deposits that can form around hot spring water. Black yumohana is relatively uncommon among Japanese hot springs and gives the bath a particularly distinctive appearance.
The spring is classified as a sulfur-containing sodium/calcium sulfate-chloride spring of the hydrogen sulfide type. Its mildly alkaline water is known locally as a gentle “beauty bath.”
The warm water provides a relaxing bathing experience, while the mineral-rich spring environment is traditionally appreciated by visitors seeking a soothing hot spring soak.
Otokku Onsen is also known for a visit by Naruhito, Emperor of Japan, who bathed here after climbing Mount Shirayama in 1996, when he was still Crown Prince.
Oyado Hanamame and Kuni Sanso — Peaceful Hot Spring Accommodation
The roadside station complex also includes accommodation such as Oyado Hanamame and the municipal hot spring inn Kuni Sanso.
Meals feature simple, traditional dishes prepared with ingredients from the surrounding mountains, including wild mountain vegetables and river fish.
Staying overnight allows guests to experience the quieter side of the Kuni area, with hot springs, local cuisine, and peaceful mountain scenery providing a relaxing retreat away from busy urban destinations.
A Gateway to Nature and Local Culture
Roadside Station Kuni is also an important base for exploring the natural attractions around Lake Nozoriko and Mount Shirayama.
The surrounding area is dotted with traditional stone cultural monuments, including Hōyō Dosojin. These stone figures provide a glimpse into the folk traditions that have developed alongside life in the mountain villages.
The combination of natural scenery and cultural heritage makes the Kuni area particularly rewarding for travelers who want to experience a quieter and more traditional side of Gunma.
A Mountain Roadside Station Worth Staying Longer
Roadside Station Kuni brings together local products, traditional food, hot springs, accommodation, and access to the surrounding mountains in one convenient location.
Visitors can shop for Hanaingen beans and local produce, enjoy a maitake rice bowl or Hana-mame gelato, relax in the distinctive waters of Otokku Onsen, or stay overnight and enjoy regional cuisine.
For travelers driving between Kusatsu Onsen, Shima Onsen, and the mountain areas of northern Nakanojo, it is an ideal place to pause and discover the local character of the region.
Surrounded by quiet mountains and traditional village scenery, Roadside Station Kuni offers a chance to slow down, enjoy local flavors, experience a historic hot spring, and discover the warmth of life in a rural Japanese community.