Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is located along National Route 20 in Fujimi Town, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. It stands in the historic area of Tsutaki-juku, a former post town on the Koshu Kaido highway that once connected Edo, present-day Tokyo, with the Kai and Shinshu regions.
During the Edo period, Tsutaki-juku was the 43rd post station on the Koshu Kaido and served as an important gateway into Shinshu. Travelers heading into the region passed through the settlement, which was once filled with inns and other facilities serving people on the road.
Today, more than 390 years after the highway was established, the roadside station recreates the atmosphere of the historic post town with traditional-style wooden buildings while providing the modern facilities travelers expect from a roadside rest area. It is a place where visitors can take a break, enjoy local food, shop for regional products, and relax in a natural hot spring.
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku combines the atmosphere of an old Japanese post town with convenient modern facilities. The complex includes a restaurant serving handmade soba, a shop selling local agricultural products and souvenirs, and the natural hot spring facility Tsuta-no-Yu.
The roadside station is used by both local residents and travelers. For tourists exploring the Suwa and Yatsugatake area, it is a convenient place to experience local food and culture while taking a relaxing break from the road.
The facility was developed and is operated through cooperation between Fujimi Town and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The ministry manages basic roadside facilities such as the parking area, restrooms, and information station, while Fujimi Town manages regional facilities including the restaurant, hot spring, and local products center.
Actual operations are carried out by the Shinshu Tsutaki-juku Promotion Council, an organization established with investment from local residents. The roadside station therefore serves not only as a rest stop but also as a place for preserving local traditions and creating new connections between the community and visitors.
One of the most appealing features of Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is Tsuta-no-Yu, a natural hot spring facility where visitors can relax after a day of driving, sightseeing, or outdoor activities.
The spring is a sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring. Its mineral-rich water is traditionally said to be beneficial for conditions such as muscle aches, sensitivity to cold, and certain skin ailments.
The facility includes a large communal bath, an open-air bath, a jacuzzi, and a sauna. The baths use free-flowing natural hot spring water, allowing visitors to enjoy an authentic Japanese bathing experience.
A Japanese-style tatami relaxation room is available inside the facility, providing a comfortable place to unwind after bathing.
On the 26th of each month, the facility celebrates “Bath Day” with special baths such as apple baths and yuzu citrus baths, depending on the season. Drawings and complimentary drink services are also held on these occasions, adding a local touch to the bathing experience.
The restaurant Tenohira-kan is known for handmade soba made with buckwheat flour produced at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains.
Different types of buckwheat flour are used according to the dish, including coarsely ground flour, refined whole buckwheat kernels, and 100% refined buckwheat flour. Each produces a distinctive texture and aroma, allowing visitors to experience the subtle character of Shinshu soba.
The restaurant also serves dishes prepared with locally produced Tsutaki Rice and seasonal vegetables. These simple, comforting dishes offer an opportunity to taste the everyday flavors of the Shinshu countryside.
The area’s popular soft-serve ice cream, known as “Hopeochi Soft”, is made with Jersey cow’s milk delivered directly from Yatsuren’s dairy facility in the Nobeyama Highlands. Its rich and creamy flavor makes it a favorite treat among visitors.
Another distinctive local dish is Rhubarb Curry, developed by local high school students. Made with Fujimi’s specialty red rhubarb, the curry has a characteristic tartness that gives it a flavor unlike ordinary curry.
The products center is filled with agricultural products and processed foods from Fujimi Town and the surrounding area. Visitors can browse a wide selection of locally grown rice, Tsutaki Rice, miso, cheese, venison products, egoma perilla seeds, and other regional specialties.
One particularly popular choice is the handmade prepared food and rice balls made by local women’s groups. Tsutaki Rice rice balls, prepared with locally produced miso and seasonal ingredients, are so popular that they can sell out during the morning.
Fujimi Town is also known for its distinctive red rhubarb. The vivid red stalks are used to make a variety of sweets and processed foods, many of which are available at the roadside station.
These products can also be shipped throughout Japan, making the roadside station a convenient place to find regional specialties to enjoy later or share as souvenirs.
Tsutaki-juku once flourished as the first post station travelers encountered after crossing the Kamanashi River and entering Shinshu along the Koshu Kaido. Although the highway’s role has changed, the area’s natural scenery continues to attract visitors.
The clear waters of the Kamanashi River and rows of cherry trees create beautiful scenery around the former post town. In spring, the riverside becomes a pleasant place for cherry-blossom viewing, while summer offers opportunities to enjoy the river and the surrounding outdoors.
Fujimi Town lies within the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park area and is known as a highland destination offering activities throughout the year, including hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, and golf. Shinshu Tsutaki-juku serves as a convenient base for exploring these attractions.
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku hosts a variety of events that bring local residents and visitors together.
The annual New Soba Festival is held on November 3. Visitors can enjoy freshly harvested buckwheat from the local area, while musical performances such as orchestral concerts and traditional-style yosakoi dancing add to the festive atmosphere.
Other events held throughout the year include summer festivals, a new rice festival, flea markets, and vegetable markets. These events provide visitors with opportunities to experience the local community and discover seasonal products.
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is approximately 6 minutes by car from the Kobuchizawa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway and about 13 minutes from the Suwa-Minami Interchange.
By train, Shinano-Sakai Station on the JR Chuo Main Line is approximately six minutes away by taxi, while Kobuchizawa Station is about eight minutes away by taxi. Its convenient location makes it a practical stop when traveling around the southern Nagano highlands.
The surrounding area offers numerous attractions for travelers interested in Japanese history, archaeology, and mountain scenery. The Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum displays nationally designated Jomon-period treasures, while the Idojiri Archaeological Museum introduces the prehistoric culture of the Yatsugatake foothills.
Fujimi Panorama Resort is also nearby and offers skiing and snowboarding in winter, as well as mountain biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities during the warmer months.
Roadside Station Shinshu Tsutaki-juku is more than a convenient place to stop while traveling. It brings together the atmosphere of a historic Edo-period post town, the flavors of the Shinshu countryside, a relaxing natural hot spring, and the magnificent landscapes of the Yatsugatake highlands.
Visitors can enjoy a bowl of handmade soba, discover locally produced foods and souvenirs, soak in a hot spring bath, or simply take a break while looking out over the surrounding countryside.
Whether used as a short stop during a road trip or as a destination in its own right, Shinshu Tsutaki-juku offers an inviting introduction to the history, food, culture, and natural beauty of the Suwa and Yatsugatake region.