Michi-no-Eki Tsukiyono Yaze Shinsui Park is a nature-rich roadside station in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, located along Gunma Prefectural Route 61. Thanks to convenient access from Tokyo via the Kan-Etsu Expressway and the Jōetsu Shinkansen, it can be reached in approximately one hour, making it a popular stop for sightseeing and scenic drives.
The beautiful place name “Tsukiyono,” meaning “moonlit field,” is said to originate from a legend involving the Heian-period poet Minamoto no Shitagō.
According to the tradition, while traveling through eastern Japan, he admired the moon rising over Mount Mitsumine and composed a poem expressing his admiration for the beautiful moonlit night.
Surrounded by gentle hills and clear mountain air, the area continues to offer beautiful scenery where visitors can appreciate the atmosphere of the moonlit countryside.
A clear stream flows through the park, where visitors can enjoy a shallow splashing pool and spacious grassy areas that are suitable for children.
Three gazebos are located near shaded areas, small ponds, and flowing streams, providing comfortable places to relax even on sunny days.
After a long drive, the cool breeze from the water and the surrounding greenery provide a refreshing break.
Wanpaku Hiroba, located on the northern side of the park, features athletic playground equipment and a sandbox and is particularly popular with families.
A large roller slide that was once a popular attraction has been removed for safety reasons. It has been replaced with new athletic-style playground equipment, creating a safer and more enjoyable environment for children.
One of the most distinctive features of the roadside station is the preserved Yaze Site, a designated National Historic Site located within the park.
Discovered on a river terrace along the Tone River, the site contains the remains of a Jōmon-period settlement dating from approximately 3,500 to 2,300 years ago.
Residential areas, ritual spaces, burial areas, and communal work areas were discovered within a relatively compact area, providing a valuable illustration of how Jōmon settlements were organized.
Among the site’s most important discoveries are the remains of a building featuring a distinctive four-corner hearth structure, reported as the first example of its kind excavated in Japan, as well as a ritual space containing rows of massive wooden posts and a stone altar.
Pottery, stone tools, earrings, clay figurines, magatama beads, and other artifacts discovered at the site are displayed at the nearby Minakami Town Tsukiyono Local History Museum.
The reconstructed thatched-roof dwellings in the historic site area also allow visitors to gain a more tangible understanding of Jōmon life and culture.
The farm produce market Tsukiyono Harvest sells fresh vegetables and fruits grown locally.
Seasonal produce includes cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, green peppers, pumpkins, and rice, as well as fruits such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries, watermelons, and apples.
During harvest seasons, visitors can also enjoy fruit-picking experiences at nearby agricultural farms.
One of the most popular local products is “Tsukiyono Natto,” made using locally grown soybeans.
Available in both large- and small-bean varieties, this traditional-style natto is loved by many local customers. The freshness of locally sold products and reasonable prices are among the attractions of the farm stand.
Popular products include apples, strawberries, tomatoes, mushrooms, wild mountain vegetables, natto, firefly-themed manju sweets, cookies, and moroheiya soba.
The wide selection of seasonal produce makes the roadside station a convenient place to discover the flavors of Minakami throughout the year.
The dining area serves popular noodle dishes such as udon topped with maitake mushroom tempura and tensaru udon, featuring noodles made with locally produced wheat.
Maitake mushrooms and seasonal vegetables are fried into flavorful tempura, allowing visitors to enjoy local ingredients in a simple and satisfying meal.
For a quick snack, visitors can also find takoyaki, rice balls, fried chicken, soft-serve ice cream, and shaved ice, making it easy to stop by even for a short break.
The park has six free barbecue stations available on a first-come, first-served basis. Grills and cooking nets can also be rented.
Visitors can purchase fresh vegetables at the farm stand and enjoy them immediately in the outdoor barbecue area. Dining surrounded by greenery provides a particularly enjoyable way to experience the countryside.
A small hydropower facility is also located within the park. Using an effective water head of 31 meters, the facility can generate up to 13 kilowatts of electricity.
The facility is used mainly for environmental education programs for schoolchildren, providing an opportunity to learn about renewable energy and the importance of making use of natural resources.
Various events are held throughout the year, including a firefly festival in June, a summer appreciation festival in early July, and a harvest festival on November 3.
The firefly festival is particularly atmospheric, with visitors gathering to enjoy the enchanting sight of fireflies illuminating the surrounding darkness.
The roadside station is located immediately beside the Yaze Site-mae bus stop operated by Kan-Etsu Kotsu and is also within walking distance of Jōmō-Kōgen Station.
Nearby attractions include the Tone River and Gakurinji Temple, making the roadside station a convenient base for exploring Minakami Town.
Michi-no-Eki Tsukiyono Yaze Shinsui Park brings together the natural beauty of Minakami, the ancient history of the Jōmon period, fresh local produce, outdoor recreation, and opportunities for friendly interaction with the local community.
Whether stopping for a meal, shopping for seasonal produce, exploring the archaeological site, or simply relaxing beside the clear stream, visitors can discover something new each time they come.
With its combination of nature, history, food, and peaceful rural scenery, it is one of the distinctive places to experience the charm of Minakami Town.