Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen is a roadside station located along National Route 17, the Maebashi-Shibukawa Bypass, in Yoshioka Town, Kitagunma District, Gunma Prefecture. Set in a scenic natural environment overlooking the clear waters of the Tone River and the majestic Mount Akagi, the facility combines hot springs, sports facilities, local products, restaurants, and other attractions in one convenient destination.
In addition to serving as a convenient stop for drivers, the roadside station is popular as a place to enjoy hot springs and outdoor activities. It also serves as a lively community hub where visitors and local residents can relax and spend time together.
The roadside station stands along the Tone River, a major river in the Kanto region that has long been affectionately known as “Bando Taro.” From the area, visitors can enjoy expansive views of the river and the beautiful mountain landscape of Mount Akagi in the distance.
The open natural surroundings provide a relaxing atmosphere where visitors can slow down and enjoy the scenery. A cycling path runs along the Tone River, making the area popular with cyclists and walkers. The adjacent sports facilities also offer a variety of recreational activities, bringing together nature, exercise, and hot-spring relaxation.
The central attraction of Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen is the day-use hot spring facility Rivertopia Yoshioka. Its source, Funao no Yu, is a natural hot spring that rises from approximately 1,300 meters underground. The water is classified as a sodium-chloride and hydrogen carbonate spring, with weakly alkaline, low-osmotic-pressure, high-temperature characteristics. The source temperature is approximately 59.5°C.
The facility features indoor and open-air baths, a sauna, and a cold-water bath, with spacious bathing areas where visitors can relax. From the open-air bath, guests can feel the breeze from the Tone River while enjoying an open view of the surrounding landscape. The changing scenery throughout the seasons adds to the appeal of the experience.
The Funao no Yu spring is traditionally said to be beneficial for conditions such as chronic skin disorders, chronic gynecological disorders, and neuralgia, and it is also visited by people seeking relaxation and wellness.
The bathing area is equipped with rinse-in shampoo and body soap, while the washing area provides plenty of space for comfortable use.
For families and groups, the facility also offers private family baths as well as private Japanese- and Western-style rooms. After enjoying the hot springs, visitors can relax in the large communal room and other rest areas.
Inside the hot spring facility, Restaurant NAGOMI provides a comfortable dining space with a warm wooden interior. Large windows offer views of the surrounding nature, making it a pleasant place to enjoy a meal or take a break after bathing.
One of the restaurant’s popular specialties is the Joshu Mugibuta Ginger Pork Set Meal, made with Joshu Mugibuta, a branded pork from Gunma Prefecture. Known for its fine texture and rich flavor, the dish is particularly popular as a signature recommendation from the roadside station manager.
Other menu options include okkirikomi, a traditional Gunma-style noodle dish, as well as sauce cutlet rice bowls, tempura soba, ramen, and other Japanese favorites. The restaurant can also be used without entering the hot spring facilities, making it a convenient place to stop for a meal during a drive.
The roadside station’s Kazaguruma Local Products Center sells fresh vegetables, fruits, processed foods, and other products grown or made by local producers. Depending on the season, visitors can find freshly harvested vegetables, wild mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and other local ingredients.
Handmade lunch boxes, prepared foods, and bread from popular local bakeries are also available, making the center a convenient place to pick up food for a drive or picnic.
The shop also carries seafood, cheese, and other products from Taiki Town in Hokkaido, Yoshioka Town’s friendship exchange partner. This gives visitors an opportunity to discover specialty foods from beyond Gunma as well.
One of the roadside station’s signature souvenirs is Funao Manju, handmade by a local food-processing group. These traditional Japanese steamed buns are carefully prepared one by one and come in three varieties: sweet red bean paste, bok choy paste, and eggplant miso paste.
With their simple, nostalgic flavors, the buns are popular with visitors looking for a distinctive local souvenir.
Adjacent to the roadside station is Yoshioka Town Green Sports Park, a spacious recreational area where visitors can enjoy a variety of sports. Facilities include cayman golf, park golf, and ground golf, offering activities that can be enjoyed by people of many different ages.
Park golf originated in Hokkaido and is easy to play with just one club and one ball. Cayman golf uses a lightweight ball that floats on water and travels a shorter distance than a conventional golf ball, making it accessible and enjoyable even for beginners.
The park also has tennis courts and cycling paths, allowing visitors to stay active while enjoying the natural surroundings along the Tone River. One of the area’s unique attractions is the opportunity to combine outdoor recreation with a relaxing soak in the hot springs afterward.
The site originally included the town-operated Rivertopia Yoshioka hot spring facility and the Green Sports Park. As the Maebashi-Shibukawa Bypass on National Route 17 was developed, additional facilities such as a local products center and information center were created to strengthen the site’s role as a community and tourism hub.
In March 2010, coinciding with the opening of the Maebashi-Shibukawa Bypass, the site was renovated and reopened as Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen. Since then, it has served as a regional destination where visitors can enjoy hot springs, sports, shopping, and dining in one location.
Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen brings together hot springs, sports facilities, restaurants, and local shopping in a single destination. Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery along the Tone River, take part in activities such as cycling and golf, and then relax in the hot springs.
With facilities suitable for families, older visitors, and people of many different generations, the roadside station is more than simply a place to take a break while driving. It is a leisure destination where visitors can comfortably spend several hours or even a full day.
For travelers exploring Yoshioka Town and the surrounding area, Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen is a convenient and enjoyable place to experience Gunma’s nature, local food, recreation, and hot-spring culture.