Roadside Station : Joso
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2025年6月 中旬
Roadside Station Joso：みちのえき じょうそう＝ミチノエキ ジョウソウ (道の駅 常総)
Among Ibaraki’s local specialties are many agricultural products that boast some of the highest production volumes in the country, such as melons, lotus root, green peppers, and eggs.
It is also famous for high-quality Wagyu beef called “Hitachi Beef (常陸牛),” the winter delicacy “anglerfish (あんこう),” “Hitachi Autumn Soba (常陸秋そば)” noodles (rated top-grade A), and “Hoshiimo (ほしいも)” (dried sweet potato), a local specialty.
And speaking of natto, the “Mito natto (水戸納豆)” from Ibaraki Prefecture is famous, and it is also widely known as a fermented food.
The “Joso Roadside Station” is a large, modern facility where you can enjoy local specialties from Ibaraki Prefecture, such as melons and natto (fermented soybeans).
(Grand opening scheduled for April 2023)
Joso Roadside Station : 道の駅 常総 HP [https://www.michinoeki-joso.com/]
Roadside Station : Joso
Address: 300-2508, Japan
1-1 Musubimachi, Josho-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture
Nearest station:
Kanto Railway Jōsō Line, Mitsuma Station (approximately 20 minutes by foot).
Located immediately after exiting the Chōsei Interchange on the Outer Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, along Route 294.
【parking】
Parking spaces: 48 for large vehicles, 114 for small vehicles, 4 for people with disabilities, and 2 for electric vehicle charging.
Total capacity: 168 vehicles (24-hour parking available)
Jōsō City: the gateway to southern Ibaraki Prefecture.
The Kinugawa River (鬼怒川), which flows through the center of the city, is said to have played a vital role in supporting this town, which once flourished as a major hub for water transportation.
The abundant water flow has brought many benefits, enabling us to cultivate a wide variety of agricultural products.
I think this roadside station is a great place to enjoy the local ingredients from the Zoso region, which are grown in a harsh yet bountiful natural environment.。
The surrounding rice fields and other landscapes are truly beautiful examples of traditional Japanese scenery.
Ibaraki Prefecture has maintained its position as the number one melon-producing region in Japan for 26 consecutive years since 1998 (based on my own research, up to fiscal year 2024), and the entire network of roadside rest areas promotes melons as a local specialty!
(*’ω’*)I love melons!
This roadside station is definitely worth a visit for melon lovers.
Me, melon, and the bakery. (ぼくとメロンとベーカリー。)
“Boku to Melon to Bakery,” located at the Joso Roadside Station, attempted to set a Guinness World Record on May 4, 2024, for “the most freshly baked pastries sold in 8 hours,” and successfully achieved a new record by selling 9,390 of their most popular item, the “Boku’s Custard Melon Bread.”
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves melons or melon bread.
Normally, I’m quite satisfied with the melon bread sold at convenience stores.
( *´艸｀)The melon bread here was so delicious!
Josho Inaho Restaurant (常総 いなほ食堂)
Fermented natto with straw set meal (わら納豆定食)
September 2025: 1,100 yen (including tax)
When you think of Ibaraki, you think of natto (just my personal opinion)!
I had never tried fermented soybeans wrapped in straw before, so I decided to try it.
Currently, it is wrapped in plastic film inside a bale of straw.
I thought I would have to tear it open from the middle to take it out, but it turned out to be the type that you open by untying the string at the edge.
I prefer to add the egg on top after the dish is cooked.
The portion size was good, but if you have a large appetite, you might want to order some additional side dishes.
For details about the facilities and services at Joso Roadside Station, including any important information or notices, please check the official website below.
https://www.michinoeki-joso.com/ Joso Roadside Station: Homepage
What makes the Joso Roadside Station attractive is that it offers various entertainment options both within the facility itself and in the surrounding area.
TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Joso Interchange
Starbucks,flour and cream (粉とクリーム),SENDA-BANDA,Kusu-guru KidsPark,Honda ASV-Lab
TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Joso Interchange [Google Map ]
Hot Spring Facilities (常総ONSEN＆SAUNA お湯むすび)
Grandberry Daichi (Aerial Strawberry Farm)[グランベリー大地（空中いちご園）]
Grandberry Daichi (Aerial Strawberry Farm)：Homepage
This time, I visited “Michi-no-Eki Joso” and enjoyed the food and strolling around, but unfortunately, I didn’t have time to try the local cuisine, visit the nearby hot spring facilities, or go to the Honda ASV-Lab.
I would like to visit again to explore the area more thoroughly.
Thank you for watching.
